Metal strings for acoustic guitar. Which strings to choose

Friends, in this article we will talk about strings for acoustic guitar, let's learn to understand them and choose the right set.

If the sound of your guitar is not as bright as before, and playing is not very comfortable, then it’s time to change the strings!

What does a beginner need to know?

So take a look at your guitar. Pay attention to the thickness of its neck and the strings that are or were previously on it. The neck is narrow and the strings are metal? Now look at the guitar in our picture. Is your guitar similar to it?

Most likely, this is exactly what you have, an acoustic guitar. So you can safely take a set of D`ADDARIO EZ900 strings. These strings are suitable for beginners; they are thin, do not cut fingers and are convenient for mastering all playing techniques. By the way, if you took it out of the closet old guitar factory named after Lunacharsky and decided to remember his youth, then this set of strings is also suitable.

If you still have doubts and you can’t figure out the type of guitar you have on your own, then tell the seller (at the Pop-Music store;)) the model name indicated on the label under the strings. One of the most common mistakes buyers - ask for “regular” strings for a “regular” guitar. It's like a red rag for a bull :)

And some buyers try to put on the guitar the first strings they come across. We would like to immediately warn you that electric guitar strings will sound very bad on an acoustic. You won’t hear the sound of the guitar, your ears will have an unnatural ringing of strings and nothing more. Nylon strings are also not suitable, they are too soft and their tension is not enough to obtain the necessary resonance from the body. So, first things first.

What affects the sound of a guitar? Of course, your experience. In addition to this, the wood from which the guitar is made, the build quality, as well as the parameters of the strings - thickness and material - have an influence. We will consider the last two factors, since our article is about strings.

When size matters

The string size is indicated in inches and can be found on the packaging. For example, 10–50, where 10 is the thickness of the first string and equals 0.01 inches, and 50 is the thickness of the last string equal to 0.05 inches. The most common sets are six strings, but there are also seven and twelve strings.

Thin strings (10–50) are comfortable for initial stage learning, they are easy to press, the fingers do not get tired even with an aggressive manner of playing, and the guitar still sounds and makes you happy. It is more difficult to play on thick strings, but their timbre is richer and they are able to “swing” the body of the guitar. The wood begins to resonate, and the musician is able to extract much more nuances of sound.

By default, the manufacturer puts 11–52, 12–53 strings on guitars (this is the average value), because their main task is to demonstrate the instrument before selling it with the best side, and then you decide for yourself what thickness to choose based on your preferences. In general, if you change strings, keep an eye on their height. Adjust the deflection of the neck if necessary using an anchor wrench or seek help from a luthier or dealer. Too high - it’s difficult to play, your fingers will get stuck, too low - there will be extra “tinkling”. The setting is done experimentally.

How much is the material?

The materials used to make acoustic guitar strings are bronze, nickel, phosphorus, steel, silk, and aluminum. Bronze with various additives is mainly used, which allows you to achieve a certain shade in the sound. On the websites of string manufacturers you can find a very convenient guide to the sound brightness scale (bright - mellow). Bronze strings are the brightest. You will be heard in a duet of two guitars. Try, for example, ERNIE BALL 2004.

For guitars with a pickup, the GHS WB-XL kit is a good choice. These strings reduce unnecessary overtones that occur when sliding along the fingerboard and unnecessary ringing.

The combination of bronze with nickel or phosphorus will give the sound softness and intimacy. Perfect for performing in combination with guitar + vocals. One of the models of such strings is D`ADDARIO EJ16.

Silk and steel produce a soft and rich sound for jazz, lounge and similar styles. The D`ADDARIO EJ40 model is suitable for all this.

In addition to the material, the sound is affected by the braid on the strings. The most common type is round wound, which is used to achieve a bright and ringing timbre. Flat tape wound is suitable for playing jazz, blues, and slide playing (consider D`ADDARIO EFT15 as an option).

Many guitarists choose strings with nanocoating, which serves as protection against dirt, grease and other foreign elements on their surface. For example, POLYWEB series strings from ELIXIR are durable, and when playing them, your fingers seem to glide along the fingerboard. ELIXIR strings from the NANOWEB series are similar in properties to strings with standard round braid.

If you are the proud owner of a 12-string guitar, then there are special kits for you. Everything said above about material, braid and coating applies to them as well.

How often should you change strings?

The main criteria for replacing strings are their wear and dull timbre. If you are just learning to play guitar and spend a lot of time practicing scales and chords, we recommend changing your strings every three months. Many professional musicians They change the strings before every concert.

Despite the protective coatings, the strings will retain their original timbre longer if they are properly cared for. Use special care products and you will extend their life.

As soon as you remove the strings from the guitar, you will see " dark side music": skin particles, fat, metal oxidation. Wipe the fretboard with PLANET WAVES PW-LMN lemon oil. This product will also protect the fingerboard from drying out. Remember, lemon oil should not get on the strings, otherwise oxidation cannot be avoided.

After each guitar play, wipe the strings - use a napkin or a special device FORCE ACE 30 BLACK.

Sometimes sudden change Humidity negatively affects the coating of the strings, making it difficult for your fingers to slide from fret to fret. Sweaty hands before an important concert also leave their mark on the strings. Use the GHS FAST FRET A87 air conditioner. Remember, air conditioning will not extend the life of your strings, it will only help you play a concert without “extra rubbing”

Do not forget to wipe off dust and fingerprints from the case with a special napkin. Love your guitar!

Conclusion

Today there are a lot of different strings on the market, as they say, depending on taste and color. Amateurs and professionals have plenty to choose from. A huge field for experimenting with sound opens up before you. Follow our recommendations and take action!

When choosing strings for a classical guitar, many guitarists do not think about the possibility of experimenting with various types materials: most musicians are still confident that only nylon sets or their traditional, but more expensive analogue - gut strings can be installed on a classical (Spanish) guitar. However, this is not at all true: in this material you can learn about which strings for a classical guitar are better, what types of strings are on the market today and which models are the most popular.

How to choose strings for a classical guitar: basic production technologies

IN in a general sense“classical” guitar strings are sets for instruments with a fan-shaped spring system, having a total tension in the range of 30...45 kg, in American tradition Games on the classics are also quite popular, and sets with a tension of up to 50 kg.

Today the market is widespread the following types classical strings:

• Traditional intestinal;
• Synthetic (“nylon”);
• Reinforced synthetic (“carbon”);
• With steel core;
• Synthalic;

What strings are best for a classical guitar?

Everyone can definitely answer this question for themselves - we will tell you about the features of each type of kit.

Intestinal strings (Gutstrings)- very often they are also called “veined”. By the way, this name is erroneous - they are not made from veins or tendons, but from the intestines of animals: mainly domestic sheep. Today, it is very difficult to find such sets for free sale: firstly, they are not very practical (the smell is “not for everybody”, they wear out quite quickly), and secondly, the cost of such strings is extremely high.

They are used mainly by amateurs early music, for the most part, the use of gut strings is disposable: despite the development of production technology and the use of impregnations and protective compounds, due to moisture and temperature, the strings usually become unusable after one concert.

Synthetic strings- conventionally they are called nylon. They were invented by Augustine back in the 40s of the last century, when participation in World War II forced large industrial countries to look for cheaper and more accessible materials for production for the medical field. So engineers invented a synthetic thread, which they called nylon.

The top three strings (the thinnest) are a monolithic nylon line (“monofilament”). The three lower strings (thick, “bass”) are a monolithic fishing line or an interweaving of several nylon fishing lines (“polyfilament”) in the core, which is covered on the outside with a metal winding. The classic braiding material is round-profile wire made of silver-plated copper.

Why silver plated coating is needed: It gives classical guitar strings a more attractive appearance, protects your fingers from staining due to contact with copper, and also serves as an excellent indicator of wear on the set.

The disadvantage of copper winding is its softness, which is especially noticeable on the 4th string (the thinnest braid) at the point of contact with the frets. IN recent years To solve this problem, manufacturers do not use pure copper, but alloys: nickel silver, phosphorus bronze, brass, etc. Please note that alloys make the sound of a classical guitar is more velvety and “matte”.

Reinforced synthetic strings- are made from something invented in the late 90s. in Japan, a polymer composition with a very long name, which in everyday life musicians and manufacturers by common agreement began to call “carbon”. Density of this material more than 1.5 times higher than nylon - this makes it possible to produce thinner strings with an identical guitar tuning and at the same tension. The picture below shows how the diameter of traditional and reinforced synthetic strings differs at the same tension:

1. First string (E): 0.7 and 0.54 mm
2. Second string (B): 0.8 and 0.61 mm
3. Third string (G): 1 and 0.76 mm

Carbon strings are thinner, but they sound brighter and louder than their nylon counterparts - and the cost of reinforced sets is higher. The service life of carbon kits, oddly enough, differs from traditional nylon kits in big side very little.

Steel backed strings appeared on the market as an experiment at the beginning of the 21st century and, in general, found their audience. A special feature of the production technology is the use of winding on all six strings: it is applied to a core of thin steel threads twisted into a single core. The winding on the thin strings is a flat nylon tape; the bass strings are usually wound from classic silver-plated copper.

Their main feature is that the strings on a steel cable have almost no stretch and react perfectly to the movement of the peg. They have a high cost, but are loved by individual classical guitar players because of their softness and fairly bright sound.

Synthalic strings(sintal=synthetics+steel) - enough new development, the peculiarity of which is the combination of the properties of nylon and steel. Soft strings that tune up very quickly and have a bright sound. Syntal strings wear out more slowly than traditional synthetic sets.

String tension for classical guitar

Due to the active use of synthetic materials, some manufacturers of classical guitar strings do not indicate the diameter of the strings on their sets. This is due to the lightness of polymers: even a noticeable change in the gauge of the strings will not cause a significant difference in tension due to the almost constant weight of the string. In this situation, the following tension classification for nylon strings has become more widespread:

• Normal/Regular Tension - normal/medium tension
• Hard/High Tension - strong tension
• Extra High Tension - very strong tension.

It should be remembered that a louder, juicier and richer sound usually gives a stronger tension.

Choosing guitar strings, happy owner musical instrument must take into account the whole a number of parameters: manufacturer, material, coating, type of winding. One of the most important indicators is string thickness, or, to put it differently, their caliber.

String gauge defines two important points: sound and playability. The thicker the string, the richer and louder the sound will be, but they are more difficult to pinch. Thin strings are easier to handle, which is why beginners often prefer them. In general, the choice of caliber depends on what and how you want to play and what you are willing to sacrifice: sound or convenience.

String thickness most often expressed in fractions of an inch. The kit packaging indicates the thickness of the 1st and 6th strings separated by a hyphen. It looks something like 9-42, 10-46 and so on. In slang - “nine”, “ten”, etc. Acoustic guitar strings typically come in gauges of .009 or higher, while figure eight strings are used primarily for electric guitars.

What thickness of strings should I choose?

The thinnest strings are chosen either, as already mentioned, by beginners or virtuoso guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen. Also thin strings They are better suited for all kinds of bends (“pull-ups”), so blues lovers will also like them. The most popular 1st string gauges are 0.010 and 0.011. More thick strings are used less frequently, but with them you can achieve a richer and denser sound. They will come in very handy, for example, in jazz. Also, large gauge strings are often used for playing in low tuning (Drop D or even Drop C). In addition, thick strings are better suited for scratching.

Usually you can find a long article of several pages, which describes all the intricacies of string selection, but in reality, the choice comes down to several essentially identical options.

What strings to choose for an electric guitar? The choice of strings for an electric guitar depends on your task. If you just need high-quality strings, or you are a beginner musician, start with the main manufacturers, market leaders: American Ernie Ball, La Bella (this company is worth special attention - for example, they invented the same strings for the electric guitar, and they have a huge assortment) or D "Addario. The most popular gauges are 9-42 (softer, will be comfortable for a beginning guitarist, easier to play solo), 10-46 (usually installed on Strats and similar guitars, generally the most popular caliber) and 10-52 (installed by default on LesPaul, they sound a little lower than 10-46 and a little harsher), and if the guitar is 7-string, start with 10-56 Traditional materials are. steel strings with Nickel wound, start with them. For a warmer (vintage) sound, choose a Pure Nickel winding, for a brighter sound, choose a Stainless Steel wound. Have you already gotten the hang of it and know the caliber you need? Try strings with improved qualities: Austrian Thomastik provides excellent rich sound. We advise rock musicians to pay attention to Ernie Ball and Dunlop - with them it is easier to achieve a harsh sound, and they cope better with rough handling. :) Strings with an increased service life due to a special coating - for example, Elixir, will last 3-4 times longer, this is very convenient if the guitar is not used very actively - when idle, the strings will not be exposed to the environment for a long time. Next, pay attention to products less large manufacturers- such as Curt Mangan or Kerly, which have their own characteristics and production technologies - you may find the most suitable strings with them!

What strings to buy for a bass guitar? For beginners, and for most, strings of standard gauge with soft or medium tension are suitable: 45-100 or 45-105 (40-125 or 45-125 for a 5-string guitar) from any manufacturer, with traditional nickel-plated winding. Often the choice is made in favor of steel-wound strings - they have a brighter sound with an extended low range. If you need strings with an extended service life, choose coated strings, such as Elixir or other manufacturers. In our catalog, similar strings can be easily found by noting “Extended service life” or “Protective coating” in the product filters. Better, richer sound is offered, for example, by the D"Addario NYXL and Ernie Ball Cobalt series.

What strings to buy for a classical guitar? First of all, if you are just starting to play, we recommend medium string tension, this will make it easier on your hands and fingers. A tighter tension will produce a richer, louder sound, but these strings are a little more difficult to play. Classical guitar strings are made primarily from nylon and silver-plated copper windings. Similar strings good quality at a low price they offer well-known American companies D "ADDARIO and ERNIE BALL, or inexpensive series from the German HANNABACH - they are suitable for a beginning musician or for everyday amateur playing, and will never disappoint you. If you are seriously learning to play the guitar, and want to get an excellent sound and make the learning process more enjoyable - try SAVAREZ strings, which are recommended by most music schools and teachers. Find the strings that will maximize the sound of your guitar and be comfortable for you!

What strings to buy for an acoustic guitar? For beginners, we recommend calibers 10-47 or 10-50, which have a softer string tension, this will make it easier on the hands and fingers, making learning easier and more comfortable. 11-52 or 12-54 have a tighter tension, but also a more powerful sound output - choose these strings if you already have experience playing the guitar. The second important criterion is the material. 80/20 Bronze Alloy sounds brighter, Phosphor Bronze sounds warmer and richer, and strings with a special coating (Ernie Ball Everlast or Elixir) will last especially long. There are other alloys, such as Aluminum Bronze or Nickel Bronze, which are brighter in the mid-high range, and are more resistant to corrosion even without a special coating. Whatever you choose, they will not disappoint with their quality.

It is important to replace guitar strings as soon as they become old or break. Choosing the wrong type may damage your guitar. There are a few tips to consider when purchasing acoustic guitar strings.

Need to decide before purchasing

First you need to decide what kind of guitar you will learn. Whether it is a classical guitar or an acoustic one, the strings will also be different; in fact, the strings are almost the whole difference between a classical and an acoustic guitar.

When choosing strings for your acoustic guitar in a store, you will definitely encounter a problem that did not exist when you were choosing your instrument. Before purchasing, you will not be able to listen to how the strings sound in order to choose the most suitable ones for yourself. Therefore, first, consult with friends or acquaintances of guitarists who have experience behind them before you decide to buy strings.

String thickness

You need to decide what thickness of strings suits you best. You need to keep in mind what you have for confident play on thick strings the fingers on the left hand should be well trained. As a rule, the diameter of the 1st string in different sets can vary from 0.008 to 0.013 inches. The thicker the strings, the richer and more voluminous the guitar will sound.

Winding material

Copper or its various alloys. These strings are the most common and most often used on acoustic guitars and are therefore less expensive.

Silver coating. This metal has little effect on the sound, but has a good effect on aesthetic qualities. Strings with this coating do not fade, look beautiful and do not leave dark marks on the fingers.

Brass or phosphor bronze. Such strings will be more durable and, unlike copper ones, will have a slightly different sound.

String winding type

Round winding. Strings with such a winding will have a ringing and bright sound, especially immediately after replacement, but not for a long time.

Flat winding. When choosing such strings, keep in mind that their sound will be dull, as if muffled.

The 1st and 2nd strings are always made without winding. The 6th, 5th and 4th bass strings are always wound. The 3rd string most often comes without a winding, but in thicker sets with a winding, which gives its sound a more beautiful and rich sound, but it also has a drawback. Due to the fact that the winding is very thin, it often breaks and becomes unusable, and because of this it is necessary to change the entire set.

Types of strings

For classical (Spanish) guitar

Synthetic (nylon) strings. The first three strings are made of nylon fishing line, but the bass strings are made of large number threads of exactly the same nylon and have an external metal winding, most often made of copper, less often of silver or brass (phosphorus bronze).

High density synthetic. These strings, unlike nylon strings, are made of carbon fishing line, and at the same time have an increased density and a thinner diameter. Such strings are characterized by a ringing, pronounced sound. The disadvantage is the high price.

Strings on steel cable. The strings are relatively soft and have different windings: the first three are with nylon tape, and the 6th, 5th and 4th are with silver-plated copper. These strings have almost no stretch and change pitch quite quickly when the pegs are turned. They are less popular due to high price and very unusual.

Synthallic strings. They are characterized at the metal level by high sound brightness and the usual softness like nylon. They tune up quickly, the winding does not wear out so much from contact with the frets, and these strings also allow you to make “braces.” Maintains tune and rich timbre for several months without changing.

For acoustic guitar

Monolithic steel strings. The core of these strings consists of high-strength, so-called “piano steel”, from which the first three strings are also made. Alloys based on copper or phosphorus bronze are most often used as windings, and the windings differ in hardness and elasticity, while imparting different rigidity to the strings. This in turn affects the sound of the instrument and the comfort of playing with your fingers.

Steel strings with semicircular or flat winding. Such a winding can lie flat side out. These strings are a type of string with a solid steel base. When sliding fingers along the coils, the windings do not make a “whistle”. They are characterized by a more matte sound on bass strings and a more ringing sound on unwound strings.

Steel strings covered with thin synthetic material. There are two types of them. The first type includes strings in which on top of the metal winding there is another additional thin tape winding consisting of Teflon - a synthetic material that has low friction and good wear resistance. Protects the twisted string from dirt and moisture and reduces wear from contact with the frets. The second type differs in that, according to the technology, the wire winding the strings is already enclosed in a plastic sheath. Disadvantage - the gaps between the turns are less protected from contamination and sweat from the fingers, but they more effectively reduce wear from contact with the frets. These two types of strings are quite expensive and lack the iridescent sound that is characteristic of round wound strings.

When choosing strings for a guitar, you need to decide what sound you personally like, what kind of guitar you have and, not least, what kind of music you will play or already play.

If you love classical guitar and only soft strings are most suitable for you, then opt for nylon strings, but it is better to put them on a classical-type guitar. Because if you put them on acoustic, the sound will be too quiet and dull;

If the ringing and sound strength of the guitar is very important to you, then take steel-based strings with a first string diameter of 0.011 inches and thicker bass ones, but this requires strong fingers;

If you don't like the "plastic" sound of nylon strings and want thick calluses on your left hand, then either cable or 0.009" or 0.010" low tension steel backed strings will suit you. You may need to increase the height of the strings above the fretboard (mostly the bass strings) to avoid them chattering on the frets when playing.

Try to always tune the strings using a tuner or tuning fork, because the instrument will not be able to sound fully if it is not tuned correctly. Do not over-tighten the strings so as not to deform them or break them at the most inopportune moment. Also, you shouldn’t tighten the strings loosely, because the sound will be less dense and loud, and the tuning will “float.” Keep in mind that even if you take the most expensive strings, but don’t tune them correctly, they will sound much worse than cheap ones, but correctly tuned and matched to the hands and guitar of a particular player.