What is the difference between bronze strings and silver strings? What are the best strings for an acoustic guitar?

This article will give you the information you need about the different types of acoustic and electric guitar strings. Next we will talk in detail about the thickness of the strings, the types of strings for acoustic guitar and electric guitars, about coated and uncoated strings, about nylon strings, flatwound and roundwound strings, about the materials from which strings are made and their effect on sound.

String thickness

Strings vary in size, and more specifically, in thickness. It is usually measured in thousandths of an inch. As a rule, the thickness of the strings in a set is indicated by the first string. Sometimes you can hear guitarists say something like: “I play ten.” This means they use a set of strings where the first string is 0.010 inches thick.

Acoustic guitars typically use strings ranging from 9 to 13 gauge. The most common are very light gauge strings, 10 gauge, and light gauge strings, 11 gauge. Thicker strings produce a richer, louder sound, but are more difficult to play. These will work well for you if you like your acoustic guitar to sound really tight and loud. Using thin strings will make playing easier, but you will sacrifice volume and fullness of sound.

Electric guitar string gauges range from 8 to 13 gauge. Thicker strings can be found, but they either come with flatwound or are made for baritone guitars. Most electric guitars are set to 9 or 10. For jazz and hard rock, thicker strings are used. Thick strings are also useful if you play in low tuning.

The thickness of the strings is indicated on the packaging

Acoustic guitar strings: bronze and phosphor bronze (Bronze, Phosphor Bronze)

Bronze strings are characterized by a more sonorous and bright sound compared to phosphor bronze. Their golden color is given by the alloy from which they are made: 80% copper and 20% tin. Bronze is softer than steel and also resists corrosion well, which is useful in humid climates.

Phosphor bronze strings have a soft and warm sound, unlike regular bronze. Many guitarists believe that this makes them better suited to fingerpicking. As for color, they have a red, copper tint. The composition of phosphorus bronze is similar to ordinary bronze, but it contains a small proportion of phosphorus. It prevents rapid oxidation of the metal. Approximate composition: 92% copper, 7.7% tin, 0.3% phosphorus.

Bronze (left) and phosphor bronze (right)

Electric guitar strings: nickel plated, pure nickel and steel (Nickel Plated, Pure Nickel, Stainless Steel)

Nickel plated strings are probably the most common type of electric guitar strings to date. The winding on their thick strings is made of nickel-plated steel, i.e. nickel plated steel. The steel from which the string is made is highly magnetic and ideal for magnetic pickups, while the nickel plating helps balance its bright sound. Nickel also makes the string smooth on your fingers and protects it from corrosion. It is softer than steel, so nickel and nickel strings will wear less on the frets than steel strings.

Pure nickel strings have a softer, warmer tone than steel and nickel-plated strings. If you play blues, jazz or classic rock, then you will truly appreciate the fat sound of pure nickel. Nickel resists corrosion very well and is well suited for magnetic pickups.

Steel strings have the brightest and loudest sound of all types of electric guitar strings. They also retain their sound over time because... Made of stainless steel, which resists corrosion well. Stainless steel actually feels different to the player than other strings. Some say they feel "dry" and are not as slippery as nickel. Steel - pretty hard metal, so frets with these strings will wear out a little faster, but if you want bright, ringing sound, then it's worth it.

Nickel plated strings

Strings with and without polymer coating (Coated, Non-Coated)

Polymer-coated strings have a kind of film on the surface that prevents oxidation and corrosion of the string, and also prevents dirt from getting between the turns of the winding. This helps the string sound like new for a long time. Such strings are about 2 times more expensive than uncoated ones, but if you don’t want and don’t like to change strings often, then they will be worth the money. They retain a fresh, new sound for about 3 times longer than uncoated strings. These are best for you if your hands get sweaty, you play a lot, or you live in a climate with high humidity.

Uncoated strings are cheaper, but retain their original sound for a shorter period of time.

String with polymer coating (left) and without it (right)

Nylon strings

Nylon strings are designated and graded by tension, rather than by fractions of an inch like metal strings. There are 3 tension levels for them: medium (Normal), strong (Hard) and very strong (Extra-Hard). Medium tensions are fairly easy to play, but can feel too flexible if played loudly and quickly. Strong in tension nylon strings better suited for performing loud and fast music, but b O A higher tension force may negatively affect the comfort of play. Strings with very high tension are needed to play even faster and louder music. They cause more discomfort on the fingers when playing than other nylon strings.

There are two main ways to attach nylon strings to the bridge of a guitar: with balls and knots. Usually, if you look at a guitar with nylon strings, you will see knots in the fastenings. They require a little more work when changing strings, but they are more popular.

Nylon strings attached with balls have a small plastic or metal ball at the end, a reel, thanks to which you do not have to tie a knot to attach to the bridge. These strings are less popular and more difficult to find.

The strings are attached to the bridge classical guitar nodes

Fastening strings with balls

Round and flat winding strings

Round wound strings are what most of us see when we think of a regular guitar string. The winding usually has thicker three or four strings (the winding is around the steel cord) and on the strings of this type, as the name implies, it has a round shape in diameter. The sound of such strings is louder than that of flat wound strings.

Flatwound strings have a warmer, softer sound. This is why they are commonly used in jazz and some types of blues.

Their winding is, accordingly, flat, reminiscent of flattened wire. These strings are more durable because there are fewer crevices on their surface where finger dirt can get trapped.

Round winding string (top) and flat winding (bottom)

How to determine when it's time to change strings to new ones

There are three factors that can be used to determine whether strings need to be replaced: their sound, appearance and how they feel on your fingers when playing. Of course, the most important of these is the sound of the strings. If you think the strings sound quite good, then there is no need to change them. If you think that they sound dull, unclear and dull, then it would be a good idea to replace them with new ones.

As for feeling the strings with your fingers, then good strings should be smooth and clean, there is no need to change them. Strings that are dirty, rusty or dry to the touch should be replaced.

They should look shiny, as if glossy. Dull, stained, rusty strings also need to be replaced.

The strings wear off on the frets

How often should you change strings?

It depends on many things: how often you play, what climate you live in, how sweaty your hands are, and how you keep your strings clean can all affect the lifespan of your strings.

Some guitarists change their strings every week or even after every gig, while others play with the same ones for months. How often you play will determine how often you change strings.

How to extend the life of strings

There are several rules that will help the strings not to lose their good sound. for a long time. First, wash your hands every time you play the guitar. Thanks to this, less dirt from your hands will accumulate between the turns of the winding, and sweat will not corrode them.

Secondly, after playing, wipe the strings with a rag or a special polishing cloth for strings. These two things will help you reduce the cost of new strings.

The strings on an acoustic or classical guitar have a huge impact on its sound and playability. If you have looked through the assortment of any online stores, then you have probably seen that they offer a huge variety of strings. Which strings to choose? What to look for? What does the price depend on? This article should answer all these and other questions.

Acoustic guitar strings

Because the typical acoustic guitar has no pickups and is not connected to an amplifier, its strings play a very fundamental role in how it sounds. Therefore, we must carefully consider the structure of the strings and their thickness.

Acoustic guitar and classical guitar: what is the difference?

The first and most significant difference between acoustic and classical is that a classical guitar has nylon strings, while an acoustic guitar has metal strings. In most cases, metal and nylon strings are not interchangeable, as they are designed for a specific musical style. For example, metal strings are intended for rock, blues, and country, while nylon strings are for classical, flamenco, and folk. If you use metal strings on a guitar that was designed for nylon strings, you may cause serious damage to your instrument. The neck and body of a classical guitar are simply not designed to handle the amount of tension that metal strings create. Using the wrong strings can also cause damage to both the frets and the bridge of your instrument.

All about the thickness of guitar strings

Before we get into the specifications various types strings for acoustic and classical, let's talk about string thickness as it applies to both types. Strings are manufactured in a range from the thinnest to the thickest. Thickness is usually measured in thousandths of an inch. The thinnest strings are usually .010 inches (or simply "ten"), the thickest are usually .059 inches. The thickness of the strings greatly affects the sound of the instrument.
Thin strings:

They are usually easier to play
Allows you to play bends with less effort
Sounds quieter and produces less sustain
Tend to hit the frets, which gives a very unpleasant sound
Puts the least amount of tension on the neck, which is a safe choice for vintage guitars

Thick strings:

They are usually more difficult to play
Requires a lot of effort when clamping the string and playing bends
Sounds louder and generates more sustain (compared to thin strings)
Places more tension on the bar

String thickness designation

Most string manufacturers define their thickness as either “super thin” or “thin.” While the exact sizes may vary among manufacturers, I want to give you the most typical sizes used.

Typical String Sizes

Incredibly super thin:.010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047
Super thin:.011 .015 .023 .032 .042 .052
Thin:.012 .016 .025 .032 .042 .054
Average:.013 .017 .026 .035 .045 .056
Thick: 014 .018 .027 .039 .049 .059

Metal strings for acoustic guitar

Thickness of metal strings

Let's consider the following factors in order to decide what string thickness to use:

Playing style: Let's take finger playing as an example. Playing with your fingers requires a lot of effort when producing sounds, so it makes much more sense to use thin strings. If you only want to play with a pick, thick strings will sound much better than thin strings. Okay, but what if you want to play with both a pick and your fingers? (after all, that's what most guitarists do). Your choice should be directed towards strings of medium thickness, as they will be the golden mean between ease of play and sound. If we talk in simple words, then I will say this: if you are a beginner guitarist, then give your preference to thin strings. It will be easier for you to learn to play on them and you will gradually be able to switch to thicker options. Eventually, you will be able to switch to thick ones completely and get the most benefits from them.

Desired sound: As you might have guessed, thick strings emphasize the bass register of the instrument and create deeper, stronger tones. On the other hand, thin strings will highlight high-frequency notes, which will give a sharper, crunchy sound.

Instrument age and condition: Rare guitars are often quite fragile, so thicker strings can simply move the neck, which will lead to problems with tuning. Therefore, if you have an old instrument, then play it safe and use thinner strings.

Materials used in the manufacture of metal strings

Bronze: It has clean, ringing and bright tones, but is very susceptible to wear due to its tendency to oxidize.

Phosphor bronze: It has a warmer and at the same time darker tone. Adding phosphorus to the alloy significantly extends the life of the strings.

Aluminum Bronze: Produces pronounced bass and crisp highs compared to phosphor bronze.

Copper: It has a bright, ringing metallic tone.

With polymer coating: Resin coated strings have less sustain and brightness than uncoated strings. A significant advantage is the fact that coated strings have anti-corrosion properties, which significantly extends their life.

Jon LeeVaughn of D'Addario Strings shows you how to properly change strings on an acoustic guitar.

Electric-Acoustic Guitar: Do I Need Other Strings?

Majority electroacoustic guitars, including models with nylon strings, are equipped with piezo sensors that allow you to convert string vibrations into an electrical signal using a built-in preamplifier. This type of pickup does not use magnets (like most electric guitars), so the materials used to make the strings have less impact on the sound. Some manufacturers make strings specifically for acoustic-electric guitars, and you might want to compare their sound with standard strings, but for some reason it seems to me that you won’t hear much difference.

If the electric guitar is equipped with a piezo pickup, a microphone or a magnetic pickup above the sound hole, then I would advise you to follow the recommendations from the manufacturer of this pickup rather than the advice from users.

Nylon strings for classical guitar

Characteristics of nylon strings

Typically, nylon strings are used in such musical genres like: classical, flamenco, bossa nova and folk. Their soft, gentle tone is preferred by many guitarists including jazz and country.

Many beginning guitarists think that nylon strings are easier to play than metal strings due to their soft material and lighter string tension, which is generally true. However, all beginning guitarists experience pain in their fingertips to one degree or another, regardless of whether it is an acoustic guitar with metal strings or a classical one with nylon strings. All these inconveniences will pass when your body adapts to them. Calluses on the tips of the fingers appear quite quickly, within about a month or two, and after this time, the pain in the tips of the fingers will cease to be so significant problem. I highly recommend that you do not choose a nylon string guitar just because it is a little easier to play. This choice should be made only in accordance with your musical preferences, namely: if you want to play rock, blues, country, then metal strings are your all. If you prefer classical, Spanish music, flamenco, folk, then you cannot do without nylon strings.

Also, nylon strings need to be constantly adjusted (much more often than metal ones), especially new ones that have just been installed. All this is due to the fact that they tend to stretch and are very sensitive to atmospheric influences (changes in humidity and temperature).

Materials used in the manufacture of nylon strings

Calling nylon strings nylon strings is a bit of a misnomer. As will be described below, in the manufacture of this type of strings they use various materials, so it would be more correct to call them simply “classical guitar strings.” You will also notice that the principle of making bass strings is a little different from the rest.

And now a little history. Before the 1940s, classical guitar strings were made from cow or sheep intestines. The bass strings (E, A, D) had a core of silk thread on which animal intestines were wound. The rest, the so-called high-frequency strings (E, B, G) were made from pure guts (without the use of other materials).

Modern manufacturers use pure nylon, fluorocarbon or other synthetic threads to make high-frequency strings. Bass strings have stranded, nylon cores with various metals or nylon wound around the top.

Materials and tonal characteristics of high-frequency strings

Pure Nylon: The most popular material, which is made from pure nylon monofilament. Much appreciated for its rich, clear tone.

Refined Nylon: Also made from pure nylon, which is then sanded to create smooth surface along the entire length of the string. It has a gentle, even tone than pure nylon.

Black nylon: Made from a different nylon composition. It has a warm, clear sound with prominent high-frequency overtones. Very popular among folk performers.

Bass String Materials and Tonal Characteristics

As stated above, bass strings have stranded cores that wrap around different kinds metal windings.

Bronze 80/20: Made from 80% copper and 20% zinc. This alloy has a pronounced shine and projection. Some manufacturers call these strings “gold”.

Silver Plated Copper: The material is very smooth to the touch and produces a fairly warm tone. Some manufacturers call such strings “silver”.

Some guy shows how to properly change strings on a classical guitar

Signs that it's time to change strings

It is becoming increasingly difficult to tune and maintain an instrument
You see that there is rust on the strings
The braid of the bass strings seemed to begin to “unravel”
Dissonance and instability appear even in the way you tune the instrument
You can't remember when last time changed the strings

How often should you change your strings?

Unfortunately there is no definite answer to this question, but there are some factors that shorten the life of your strings:

Sweating. When you play a lot, your fingers produce a lot of sweat, which simply corrodes the strings.
You play very aggressively, i.e. use a lot of bends and a hard attack when playing.
Frequent playing of the instrument will also wear out the strings.
You use different guitar tunings and often change the instrument.

Keep your strings clean. After each gaming session, take the time to take a dry, clean rag and simply wipe them from your sweat, pieces of skin from your fingers and dirt. This procedure will allow you to significantly extend the life of your strings.
Wash your hands before each play on the guitar, which will slightly slow down the oxidation process of the strings.
Invest in a tool for winding strings onto pegs. It will help you significantly reduce your time when changing strings.
Buy strings in 5-10 sets. This way you will save your money by buying them at wholesale prices.
You may need to urgently replace a broken string at a rehearsal or performance, so keep a spare set or individual strings in your case or case.

Main criteria

Knowing the three main parameters that should guide your selection will help you determine which strings are best for an electric guitar. Here is a simple list of them:

The material with which they are covered.
Shape of string winding.
Caliber.

Both the sound and ease of playing the guitar depend on the above characteristics.

Coating material

Electric guitar strings are made of either silver or steel. But the braid comes from different materials. Moreover, there are various techniques its application, which differ in the shape of the core braiding.

But what should you choose among today's variety and which strings are best for an electric guitar? It’s up to you to choose, and you should start from the braid first. Here are her options:

Synthetic nylon coating that makes the strings comfortable for relaxed styles guitar music. Professionals stretch them to the limit, and the sound is very clear, but this playing technique is not easy for beginners.
Nickel plated strings are very widely used for most popular brands electric guitar They sound very warm and harmonious, but, alas, are very impractical, since nickel is a soft material. But they are easy and simple to play.
Steel coated strings are not as popular as they are slightly more expensive than nickel strings. But such a winding is the best option, since the sound is clearer, more voluminous and brighter, but the frets suffer much more from such proximity.
Nickel-plated steel strings combine the advantages of both. Therefore, they can be regarded as the best option for which electric guitar strings are best to purchase.

Winding shape

Each coating material is applied to the core of the string in a special way and directly affects sound production. Here are the four winding patterns:

The flat shape is the most gentle on the fingerboard. It makes the string very smooth and easy to play. It also gives a dull harmonious sound, devoid of side effect from moving your fingers. Jazzmen love them very much.
The round shape of the winding is classic, as it is very inexpensive and widespread (due to its simplicity). The downside is that the thresholds wear out much faster. The sound is characterized by a certain whistle from sliding fingers, which many musicians turn from a minus into a plus, as a kind of expression of the main musical idea.
The semicircular shape of the winding may please fans of something new, since it includes elements of the two previous coating schemes. Initially, a round winding is made, which at the next stage is subjected to pressure, which gives the tactile sensation of a flat string.
The hexagonal winding shape is also a combination of two styles and benefits from the beauty of sound thanks to the hexagonal profile. But nevertheless, the thresholds wear out much faster.

Additionally, some sets of strings are marked FL, which means they have a tremulous system Floyd Rose. They are characterized by the absence of special reels attached to the machine. Therefore (even though such strings can be found rarely), pay attention to this mark.

Diameter

Often, when you find yourself in a conversation between two guitarists, you can hear something like: “No, the nine’s sound is not as cool as the ten’s! Take it - you won’t go wrong!” So what are they discussing? And they are talking specifically about the thickness of the string, that is, about its caliber, and when choosing a set you should be guided primarily by the diameter of the first and sixth, which are designated as 9-42. In inches this is stated as 0.009-0.042.

For beginners, thinner strings are suitable, since thick strings are difficult to master for unused fingers. But the sound thin string fluctuates less intensely, therefore not as juicy and bright. Most players use 10-46 or 9-42 calibers, but 8-38 is a good place to start. But you shouldn’t get carried away with playing the latter for a long time, because it is more advisable to switch to a thicker caliber and produce a more voluminous sound. To “chop” heavy metal, you can use strings with a diameter of 11 or 12. But in overall choice should be done based on your own experience and playing style.

What calibers are there?

Thin - from 0.008-0.009, ideal for beginner musicians learning the very basics of the art of playing the guitar. But over time, it is better to switch to thicker strings to improve the quality of sound production.
Average - 0.010, characterized by balance between the sound of the string and its thickness. This caliber is widely used by performers of various genres.
Thick ones - from 0.011 to 0.013, are favorites for representatives of metal culture, since playing such strings requires great skill and virtuoso skills. Sound production is very bright, rich and expressive.

To help you decide which strings are right for you, below is a list of well-known manufacturers, after reading which you will become much clearer about how to choose electric guitar strings based on your own preferences.

Elixir. The company produces strings High Quality, which, unfortunately, are not cheap. The main advantages include a deep timbre of sound that envelops every note. The Elixir strings have a polymer winding applied to them, which is quite pleasant to the touch. And it is thanks to her that they do not become salty and last longer. In general, you will not be disappointed with your choice. After all, based on the above, they are practical and pleasant to the ear.
D addario. They are a real dinosaur of the instrumental market, since the strings of this manufacturer have proven themselves well a century ago. Moreover, “Dadario” is still widespread and loved by the people. Admirers can be found all over the world, which is not surprising, because D addario is time-tested and can be trusted. Moreover, they are more affordable in price than strings from other manufacturers.
Ernie Ball. They differ primarily in that they are sealed in foil packaging, and not in a plastic bag. The strings are created using the latest developments in this area. The outer coating is made of a special anti-corrosion alloy, which in itself is a huge plus. In addition, Ernie Balls are reinforced with special titanium wire, which allows them to better maintain tuning. They just cost significantly more than their competitors.
Dunlop. Strings for electric guitar, also distinguished by unusual VCI (Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor) packaging, which are special envelopes, the manufacturing technology of which allows the strings to be kept as safe as possible. favorable conditions. They were produced in North America and are universal for any performance style.

Ibanez

The electric guitar from this Japanese manufacturer is known everywhere, since Ibanez became a pioneer on the way to the US music market. This one trademark its own, very complicated story.

Initially, the company was engaged in selling Italian-made guitars. But in the light tragic events (civil war), which occurred in Italy, the instrument-making workshop was destroyed, and the Japanese acquired the rights to produce guitars under their own name, setting up their production.

The specialty is horned guitars with deep cutouts. With the advent of the 80s of the last century, the Roadster Guitar and Roadster Deluxe models gained popularity, the tremolo of which is Floyd Rose, and the colors are very bright and fashionable.

Today, the Ibanez electric guitar is known everywhere and is quite affordable in price, which varies from $200 to $1,500. Therefore, you can safely choose it.

Yamaha

Electric guitars from this Japanese manufacturer have received recognition from a wide range of musicians. In terms of price, they are quite affordable, and in terms of quality they can compete for first place among the representatives of the most expensive brands. The history of their production began in the 60s, when the company's acoustic models created a serious sensation among guitarists around the world.

It is noteworthy that when creating the first electric guitar, Yamaha foresaw the increased interest of people in a new (at that time) type of instrument and they were right. Moreover affordable price was initially, which is also a kind of marketing ploy.

Today, enterprising and practical Japanese have quite wide choose models, and most likely, among them there will be “the right option” for you.

Fender

It is the most favorite brand among hard rock and heavy metal performers. It all started with the fact that back in 1946, Leo Fender founded a company producing this wonderful instrument. Nowadays, the factory produces personalized guitars, which are made individually, following all the wishes of the customer.

In addition, Fender is re-releasing old models that became hits for true music lovers. "Stratocaster" and "Telecaster" have long established themselves as excellent instruments, becoming the standard of sound.

Now the company has many models, including: Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Mustang, Roscoe Beck Bass and Prodigy. But, in addition to excellent ones, it produces various devices, amplifiers and other electronics for cool sound. The price of the instrument varies from $800 to $3000.

In general, when choosing which electric guitar strings are best, trust your hearing, tastes and preferences, and then your heart will tell you.

This review will introduce you to different types of guitar strings, types of windings and materials from which they are made. Let's look at what a string actually is. By the way, any stretched thread or metal wire can be called a string. Of course, with the condition that when playing it does not stretch or tear.

And now a little history. Our ancestors, long before the advent of guitars, used strings made from animal tendons. This type of string is called " veined"with strings. You can also find those that have survived to this day" intestinal"strings. They, as you probably already guessed, were made from animal intestines. Type of strings, appeared in. - early 19th century was completely different. These were wound strings that were able to improve the timbre of many instruments, particularly guitars. The winding helped reduce the tension, making it much easier to play. Somewhere around the same time, another type of string appeared - with a steel base or core. Although at first they were used on the piano, they later spread to other musical instruments including guitar. 20th century with its technical progress greatly increased diversity types of strings. Next we can look at each of them in more detail.

Types of strings.

- Gut strings The type of strings from this, to put it mildly, unusual material no longer produced in Russia. Although sometimes they can be found in the west, this is also a rarity. With the advent of synthetic strings, gut strings almost immediately gave way to them. The main disadvantage of this type of strings the fact that they wear out very quickly near the frets and lose their quality from high temperature or humidity, including moisture released by the hands. In other words, not the best option ;) .

- Synthetic strings The type of synthetic strings can generally be divided into two groups:

1. Nylon strings - They are used mainly for classical guitar. They are quite soft and well suited for beginner guitarists. The lower 3 strings of the guitar are made of nylon fishing line, which is made of so-called monofilament synthetics. Three top strings made from many thin nylon threads. Such a fishing line will be made from polyfilament synthetics. Usually, the winding for this type of strings They are used from copper in the form of a round wire with a silver coating (Fig. 1). Silver increases wear resistance and, to some extent, prevents the strings from getting dirty with your hands. But nevertheless, it gradually wears out in the fret area. People found a way out by experimenting with other alloys. Silver-plated brass, pure brass, or phosphor bronze are superior in wear resistance to silver-plated copper.

Rice. 1

1 2. Carbon strings The material for these strings was discovered in the 20th century in Japan, and it is called fluorocarbon or carbon. Carbon fiber is 90% denser than nylon. Therefore, at the same tension, carbon fishing line can have a smaller diameter. This string type much louder than nylon ones. Bass strings of carbon sets can be made of either carbon or nylon, since there is no noticeable difference in sonority. Although, let’s say for particularly sophisticated musicians, this small difference is enough to make their choice in favor of carbon strings.

- Steel based strings

Data types of strings most often found in pop music, rock, blues, and also where preference is given to sonority and richness of sound. These strings can be stretched three times harder than synthetic strings. In acoustics, they are usually placed on guitars with a more reinforced structure. These are non-classical acoustic guitars with Western, Jumbo, and Dreadnought body types. And, of course, such strings are used on electric guitars. Because Magnetic pickups simply won't be able to read the vibrations from a nylon string. By the way, the winding metal strings you can find different ones. Copper-based alloys are most often used, but can be found in stainless steel, nickel, brass, and phosphor bronze.

Each winding adds its own unique flavor to the sound of the instrument. We are already familiar with the “Roundwound” type winding; we can see it again in Fig. 1. This winding gives maximum sonority and velvety, which is especially noticeable for the first time after installing the strings. There are two more equally popular steel string winding type: “flatwound” and “groundwound”, they can be seen in Fig. 2. Both types of winding “eat up” the whistle and unpleasant sounds that fingers make when sliding along the strings. This is achieved because the outer side of the winding is flat. Such type of strings Very often used by guitarists who record in the studio via a microphone.

Rice. 2

That's basically all. Now you know, what kind of strings are there? for guitar. We conclude that to choice of strings should be taken quite seriously, since each type of string has its own pros and cons, its own characteristics, which can make playing the guitar somewhat easier or more difficult, and maybe even enrich it. And on my own behalf I would like to advise you: experiment!;)

It has always been an honor to be able to play the guitar. Even after learning a few chords, you can already play simple songs in the yard or near the fire to lift your mood and morale. But there are times when, due to carelessness or prolonged use, the strings on a guitar break. In order not to cut short the holiday, you should always have a spare set of strings with you. This is where it comes in main question: “How to choose strings for an acoustic guitar?”

Types of strings

For an acoustic guitar, you have the choice of installing nylon or metal strings (on the same electric guitar, you can only install metal strings). These are two opposing camps. There is still debate about which strings are best for an acoustic guitar. In fact, it all depends on the person. Acoustic guitar strings sound different. That's why they are so great amount. There are many different sets that differ from each other in various parameters that affect the sound and quality of the game. Don't forget that, among other factors, the acoustic guitar itself also affects playing. What strings are best for beginners?

Strings for Beginners

The first steps in mastering the guitar are always difficult. It is very important that from the very beginning a person enjoys playing the guitar, otherwise he will soon give up. Since the main element of a guitar is the strings, the approach to their selection should be in the first place. For beginners, nylon ones are best suited, since they have all the parameters useful to them.

Pros and cons of nylon strings

For beginners, nylon strings are best, as synthetic strings are much easier to play. Metal is a much harder material than synthetics, so it is more difficult to pluck your first chords on such strings. Synthetics, in turn, are more soft material, so learning to play it will be many times easier.

For untrained fingers, the first loads will be quite large, so you need to do everything possible to reduce the load on them. In addition, synthetics are not so harmful to the skin: although at first it will be painful to clamp the frets, but then you will quickly get used to it.

But everything is not as simple as it seems. Synthetic is a soft material, which is why it is susceptible to deformation. Because of this property, the acoustics need to be constantly adjusted as the strings stretch. They are also less durable, so you should be careful and try not to tear them.

Nylon on a guitar does not sound as loud as metal. Its sound is more subdued, but soft. Therefore, when playing “forte” you need to put in more effort.

Pros and cons of metal strings

Metal strings are made of a stronger material, which gives them such strength. They are more durable and unpretentious to other conditions. They also don't deform as much. This makes it possible to keep them tight (no need to adjust them every time). Best Strings for acoustic guitar - metal. They are rightfully considered as such, because their sound is more ringing and loud.

But they have whole line shortcomings. Due to their strength, metal strings are made thinner. Especially for beginners, this results in thick calluses on the left hand. If you re-exercise out of a spiritual impulse, your fingers may bleed, and these are not just words. That is why it is important for yourself to choose a norm, several hours a day, in order to avoid overwork and bloody blisters. In addition, pressing chords will be much more difficult than with synthetics, since metal is a harder material. Here you need to use all your strength to make a sound.

Which strings to choose

So what are the best strings for an acoustic guitar? Well, for this it is worth taking into account all the factors. If a person is just starting to study music, then it is better to use nylon strings, since they are the easiest to learn on; if you have experience, then metal strings, because they have a more beautiful sound.

How to change strings on an acoustic guitar

If suddenly the guitar you bought turned out to have a set of metal strings, but you needed nylon ones, it doesn’t matter. The question of how to change strings on an acoustic guitar is resolved very quickly.

The first step is to buy a new set of strings. They are sold in any music store, and there are plenty of them on the Internet. After that, all that remains is to remove the old ones and attach the new ones.

Old strings need to be removed starting with the pegs (those things that are attached to the headstock). By reducing the tension, you can easily untangle them with your fingers and remove them from the peg. Then simply untie the knot on the bridge (the base on which the strings are attached near right hand). Then, following the reverse procedure, new strings are put on, starting from the lower bridge and ending with the pegs.

Valuable advice: it is best to change strings for an acoustic guitar not from top to bottom, but from the sides. That is, first the sixth and first strings are put on, then the fifth and second, and only then the fourth and third. The headstock is made so that pairs of pegs hold the strings in exactly that order. The farthest pair of pegs is responsible for the first and sixth. Same with the middle and third pair of pegs.

In fact, there is nothing complicated here, you just need to practice a little.

Best Strings

You always want to have something of very high quality and reliability. The same applies to strings. As a rule, the strings for an acoustic guitar installed when purchasing it are not of high quality. This is why it is recommended to change the strings after purchasing an instrument. The best option will famous brand, dedicated to guitars, "Fender". He collected all the best in himself. This pleasure costs more than other strings, but it's worth it.