It is important to change guitar strings as soon as they get old or break. Selecting the wrong type may damage the guitar. There are a few secrets to consider when buying acoustic guitar strings.
Need to decide before buying
You first need to decide which guitar you will learn. Whether it will be a classical guitar or an acoustic one, accordingly the strings will also be different, in fact, the strings are almost the whole difference between a classical and acoustic guitar.
When choosing strings for your acoustic guitar in the store, you are sure to encounter a problem that was not there when you chose your instrument. Before buying, you will not be able to listen to how the strings sound in order to choose the most suitable for yourself. Therefore, to begin with, consult with friends or familiar guitarists who have experience behind them before deciding to buy strings.
String thickness
You need to decide what thickness of strings suits you best. It must be borne in mind that for confident playing on thick strings, the fingers on the left hand must be perfectly 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 fuller the guitar will sound.
Winding material
Copper or its various alloys. These strings are the most common and most commonly used on acoustic guitars and are therefore less expensive.
Silver plating. This metal has little effect on the sound, but it has a good effect on the aesthetic qualities. Strings with such a 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 strings, will have a slightly different sound.
String winding type
Round winding. Strings with such a winding will have a sonorous 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 matte, 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 is most often unwound, but in thicker sets with a winding, which gives it 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, you have to change the entire set.
String types
For classical (Spanish) guitar
Synthetic (nylon) strings. The first three strings consist of nylon fishing line, but the bass strings are made of a large number of threads of exactly the same nylon and have an external metal winding, most often of copper, less often of silver or brass (phosphor bronze).
Synthetic high density. These strings, unlike nylon strings, are made of carbon fiber, and at the same time they have an increased density and a thinner diameter. Such strings are characterized by a sonorous pronounced sound. The disadvantage is the high price.
Strings on steel cable. Relatively soft and with different winding strings: the first three - with nylon tape, and the 6th, 5th and 4th - with silver-plated copper. These strings have almost no stretch and change pitch fairly quickly when turning the pegs. They are less popular due to the high price and are quite unusual.
synth strings. They are characterized at the level of metal by high brightness of sound and familiar softness like that of nylon. They are quick to tune, the winding does not wear out as much from contact with the frets, and these strings also allow you to make “pull-ups”. They keep the system and juicy timbre for several months without change.
For acoustic guitar
Strings on a monolithic steel base. The core of these strings consists of high-strength, the so-called "piano steel", from which the first three strings are also made. As a winding, alloys based on copper or phosphor bronze are most often used, and the windings differ in hardness and elasticity, while imparting different stiffness to the strings. This, in turn, is reflected in the sound of the instrument and the comfort of playing with your fingers.
Steel strings with semicircular or flat winding. Such a winding may lie flat side out. These strings are a type of solid steel string. When sliding fingers along the winding turns, they do not have a “whistle”. Characterized by a more matte sound on the bass strings and more resonant on the unwound strings.
Steel strings sheathed in fine synthetics. In total there are two types. 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 fret wear. The second type is distinguished by the fact that, according to the technology, the string winding wire is already enclosed in a plastic sheath. The disadvantage is that the gaps between the turns are less insured against dirt and sweat from the fingers, but more effectively reduces wear from contact with the frets. These two types of strings are quite expensive and lack the iridescent overtones that are characteristic of roundwound strings.
When choosing strings for a guitar, you need to decide what kind of sound you personally like, what kind of guitar you have, and what is not unimportant, what kind of music you will perform or are already performing.
If you like classical guitar and only soft strings suit you best, then opt for nylon strings, but it is better to put them on a classical guitar. Because if you put them on acoustic, the sound will be too quiet and dull;
If you really care about the sonority and power of the sound of the guitar, then take steel-based strings with a first string diameter of 0.011 inches and thicker bass ones, but strong fingers are needed here;
If you don't like the "plastic" sound of nylon strings and want to have thick calluses :) on your left hand, then low tension 0.009" or 0.010" steel-backed strings are fine. You may need to increase the height of the strings above the fretboard (mainly bass strings) to avoid fret bouncing when playing.
Try to always tune the strings with a tuner or a tuning fork, because the instrument will not be able to sound fully when it is not tuned correctly. Do not overtighten the strings so as not to deform or break them at the most inopportune moment. Also, do not pull the strings weakly, because the sound will be less dense and loud, and the system will “float” at the same time. Keep in mind that even if you take the most expensive strings, but do not tune them correctly, they will sound much worse than cheap ones, but correctly tuned and matched to the hands and guitar of a particular artist.
Being able to play the guitar has always been an honor. Even having learned a few chords, you can already play simple songs in the yard or near the fire to raise your mood and morale. But there are times when, due to negligence or from prolonged use, the strings on the guitar are torn. In order not to interrupt the holiday, you should always have a spare set of strings with you. This is where the main question arises: "But how to choose the strings for an acoustic guitar?"
String types
For an acoustic guitar, there is a choice: to install nylon or metal strings (on the same electric guitar it is possible to install only metal ones). These are two opposite camps. There is still debate about which strings are best for acoustic guitar. In fact, it all depends on the person. Acoustic guitar strings sound different. That is why there are so many of them. There are a lot of different kits that differ from each other in various parameters that affect the sound and quality of the game. Don't forget that, among other factors, playing is also influenced by the acoustic guitar itself. 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 this business. Since the strings are the main element of the guitar, the approach to their selection should be in the first place. For beginners, nylon ones are best, since they have all the parameters that are useful to them.
Pros and cons of nylon strings
For beginners, nylon strings are best, as synthetics are much easier to play. Metal is a much harder material than synthetics, so it's more difficult to strike your first chords on such strings. Synthetics, in turn, are a softer material, so learning to play on 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 detrimental to the skin: although at first it will hurt to clamp the frets, but then you quickly get used to it.
But everything is not as simple as it seems. Synthetics are a soft material, which is why it is prone to deformation. Because of this property, 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 the guitar does not sound as loud as metal. Its sound is more muffled, but soft. Therefore, when playing "forte" you need to put 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 taut (no need to adjust them every time). The best acoustic guitar strings are metal. They are rightfully considered as such, because their sound is more sonorous and loud.
But they have a number of disadvantages. Due to their strength, metal strings are made thinner. Especially for beginners, this results in thick calluses on the left hand. If, out of a spiritual impulse, you re-study, then you can erase your fingers into the blood, and these are not just words. That is why it is important for yourself to choose the norm, several hours a day, in order to avoid overwork and bloody blisters. In addition, it will be much more difficult to pinch chords than on synthetics, since metal is a harder material. Here you need to apply all your strength to make a sound.
Which strings to choose
So what are the best strings for acoustic guitar? Well, for this it is worth considering all the factors. If a person is just starting to play music, then it is better to put nylon strings, since it is easiest to learn from them, if with experience, then metal ones, because they have a more beautiful sound.
How to change strings on an acoustic guitar
If suddenly the purchased guitar turned out to be with a set of metal strings, but nylon ones were required, it does not matter. The question of how to change the strings on an acoustic guitar is solved 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, it remains only to remove the old ones and fix the new ones.
Old strings need to be removed starting from the pegs (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 the knot on the bridge (the base on which the strings are attached near the right hand) is simply untied. Then, having done the reverse procedure, they put on new strings, starting from the lower bridge and ending with the pegs.
Valuable advice: the strings for an acoustic guitar are best changed not according to the principle 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 designed so that pairs of pegs hold the strings in 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 very high quality and reliable. The same applies to strings. As a rule, acoustic guitar strings installed at the time of purchase do not shine with quality. That is why it is recommended to change the strings after buying an instrument. The best option would be the famous brand dedicated to guitars, Fender. He collected the best in himself. This pleasure is more expensive than other strings, but it's worth it.
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, about the types of strings for acoustic guitar and electric guitar, about the strings with and without coating, about nylon strings, strings with flat and round winding, about the materials from which the strings are made, and their influence on the sound.
String thickness
The 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 the set is indicated by the first string. Sometimes from guitarists you can hear something like: "I play ten." This means that they use a set of strings where the thickness of the first string is 0.010 inches (10-gauge).
Acoustic guitars typically use 9 to 13 gauge strings. The most common are very light 10 and light 11 tension strings. Thicker strings produce a richer and louder sound, but are more difficult to play. They are a good fit if you like a really thick and loud sound from your acoustic guitar. Using thin strings will make playing easier, but you will sacrifice volume and fullness of sound.
Electric guitar string thicknesses range from 8 to 13. Thicker strings can be found, but they are either flatwound or made for baritone guitars. Most electric guitars are set to 9 or 10. Thicker strings are used for jazz and hard rock. Thick strings are also useful if you play in low tuning.
The thickness of the strings is indicated on the package.
Acoustic Guitar Strings: Bronze and Phosphor Bronze (Bronze, Phosphor Bronze)
Bronze strings are characterized by a more resonant and bright sound, compared to phosphor bronze. Their gold color is given by the alloy from which they are made: 80% copper and 20% tin. Bronze is softer than steel and resists corrosion well, which is useful in humid climates.
Phosphor bronze strings have a soft and warm sound, unlike conventional bronze. Many guitarists feel that this is why they are better suited for finger playing. As for the color, they have a red, copper tint. The composition of phosphor bronze is similar to ordinary bronze, but it contains a small amount of phosphorus. It prevents the 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, Stainless Steel
Nickel-plated strings are probably the most common type of electric guitar strings today. The winding on thick strings is made of nickel-plated steel, i.e. nickel plated steel. The steel from which the string is made has good magnetic properties and is ideal for magnetic pickups, while the nickel coating helps to balance its bright sound. The nickel also makes the string smooth to the fingers and protects it from corrosion. It is softer than steel, so nickel-plated and nickel-plated strings will wear down the frets less than steel strings.
Pure nickel strings have a softer and warmer sound than steel and nickel-plated strings. If you play blues, jazz, or classic rock, you'll really appreciate the fat sound of pure nickels. Nickel resists corrosion very well and is well suited for magnetic pickups.
Steel strings have the brightest and most resonant tone of all types of electric guitar strings. They also retain their sound over time as they Made of stainless steel, which resists corrosion well. Stainless steel really has a different feel to the player than other strings. Some say they feel "dry" to the touch and not as slippery as nickel. Steel is a fairly hard metal, so frets with such strings will wear out a little faster, but if you want a 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 does not allow dirt to get between the turns of the winding. This helps the string sound like new for a long time. These strings are more expensive than uncoated ones, about 2 times, but if you do not want and do not 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. They will suit you if your hands are sweaty, you play very often or 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 marked and differentiated by tension, not 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 a little too flexible if played loud and fast. High tension nylon strings are better for playing loud and fast music, but O Too much tension can adversely affect the comfort of the game. Strings with very strong tension are needed to play even faster and louder music. They cause more inconvenience to the fingers when played than other nylon strings.
There are two main ways to attach nylon strings to a guitar bridge: balls and knots. Usually, if you look at a guitar with nylon strings, you can see the knots. They require a bit more effort when changing strings, however they are more popular.
Nylon strings, which are attached with balls, have a small plastic or metal ball at the end, a spool, thanks to which you do not have to tie a knot to attach to the bridge. These strings are less popular and harder to find.
The strings are attached to the bridge of a classical guitar with knots.
Attaching strings with balls
Round and flat string wrapping
Roundwound strings are what most of us see when we think of a regular guitar string. The wrapping is usually on the thicker three or four strings (the wrapping is around the steel cord) and on this type of string, as the name implies, it is round in diameter. The sound of such strings is louder than that of strings with a flat winding.
Flatwound strings have a warmer, softer tone. That is why they are commonly used in jazz and some types of blues.
Their winding, respectively, is flat, resembling a flattened wire. These strings are more durable because there are fewer crevices in their surface where finger dirt can get stuck.
Round string winding (top) and flat string winding (bottom)
How to know when it's time to change your strings
There are three factors that can help determine whether strings need to be changed: their sound, their appearance, and how they feel to the fingers when played. By far 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 they sound muffled, unclear and dull, then it is a good idea to replace them with new ones.
As for the feel of the strings with your fingers, good strings should be smooth and clean, and you don't need to change them. Dirty, rusty and dry to the touch strings should be replaced.
They should look shiny, like glossy. Dull, stained, rusty strings also need to be replaced.
The strings rub against the frets
How often do you need to change the 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 strings.
Some guitarists change their strings every week or even after every gig, while others play the same strings 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 lose their good sound for a long time. First, wash your hands every time you play the guitar. Due to this, less dirt from the hands will accumulate between the turns of the winding, and sweat will not corrode them.
Second, after playing, wipe the strings with a rag or special polishing cloth for strings. These two things will help you cut down on new strings.
Where do you get new guitar strings? Personally, I prefer to buy them in ordinary music stores, having felt them live, at the same time exchanging jokes with the local sellers I have known for a long time. However, you can order guitar strings online without any worries.
Wandering through the expanses of online stores, you probably noticed that the types of guitar strings for sale are quite numerous. Of course, after that, the question could not help but arise, since how to choose strings for a guitar, how not to make a mistake with the choice when buying? These questions need to be dealt with in advance.
Varieties of strings according to the material of manufacture
There are three main types of strings, these are:
- Organic gut (Catgut) - traditional strings made from animal sinew and wrapped with wire. Despite their short service life, many guitarists still prefer to install only gut strings on their instrument.
- Nylon strings are favored by classical guitarists. They are soft and supple, and therefore suitable for beginners. The three tenor strings (lower) are made of nylon line, and the three bass strings are nylon threads wound in the form of gold or silver-plated wire.
- Steel is the most popular type of string. The sound of the instrument on which these strings are placed has a bright and sonorous timbre. The winding of steel strings is made of a wide variety of materials: nickel, phosphor bronze, brass and others.
About different types of string windings
Let's talk in more detail about wrapping, or string wrapping as it is sometimes called. The wire covering the core of the strings can be made in several versions.
- Round braid is the cheapest to manufacture, which means that the cost of guitar strings will be lower. The main disadvantages: creaking of fingers on the strings when playing, rapid wear due to contamination of the sinuses of the braid.
- The flat braid eliminates unnecessary sounds. Such strings are put on a guitar for the sake of a studio recording. Main disadvantage: less bright sound than roundwound strings.
- A semicircular braid is a hybrid that includes both the pros and cons of the two previous types.
What is string tension?
Before choosing guitar strings, find out what their tension is: light (light), medium (medium) or heavy (heavy). Several factors affect the tension force: their length, mass, tuning frequency, diameter, winding material and core size.
It is believed that the stronger the tension, the louder and brighter the instrument sounds. If it is light, the instrument is quiet and melodious. Another nuance is that strings with a heavy tension will not be so easy to press on the frets, and therefore, for beginners, it is recommended to take the strings of the lightest tension to make playing easier.
The most popular manufacturing companies and the cost of guitar strings
D'Addario and LaBella have long produced a wide range of strings for classical and acoustic guitars. They are considered the most popular manufacturers - all their types of guitar strings have excellent characteristics and are not sold at such a high price (about $ 10).
Separately, there are the strings of the French manufacturer Savarez. They are made of high-strength materials, have excellent sound data, and therefore their cost is high (from $20).
The most popular string manufacturers for electric guitars and basses are Elixir and DR. Their prices are very democratic: for electric guitars - from 20 USD, for a four-string bass - from 70 USD.
Why can't steel strings be used on a classical guitar?
The mechanics of the tuning pegs and the bridge in a classical guitar are made of lightweight materials. Therefore, only nylon strings can be put on this type of guitar - they are soft and not very stretched, which means they are not able to break and ruin the instrument.
Steel strings are used on guitars with reinforced construction, such as acoustic six-strings. Well, if you try to put nylon strings on an electric guitar, then see for yourself that the pickup simply cannot read sound vibrations from them.
Conclusion
So, in the matter of choosing strings, you need to focus on the instrument itself, its strength or, conversely, softness, on the level of your technical skill (tight or light stretch), on the practical purpose of the instrument (training, concert, studio, etc.), well and on the traditions that have developed in guitar schools (preferences for materials of one type or another).
Of course, one of the most important criteria, and for some the main one, is the cost of guitar strings. And yet, pay attention also to the packaging of the strings - it should contain not only the characteristics of the product, but also the main data of the manufacturer. Carefulness will protect you from buying a fake.
Check out other posts on the subject of the guitar. You may be interested in and. Subscribe to site updates to receive new articles directly to your email inbox - the subscription form is at the very bottom of this page.
From time to time, every plucked instrument requires changing the strings. They wear out, in direct proportion to the intensity of use of the guitar. Their service life is affected by the fact how often the guitarist accompanies the vocalists. In order to make a good choice, and the buyer is not disappointed in the purchase, we will take the liberty of publishing some useful tips for choosing strings.
We hope that our work will be appreciated, first of all, by beginner guitarists. It is they, to a greater extent than experienced musicians, who experience difficulties in choosing the strings intended for their favorite musical instrument. Modern e-commerce has the ability to satisfy any needs of potential buyers. The choice of goods is so huge, and sometimes it’s not even easy to determine what to buy. Manufacturers of strings for plucked musical instruments supply trading companies with goods of various prices and quality levels. A dynamically developing business is obliged to develop and constantly offer new products to the markets. Otherwise, you will not be able to compete. For experienced accompanists, no doubt, it is easier to make a choice.
But how not to make a mistake for those who are just rubbing calluses on their fingers, sliding them along the strings?
During the selection of guitar strings, it is necessary to keep in mind a few nuances that can greatly facilitate the process we are covering. We assure you that over time you will gain experience that allows you to independently make purchases of the required accessories. One of the first tasks that can become key to satisfying your need is what kind of guitar you need strings for:
- acoustic
- classical
- electrical
- bass guitars
Then we need to determine the configuration, and what material the strings are made of. The diameter of their section and the configuration of the winding.
Acoustic guitar strings
For acoustic plucked instruments
The best strings are made from steel and polymers. Metal - from "stainless steel". Synthetic - carbon or nylon. If you recently picked up a guitar, then buy polymer strings. They are softer than steel, and it will be more comfortable for your fingers to learn the technique of playing chords. Carbon strings are more expensive, but they sound much better than nylon strings. Therefore, at this step, the choice is yours. Everything depends on the funds you planned for the purchase. Metal strings sound louder than carbon strings. But they are pulled on guitars of reinforced construction, with a powerful neck.
Diameter and stiffness
The elasticity of guitar strings for acoustic musical instruments directly depends on their section. They are produced and sold in the following sizes:
- 9/45 - thin and soft, with a quiet "voice"
- 10/47 - a little harder than the previous ones, recommended for beginner guitarists
- 11/52 - "golden mean", optimal in terms of rigidity and reproduction of sound power
- 12/53 - medium tension, recommended for completing new tools
- 13/56 - these pull hard, for experienced guitarists with a lot of experience
Classical guitar strings
For classic musical plucked instruments, we recommend buying nylon strings. They are soft. It is comfortable to sort them out during the accompaniment of a vocalist performing romances or other pieces of music from the romantic repertoire, which is called: “In the circle of friends”. The bottom three "classic" strings are made in one strand of nylon fishing line. They are sold polished or sanded. Top: No. 4, 5, and 6 strings are made from multiple nylon strands. They are covered with a thin layer of metal alloys, mainly copper, zinc and silver.
According to the degree of elasticity and tension, they are divided into:
- normal
- strong
- very strong
The only downside to nylon strings is their short life. But on the other hand, they do not rub calluses on the fingertips of guitarists.
For acoustic basses
The prototype of the bass guitar is the double bass. Since time immemorial, animal veins have been used as strings for it. The sound of the instrument could not be called satisfactory until the musicians were offered strings, the sinews of which were wrapped with round steel wire. Loudness and sound quality improved, but another problem arose with the rapid wear of the frets, which degraded acoustic performance. Later, the steel coating was replaced with copper-nickel. The double bass received a soft sound, and the frets became more durable. But the service life of the new, improved strings did not satisfy the musicians, due to their rapid wear. Thanks to the sanding of the coating, which was the final process in the manufacture of bass guitar strings, they turned out to be good, and were able to satisfy the requirements of the most demanding, sophisticated consumers. When choosing strings, you need to know some more little things. In addition to coating, the sound quality of a low tone is affected by the thickness of the core. Thin, she rings louder. Thick - more powerful, the string sounds louder and richer.
Bass strings
For electric guitars
Electric guitars have gained immense popularity among fans of modern music, and have significantly replaced acoustic relatives. This type of plucked instruments, in addition to the soundboard and neck, also has pickups and complex electronic filling in its design. Therefore, the strings for them need special ones. The range of sounds extracted from different electric guitars (bass, rhythm, solo) is very wide. Consider some types of strings that can safely be called unique in their kind.
For electric basses
The best interaction in the electromagnetic field formed by the pickups of the musical instrument in question is banal iron. Accordingly, the main material for the manufacture of strings is steel of special grades.
Bass strings
Diameter value
- 0.008 - the thinnest "eight" guitar strings. Recommended for beginner accompanists who prefer a soft, non-aggressive sound of a musical instrument.
- 0.009 - they are also "nine". They have a denser sound when compared with the "eights".
- 0.010 - the classic "ten". The most popular strings among "rockers".
- 0.011-0.013 are the "heaviest" strings. These are for fans of the deafening heavy metal game.
Electric guitar string diameters
Hybrid string sets will appeal to musicians who tend to play piercing solos while backing up their playing with powerful bass. The first, lower three strings in similar sets of standard sizes. The top three are thickened, for playing the notes of the lower octave in "outrageous decibels". In sales there are also sets in which a third string is inserted with a top braid. Such kits are in demand by guitarists playing blues and jazz compositions.
Coating for EMI strings
In the process of choosing a specific set of strings, you also need to be aware of the nuances associated with the types and types of coatings. Everything is simple with the core: it is always steel. But the braid of the strings is nickel or steel, copper-plated. The nickel-plated string gives the guitar a soft tone. Solo at concerts, performed on an electric musical instrument with such accessories, is especially fascinating. Their only drawback is a short service life, but real professionals will never refuse them. Steel-coated analogs produce a wide range of bright, punchy sounds from electric guitars. They are used by musicians of various styles: from classical to hard rock. The Metallists are in great demand. In order to protect guitar strings from excessive corrosion, manufacturers put a thin polymer layer on the coating. Which will certainly affect the cost of the kits in the direction of their rise in price.
Winding geometry
The distribution network sells strings with windings of the following configurations:
- round
- semicircular
- flat
String Coating Methods
Types of string windings
The cheapest in terms of cost are analogues with a round winding configuration. They are quite simple to manufacture, do not require complex production lines. A round wire is wound on a classic steel core. During the performance of chords, listeners often hear a "creak" from the movement of the musician's fingers along the frets. The strings are hard and mercilessly erase the separators and the lacquer on the fretboard. Semi-circular winding is a hybrid of flat and round technologies. Perhaps, such strings can be safely called the most popular among amateur guitarists. They most carefully treat the owner's fingertips and his musical instrument. Slightly more expensive are similar flat-wound accessories. Their round core is wrapped with square wire, but with oval ribs. This production technology has almost eliminated the "squeaks" that accompany the movement of the fingers along the neck. Guitarists are much more comfortable playing them than their round analogs.
Popular brands
Introducing the top five most popular guitar string manufacturers.
- Elixir - products of this brand are coated with a polymer composition on top, which increases the life of the strings, which are considered one of the longest playing. They are soft to the touch. They are pleasant and comfortable to touch with your fingers while playing musical compositions on the guitar.
- D "Addario is in second place. They are in high demand among most guitarists of various backgrounds.
- GHS - inexpensive, but perhaps the most optimal in the "Price-quality" segment. A favorite commodity in metalworking circles.
- Ernie Ball - decent quality coupled with excellent string endurance for a small price.
- Dean Markley - inexpensive American strings, enjoying some popularity among amateurs and professionals.
When to change strings
Then when they became:
- soft - hard
- hard - soft
- make dull sounds
- sound different on adjacent frets
- rattling, with damaged winding
Unfortunately, there are still sellers who are trying to sell anything, as long as it is more expensive. Therefore, purchase goods in stores with an impeccable reputation. Familiar musicians will be able to suggest the address. Feel free to ask them about it. In any case, first decide what strings you need for your guitar. Visit thematic forums or groups on social networks and read reviews about the product you intend to buy. Explore the price range. Ordering in online stores is always cheaper than in real trading enterprises. But do not forget about the cost of shipping your purchase. Do not rush to throw away old strings. They may not have all gone bad. And it may happen that one string breaks, and there will be nothing to replace it. To keep your strings clean, wash your hands before handling the guitar. After playing it, wipe the strings with a rag soaked in a special degreasing solution. Experienced guitarists assure that the strings need to be replaced once every six months if you often play the guitar. To increase the life of the strings, care must be taken. Wipe them regularly with a lint-free cloth. Using a fretboard polish will protect the frets from oxidation and prolong the life of the metal baffles. A shining guitar itself asks for a hand. Take care of your instrument, and it will thank you with excellent sound.
