Which Strings Should You Use on Your Guitar?
Seriously though, It's a common question, especially from newer players. And since I've addressed this question numerous times in Facebook guitar related groups, yet it still seems to be asked again and again in those same groups, I thought I'd write a post to spell out my opinion and advice on the subject.
What kind of bothers me when I see these conversations on social media is not the fact that people are asking the question. As far as I'm concerned, ask all the questions! But the answers I see in the comments are the troubling thing, just because they're not all that helpful, and yet people who are new to playing guitar are taking them as solid advice.
So, what makes those comments unhelpful? Simply put, most people just drop the name of a brand. "You should use D'Addarios, they're awesome!" "No, Elixers are the best!" "What are you talking about? It's all about Martin strings because (insert name of famous guitarist here) uses them!"
Every once in a while, someone will be more specific: "I use Elixer Nanoweb 12s." Or something similar. Still, not that helpful. And I hope this doesn't sound like an arrogant thing to say, but the main reason it's not helpful is because a lot of those recommendations come from people who wouldn't really be able to explain why those strings in particular are their favorite.
So...what if I told you the brand of strings you should use is far less important than a couple of other factors? In fact, what if I gave you my top three considerations for finding the right strings for a particular guitar, and brand was the last item on the list? Well, let me do just that.
My Top Three Criteria for Choosing Strings:
1. String Material Content
I cannot stress enough how important this is! I would honestly say, as I spell out these three criteria, each one successively is about half as important as the previous one. So by the time we get to number three, which of course will be brand, I'm saying this first factor is four times more important. That's just my way of thinking about it -- I don't have some kind of graph or statistic. These aren't exact numbers, but they should get the point across.
So what types of string material are common, and what is the difference between them? The two most popular, by far, are:
- Phosphor Bronze strings generally contain 92% copper, and 8% tin in the wrap wire around the strings. This concentration of copper generally gives a warmer tone than strings with less copper. They're also sometimes called "92/8" strings based on the percentages of materials.
- 80/20 Bronze strings have less copper at 80%, and instead of being mixed with tin, they're mixed with zinc. Technically, this means the strings could be called brass rather than bronze, as brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, while bronze is mostly copper, mixed with a small amount of tin.
If you remember that 80/20 strings can actually be called brass, that will help you remember that they produce a brassier tone, sometimes described as a jangly sound.
There are other types as well, such as silk & steel strings, which are intended for vintage/antique or more delicate instruments, as the silk is to be gentler on the points where it makes contact with your guitar. I don't know anyone who chooses silk and steel for their tone.
Another interesting option is strings made of nickel/monel. Martin makes a line called "Retro" strings, which are a good example of this. The goal with these strings is not to add anything to your guitar's tone, but rather let the sound of the wood come through. Both 92/8 and 80/20 strings do add a bit of color to your guitar's sound. If you want the warmest possible sound, something like Martin Retro strings might be a good choice for you.
When considering the brightness or warmth of your strings, it's also important to think about what guitar they're going on. Many acoustics are made with a combination of spruce for the top, and either mahogany or rosewood for the body. Since those woods also have their own tonal characteristics, I recommend picking strings with that in mind. The same holds true for the way different sizes of guitars shape your tone.
Perhaps you have a very bright guitar with a small maple body and spruce top, and you'd like to balance that. In that case, Phosphor Bronze (i.e., 92/8) or Monel strings would suit you nicely. But if you'd like your strings to accentuate the brightness and articulation of that guitar, you may be happier with 80/20 Bronze.
Finally, the type of playing you'll be doing on a particular guitar is an important factor here. If you're playing fingerstyle on a small-bodied guitar, you may find that 80/20 strings give each note the clarity you want. Conversely, if you're a solo strummer with a dreadnought, perhaps the warmth of Phosphor Bronze will suit you. But in a full band setting you might like those 80/20s better since the brightness helps your guitar cut through in the mix.
Regardless of the brand, these principles will apply, and in my experience they will be the most important factor in choosing the right strings.
2. String Gauge
Most acoustic guitars these days seem to ship with light gauge strings (sometimes called "twelves" as the high E string gauge is .12mm). Some ship with medium gauge, or "thirteens." In rare cases, I've seen some with extra light strings, or "elevens."
Knowing what gauge strings your guitar came with, and what the manufacture recommends, is important. For one thing, you may have a guitar that isn't recommended to have as much tension as medium strings produce, so you never want to buy anything for that particular instrument above a light gauge.
But also very important is the setup of your guitar. The gauge of strings it ships with, are the gauge it's "set up" for. This is what determines the string action you'll get (how high they sit off the fretboard). If you put a set of strings on other than what it's set up for, the action may be so high that it's much harder to play, or so low that the strings rub against the fret wires. So if you do change gauges, you'll always want to take your guitar in to a luthier and have it set up for the gauge you plan to use.
So, in terms of sound, why would you pick one gauge over another? Simply put, the heavier the gauge, the more tension you'll have. And more tension equals a bigger, louder sound. For me, twelves are the sweet spot on most of my guitars as they give me the volume I'm looking for, and they feel right to my fingers. Your mileage may vary!
3. Brand
Yes, I mentioned that this is far less important than material composition, and maybe half as important as the gauge. But that's not to say it doesn't matter at all! Obviously, you want to buy strings from a reputable manufacturer. In that regard, the brand factor is about sticking with brands you can trust and rely on.
But different brands also have their own philosophies about what's important in a guitar string. Elixer, for example, helped to pioneer the concept of coated strings, which allow your strings to last longer before needing to be changed. D'Addario, on the other hand, puts emphasis on the purpose of your strings -- recommending round wound strings for strummers, and flat-top for fingerstyle players since they produce less finger noise. When I've used Martin strings, I've literally never had one break.
There are also tonal differences between all these brands, and the various other reputable manufacturers. But those differences are a lot more nuanced than the tonal difference between Phospor Bronze and 80/20, or the volume difference between Light and Medium gauges. So when it comes to picking the right brand for you, I consider it more a matter of the feel and performance that you prefer. And the only way to determine that, is to try different brands!
Final Thoughts
My recommendation is just to pick one brand and buy two or three types of strings (starting with the gauge your guitar is already set up for, or else having your guitar set up for the new gauge before you put them on). Play each set until they're ready to be changed, and take some notes along the way -- things like:
- Day One - Phosphor Bronze: very bright sound; smooth feel; good volume
- Day Five - Phosphor Bronze: sound has mellowed a little and is just right; still nice and smooth
- Day Ten - Phosphor Bronze: still clear and articulate; smooth with very little finger noise
Compare how those notes vary with each different type, and you'll know which material impressed you the most. Then it's time to try that material combination from different brands. But don't go out and by strings because someone told you, "Elixers are great" or "I love Martin strings!" You may end up buying strings that are completely different from the ones they were talking about, because they're made of different metals!
Instead, if you follow these priorities in this order, I truly believe you'll have a much better experience with choosing the right strings for you, and for each guitar you play.
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