What are the Best Electric Guitar Strings for Me?
If you play an electric guitar, then sooner or later, you’re going to need new strings. But the selection of electric guitar strings seems endless! What’s the best gauge? What kind of winding do you need? And do your strings actually need a coating? In this guide, we take you through the answers to the most frequently asked string-related questions. If you can’t see the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us!
1. Single Strings or a Whole Pack?
Unfortunately, guitar strings can break. And this can often happen at the worst possible moment. If you’re in a rush, then you can get away with changing just the broken string. But, if you have more time, then we usually recommend changing all of your strings as soon as one string breaks. This makes sure that your guitar sounds as new, without any tonal difference between the strings. Also, it’s never a bad idea to have a few packs of strings on hand and to always take a spare pack with you to rehearsals and gigs.
2. What Gauge Do I Need for Standard Tuning?
The gauge (thickness of the strings) is the most important factor when choosing a pack of strings. Most guitarists use a set of .010 gauge strings when playing a normal electric guitar in standard tuning. This number, ‘.010’, stands for the diameter of the thinnest E-string and is measured in inches. On a guitar with a 24.75-inch scale length (the length between the bridge saddle(s) and the string nut), a pack of .010 gauge strings will always work. Guitars with a 25.5-inch scale length will also play nicely with a set of .009 gauge strings. A .009 gauge set of strings on a guitar with a 25.5-inch scale length will feel pretty much the same as a .010 gauge set of strings on a guitar with a 24.75-inch scale length.
3. What String Gauge Should I Use for Lower Tunings (Drop Tuning)?
As you lower the tuning of your guitar, this also lowers the tension of the strings. This might be what you want, or it might make the strings feel too loose, and make your guitar sound less tight. To compensate for this, you could use a set of strings with a thicker gauge. So, if you usually play in standard tuning with a set of .010 gauge strings, then you could change them for a set of .011 gauge strings. This will make both the sound and the playing feel almost exactly the same, but in the lower tuning. If you’re only tuning the bottom E-string to a lower pitch, then you could use a purpose-made pack with a ‘heavy bottom’. The higher, thinner strings included in these packs have a standard gauge, while the lower, bass strings are a little thicker than normal.
4. What String Gauge Do I Need to Play Jazz & Blues?
If you play jazz or similar genres, then a set of .010 gauge strings is probably too thin for you. Many jazz guitarists prefer a thicker gauge since they tend to have a more warm and full sound. A set of .012 gauge or .013 gauge strings are about right and also sound great for blues playing styles. Steve Ray Vaughan, for example, always used thicker gauge strings. You will need a little more power to hold down a note or chord, but this is something you quickly get used to.
5. What Material should My Strings Be Made of?
Most electric guitar strings have a steel core. As such, the difference between strings in terms of material is usually in the ‘winding’, this is the material that is wound around the core. The most popular strings are nickle-woundd strings (nickel plated). These have a balanced sound, are smooth in terms of playing feel and can be used to play in pretty much any style. Stainless steel strings are also used a lot, often by guitarists that prefer a brighter sound or people with a nickel allergy. If you’re in love with the warm sound of ‘50s or ‘60s guitar music, then you’ll definitely want to try a pack of ‘pure nickel’ strings which have been wound with a more nickel-rich material.
Nickel-Wound Strings
Stainless Steel Strings
‘Pure Nickel’ Strings
6. What Type of Winding Do I Need?
Besides the winding material (see Question 5), there also different types of winding. Most electric guitarists play with a set of roundwound strings. These strings have that familiar bright, lively and outspoken sound that can be heard in many styles of music. There are two other kinds of wound strings: ‘half-wound’ (polished strings), and ‘flatwound’. Flatwound strings feel much smoother since the winding has literally been flattened so that it produces less unwanted noise as your fingers slide along the strings, and while they can feel great, they can be a little less versatile.
7. Do My Strings Really Need a Coating?
If you have particularly sweaty hands, you might notice that standard electric guitar strings will start to corrode after just a couple of sessions. This makes the strings feel more rough and sound less bright. Even if you don’t have sweaty hands, corrosion will eventually affect the sound of any normal strings. Luckily, there are strings available with a special coating. These strings are able to keep their ‘as-new’ sound and feel for longer. The advantage of using coated strings is they can last much longer than standard un-coated strings. They also tend to make less unwanted playing noise, and are a great option for people who suffer from a nickel allergy.
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