Guitar Strings Guide

With literally THOUSANDS of different types of guitar strings on the market how do you decide which are right for you? Where do you even start? This video gives a few tips to help you narrow down your choices FAST to find the right strings for your style of music and your style of play. Enjoy!
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[@paulkielt9301]

Wash your hands before and wipe your strings after playing, is the best advice you can get.

[@georgetempest9627]

yep, the sweat can also mess up the finish on vintage guitars.

[@Ucceah]

thanks! i was just about to say about the same.

[@edwardcarbonaro1492]

I also use fastfret

[@fabriziovigni]

You can also clean strings just by using a pencil eraser. It works fine and the strings get back to their brightness.

[@fabriziovigni]

@Flatus Antiquitous I don't use coated strings.

[@thinkaboutthis572]

Really glad this wasn't an advertisement for a certain brand.

[@armanzakwan1898]

Elixir

[@LENITYZONE]

Ernie Ball: 👁️👄👁️

[@meganrae27]

i’m somewhat new to guitar and i had no idea strings were such a complex subject omg

[@A-G-F-]

Yeah, the change the tone a lot!

[@jan_Travis]

Can't go wrong with Ernie Balls for your electric. I prefer 9s.

[@witherain5979]

Same its pretty confusing

[@leiikivl]

i just started last week and i’m fully agree with you 😭😭

[@warshipsatin8764]

​@@leiikivlit doesnt even matter that much - you can do anything on any gauge, really. just get some ernie ball 9's

[@SuperZiggyCraft]

3:46 when you want to play stairway to heaven but you don’t want to be kicked out of the guitar shop

[@xvor_tex8577]

Ziggy Craft Lol 😂

[@kairinase]

@@xvor_tex8577 We all knew there's no stairway to Heaven... there's just a ledge, a super thin bridge with Hell under it, and Heaven on the other side.

[@xvor_tex8577]

Muhammad Zulkhairi Mohd Nasir he meant the song stairway to heaven the guy in 3:46 played the same chords of the song but altered it a bit, Because there is a joke from a movie that it’s illegal to play this song on guitar stores, the song called ‘Stairway to heaven’ from Led Zepplin it’s an amazing song you should check it out

[@kairinase]

@@xvor_tex8577 I know... just thinking about doing some da'wah while talking about music. It's common in my country. "May Allah grants us ease during the day that we have to cross that BRIDGE to Heaven, that is thinner than the first E string!" Amen!

[@keithlucas6260]

@@kairinase Wrong...there is no "bridge to heaven", and Sheol is beneath us. ויחלם והנה סלם מצב ארצה וראשו מגיע השמימה והנה מלאכי אלהים עלים וירדים בו׃

[@ethanstrydom7331]

Heres a personal tip from me: When you change your stirngs dont cut your old ones, aave them. Weve all snapped a high E (or in my case a low E [somehow]) at least once in our lives. Saving your old strings can get you out of a pinch

[@dannybolman7739]

I used to splice them when I broke one and the shops were closed.

[@swiss6253]

Good for when your garrote break too sir.

[@phenixreturns]

Best review : Elixir first And Elixir in second, third etc. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3m5eICmo9Woldk

[@phenixreturns]

the best strings : kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYi3k2yQmpmXkMk

[@gaggita9922]

ill keep this in mind. picking up the guitar very soon and im dedicating my time to it because I want to be amazing.

[@elmergutti1994]

Thank you for having different players giving input on their preferred strings

[@silverdragon0000120]

I’ve always just used the cheapest string that were on sale lol

[@n3dnarbofficial95]

🤣

[@n3dnarbofficial95]

Why are you even here hahaha

[@Hjh826]

It doesn't matter that much as long as you have the right gauge

[@soumyapais8162]

Steel strings , sounding better.

[@Fisherman6383]

Im with you brother :')

[@thefreyfactor]

No matter what your playing ability is from green to pro there is always something to learn from videos like these.

[@maxsilbert]

@RDE Lutherie Care to elaborate?

[@V12509]

@@maxsilbert He means take advice from a technician not a salesman/shop owner

[@maxsilbert]

@@V12509 I understood that, I think I meant to elaborate on the "important stuff" they supposedly left out.

[@giannoncene]

_I usually recommend "Medium" strings_ *0.13 gauge set*

[@noahrivera329]

I didn't realize SRV was still alive

[@monocyte2210]

Its for acoustic

[@giannoncene]

@@monocyte2210 Like 0.13 electric vs 0.13 acoustic are *so* different...

[@BessieBopOrBach]

13s ARE medium on an acoustic guitar. 11 would be "light" and 12 "medium light" according to D'Addario.

[@McOuroborosBurger]

can artunç pussy, just use .015 flats.

[@57torg]

Thank you, I been playing for decades without taking lessons or learning to read music and I never knew all the differences you showed me here. Thanks again.

[@CarnivoreCapers]

I use a light gauge electric jazz flat wound on my Acoustic guitar. I like playing bar chords and this string gets rid of the zip sound when you change bar chords. It makes it sound much clearer too.

[@jim4690]

Interesting. How do they play?

[@stephaniejosine]

So helpful, thank you! I love the interviews with people of different preferences, really gives some concrete examples of the practical impact that string gauge choice has on play. Lovely presenter as well :)

[@edskarsen]

Keeping the pack to remind you what is on the guitar is a good idea. Having multiple guitars, it is also a good idea to write the date installed on the pkg.

[@fastabyss]

I got a cheap set of digital calipers off amazon just for this. Now when I buy a used guitar and want to play it right away (if its set up right) I can just out the same guages on until I put heavies on

[@csharp57]

Or just take a pic with your phone

[@mst646]

Why people dislike these informative detailed videos (1080p/60fps with good camera angles and accurate info)? KZbin should put a description box within the dislike button, and if you want to dislike a video you cannot do unless you leave 1 to 2 sentences describing the reason or reasons why you dislike the video... This video has no errors; not that I noticed, it's one of those good very well made ones.

[@replynotificationsdisabled]

Talk to your god. Haha. Problems start there my friend. Not directed at you. But I would say, everybody shouldn't be able to freely procreate, but hey. Freedoms and what not I guess.

[@antoine1597]

Just ignore the dislikes who cares honestly

[@antoine1597]

@Nickhead87 WHo the hell is going to read the "1 or 2 sentences" when disliking the video lmao

[@elwolf8536]

I don't know

[@Cactusruss1]

I fell in love with the GHS Boomer 0.11 set. They just ring out like nothing I have ever heard before. "Personal Preference"

[@Coasterdude02149]

I've been using GHS Boomers 10's for years. They're great strings.

[@youreallygotmenow4855]

Have you ever compared them to Ernie Ball Power Slinkys? I've always wanted to try a set of GHS Boomers, so I'm very curious about the tonal differences between the two brands.

[@captaindelculo1731]

Great video. I would also add when changing between gauges, give yourself some time to adjust to the new feel of the string gauges as your fingers won't be used to it and will feel uncomfortable for a while

[@darwis4769]

I like the casual vibe of this video, it makes it more welcoming for guitar players like me who aren't fully well versed on guitar yet 👍👍😁

[@georgetempest9627]

Great video! I finger pick my 1980 Ibanez Blazer in a Mark Knopfler style and use the super crazy thin Gibson 7's. Yes, many will say they lack volume, but that's what the pick-ups are for, eh?

[@GerardHammond]

This is fantastic advice. Thanks! Wish I had seen this years ago.

[@johnmcnair274]

Balanced tension sets are starting to catch on. I tried a set fairly similar to my usual hybrid guage light top medium/heavy bottom. The Balanced Tension were that extra bit of comfort though i wish i could get half rounded ones.

[@RuggerDez]

This was super helpful and well done. Strong work.

[@joermnyc]

Pro tip if you have a Fender Jazzmaster or Jaguar with the original threaded barrel bridge saddles, flat wound strings are a MUST. Otherwise your strings will jump out of the slots all the time. Flats (I use d'addario chrome 11s) solve that... Mostly. I had to use abrasive cord on the low E saddle off my Jag so it sits down better. Just as an experiment I put flats on my SG, it sounds like a different guitar.. I like it.

[@barantopal8278]

finally the video ive been looking for. i am relieved. thank you so much.

[@stewmac]

Glad it helped!

[@DonCrowder]

I also wipe my strings with a lint free cloth but I dampen it very slightly with lemon oil (and keep it in a heavy duty freezer bag in my guitar case).

[@lucianonarno1408]

Don Crowder that’s actually a great idea!

[@abihuzarate4232]

Love the new vids, keep it up.

[@KarlRuizS]

Amazing production!!! All so professional!! Very clear

[@thetreblerebel]

Ernie Ball Power Slinkys...my new favorite gauge Little bit more thickness but still bendable

[@corvusmonedulas4895]

Higher tension/ heavier gauge strings are not necessarily louder, but they are always more difficult to play. That means you can't get as many practice hours in with them before fatiguing and/or risking injury. Furthermore, a healthy and effective left hand technique entails an efficiency in effort and tension of the hand. Lower gauge /tension strings are more prone to bend sharp if excessive pressure is exerted, meaning (apart from needing less effort in the first place) it is easier to notice when excessive pressure is being used. These are some reasons why someone might choose lower gauge /tension strings. Try a bunch different sets and see what you like. As a word of warning, many brands do not call their high gauge /tension strings as such, and their range goes from "extra light" to "medium" as a max.

[@DonCrowder]

I like GHS boomers. I've always used nines but the Ibanez jazz guitar I'm playing now came with tens and I loved the way it played and sounded so I'm still using tens on it (but still GHS Boomers). I just put a set of Martin Silk and Bronze (elevens) on my old Framus acoustic and I'm in love but I still want to try a set of La Bella Silk and Steel elevens on it because they've sounded downright magical on every guitar I've heard that used them.

[@ursafan40]

I've been using D'Addario Phosphur Bronze .11's for my acoustic and D'addario Nickel Wound .10's on my electric for a decade. Just bought 6 different brands and makes of string for each, to try them all and settle on what works best for me 10 years later. If Tommy Emmanuel says a guitar "gets used to" a particular brand of strings, and you might get a better sound by changing, I believe him.

[@NickandKatieMTB]

Just what I wanted to learn! Thanks! Gonna try the phosphor bronze on my Martin!

[@donaldwolpert6356]

For my pure acoustic guitars, I normally use Martin Marquis Phosphor Bronze light, 12-54. But, for my acoustic/electrics with magnetic pickups, I use DR Zebra lights, 12-54. The windings of the bass strings alternate between phosphor bronze and nickel. My guitar would have more bass and less treble when plugged in, and still have a decent acoustic sound when unplugged. My electric guitar strings of choice is Ernie Ball Paradigm 10-46.

[@marc-andrelebeau4318]

Very useful info! Thanks

[@petemc5070]

Perfect guide - thank you so much.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

There are Ball End Nylon Strings which make restringing the Classical Guitar a snap and actually it also lets the strings come out of the bridge at a steeper angle over the saddle.

[@Michael_talks_]

Great video very informative

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

I’m a GHS artist. “I only play with the best “ I use the Burnished roller wound nickel , it’s almost a simiflat wind. I use a custom sizing 10/14/18/26/38/50 Heavy at the bottom , med in the mids , light at the top. Best most consistent tone I’ve ever had. 🤠🎸🎶🤟✌️

[@emilyivey9349]

This was extremely helpful

[@AdrianTangzy]

Wow that cheeky hidden stairway to heaven in the back during the bit about electric strings

[@KUM0]

I play guitar for a living and this is what I found the most confortable (in standard tuning) Scale 25’5: 9-46 hybrid set Scale 24’75: 10-46

[@MrArudark]

I loved this video. It was awesome.

[@stewmac]

Thank you so much!

[@Ausf.D.A.K.]

Fantastic advice !

[@dennisapplegate7553]

I use Elixars on everything expect my Les Paul ,if you want an extremely high output try Optima s made in Germany and their 24 kt gold plated highest output I've ever seen and they sound so good with tons of gain (Brian May's string of choice) with a Vox AC 30 they are divine .They last tone wise very well .

[@Scottocaster6668]

Very informative, nice 👍

[@scottpetrie6179]

Great video and informative as always. What strings would you suggest for a Clearwater/Vorson Electric Ukulele - I've tried Ernie Ball 10's, but seem to be bending the chords as I fret them. Keep up the awesome work and Stay Safe.

[@danielsimmons3011]

Extremely helpful Thank you

[@echo_edits2809]

I’m a beginner and I’m so overwhelmed on getting guitar strings 🥲😅

[@theshiningemerald4288]

Bruh, i just strings that can sound like a distortion pedal, but sound light and soothing at the same time lol

[@JohnLee-mq4hk]

With an electric guitar start with Nines or Tens, then when you get the feel for them and need a replacement set, replace with the same.

[@jamessealy9510]

definitely wished I had known this before trying to tune my guitar to drop B tuning and broke my high e string. Guessing it must have been standard gauge.

[@aqa-od5uh]

James Sealy lol i just did the same thing thats why im here

[@ferdstein]

Thank you, very informative!

[@BardicheOverhead]

very informative, thank you!

[@BappleBusiness]

This was insanely helpful, thank you!

[@stewmac]

So glad to hear that!

[@missinglinkrecords9783]

How Many Strings Does A Guitar Have > > > missinglinkrecords.com/how-many-strings-does-a-guitar-have/

[@kinotsu3017]

You remind me of Chris Pratt.

[@ianb4801]

there is a fourth consideration too. I live onboard a boat in sea water. Coated strings sure do help with corrosion issues

[@omarelomary4717]

Helpful video thanks,

[@frederikrasmussen5847]

I can recoment Ernie Ball 2222 9-46 strings for all Electric guitars. They last long, the lighter strings are easy to play and the heavyer strings are more fat and sound great for powercords and riffs

[@eamonahern7495]

I'd play 9s on an electric. I had an epiphone explorer one time with ernie ball 8s. The bends and wide vibrato I could get on it was malmsteen-esque.

[@quietwyatt4045]

It's been my experience after over 30+ years of suffering from what | call Obsessive-Compulsive Hyper-Critical Guitar String-Blaming Disorder (OCHCGSBD) that it indeed comes down to Phosphor/Bronze and 80/20. In general, Phosphor/Bronze strings can be considered the "Great Equalizers". On a "modest" guitar (less than $1,000, say) the Phosphor/Bronze can work wonders at helping the instrument sound pleasing. They have a generic sound that can cover over a cheaper guitar's imperfections. Also, it is very true that they last longer than 80/20s. It's when you get up into the high-end of the acoustic guitar world that the 80/20's begin to make more sense. The 80/20s, short-lived though they are, are the strings that make a Martin, a Gibson, an old Westerly Guild F50r, sound completely unlike each other; and completely like themselves. In short, if you want to hear what your guitar really sounds like, use 80/20s.

[@lexzbuddy]

I have a tried and tested system. Buy a really big box of strings. Its cheaper and saves you having to think about it. I've tried loads and now buy d'addario 10-46 regular... unless I can get something cheaper in bulk. Find a gauge, buy in bulk. Have fun.

[@ranajeetidutta]

I love the 12s very much. If there is any set more than 12s I would love to know. I find heavy gauge very comfortable.

[@briannaedw]

Great vid 👍🏽

[@love2rogue]

i did mount classical on an acoustic by tying a bunch of knots in the end so they would not come through the holes past the pin, it worked, it sounded alright, but i knew deep down it wasnt. :P

[@darioscomicschool1111]

Thank you!

[@AvnerRosenstein-ULTRA-LXV]

Many stock electric guitars from factories come from the factory with 9-42 gauge. If you plan to increase the gauge you gonna have to reset the guitar...which is Truss Rod adjustment, String Height, Pickup height, Intonation. I play primarily metal and I don't like 9-42. While that gauge is really easy to bend, on fast licks that also have bending my playing becomes sloppy. 10-46 is what I prefer. It has a decent tension and it's enough tension to get rid of the sloppiness and the strings aren't that hard to bend either.

[@BreadLightPray_EWFMgtr]

☑ Good review ❗ I find d'addario generally all around best for acoustic and archtop electric and classical , I also highly favor Elixir brand for acoustic my main genre ; use 12's on acoustic maybe a shade lighter but never heavier ; use 11's on archtop but never lighter ; play finger style most all the time , arpegiated open chords for accompaniment to vocals , not much bends ❗🥸😊

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I'm currently using Flatwound Strings on my Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar so that I can record with it better and eliminate the string noise. Thomastik Infeld needs to add instructions with their Strings because people could install them properly and avoid string breakage

[@akshitasrivastava2408]

So helpful, thankyou!

[@phenixreturns]

Best review : Elixir first And Elixir in second, third etc. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3m5eICmo9Woldk

[@scatterkatjatzen1655]

I usually go to Musician's Friend catalog and order lite Gauge acoustic-electric string packs. They used to be 5 set packs for $10.oo. Perfect for electric guitar. You have to sort out the strings, though, cause there are no Individual paper sleeve per string.

[@love2rogue]

like the wash your hands tip + keep a wipe handy for after, my strings are forever having to be replaced so il be taking that advice to help them stay long-lived (i also live by the sea so the salt air does not help either) would you say using a case would be worthwhile also?

[@acctonmyotherphone6327]

I already have hard calluses but for some reason i really love guage 8 strings.. looking forward to buying Paradigm guage 8 maybe next month because i keep breaking my high e string.. fun fact, i broke 2 sets of guage9 within 3 months.. but when i switched to guage 8 it lasted me half a year before breaking! hahahahaha.. anyway, i have faith in Paradigms.. heck, even slash can't break them.. so hopefully they'll last really long for me. and no i wont switch to a thicker guage because the way i play, i bend the shit out of every guitar i play whether it be mine or not.. i'm practicing to be like a really fast shredder.. and having very light guage strings really helps.

[@brutal722]

It took a lot of experimenting, but honestly I would never look further than cleartones these are just damn right

[@coat.thik1]

On Electric I used 10/46 nickel On acoustic used 12/52 or 12/54 phosphore bronze

[@invay69]

The Lady with the slide, is giving us the "finger"??? Lol!! Nice video!

[@juanpabloporraslara5318]

Yeah! I noticed that! I play Slide as well but i have 2 of them ( the Pinky one and a the bigger one that i use it in My ring finger like Jimmy Page or Justin Johnson) . Actually You can use the SLIDE in Any finger but the right thing it's use it in the Pinky better or the ring finger so You have the other fingers free to play a lick ir a power chord, etc

[@fire_flakes2272]

I’m kinda new to guitar and I’m trying to bend on my electric strat. Thought it was just me (could be) but now I’m convinced it’s the strings. They aren’t really bending if that makes sense.

[@SZgun]

tnx for this guide

[@guitartec]

Daddario EJ-16 light gauge Phosphor Bronze .012"-.053" Acoustic strings and Daddario EXL-110 .010"-.046" light gauge Nickel electric strings are the best selling sets ever. Lately though, Daddario has seemed put their money into their various new crappy strings, like their over-priced NYXLs and odd Nickel Bronze Acoustic sets. Not sure why, but I think this was done to combat Ernie Ball's new exotic metal string sets (that also have issues). I've seen a lot of high strings break in the standard Daddario sets lately, which never used to happen, and I install about 25 - 40 sets a week on customer guitars.

[@scoop6489]

Don’t think we didn’t notice stairway...

[@redcomn]

I used 11-54 for years Then i went 10-38 Never changing back especially on single coil. Personally they say it's about feel tho most of the time how the string react and sounded were kind of important when u can handle the heavy set. I still use normal gauge on humbucker tho depends on tuning tho i prefer sticking to the same.... Just went baritone of i ever wanted to go lower anyway.

[@raphaelsmith4134]

I known your feel bro, i switched from 11-52 to 9-42

[@TheSunMoon]

For electric, I like the 9-46 hybrid. For chugga-chugga. But also soft enough for soloing

[@bufallobill9052]

Very informative video sir., thanks for the knowledge... anyway, I am using gauge 8 on my Ybanez S420 electric guitar, is it okay? does it match with my guitar? I need your advice.. thank you in advance.

[@corvusmonedulas4895]

It's up to you.

[@nabakakoti6676]

Thank you, now I know what to go for.

[@dualityofnature]

Most useful! I am new into acoustic steel guitar - and I find my strings start squeaking from the 3rd fret upwards. Anyone throw light on this? Is it common or something to do with the quality of the strings OR just that it happens when it is new? Thanks!

[@mikeBL9020]

Thank u very much!

[@johnlackner1193]

What woiuld be the best acoustic steel strings for a beginner - something easy on the fingers?

[@juliorocha92]

I was using earnie ball strings for 10 years!!! And i thought it was normal for your fingers to feel like they’re getting cut from sliding, i swithched yesterday to daddario nyxl 10/46 and i could believe that i can just slide mindlessly without my fingers hurting.

[@georgetempest9627]

The Austrian company Dr. Thomastik used to make steel strings for classical guitar with a really bright tone, almost like a bell. Bass lines were wrapped with silk and the trebles had a nylon coating. Unfortunately they were discontinued, maybe the price put people off? Almost 50 bucks for a set was a bit much really.

[@8BitBrody]

2:08 Isn't that a truss rod adjustment head sticking out of the back of the neck? I'm pretty sure my Teisco has the same thing.

[@iwillfindastar]

It's probably broken, same as mine's 60's Guyatone. It's there but does nothing. Common thing with guitars so old and so cheap. I run it with low tension as well with .010-.046 in C-Standard.

[@williammckee6165]

does the type of string affect the price? for the same gauge would the be a difference in price between 80/20 and phosphorus bronze or between nickel steel and steel strings

[@hughesyplays]

Hi mate,slight problem. I've replaced my string that snapped with an 11 gauge at the bottom,sounds alright but will that affect the neck? It's an ibanez gio

[@vendetta1306]

Thank you

[@stopstalkingyouspookybastard]

forgot to mention that if you simply change your gauge you might need neck and/or action adjustment unless you dont want to get fret buzz etc

[@hanten10]

this is the best video of guitar string guide 👍♥️

[@silvianatudorescu5850]

Hey, there! I need your help, please 😊 My classic guitar came with mixed strings, top metal, bottom nylon...as I am a total newbie, I have no idea what gauge they are and now that I am changing them(because of rust) I wonder if I should replace them with mixed, as they were. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@nicksguitars5543]

Help! I use 10’s in e flat I want to get the same tension in standard. Say I use 9.5’s in standard will it feel the same tension wise as the 10’s in e flat

[@Xxmeca421xX]

I have a guild D25 with mahogany sides and arched back with spruce top. I'm trying to figure out the perfect material ratio like bronze

[@jesse5823]

Hi im trying to look for ernie ball strings that are good for bends like david gilmour but that can also make a heavy sound I know thats kinda a weird combination lol but what strings would you recommend?

[@RByrne]

I usually use 10s. I bought a PRS SE c24 off a guy and dropped it off at a shop for a setup. Decided to try 9s. Damn it makes a huge difference. It's like playing with rubber bands! I'll stick with the 10s.

[@gregeaster2479]

I have a EVH 5150, and of course I use, 9- 42 Ernie Ball, or EVH, depends which one is in stock

[@gabestorm7150]

Thank you but you never mentioned the ENDS, bullet ends? round ends, etc, how many are out there? Thank you

[@rameshsharma-fl4ch]

Thanx sir