What kind of strings should I use?

First of all, what type of guitar do you have? If you have an acoustic (steel string) guitar, you’ll want acoustic strings. For an electric guitar, you’ll need electric strings. For a classical guitar (nylon string), you’ll need classical nylon guitar strings.

The next thing to think about is the string gauge. The “gauge” refers to the thickness of the strings, which will directly translate into how easy or difficult they are to press down against the fret board. Most beginner students do best with light gauge strings, as they are the easiest to press down, easiest on the fingertips.

There is such a thing as Extra Light gauge strings, but they can sometimes be so thin and delicate that they present other challenges, such as being difficult to hold stable within a chord without the string bending and sounding out of tune.

Strings are made from a variety of metals and other materials. Go to the music store and you’ll see offerings like “Phosphor Bronze”, “Nickel Plated”, and such. These different features will have a subtle effect on the tone of the strings. You may acquire a taste for some of these nuances as you become more experienced on the guitar.

Another option you’ll see is “Coated” strings. Coated strings may also be identified by such tags as “Nanoweb” or “Polyweb”. Coated strings have a micro-thin coating of Gortex, or some similar material, which protects them from taking up so much of the dirt, sweat, and oils that causes uncoated strings to become dull over time. The result is a set of strings that maintains its sparkle for a good deal longer than uncoated strings.

Some feel the coated strings never have the same bright brilliance of a set of brand new uncoated strings. This may be true, but that uncoated brilliance will fade over a relatively short period of time, as you play. The coated strings are a little pricier, start out a tad less bright, but maintain their consistent sparkle quite a bit longer.

My personal recommendation for beginners is a set of light gauge, coated strings. Well, 2 sets actually. It’s always good to have a spare in case a string breaks.

SUBSCRIBE to GUITAR LIFE. Click Here.