Howdy once again tone seeking buddies! Last blog we talked about what strings are best for your ELECTRIC, this week we'll discus ACOUSTIC guitar strings. And once again, this will be an important blog to many of you, especially if you are still a little uncertain of just what exactly the plethora of string options really means where it counts ,, , on your guitar, in your hands, and through your rig! I've learned a thing or two in my decades as a recording engineer, record producer, and of course professional guitar player, I LOVE sharing what I've learned, so listen up grasshopper!
Okay, first let's talk BRANDS. Once again I'll simply mention that while there are many dozens of Brands of strings out there, there are only a small handful of companies that actually MAKE strings, and so I don't see the brand printed on the package as being all important; believe me, if you run across Billy Gibbons or Carlos Santana strings, they are not made by the guitarists themselves! Nuff said. I will, however, list the brands that I have consistently had good experiences with; the DETAILED factors that effect TONE will be discussed in a moment, what I'm talking about is 1) consistency, 2) secure and dependable ball ends that don't unravel or break, 3) no unusual levels of string breakage, and 4) acceptable longevity, without excessive susceptibility to corrosion. With regard to these factors, here are the THREE brands I have came to TRUST in acoustic strings in my four decades of tone-seeking:
Now an easy one: String Gauge (size): Once again, let's set the record straight right here and now: one size does NOT fit all there is no string size that's right for EVERYBODY! My suggestion is to go with what feels best to YOU, seriously, that's the only way you'll play your best, right? Okay, there is a little more to it, and here are the must-know bullet points to string size (some info is the same as with electric strings):
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How about MATERIAL? Okay, again this is not to difficult. The most standard composition of (non classical) acoustic guitar strings is plain steel non-wound strings (typically the three high strings) and a bronze plated steel wrap on the wound strings (usually the three low strings). And, yep, I have found this standard to be the best for 90% of players and situations. Pure bronze wrap produces a brighter tone but it ages and looses it's tone quickly. Phosphor bronze is a formulation that does not tarnish and loose it's tone as quickly ... but there is a down-side: it's tone is NEVER as bright and lively as 80/20 bronze; they actually start out sounding like bronze strings sound after having been played for a couple of shows! Personally, I've never encountered coated ELECTRIC strings that made me want to switch to them, they just get too gunky on a sweaty stage and don't really provide any longer life. However ... and this is important ... Acoustic strings are another matter altogether! Because the actual tone of the strings is paramount to the tone of the guitar, you basically have two choices: 1) change your strings prety much every session or gig or 2) use coated strings. Yes, it's true that the first coated acoustic strings to come on the marked jut flat sucked, they were strange feeling and the coating flaked off and made one heckuva mess. Today, however, that has changed, thank god for advances in polymer technology. And so, I almost always use coated strings on my (many) acoustic guitars, otherwise it would be impossible for me to keep fresh strings on them all! I do have some tips, of course.
Lastly, the esoteric stuff: Personally, I'd like to call this marketing BS! Okay, truth: I have certainly found some alternative acoustic strings with undeniable advantages.
There ya have it ... my 40-yrs or so of string experience boiled down to one small blog! Feel free to disagree, and feel free to voice those feelings here as a comment.I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.
Best Strings For Acoustic Guitar 2023
This is a non-standard set of strings that I'm currently using on my Martin OMCPA4. You might find it interesting if you'd like to try something different from the standard gauges featured in the rest of this guide.
This is an extra-light 11-50 gauge set, which is lighter than the 12-54 gauge sets that I'm used to. It has a combination of 80 copper and 20 zinc (percent) alloy windings that shape its bright voicing. It also has a hex core that come standard with many strings.
I'm quite pleased with its smoother and lighter playing feel. I also find its quality and tone to be on par with what I'm used to, albeit with a different trebly flavor.
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As the label implies, this is a bright sounding set, and while it bothered me at first, I have grown to appreciate its distinct voicing. It may not sound as full as gauge 12 sets, but I like how each string rings with clarity and definition. Chords and solo lines sound noticeably clearer. They have more fidelity, which makes practice, recording and playing solo more enjoyable
On the flip side, I notice that my plugged-in tone is thinner, and easily drowned out when playing with a band. Thankfully, I am able to shave off some of the highs by tweaking the tone settings on my Martin's preamp system. And I ended up liking the result, because I still get the benefit of clarity and focused tone, with less of the unwanted high frequency zing. And since it doesn't have much bass, it also interferes less with the bassist. Still, the bright tonality of this set is more of an acquired taste, especially for those like me who are used to warmer sounding acoustics.
Compared to the 12's that I'm used to, the GHS BB20X is noticeably easier to play. Techniques like bending, sliding, hammer-on and pull-offs are easier to do, even more so when playing simple chords and single line notes. This relaxed playing feel is the main reason why I will most probably continue using this set on my Martin. Due to its lighter playing feel, strumming, plucking and fretting too hard on the strings may cause unwanted buzzing. Sometimes even intonation issues. To avoid these, I had to be more conscious of my playing intensity and avoid going all out.
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In my experience, the GHS BB20X still sounds crisp and fresh after over 3 weeks of use, and this is quite a feat given that this is a non-coated set.
Thanks to the pro setup by my trusted luthier, I never had intonation and tuning stability issues. But if you're inexperienced at string installation and setup, then it is normal to encounter tuning issues. Even more so right after installation, when strings have not yet stretched enough. As they get more corroded, the strings will have intonation problems, especially at the higher frets. This is my cue to swap out the old strings.
If you aren't into trebly tone, and you can't be bothered to tweak your plugged-in sound, then this may not be for you. While I'm not totally sold to its bright voicing, I'm able to get good clear tones with some tweaking. The clarity and fidelity of this set, and more importantly, its easy playability, are good enough reasons for me to give it my thumbs up.
The Different Types Of Acoustic Guitars Explained (may 2023)
At publication time this was the Equal Highest Rated Extra Light Gauge Acoustic Guitar String Set along with the Elixir Polyweb 80/20.
Established back in 1833, C.F. Martin & Co. has a long illustrious legacy of building acoustic guitars with industry leading quality. They have since expanded into manufacturing a variety of acoustic guitar strings. And they've been getting good acclaim, using their long history of guitar building as leverage. The M170 Extra Light is a great example, combining Martin's old school woody tone with the comfortable feel of an extra light gauge set.
This is an 80/20 bronze acoustic guitar strings that has a clean and slightly trebly tone. This means that articulation and response is really good, albeit with less bottom end. This is great for those who need a cutting tone for emphasizing phrases and melodic lines. This set can also help tame the excess low end of big bodied acoustics.
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These strings underwent Martin's quality control. So you can be sure that they feel and sound fresh when you get them, and they stay that way for a long time. And being a naturally bright sounding set, you won't notice much difference as the strings age.
All things considered, Martin is a brand that you can depend on. If you're looking for an easy to play set with Martin's voicing and brand backing, then this is it.
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