A Beginner's Guide to Guitar Strings

If you're just starting out with the guitar, choosing the right strings can feel a bit daunting, but no need to stress. You should know what type of guitar you have, and then consider the material of the strings, their thickness and your playing style. Once you get a handle on these categories, it’ll be much simpler to browse online guitar strings.

Coated Guitar Strings for Lasting Tone

Most guitar strings come uncoated. While they might be cheaper, they tend to collect dirt from your fingers in the exposed windings, which can dampen vibrations and ruin your tone. Coated guitar and bass strings might cost a bit more upfront, but they’re worth it because the polymer coating keeps grime out and preserves your sound.

Consider the Right String Material

The type of metal alloy used for the wrap wire on guitar strings plays a big role in the tone and feel, so it’s important to choose the material that fits your music and playing style. Some alloys produce a bright sound, while others offer a darker, warmer tone. Before you start searching online guitar strings, here are the basic materials you should check.
•    Steel is the go-to for plain strings and forms the backbone of most wound strings. These plain steel strings deliver a bright and snappy tone. For electric guitars, nickel-plated strings are the most popular choice. The winding wire is made up of about 8% nickel and 92% steel.
•    Nylon is great for classical guitars. These guitar strings create a warm, mellow sound and are gentler on the fingers, making them perfect for beginners.
•    Phosphor Bronze strings are a favourite for acoustic guitars, known for their bright, bell-like sound. They’re made from a blend of copper alloy, tin, and a small amount of phosphorus.
•    Coated strings come with a thin polymer layer that protects them from dirt, sweat, and oil. This coating can help prolong the strings' life and maintain a brighter tone for longer. If you tend to have sweaty hands, coated guitar strings might be a great option for you.

Roundwound, Half-Round, or Flatwound?

The 'plain' treble strings are pretty straightforward, but the lower 'wound' strings are where personal preference comes into play. Each wound string has a metal core with windings wrapped around it, and the wrap wire comes in three different profiles. Elixir Strings are Roundwound, which is the most popular choice due to their comfortable ribbed texture and bright sound. Half-round strings are smoothed out for a softer feel and warmer tone, while Flatwound strings have a super-smooth surface and a vintage sound that’s great for mellow, jazzy styles. Try them out to find the profile that suits you best.

String Gauge

String gauge refers to how thick a string is, and it plays a big role in the tone and feel of your instrument. Guitar string sets usually come in a variety of thicknesses, from super-light to heavy. Even though the difference in gauge might look small, it can really change how the guitar feels to play. Heavier strings require more tension to hit the same pitch, which usually results in a richer sound, but they can be tougher to fret and bend. On the flip side, lighter strings are easier to handle. When picking the right gauge for you, keep in mind that Elixir Strings not only offers standard sets but also single strings, so you can create your own custom mix.

Electric Guitar Strings

There are tons of string gauge combinations for electric guitars, and some folks even mix and match to create their own unique sets by picking individual strings.
Different brands might have their own names for various string sets, but most will have these standard options:

• Extra light (8-38) – Super easy on the fingers, but they can go out of tune if you play too aggressively
• Light (9-42) – Great for bending notes or if you find medium strings a bit tough to handle
• Medium (10-46) – A popular choice for many guitarists, offering a solid balance for both lead and rhythm
• Heavy (11-48) – Getting a bit tougher! Bending a full tone can be tricky for most players at this gauge
• Extra heavy (12-56) – Metal guitarists often go for these heavy strings to maintain tension when drop tuning.

Acoustic guitar strings

When it comes to acoustic guitars, choosing the right strings is super important since they shape the overall tone more than on electrics.
Heavier strings tend to resonate more with the guitar body, making them a bit louder and giving a fuller sound. On the flip side, some players enjoy the lighter strings for their softer sound and feel.

• Extra light (10-47)
• Light (12-53)
• Medium (13-56)
• Heavy (14-59)

Keep in mind that heavier strings can require more finger strength, so if you’re just starting out or playing for long stretches, lighter strings might be the way to go.