Acoustic Guitar Strings

Phosphor Bronze strings are actually an alloy of copper (92%) and tin (8%). These strings  resist oxidation, which makes them last longer. They typically retain their brighter tone longer than bronze strings such as “80/20” bronze alloys.  80/20 bronze strings tend to sound brighter at first and may be a good choice for someone who changes strings very frequently.

Silk and Steel strings have a layer of silk between the string core and the wire wrapping. These have a more mellow sound and also tend to have less sustain than other strings. Some beginners find them easier to press down.

Nylon strings are used on classical guitars. Rather than using numeric gauges, whole sets are classified as “tensions”: light, medium, and hard (some make extra hard as well).  While light are the easiest to fret, they have a muted sound and do not have the sustain of hard tension strings. Again, experiment with different tensions and makes to find the ones that you prefer.

Some strings such as Elixir, D’Addario EXP, etc. are coated with a thin film that resists oil and acids. These can make strings last much longer, although some people find that they dull the tone. The manufacturing processes are constantly being improved, so they are definitely worth a try. While these strings may last 2-3 times as long as untreated strings, they may also sell for 2-3 times the price, so shop carefully.

Steel string acoustic guitars typically come with strings of gauge .012 - .054. Better classical guitars often ship with hard tension strings because they make the guitar sound better.

If you find that a lighter gauge of string makes your guitar sound too thin, you might be able to make it easier to play with heavier gauge strings by lowering the saddle. This should be done by a luthier or qualified repair person. The safest thing is to buy a new lower saddle, and keep the original “just in case.”

Note that some older guitars may require light to medium strings as they were not constructed for heavy gauge strings. If in doubt, consult the company or a luthier.

Another inexpensive way to change the tone of your guitar is to change the bridge pins. Many guitars have improved sustain and a fuller tone with TUSQ bridge pins, although some people claim to hear no difference. I use these myself and find that they improve bass response as well as sustain. Brass bridge pins are also available. These give a guitar a much brighter sound, and may increase sustain as well. New bridge pins are typically as inexpensive as new strings.

Electric Guitar Strings

Electric guitar strings generate most of their volume via the guitar’s pickups. It is important to choose strings that interact with your pickups efficiently.

Nickel wound strings are actually steel that has been electroplated with nickel. The steel gives excellent electrical response while the Nickel is there to resist corrosion.

Stainless steel strings are an alloy of chromium and nickel. This makes these strings very resistant to corrosion. However,  they are very hard and can wear down frets over time.

Electric guitars often come with gauges from .009 - .042, although some have .010 on top. Heavier strings give a fuller sound, slightly louder sound but are more difficult to bend. For extreme bending, you might go to a .008 for the top E string, but these tend to break easily. For that reason, many players choose to tune down a semi-tone or even a full-tone in order to bend the slacker strings more easily (a favourite trick of Jimi Hendrix).

Changing Gauges

Changing by more than one gauge of string may require that the guitar be setup again. On an electric guitar, this usually means adjusting the bridge individually for each string to correct the intonation. This is not possible on most acoustic guitars but you should discuss it with a qualified repair person before going more than one gauge heavier. There is a potential for neck damage, or damage to the bridge.

Reducing String Breakage

Strings will break given enough time, but you can make them last longer with a few simple steps. Wipe them after playing, using a cloth that will not leave lint on them. Micro-fibre cloths like those used for cleaning glasses or CDs are perfect.

Sometimes strings will snag on the bridge, saddle, or nut. A tiny dab of a dry lubricant can help. An interesting tip from  http://www.newstrings.co.uk/guitar_string_tips.html is to use pencil lead.

Save Money

Know what strings cost before you buy. Check out online sites such as http://www.juststrings.com/  , http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/   and others. (If you are not in the USA, remember to convert to your own currency.) Remember that your local retailer may have to raise the price due to overhead and shipping costs. Also, you may find value in the advice that you get from local sales staff, so be generous on the price if this is the case. (Be careful not to put a helpful store out of business by buying exclusively from the Internet!) If you still find it cheaper to order from the Internet, remember to factor in your own shipping cost.

Buying several sets of strings at once is usually cheaper than buying them one set at a time. See if there are special prices for certain numbers, such as 3 sets, or 10, or a box. You may want to buy lots of sets after you have settled on a kind and gauge that you like.

Be sure to store them in a dry place and remember that you have them. If you are experimenting with different gauges, ask the sales staff for advice, and ask for a discount for buying several sets. Some stores may even give you free sets of their “house” brand of strings. Be careful, though, as these may be more expensive than brand names.