If we were to use a high E with a diameter of 0.009 inches for the G string, for example, it would not have the sufficient tension to make it playable when it’s brought up to pitch. Because the thickness of the string is related to its tension when it is brought up to pitch, we use thicker strings for low notes and thinner strings for high notes. The high E, aka the first string, is the thinnest. The low E, aka the sixth string, is the thickest. In standard tunings, the guitar strings are ordered E A D G B E. Gauges What guitar string gauges should you use? Just listening to some audio of an electric, an acoustic and a classical guitar will give you an idea of how these strings and their materials affect the instrument’s tone. They feel softer underneath your fingers and have a more mellow tone. Here, the top three strings are made from clear or rectified nylon, with the bottom three typically using bronze or silver-plated copper wire wrapped around a multi-filament core. Nylon strings are used on classical, Flamenco and hybrid guitars. Where the acoustic and electric strings have ball-ends that secure the string to the bridge, nylon strings are looped around the bridge in a simple knot, then looped through the tuning roller at the headstock before bringing them up to pitch. These, and sets such as Ernie Ball’s Paradigm and D’Addario’s EXP, offer excellent options for both electric and acoustic players, but they do come at a price. Elixir have staked a reputation for developing coated strings, providing a natural feel and tone but often dramatically extending the life of the strings. Manufacturers have been in an arms race to develop longer-lasting strings.

Here, phosphor is added to the alloy to extend the string’s life.

Phosphor bronze is a popular choice for acoustic strings.

Some sets, such as Ernie Ball’s Earthwood Extra Soft and Le Bella’s Silk And Steel, use silk between the metal core and the wrap to give it a softer feel and reduce string squeak when playing. The top two strings are typically plain steel, with the bottom four a wrapped construction that might typically see a steel core wrapped with bronze. Electric guitar strings are made from metal – typically steel or nickel – with the top three strings plain steel and the bottom three featuring a steel core with a metal wrap, often nickel as it has a bright tone and, being softer than steel, is easier on your frets.Īcoustic guitar strings are also made from metal, usually bronze, phosphor bronze, brass, nickel, silk or steel. Guitar strings fall into three categories – electric, acoustic and nylon. Electric vs acoustic vs nylon guitar strings And more to the point, in 2020, string manufacture is down to a fine art using a variety of materials such as various metals, nylon and silk, with all manner of technological advanced treatments and coatings to preserve their life. Typically the first strings were spun from the intestines of cattle, goats and so on (you can climb down off the bookshelf now, Mog). The good news is that there’s no need for the feline in your life to get bent out of shape whenever you open the guitar case.

All nylon strings guitar