As a guitar player, you'll inevitably need to restring your guitar at some point. When you begin playing, "guitar string gauges" and "alloy ratios" really aren't important terms to know or understand. When you've played so much that your guitar starts to produce the dreaded "buzzing" sound, it's time to teach yourself about the different string types available and the sounds they produce. Standard acoustic guitars are made with 6 or 12 steel strings, and more expensive models come with on board electronic pick ups. Compared to classical guitars, which are made with nylon strings, the steel strings on acoustic guitars are very high tension, which creates a very powerful and bright sound. Taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the different guitar string types will help you make the right decision when it's time for new strings. Acoustic guitar strings come in a variety of "alloy ratios" and "guitar string gauges." While these terms might sound be a little intimidating, the concepts are very simple. Essentially, the alloy ratio refers is the metal ratio which compose the string. The guitar string gauge is the thickness of your string.
Bronze guitar strings are commonly called 80/20's, are they are composed of eighty percent copper and twenty percent tin. Strings with these alloy ratios produce a very bright sound, and contain a very soft feel compared to other strings. These are signicantly easier to play for a beginner guitar player. They don't have as much tension, making it much easier to pluck than other string options. The biggest disadvantage to having 80/20's is that eventually their sound turns flat, so you'll find to restring from time to time depending on how often you play.
Phosphor/bronze strings are composed of 92 percent copper and 8 percent tin, and generally have the longest life span of any alloy ratio. They are corrosion resistant and create a very bold and brassy sound. With a nice combo of durability and sound, phosphor/bronze are considered the most widely used guitar string.
Brass acoustic guitar strings are 85% copper and 15 % tin, and represent the middle ground between bronze and phosphor-bronze strings. These strings are easier to play than phosphor-bronze, but some people find this alloy ratio to be irritating to their skin oils. In terms of sound, these strings fall between the above two types of strings. Despite the irritation these strings may cause, they are usually more popular than 80/20's.
When the time comes to purchase new strings, whether online or at a brick and mortar store, you'll see guitar string gauges are classified by: extra super light, super light, light, medium, heavy, and also extra heavy. The light guitar string gauges are easier to pluck, and subsequently are the string of choice for beginners. The heavier the gauge, the louder and stiffer you will find the strings to be. Heavier gauges require much more finger independence and strength, and most players will be more comfortable playing something in the medium gauge class. These medium strings give you some good flexibility for range of sound and stiffness. Before you purchase new strings, make sure you've played a number of alloy ratios and guitar string gauges, whether it's at a friend's house or at a guitar store, after a few minutes of playing you'll quickly find which strings you enjoy playing.
Bronze guitar strings are commonly called 80/20's, are they are composed of eighty percent copper and twenty percent tin. Strings with these alloy ratios produce a very bright sound, and contain a very soft feel compared to other strings. These are signicantly easier to play for a beginner guitar player. They don't have as much tension, making it much easier to pluck than other string options. The biggest disadvantage to having 80/20's is that eventually their sound turns flat, so you'll find to restring from time to time depending on how often you play.
Phosphor/bronze strings are composed of 92 percent copper and 8 percent tin, and generally have the longest life span of any alloy ratio. They are corrosion resistant and create a very bold and brassy sound. With a nice combo of durability and sound, phosphor/bronze are considered the most widely used guitar string.
Brass acoustic guitar strings are 85% copper and 15 % tin, and represent the middle ground between bronze and phosphor-bronze strings. These strings are easier to play than phosphor-bronze, but some people find this alloy ratio to be irritating to their skin oils. In terms of sound, these strings fall between the above two types of strings. Despite the irritation these strings may cause, they are usually more popular than 80/20's.
When the time comes to purchase new strings, whether online or at a brick and mortar store, you'll see guitar string gauges are classified by: extra super light, super light, light, medium, heavy, and also extra heavy. The light guitar string gauges are easier to pluck, and subsequently are the string of choice for beginners. The heavier the gauge, the louder and stiffer you will find the strings to be. Heavier gauges require much more finger independence and strength, and most players will be more comfortable playing something in the medium gauge class. These medium strings give you some good flexibility for range of sound and stiffness. Before you purchase new strings, make sure you've played a number of alloy ratios and guitar string gauges, whether it's at a friend's house or at a guitar store, after a few minutes of playing you'll quickly find which strings you enjoy playing.
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Want to find out more about guitar string gauges, then visit Robert Bowman's site on how to choose the right guitar string gauges for your guitar.
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