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When was the last time you changed your strings? Well, before you do this time, check out these tips for picking out the perfect strings for you.
When was the last time you changed your strings? Well, before you do this time, check out these tips for picking out the perfect strings for you.
Guitar type
This might seem obvious, but first and foremost, take a look at guitar and determine which type of strings you need. Acoustic steel, electric, classical nylon? Most of the time these stri
ngs are not interchangeable. You can’t use steel strings on a nylon string guitar for example. It could damage your instrument. Check your bridge and see if your guitar uses ball-end strings or needs strings that tie at the end. Typically all steel string guitars are fitted to use ball-end strings, but nylon string guitars can go either way.
Gauge preference
Here’s where things get tricky. Strings come in a wide variety of different gauge ranges. The gauge is the diameter of the string…or how fat it is. The gauge of your strings can really change how the guitar feels when you play, and the sound, too. Typically lighter gauge strings are easier to play, but can break more easily. Beefier strings can have a fuller tone, can be louder and are harder to break, so if you like to dig in, consider a heavier set. Here’s a general run down of acoustic string sets:
• Extra light: .010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047
• Custom light: .011 .015 .023 .032 .042 .052
• Light: .012 .016 .025 .032 .042 .054
• Medium: .013 .017 .026 .035 .045 .056
• Heavy: .014 .018 .027 .039 .049 .059
Picking a gauge
So how to you know which gauge set