How to choose guitar strings. Why can't a classical guitar have steel strings? Metal strings for acoustic guitar

This article will give you the information you need about the different types of acoustic and electric guitar strings. Next we will talk in detail about the thickness of the strings, the types of strings for acoustic guitar and electric guitars, about strings with and without coating, about nylon strings ah, flatwound and roundwound strings, the materials from which the strings are made and their effect on the sound.

String thickness

Strings vary in size, and more specifically, in thickness. It is usually measured in thousandths of an inch. As a rule, the thickness of the strings in a set is indicated by the first string. Sometimes you can hear guitarists say something like: “I play ten.” This means they use a set of strings where the first string is 0.010 inches thick.

Acoustic guitars typically use strings ranging from 9 to 13 gauge. The most common are very light gauge strings, 10 gauge, and light gauge strings, 11 gauge. Thicker strings produce a richer, louder sound, but are more difficult to play. These will work well for you if you like your acoustic guitar to sound really tight and loud. Using thin strings will make playing easier, but you will sacrifice volume and fullness of sound.

Electric guitar string gauges range from 8 to 13 gauge. Thicker strings can be found, but they either come with flatwound or are made for baritone guitars. Most electric guitars are set to 9 or 10. For jazz and hard rock, thicker strings are used. Thick strings are also useful if you play in low tuning.

The thickness of the strings is indicated on the packaging

Acoustic guitar strings: bronze and phosphor bronze (Bronze, Phosphor Bronze)

Bronze strings are characterized by a more sonorous and bright sound compared to phosphor bronze. Their golden color is given by the alloy from which they are made: 80% copper and 20% tin. Bronze is softer than steel and also resists corrosion, which is useful in humid climates.

Phosphor bronze strings have a soft and warm sound, unlike regular bronze. Many guitarists believe that this makes them better suited to fingerpicking. As for color, they have a red, copper tint. The composition of phosphorus bronze is similar to ordinary bronze, but it contains a small proportion of phosphorus. It prevents rapid oxidation of the metal. Approximate composition: 92% copper, 7.7% tin, 0.3% phosphorus.

Bronze (left) and phosphor bronze (right)

Electric guitar strings: nickel plated, pure nickel and steel (Nickel Plated, Pure Nickel, Stainless Steel)

Nickel plated strings are probably the most common type of electric guitar strings to date. The winding on their thick strings is made of nickel-plated steel, i.e. nickel plated steel. The steel from which the string is made has good magnetic properties and is ideal for magnetic pickups, while the nickel plating helps balance its bright sound. Nickel also makes the string smooth on your fingers and protects it from corrosion. It is softer than steel, so nickel and nickel strings will wear less on the frets than steel strings.

Pure nickel strings have a softer, warmer tone than steel and nickel-plated strings. If you play blues, jazz or classic rock, you will truly appreciate the fat tone of pure nickel. Nickel resists corrosion very well and is well suited for magnetic pickups.

Steel strings have the brightest and most sonorous sound of all types of electric guitar strings. They also retain their sound over time because... Made of stainless steel, which resists corrosion well. Stainless steel actually feels different to the player than other strings. Some say they feel "dry" and are not as slippery as nickel. Steel is a fairly hard metal, so frets with these strings will wear out a little faster, but if you want bright, ringing sound, then it's worth it.

Nickel plated strings

Strings with and without polymer coating (Coated, Non-Coated)

Polymer-coated strings have a kind of film on the surface that prevents oxidation and corrosion of the string, and also prevents dirt from getting between the turns of the winding. This helps the string sound like new for a long time. Such strings are about 2 times more expensive than uncoated ones, but if you don’t want and don’t like to change strings often, then they will be worth the money. They retain a fresh, new sound for about 3 times longer than uncoated strings. These are best for you if your hands get sweaty, you play a lot, or you live in a climate with high humidity.

Uncoated strings are cheaper, but retain their original sound for a shorter period of time.

String with polymer coating (left) and without it (right)

Nylon strings

Nylon strings are designated and graded by tension, rather than by fractions of an inch like metal strings. There are 3 tension levels for them: medium (Normal), strong (Hard) and very strong (Extra-Hard). Medium tensions are fairly easy to play, but can feel too floppy if played loudly and quickly. High tension nylon strings are better suited for playing loud and fast music, but b O A higher tension force may negatively affect the comfort of play. Strings with very high tension are needed to play even faster and louder music. They cause more discomfort on the fingers when playing than other nylon strings.

There are two main ways to attach nylon strings to the bridge of a guitar: with balls and knots. Usually, if you look at a guitar with nylon strings, you will see knots in the fastenings. They require a little more work when changing strings, but they are more popular.

Nylon strings attached with balls have a small plastic or metal ball at the end, a reel, thanks to which you do not have to tie a knot to attach to the bridge. These strings are less popular and more difficult to find.

The strings are attached to the bridge of a classical guitar by knots

Fastening strings with balls

Round and flat winding strings

Round wound strings are what most of us see when we think of a regular guitar string. The winding usually has thicker three or four strings (the winding is around the steel cord) and on this type of strings, as the name suggests, it has a round shape in diameter. The sound of such strings is louder than that of flat wound strings.

Flatwound strings have a warmer, softer sound. This is why they are commonly used in jazz and some types of blues.

Their winding is, accordingly, flat, reminiscent of flattened wire. These strings are more durable because there are fewer crevices on their surface where finger dirt can get trapped.

Round winding string (top) and flat winding(bottom)

How to determine when it's time to change strings to new ones

There are three factors that can be used to determine whether strings need to be replaced: their sound, appearance and how they feel on your fingers when playing. Of course, the most important of these is the sound of the strings. If you think the strings sound quite good, then there is no need to change them. If you think that they sound dull, unclear and dull, then it would be a good idea to replace them with new ones.

As for feeling the strings with your fingers, then good strings should be smooth and clean, there is no need to change them. Strings that are dirty, rusty or dry to the touch should be replaced.

They should look shiny, as if glossy. Dull, stained, rusty strings also need to be replaced.

The strings wear off on the frets

How often should you change strings?

It depends on many things: how often you play, what climate you live in, how sweaty your hands are, and how you keep your strings clean can all affect the lifespan of your strings.

Some guitarists change their strings every week or even after every gig, while others play with the same ones for months. How often you play will determine how often you change strings.

How to extend the life of strings

There are several rules that will help the strings not to lose their good sound. for a long time. First, wash your hands every time you play the guitar. Thanks to this, less dirt from your hands will accumulate between the turns of the winding, and sweat will not corrode them.

Secondly, after playing, wipe the strings with a rag or a special polishing cloth for strings. These two things will help you reduce the cost of new strings.

On any music forum, the same topic is always created. Every new guitar player asks us the same question. And every young musician always faces the same problem - choosing strings for his brand new acoustic guitar. And, indeed, today it’s easier to decide on a guitar than on strings! And everyone around just advises you to try, figure it out and choose the best option for yourself. But what about a beginner who is faced with such a problem for the first time?!

We would like to lend a helping hand to aspiring guitarists and tell a little about various types strings and their brands. And although the choice of strings really depends on the preferences of the musician, we will still share with you personal experience and our opinion about certain manufacturers. Perhaps this will answer not only some of your questions, but also help you decide what you need.

Material bases

The key qualities of strings: sound, durability and playability depend on the material from which they are made. So the first thing you have to decide on is the winding material of your future strings. Go!

Variety of brands

There is no shortage of different brands of strings for acoustic guitars today. And it is not surprising that it is difficult for any beginning guitarist to make an independent choice for the first time. So let's look at the most famous modern brands in a little more detail and see what experienced people say about them.

• Dean Markley. Negative reviews I haven't heard of these strings yet - they sound great and are reasonably priced. Their only drawback is their service life.

• ErnieBall. Another string option that perfectly combines quality and price. They last a long time, sound good, have a pleasant tactile sensation, and they are not very expensive. In a word, also a good start!

• Olympia. Another standard string option that combines an affordable price, good sound and reliability.

• Rotosound. The strings of this brand can probably be described as follows: just strings. No outstanding qualities, nor particularly negative traits They dont have. Strings and everything.

So we went over them all well-known manufacturers strings for acoustic guitars and their products. And what conclusion can be drawn from all this?! Obviously, many strings from many brands represent a specific accessory, the choice of which is still worth growing up and trying a lot. So if you are purchasing replacement strings for the first time and are not yet in the mood for experiments, our advice to you is to take something simpler, such as D’Addario, La’Bella, Olympia or GHS of medium hardness. They will produce a fairly clear sound and will not create discomfort during the game.

As for the rest, the forums don’t lie – throughout your entire creative activity you will have to try more than one set of strings and make your own assessment of many manufacturers before you find the perfect option!

When choosing guitar strings, the happy owner of a musical instrument must take into account the whole a number of parameters: manufacturer, material, coating, type of winding. One of the most important indicators is string thickness, or, to put it differently, their caliber.

String gauge defines two important points: sound and playability. The thicker the string, the richer and louder the sound will be, but they are more difficult to pinch. Thin strings are easier to handle, which is why beginners often prefer them. In general, the choice of caliber depends on what and how you want to play and what you are willing to sacrifice: sound or convenience.

String thickness most often expressed in fractions of an inch. The kit packaging indicates the thickness of the 1st and 6th strings separated by a hyphen. It looks something like 9-42, 10-46 and so on. In slang - “nine”, “ten”, etc. Acoustic guitar strings typically come in gauges of .009 or higher, while figure eight strings are used primarily for electric guitars.

What thickness of strings should I choose?

The thinnest strings are chosen either, as already mentioned, by beginners or virtuoso guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen. Also thin strings They are better suited for all kinds of bends (“pull-ups”), so blues lovers will also like them. The most popular 1st string gauges are 0.010 and 0.011. More thick strings are used less frequently, but with them you can achieve a richer and denser sound. They will come in very handy, for example, in jazz. Also, large gauge strings are often used for playing in low tuning (Drop D or even Drop C). In addition, thick strings are better suited for scratching.

This review will introduce you to different types of guitar strings, types of windings and materials from which they are made. Let's look at what a string actually is. By the way, any stretched thread or metal wire can be called a string. Of course, with the condition that when playing it does not stretch or tear.

And now a little history. Our ancestors, long before the advent of guitars, used strings made from animal tendons. This type of string is called " vein"with strings. You can also find those that have survived to this day" intestinal"strings. They, as you probably already guessed, were made from animal intestines. Type of strings, appeared in. - early 19th century was completely different. These were wound strings that were able to improve the timbre of many instruments, particularly guitars. The winding helped reduce the tension, making it much easier to play. Somewhere around the same time, another type of string appeared - with a steel base or core. Although they were initially used on the piano, they later spread to other musical instruments including the guitar. The 20th century, with its technological progress, greatly increased diversity types of strings. Next we can look at each of them in more detail.

Types of strings

- Gut strings The type of strings from this, to put it mildly, unusual material no longer produced in Russia. Although sometimes they can be found in the west, this is also a rarity. With the advent of synthetic strings, gut strings almost immediately gave way to them. The main disadvantage of this type of strings the fact that they wear out very quickly near the frets and lose their quality from high temperature or humidity, including moisture released by the hands. In other words, not the most the best option;) .

- Synthetic strings The type of synthetic strings can generally be divided into two groups:

1. Nylon strings - They are used mainly for classical guitar. They are quite soft and well suited for beginner guitarists. The lower 3 strings of the guitar are made of nylon fishing line, which is made of so-called monofilament synthetics. The top three strings are made from many thin nylon threads. Such a fishing line will be made from polyfilament synthetics. Usually, the winding for this type of strings They are used from copper in the form of a round wire with a silver coating (Fig. 1). Silver increases wear resistance and, to some extent, prevents the strings from getting dirty with your hands. But nevertheless, it gradually wears out in the fret area. People found a way out by experimenting with other alloys. Silver-plated brass, pure brass, or phosphor bronze are superior in wear resistance to silver-plated copper.

Rice. 1

1 2. Carbon strings The material for these strings was discovered in the 20th century in Japan, and it is called fluorocarbon or carbon. Carbon fiber is 90% denser than nylon. Therefore, at the same tension, carbon fishing line can have a smaller diameter. This string type much louder than nylon ones. Bass strings of carbon sets can be made of either carbon or nylon, since there is no noticeable difference in sonority. Although, let’s say for particularly sophisticated musicians, this small difference is enough to make their choice in favor of carbon strings.

- Steel based strings

Data types of strings most often found in pop music, rock, blues, and also where preference is given to sonority and richness of sound. These strings can be stretched three times harder than synthetic strings. In acoustics, they are usually placed on guitars with a more reinforced structure. These are non-classical acoustic guitars with Western, Jumbo, and Dreadnought body types. And, of course, such strings are used on electric guitars. Because magnetic pickups simply won't be able to read the vibrations from a nylon string. By the way, metal strings have different windings. Copper-based alloys are most often used, but can be found in stainless steel, nickel, brass, and phosphor bronze.

Each winding adds its own unique flavor to the sound of the instrument. We are already familiar with the “Roundwound” type winding; we can see it again in Fig. 1. This winding gives maximum sonority and velvety, which is especially noticeable for the first time after installing the strings. There are two more equally popular steel string winding type: “flatwound” and “groundwound”, they can be seen in Fig. 2. Both types of winding “eat up” the whistle and unpleasant sounds that fingers make when sliding along the strings. This is achieved because the outer side of the winding is flat. Such type of strings Very often used by guitarists who record in the studio via a microphone.

Rice. 2

That's basically it. Now you know, what kind of strings are there? for guitar. We conclude that to choice of strings should be taken quite seriously, since each type of string has its own pros and cons, its own characteristics, which can make playing the guitar somewhat easier or more difficult, and maybe even enrich it. And on my own behalf I would like to advise you: experiment!;)

It doesn’t matter whether you are a professional or just starting to play the guitar, there will come a time when you need to replace the strings for your favorite instrument and then the difficult task of choosing them will arise. In order to choose good, and most importantly “correct” strings, you need to know a few things. We'll talk about them.

Important!!! Strings different types, can only be used on the corresponding instrument. Using strings for other purposes may lead to undesirable consequences, including failure of the instrument.

Today we will talk about how to choose, which is very popular in the market musical instruments, and . But before that I would like to say a little about what a string is. By and large, any wire or fishing line that can not deform or break after repeated use can be considered a string.

But if all the strings were the same thickness, then the sound of all 6, 7 or 12 strings would be the same. In order to make the sound of each string unique, in the 18th century they began to use winding, which can be made of various metals:

Bronze:

• Yellow- a bright clanging sound with good percussion, loud, beautiful, but yellow bronze requires care - it quickly oxidizes, the winding acquires a characteristic greenish color. It is better to store in a case in a dry place.
• Phosphorus- there is no such characteristic clanging, but the sound is more even, deep, with clear bass.

Which bronze to choose is an acquired taste, but personally I prefer the first option. I would like to note that if you choose bronze from a good manufacturer, you definitely won’t regret it. Cost from 60 - 100 UAH. average.

Copper- more cheap option strings Although their sound is clear, with a good midrange, they do not have the same individuality as the bronze ones. In general, they sound approximately the same across different brands.

Silver- quite thin in structure. Their sound also has subtlety and clarity. Voiced, perfect for picking with both fingers and a pick. But, as for me, they do not have as much power when playing in combat as bronze ones.

And also be of different types:

• Round winding. These strings have a ringing and bright sound.
• Flat winding. These strings have a more matte, slightly muted sound.

In this regard, the sound of the guitars was filled with great power, which guaranteed the performer unforgettable success. In the 20th century, the range of strings became even more diverse. They are starting to be made on a steel cable, synthetic, with profile and multilayer winding, combined, bimetallic.

When choosing strings for your guitar, we must not forget that all strings are divided into 3 types: thin, medium thickness and thick (light tension, medium and strong, respectively)

• Thin strings It’s easier to press, your fingers don’t get so tired, but their sound is quieter
• Thick sets strings sound more juicy and rich, but they are harder to play.
• Average thickness ideal for beginning musicians and combines ease of string clamping and pleasant sound

In terms of thickness, sets 0.10 - 0.48, 0.11 - 0.52 best convey sound. Strings 0.12 - 0.56 add volume, but are very hard, so it is advisable to lower the tuning with them a little.

Synthetic strings are used only for classical guitars, so it is not surprising that such a guitar is recommended for learning by beginning musicians. When playing on such strings, your fingers don’t get so tired and it’s easier to press them to the frets. Typically, the top three strings are synthetic nylon line, and the rest are made of polyfilament backing. Often craftsmen use round wire for winding.

Also, I would like to note that synthetic strings are of high density. Their inventors are considered to be Japanese scientists, who at the end of the 20th century began to use carbon in their work, which has a density higher than that of nylon. For example, the 3rd string of this type has a diameter of 0.85-0.92 mm. The main disadvantage of such strings is their high price, since such material is 5-7 times more expensive than nylon. But despite this, high-density synthetic strings will provide you with enjoyable guitar lessons that are sure to be productive!

• Synthetic (nylon) strings. In such sets, the first three strings are made of nylon fishing line, and the three bass strings are made of many threads of the same nylon covered with an outer metal winding, mostly made of copper, sometimes silver or brass (phosphorus bronze).
• High density synthetic strings. These strings are made from carbon line, which gives them increased density and a thinner diameter. Such strings have a ringing, pronounced sound. The disadvantage is the high price.
• Strings on a steel cable. These strings are relatively soft and have different string wraps: the first three are with nylon tape, and the 4th to 6th are with silver plated copper. Such strings hold tuning very well and practically do not stretch. They are not very popular because the price is very high.
• Synthalic strings. These are strings that, even at the metal level, are characterized by high brightness of sound and the usual softness, like nylon strings. They tune up very quickly, the winding wears out much less from contact with the frets, and these strings also make it possible to make “braces.” The tune and rich sound remain unchanged for several months.

Strings for acoustic (pop) guitars:

• Monolithic steel strings. It is definitely worth mentioning the strings on a monolithic steel base. They can be seen on acoustic guitars, which are often used in pop music. These strings are based on high strength steel. The winding is most often made of copper or phosphor bronze and varies in hardness and elasticity. These parameters affect the sound of the guitar and the comfort of the fingers.
• Steel strings in a thin synthetic sheath Americans are known to us not only for inventing new types of guitars, but also strings. For example, the creation of steel strings in addition to a synthetic shell of bass strings. This means that the bottom layer is made of metal material, covered with synthetic elements. Such a successful selection is ideal for those guitarists who want to practice for a long time musical creativity on his acoustic guitar.
• Steel strings with semicircular or flat winding. Such strings are a type of strings with a monolithic steel base. When sliding your fingers along the string, there is no “whistle” characteristic of ordinary strings. They have a matte sound on the bass strings and a more sonorous sound on the first three, which are without winding.

Note:

• - on the frequency of winding turns: Once I bought a rather expensive set of phosphor bronze, which had a more frequent winding. As a result, I got a completely different sound - more dull, with bass and without my favorite clanging.
• - to the manufacturer: Choose strings that are more expensive and from famous brands, which have proven themselves in the market - the strings will last longer and you will get more pleasure from playing.
• If you are a beginner and do not particularly understand the choice of strings and do not see any fundamental differences in them, you should consult with the consultants in the store. They will be happy to help you choose exactly what suits your guitar best. Very often, beginning musicians mistakenly put uncharacteristic strings on the guitar, as a result of which, best case scenario You will simply get low-quality sound, or at worst, the guitar will fail.
• If you have an idol in music (it is possible that you have an analogue of his instrument), I advise you to find out which strings he plays on. Knowing his preferences, you can always find a lot useful information about the parameters of its strings and make your choice based on this knowledge. For each style of music you need to select your own set, and who, if not famous guitarists, know better than anyone what is needed for a good game.

In general, choosing strings is a very individual process: look at what companies your idols use, try playing with sets of different thicknesses and different manufacturers, because the most best experience- personal. Only after trying many options can you choose the best one for yourself.

P.S. After playing the guitar, run your finger along the bottom of the string, from the nut to the nut. You will see dirt that has accumulated there; it needs to be removed. Do this every time you finish playing - the strings will last you much longer. I do not recommend wiping them with a cloth that is not intended for caring for strings - the micro fibers that remain on the strings accumulate between the turns of the winding and interfere with the vibrations of the string, muffling the sound.

Good luck!