Strings
Fresh strings bring back a guitar's clear tone and stable tuning. Choose from sets for classical, acoustic and electric guitars as well as bass guitars in a range of gauges, from light sets for beginners to heavier ones for a punchy tone and lower tunings.
Strings
The type of string always depends on the instrument. Steel strings do not belong on a classical guitar because they would damage the neck and bridge, and nylon strings sound weak on an acoustic guitar.
Nylon strings give a classical guitar a soft, warm tone and are gentle on the fingers. Acoustic guitars take steel strings in bronze or phosphor bronze, which sound bright and full, while electric guitars need nickel or steel strings that work with the pickups. Bass players choose heavier sets for four- or five-string instruments.
Gauge is given in thousandths of an inch, for example 10–46 for an electric or 12–53 for an acoustic guitar. Lighter strings are easier to fret and suit beginners, while heavier ones sound fuller and hold their tuning better in lower tunings.
Coated strings last longer and squeak less under the fingers. A string change is due once they turn dull, start to rust or no longer hold their tuning, and a spare set in the case is especially handy at gigs.