DIY: How to Choose Acoustic Guitar Strings

Chasing the best acoustic guitar sound is a lifelong pursuit, but in this video PG’s Nikos Arvantis gets you off to a solid start.

He compares a host of string gauges and types, to unveil their personalities and secrets. “The material your guitar strings are made of, as well as their thickness or gauge, will have a significant impact on how a guitar feels in your hands and even changes how it sounds,” he says. And without amps or effects, acoustic guitar strings play an even bigger role in your sound than they do on a typical Les Paul or Stratocaster or PRS, for example. Gauges, especially, can have a powerful effect on how a guitar plays. And don’t be seduced into thinking bigger gauges equal bigger tones every time. All the strings in this test video are made by D’Addario and have a steel core center.

The test guitar is a Taylor 414ce.The contestants: Silk & Steel EJ40s gauged .011–.047, Flat Tops Phosphor Bronze EFT16s with phosphor bronze wrap wire gauged .012—.053, Nickel Bronze nickel-plated phosphor bronze wrap wire gauged .012–.053, 80/20 Bronze Wrap Wire and Fusion Twist Technology, and XS Coating Phosphor Bronze Wrap Wire.

In conclusion, Nikos also points out a few other factors to consider when contemplating switching strings: how much sweat or oil your hands produce, and what your budget allows—because prices vary widely between strings types. “Your choice should ultimately be based what your ears and hands can tell you,” he advises. “So, try as many strings types as you have access to, and remember that your preferences may evolve over time as you become more experienced.” And remember to subscribe to PG’s YouTube channel so you won’t miss other valuable videos like this one, as well as our Rig Rundowns and First Look videos.

*© Copyright Gearhead Communications LLC, 2022*

#guitar #diy #guitarstrings

[maxhighstein]

Wow. Thank you for changing the strings on your guitar *so many times, * and making such a tight comparison video!

[Doowopsid]

Love these string comparison videos. Your was very well done. Thanks

[stephanbrilmayer]

Great comparison and very interesting results. Thank you very much!

[Ian-tkrq]

Great video, beautiful played. And helpful. Thank you 👍

[Em_Dee_Aitch]

That was fantastic! With the exception of the last set, I liked attributes of each. I must say however, that they were all more squeaky than I would want.

[kerby]

Thank you for making this video, helped me choose with ease 🙂

[pikelalengmawialimboo]

Nice.... appreciate the hard work behind this...👍

[Jimmy]

Was not expecting you to play fear of a blank planet haha awesome and great video.

[RobertGraefeMusic]

Loved that you played a Porcupine Tree tune. Put a smile on my face, thanks for that! :)

[nedim_guitar]

D'Addario XS sound the best to me. I think... Silk & Steel aren't bad either. I just like the articulation of strings that don't sound very warm and mellow. Also, fun to hear Porcupine Tree in an example!

[xser]

Ayoooo In Flames Come Clarity was a super nice surprise!

[theoeclipse]

At double speed the difference is more noticable.
Silver-plated Silk copper windigs, Steel Core - 2:19, 3:12, 4:16, 5:30, 6:07
Phosphor Bronze Wrap Wire, High Carbon Steel Core - 2:29, 3:25, 4:26, 5:09, 5:37, 6:16
Nikel-Plated Phosphor Bronze Wrap Wire, NY Steel Core - 2:40, 3:37, 4:35, 5:13, 5:44, 6:26
80/20 Bronze Wrap Wire and Fusion Twist, NY Steel Core - 2:50. 3:49, 4:45, 5:18, 5:51, 6:35
XS Coating, Phosphor Bronze Wrap & Fusion Twist, NY Steel Core - 3:00, 4:02, 4:54, 5:22, 5:58, 6:44

[PemaWangchuk]

I used to play the phosphor bronze light gauge. The XS here convinced me to switch but I didn't feel I was getting the same brilliance. Then it struck me that in the focus on the strings I had forgotten about the Taylor. It's a rough awakening sometimes being poor.

[chrishammonds]

I switched from elixirs to the D’addario XS about 6 months ago and prefer them now to any others I’ve tried. More warmer earthier tone and they don’t flake off like elixirs. So far I’ve had a set on for 5 months and they still sound great

[pjdilans]

Wow thanks. I'm a total beginner and I was told silk steel would be more comfortable to play.... I had worried there would be some sort of tone trade off... but judging by this video they sound really bright and lively.

Thanks for the video its huge help.

[RebornLeveller]

Interesting. I must admit I had always thought the thicker gage strings generally created a louder, richer tone, but this video does appear to prove otherwise. To me the silk & steel 11/47 sounded better and louder than the Flat-tops Phosphor Bronze 12/53 - and better than all the others too.

I think I started out with D'Addario 12/53, but then switched to D'Addario 10/47, which were great for me. Although I have a bad habit of pressing down too hard (possibly due to originally learning on a cheap classical with really high action), so last week I bought some Super light 9/45, which I'm not getting on well with at all, they sound way too metallic for my liking, with very little bass in the thicker strings. And I seem to be too heavy handed for them - out of habit still pressing down too hard, thus bending the thinner strings horribly out of tune. I may now give the 11/47 a try as they sounded the best to me in your video.

As an aside, may I ask what you were playing at 6:07 ? It's beautiful and sounds familiar but I can't quite place it.

[jamiem]

The last set sounded best to my ears with my preferences

[kristenkillen]

I've only used cheap earnie ball medium bronze strings on my epiphone jumbo since I got it but, I'm looking to find a good (perhaps different gauge) of string to compliment my slightly smokier/raspy voice. I have a very low voice for a woman (think Tracy Chapman) and I'm sick of being embarrassed by it. I'd like to start playing more to my strengths than trying to hide behind the loud chords on a jumbo guitar. Hearing the different string pitches helps me narrow down my choices a little but, it's just a guessing game for me. Any suggestions for new strings would be greatly appreciated.

[dhirenjazz]

Nice info, can you please let me know which one strings should I buy for acoustic guitar for better resonant sound

[michaelgao]

I have a Taylor Custom 224ce-K-DLX and I use Martin Treated 2.0 MA540T, and D’Addario XS to play Jazz Blues.
But I don’t use Elixirs