Choosing the Right Guitar Strings

The huge variety of guitar strings available ensure that you can find the exact ones you need; however, it also can be overwhelming and a bit confusing determining which ones you should invest in.

The first thing to start with is the gauge. The string's gauge refers to the size of the string. Usually available in heavy, medium, and light, some brands also offer super heavy or super light sets.

• Heavy - Great for powerful and aggressive strumming, heavy strings produce a better sound for heavy rock and metal.

• Medium - Medium strings are well balanced for general styles of play which make them good for beginners.

• Light - Requiring less pressure, light strings are easier to bend which makes them great for shredding and fast picking.

Another thing to consider when picking strings is the metal used to make different ones. Many different metals are used and they all provide a different tone.

• Nickel-plated steel strings - Having a well balanced tone that works well for many different playing styles, these are the most popular among electric guitarists.

• Pure nickel strings - Good for vintage styles due to their smooth tone.

• Stainless steel strings - Provide a crisp sound.

Containing different properties, other metals used include chrome, titanium, cobalt, and copper-plated steel.

Also influencing the tone strings make is whether they are rounded core or hex core strings. 

• Round core - Usually wound by hand which ensures quality, round core strings provide a more vintage sound because they are more dense.

• Hex core - Now the industry standard, hex core strings can be precisely wound which ensures tight core tension and provides consistent performance.

Increasing in popularity lately are coated guitar strings. Initially developed to prevent corrosion, manufacturers now offer numerous colors which can be extremely eye-catching during a performance.

Some of the most popular guitar string brands include:

• Ernie Ball

• Elixir

• D’Addario

• DR Strings

• Fender

However, there are many other brands that sell quality strings.

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