Why Guitar Strings Matter More Than You Think
Strings are the most frequently changed — and most frequently overlooked — part of any guitar. They're the first point of contact between you and your instrument, and they have a direct impact on tone, playability, and tuning stability. Yet most players stick with whatever came on the guitar and only change them when one breaks.
This guide covers everything you need to know: gauges, materials, coatings, and how to know when it's time for a fresh set.
String Gauges: What the Numbers Mean
String gauge refers to the thickness of the string, measured in thousandths of an inch. A set labelled "10-46" has a high E string of .010" and a low E of .046". The gauge affects almost everything about how a guitar plays and sounds.
Acoustic Guitar Gauges
- Extra Light (10-47) — Easy on the fingers, great for beginners and fingerpickers. Less volume and projection than heavier gauges.
- Custom Light (11-52) — A popular middle ground. Good balance of playability and tone.
- Light (12-53) — The most common acoustic gauge. Fuller tone, more volume, slightly more finger pressure required.
- Medium (13-56) — Maximum volume and projection. Preferred by strummers and flatpickers. Harder on the fingers and puts more tension on the neck and top.
Electric Guitar Gauges
- Super Light / 8s (8-38) — Very easy to bend, popular for lead players. Can feel loose and may cause tuning issues on some guitars.
- Light / 9s (9-42) — The most popular electric gauge. Great balance of playability and tone for most styles.
- Regular / 10s (10-46) — Fuller tone, more sustain. Preferred by blues and rock players who want a meatier feel.
- Heavy / 11s and above — Maximum tone and sustain. Common in jazz and drop-tuning applications. Requires a setup adjustment on most guitars.
Key rule of thumb: If you change gauge significantly (more than one step), have your guitar set up to compensate for the change in tension. Neck relief, action, and intonation can all be affected.
String Materials: Acoustic
80/20 Bronze
Made from 80% copper and 20% zinc, these are the brightest-sounding acoustic strings. They have a crisp, clear tone with strong treble presence. They tend to lose their brightness relatively quickly as the bronze oxidises — typically within a few weeks of regular playing.
Best for: Strumming, country, folk, bluegrass. Players who want a bright, cutting sound.
Phosphor Bronze
The addition of phosphor slows oxidisation, giving these strings a longer lifespan than 80/20 bronze. The tone is slightly warmer and more balanced — less bright, more complex in the midrange.
Best for: Fingerpicking, singer-songwriters, players who want a warmer, more rounded acoustic tone. The most popular acoustic string material overall.
Silk and Steel
A nylon core wrapped in steel, these strings are significantly lower tension than standard acoustic strings. Very gentle on the fingers and the guitar top.
Best for: Classical-style playing on steel-string guitars, older or vintage guitars where lower tension is preferable, beginners with sensitive fingertips.
String Materials: Electric
Nickel-Plated Steel
The most common electric string material. A steel core wound with nickel-plated steel wrap wire. Balanced tone with good output and a moderate feel under the fingers. Works well with magnetic pickups.
Best for: Most styles. The default choice for a reason.
Pure Nickel
Warmer and slightly lower output than nickel-plated steel. Pure nickel strings have a vintage character — less aggressive high-end, more midrange warmth.
Best for: Blues, jazz, vintage-style playing. Players chasing a pre-1970s tone.
Stainless Steel
Bright, aggressive, and highly resistant to corrosion. Longer lifespan than nickel strings. Can feel rougher under the fingers and may cause slightly more fret wear over time.
Best for: High-output playing, metal, players who sweat heavily and go through strings quickly.
Coated vs Uncoated Strings
Coated strings have a thin polymer layer applied to the wrap wire, which dramatically extends their lifespan by protecting against sweat, oils, and oxidisation. Brands like Elixir pioneered this technology, and it's now offered by most major manufacturers.
- Coated strings — Last 3–5x longer than uncoated. Slightly smoother feel. Some players feel the coating slightly dulls the initial brightness, though modern coatings have improved significantly.
- Uncoated strings — Brighter out of the packet, more "raw" feel. Need changing more frequently.
Our recommendation: If you play regularly but don't change strings often, coated strings are excellent value. If you change strings frequently anyway and prefer the feel of fresh uncoated strings, stick with uncoated.
When Should You Change Your Strings?
There's no single answer, but here are the signs to look for:
- Tone has gone dull or flat — Fresh strings have brightness and sustain. Old strings sound lifeless.
- Tuning instability — Worn strings lose their ability to hold pitch, especially under bending.
- Visible discolouration or corrosion — Dark, grimy-looking wound strings are past their best.
- Rough or uneven feel — If the wound strings feel rough or have flat spots, they're worn.
- Before a performance or recording — Always put on a fresh set (and stretch them in) before anything important.
As a general guide: casual players should change every 3 months, regular players every 4–6 weeks, and gigging musicians every 1–2 weeks or more.
Popular String Brands at a Glance
- Elixir — The gold standard for coated strings. Nanoweb and Polyweb coatings suit different feel preferences.
- D'Addario — Hugely popular, consistent quality, wide range. Their EJ16 phosphor bronze and EXL110 nickel are among the best-selling strings in the world.
- Ernie Ball — Iconic for electric strings. Slinky series is a staple for rock and pop players.
- Martin — Excellent acoustic strings, particularly their Lifespan coated range.
- GHS — Trusted by many professionals, particularly for their Boomers electric range.
Finding Your String
The best string is the one that suits your playing style, your guitar, and your hands. If you've never experimented beyond what came on your guitar, try a few different gauges and materials — the difference can be transformative.
Browse our full range of guitar strings at WM Guitars, and if you're not sure where to start, get in touch — we're happy to point you in the right direction.
