Among so many type of guitar tuners in store, Korg TM-40 is one of the best selling model. This tuner had been graded as 4.5 star out of 5 on Amazon with more than 150 user’s feedback. Beginners love it because it is very user friendly. This electronic guitar tuner built with a large screen and its tuning feature is excellent – it response within second to the tone. It is a great combination package of a good tuner and a good metronome. You can use it for your guitar, bass, violin, cello and other musical instruments.

Korg TM-40 electronic guitar tuner is currently on sale at Amazon and the sale price is up to 30% cheaper than music store. Click here to see the details.

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While we understand individual player may have personal preference in strings selection, but in general, there are two type of guitar strings we would highly recommended to all beginners.

The first beginner friendly string you may try is D’addario EJ16 Light. These phosphor bronze strings always produce nice and sweet tone. Their price is very reasonable with the quality they delivered. For gauge selection, always choose the light gauge. Although the lighter the string is, the easier your finger to press, but extra light gauge will normally break easily. So choose the light gauge, instead of the extra light would be more ideal.

Another beginner friendly string you can consider is Elixir Nanoweb Light. These strings may not be the cheapest in store, but they are the toughest you could get. Elixir’s strings durability is definitely unquestionable. They are as tough as stone!

Acoustic guitar strings are consider as low cost accessories. Therefore, we have good reason to buy a few packs of different strings to test on their playability and tone. This is why we always suggest readers to invest a little money into both D’Addario and Elixir to make a experiment themselves.

That won’t hurt our pocket too much.

 

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Answer
You might encounter a couple of scenarios:

It will be more difficult fretting due to it’s higher tension.
Fatter tone all round.
Better tone when playing dropped tunings.

In short, you will get more tone, more volume but less string flexibility. And the most obvious changes – expect your fingertips to hurt more until you get used to the fatter strings.

Ernie Ball Earthwood 2003 is currently on sales at Amazon with up to 20% off through this link!

 

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Question

Check your guitar action
If the action is too high, you will have to press harder to get a clean note and that will hurt your finger. What you can do is send your guitar to music store to lower the action.

Use lighter gauge guitar string
Heavier gauge strings take more pressure and you need to press harder. If your fingers can not take the pressure, change your strings to lighter gauge.

Check if you strings are old
Old strings are corroded and harder to your fingers. Replace new strings might solve your problem.

You press your strings too hard
Many guitar beginners tend to apply too much finger pressure. This will make your guitar sound out of tune and hurt your fingers as well.

User Finger Ease
There’s a product call Finger Ease. It is a little spray can that you could use to minimize your finger pain. Just spray it on your guitar strings. It really does help. You can easily get it from your local music store or online shop. This item is currently on sale at Amazon at only a few bucks. Click here to check out their sale price.

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Question

I found the sweats from my hands seem to be very acidic as I tend to wear out guitar strings rather quickly. I put on a new set of strings and play my guitar for about 2 hours. I can see rust forming and strings started to discoloring. This is very annoying. Is there any way to make it a little more manageable?

 
Answer

Everybody has different body chemistry. Some people has sweaty palm and their hand will corrode a set of strings within a week of playing. This is because they having the so called ‘Acid Hand’. You may try the below tricks:

1. Use coated strings. Most acid hands kill un-coated string pretty fast if compare to coated one. You may try Elixir Polyweb Coating which has been highly recommended to guitarist who has acid hand.
2. Wash your hands with soap before you play.
3. Use guitar string lubricant to prolong your strings life. Spray it on clean cloth and rub the strings down before and after you play.

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I had been told by one of an experience guitar player I shall not remove all guitar strings at once. I should remove one string at a time and replace each as I go. The reason is by removing all strings at once, I will affect the tension and create harm to the guitar neck. Is it true?

Answer

Yes, I heard about this as well but personally I do not agree with it because there’s no documented negative effect of removing all strings. I don’t think doing this will damage your guitar neck.

I always remove all strings from the guitar so that I could easily clean and wipe down the fingerboard with micro fiber, follow by putting on the new set. This had actually save lot of my time and effort.

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Planet Waves Pro String Winder and Cutter

Planet Waves Pro String Winder and Cutter is good for guitar beginner because it is made for people who want to restring without the mess-ups. Its 3-in-1 function helps you for easier restring and will save you a lot of time. Beside guitar newbie, this tool is also great for experienced guitarists who change their guitar strings frequently. Instead of grabbing tools like cutter, pliers and winder, a simple Planet Waves Pro String Winder and Cutter is just what you need.

Product Features

• The ultimate restringing tool!
• Built-in hardened tool-steel wire cutter
• Extra-length design provides more torque for easy winding
• The winder is designed to fit virtually all guitars, banjos, and mandolins
• Comes with an unconditional guarantee
• Click here to read complete product details

The Good

This Planet Waves tool is very well designed. It is larger than other ordinary peg winder and more comfortable to hold. The pin puller works smoothly without harming your guitar. The bottom part of it is very thin and it slides under the pin very easily. The winder part has smooth motion and does not come unscrewed constantly.

The Bad

The only drawback of this tool is the price. With its combo function and ergonomic shape, the price is higher than the dollar version of the peg winder.

Overall, this 3-in-1 string winder does the job very efficiently. I would say every guitar player should have one of this with him. It is indeed value for the money.

Other user’s comment

B. G.

The string winder is larger and more comfortable to hold that any of the ‘cheap’ winders you buy at music stores. The winder part has smooth motion and the cutter works much better than expected. I thought maybe it would bend the strings rather than cut them. But so far, it snips cleanly through the strings and gets pretty close tot he peg head. If you change strings a lot, I would also recommend to yout he Planet Waves Headstand. [Read full review..]

G. P.

Made changing the strings on my strato-clone extremely easy and fast. The cutting blade is simple to use and cuts through my .008 gauge strings without hesitation. The winding head fitted my strat fine. Would highly recommend this product to any budding guitarists. [Read full review..]

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Many people tend to focus on choosing the best acoustic guitar strings for their instrument. But they did not realize that beside string selection, guitar picks will also make a huge difference on the sound. Choosing your best guitar picks is actually an important part in guitar playing.

A guitar pick is your instrument’s best pal. You use it to strum on your stringed instrument to produce sound. This tiny little thing is usually made by various kind of material like plastic, stone, wood, rubber, etc. They are often shaped into rounded triangle and come with different kind of thickness. When you go to music store you will find there are almost 100 different types of picks displaying in front of you. I’m sure you will feel a little overwhelm and confuse to make you selection.

In general, major differences in guitar picks are:

• Material: Plastic, wood, metal, stone, etc
• Design – grids, holes, etc
• Size – small, medium, large
• Thickness / Weight – light, med-light, medium, med-heavy, heavy
• Edge modification – Bevels, rounding etc.

The thinner a guitar pick, the brighter the sound. If you use a thicker picks, you will get mellow and warmer sound. As for the pick’s edge, more rounded tip usually sounds mellower. If it is more pointed tip, you will get a brighter tone. Different materials, designs and shapes produce different tones. They also play a part in user comfort and playability.

So what is the best guitar picks? This is subject to personal preference. To me, I use thin picks for strumming and mediums for picking. Dunlop Tortex is one of my all time favorite. These picks feel good in your fingertips and won’t slip out of your hand easily. They produce great sounds too.

My advice to you is to buy an assortment of cheaper picks in different materials and thicknesses, and take notes on which produce the sound and projection you prefer. Guitar picks are generally cheap investment and you can actually have as much experiment as you can before you stick to your best picks.

Also, don’t forget to buy a pick holder to keep all these little pals in place. Have fun!

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In this bonus pack, you will get:

3 sets of D’Addario EJ16 Strings
Guitar Picks
Guitar Pick Holder
String Winder

This all-in-one bonus pack will save your money, time and hassle.

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Great saving! Buy through Amazon with more than 50% discounts!

Learning acoustic guitar is a process which is full of fun. Beside strumming and other playing tricks, you can also try different type of strings and discover which string sounds the best for you. One of a very important step before you start your learning journey is to make sure your guitar is properly ‘setup’. This could be done by sending it to music store and get the staffs there to help you out. In general, setup a guitar will cost you around $50. After setup done, your guitar had been adjusted and you will find it easier to play.

Wrap Wires

Guitar strings have a steel core. The bottom 4 strings are “wound” with a wrap wire. For acoustic strings, the wrap wires are normally phosphor bronze or 80/20 bronze (which is actually brass). Phosphor bronze has a brighter and prettier tone, but it tend to be slightly fuzzy. 80/20 bronze is initially brighter but then will mellow in a day or two. Phosphor bronze will mellow also, but not quite as much. Strings wound with pure nickel normally used on electric guitars, but they will make an overly-bright guitar sound quite mellow and good. Similarly, nickel-plated steel can sound very good on an acoustic guitar. That is what Tony Rice uses, and he’s a great guitarist. There are also strings which have an 85/15 formulation. These strings are very mellow sounding and are good for an overly-bright guitar. Lastly, Rohrbacher makes Titanium strings, wound with either phosphor bronze, nickel or coated bronze wire. These strings will last longer than steel, since Titanium is non-corrosive. They are a bit pricey (in the $20.00 per set range) but will last a year or more. They have a slightly softer, sweeter sound than steel strings.

Coated Strings

In general, all string makers have a line of own ‘coated’ strings. These strings have been either dipped or sprayed with a fine coating of polymer that protects the string. However, the coating dampens the sound of the string and the guitar. If your hands perspire a lot, you can use coated strings or the Rohrbacher Titaniums. But if your hands always stay dry, then coated strings are not necessary. They cost a lot more and really do not sound as good as uncoated strings. To me, coated strings are just meant to be made for those people with sweaty palm. Amazon is currently putting some pretty good stuffs on sales. You can get a D’Addario EXP16 almost half the price through this link to Amazon.

Strings Gauges

Guitar strings come in various gauges (thicknesses or diameter). A 56 gauge string is thicker than a 54 gauge string. Generally, the most common gauges for acoustic strings are Extra-light (11-47), Light (12-54) and medium (13-56). Do note different string makers may have slightly different string gauges for their products. If you have a dreadnought guitar, I recommend medium strings. Why? Because medium strings have a greater tension than Lights or Extra-Lights, and will transfer more sound to the top, or soundboard, of the guitar. This is recommended for a new guitar, especially, because the top is tight and needs to be “played in.” However, medium gauge strings are harder to finger than Lights or Extra-Lights. Therefore, I only recommend medium gauge to beginner who can take the pain on their fingers. If this is tough for you, then go for light or extra light gauges. Smaller guitars, such as parlor guitars, O, OO or OOO models will do well with Light gauge strings.

String brands

D’Addario is the most famous brand and their strings are very good. D’Addario also makes other brands such as John Pearse and Dean Markley (a not-very-well guarded industry secret). Elixir is another trusted brand in America. These strings are very durable. Martin & Ernie Ball make a variety of strings and they are also very good choices. The Martin SPs strings are excellent and have a core of high-tensile steel. This is a fine string for blues, or if you are bending the string.

Which Acoustic Guitar String is the best will be subjected to you personal preference. One string sounds excellent to you may not sounds the same to other people. The best is, buy 2 or 3 pack of different strings and test them yourself. Once you get your own best pick, stick to it.

Good luck!

Update: Get a value pack of D’Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Strings at Amazon with up to 50% off through this link.

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Question:

I often seen 80/20 strings & Phosphor Bronze strings selling in music store. What exactly are these strings and what is the different between these two?

Answer:

Acoustic guitar strings are made of different material with different alloy ratios. The alloy ratio we mentioned here is referring to the metals which makeup the string.

80/20 strings is also known as Bronze Strings. Their copper-to-tin (or zinc) ratio is 80/20. They produce bright sound with clear & ringing tone. This type of strings required less tension and will give you a softer feel.

Phosphor Bronze strings are made of 92% copper and 8% tin (or zinc). They are more corrosive-resistant and tend to last longer than 80/20 strings. These produce a brassier sound but stiffer on your fingers.

There’s another type of string – Brass Acoustic Guitar Strings, which their alloy ratio is 85/15. These strings are by some to fall between the above two types in terms of sound. They are also well-liked, though you might find them more sensitive to skin oils.

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My Overall Rating:

Earthwood is currently on sale on Amazon with up to 20% off through this link!

We all know Ernie Ball makes top notch electric guitar strings. But what about acoustic strings? To my surprise, I find they sound pretty good too. I tested Ernie Ball Earthwood 2003 on my Gibson and I’m actually quite like them. They sound clean, resonant and lasting.

Other than clean tone, another thing makes Ernie Ball Earthwood Strings attractive is the price. They are cheap, but give you good and crisp tone. Unlike those “high-end” strings which cost you twice or even 3 times of the price (but you couldn’t tell that they sounded or lasted any better), the price of the Earthwoods are very reasonable. And I found they sound great for fingerstyle playing.

These strings are sturdy and easy to play. They tune up very quickly upon install and stay in tune. I would recommend you to try them up because these strings are simply good and cheap!

Read more user reviews HERE

Brand	Ernie Ball
Model	Earthwood 2003
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	80/20 Bronze
Coated / Non-coated	Non-coated
Gauge	Medium Light
Consumer Rating
Price Range	$6.00 - $9.00

Comment from another happy user:

I. T. A

I use these on one of my acoustics that has a nice warm sound but not a lot of punch. Lights are a bit too light for this guitar, and these particular strings seems to be the perfect match for fast light action, and warm tone on this particular instrument. [Read original review here..]

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My Overall Rating:

MSP4100 is currently on sale on Amazon with up to 50% off through this link!

C. F. Martin & Co. not only produce guitar, they design and make guitar strings as well. This Martin SP strings (Studio Performance series) is one of their great launch and ideal for live performance or studio. They are made to deliver outstanding tone.

I bought my pack of Martin MSP4100 not too long ago. Had always been a fan of D’Addario strings, this is the first time I try on Martin SP. And I must say I’m very please with the result. These strings use a brass electro plating on the non wound strings. What you will get is a softer and fuller tone.

Like D’Addario strings, Martin SP is also very consistent. From day one I put them on my Martin guitar, they sound absolutely amazing. Is almost 2 months now, and they haven’t lost any of that perfect sound. While I slight, the Martins seems singing in fuller and more complete tone if compare to the D’Addario.

I must agree with many people’s opinion that your perfect string is ultimately come down to your guitar and your ears. It’s kind of personal preference. So I would suggest you to give Martin SP strings a try. Feel them on your guitar. You might found they are perfect for you.

Read more user reviews HERE

Brand	Martin & Co.
Model	MSP4100
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	Phosphor Bronze
Coated / Non-coated	Non-coated
Gauge	Light
Consumer Rating
Price Range	$7.00 - $16.00

What other user comment about Martin SP Strings:

D. Leach

Prior to using these I would break strings constantly. After a very long period of trying every string out there it was an easy choice. They are the only strings I use now, and occasional efforts to find something better have failed. Super reliable, tough, and they sound fantastic on my Rainsong Jumbo. I haven’t done a lot of reviews, but I truly think these are the best acoustic strings you can buy. [Read original review here..]

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My Overall Rating:

Elixir 80/20 is currently on sale on Amazon with up to 55% off through this link!

I was looking for new strings for my Yamaha acoustic guitar. I had played on Ernie Ball and D’Addario strings, and I wanted to try something new and different. So I decided to give Elixir 80/20 Acoustic Strings with Nanoweb coating a try, after browsing through some good reviews online.

Generally, Elixir acoustic strings come in 3 major types: Polyweb 80/20, Nanoweb 80/20 and Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze. I opted for Nanoweb 80/20 after being told by a friend that Polywebs are a bit dull in tone and that Nanoweb coating is not as thick as the Polyweb. You will get a brighter tone, and the coating doesn’t peel like the Polyweb.

So I put these strings on my Yammy. I found that they sound great and lively! The Nanoweb coating is so thin that it feels no different from playing an uncoated string. My guitar sounds beautiful; the tones are soft and bright. It is simply amazing!

Another great feature of these strings is their consistency. They sound great when you first play them. And they still sound that good months later! Other strings may sound good at first, but after a couple of days, they start to sound dead. I’ve been using my Elixir strings for almost two months now, and they seem to maintain their original tone.

These are the best strings I’ve ever tried. You should try them out, seriously.

Read more user reviews HERE

Brand	Elixir
Model	11052
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	80/20 Bronze
Coated / Non-coated	Nanoweb Coating
Gauge	Light
Consumer Rating
Price Range	$12.00 - $30.00

Other user’s comment on Elixir 80/20 Nanoweb:

O. BLGN

I have a 25 year old Yamaha FG-200D(Domestic model, made in Japan) acoustic guitar. When I bought it, it was around 200 – 250 USD. I always liked the way it sounded. It was always loud, bass rich, but a little dull in high tones. Recently I purchased a set of Elixir Nanoweb Light strings. Afterwards, it sounded so great that I won’t change it for a thousand dollar worth Martin. I realized that the difference was not in high strings, it was the coated low ones which now sounds crystal clear and still rich. I strongly recommend to any acoustic player. [Read original review here..]

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My Overall Rating:

EJ16 is currently on sale on Amazon with up to 60% off through this link!

I got my D’Addario EJ16 through Amazon with their bundled pack of three. I have no reason to complain, because these strings sound great, and I got them for a steal— almost 50% off! I have a habit of changing my guitar strings frequently to keep the tone right, so this value-pack (three sets) suits me nicely.

I like the sound of my new strings. But oddly, the strings turn colors very quickly— after just a few hours of practice. May be I should blame it on my acidic fingers. Anyway, it’s okay, because the more I play these strings, the mellower the tone becomes. I love mellow sounds, so these strings are great for me. If you find that these strings sound too bright, give them a few days to settle in. The strings will develop a very nice warm sound after couple of days.

One thing I really like about D’Addario EJ16 is the color code on the ball ends. These make it much easier when I do the restringing. I don’t have to worry about mixing my strings accidentally, and have no trouble identifying which string is which. Another advantage is the packaging: unlike other brands that keep their strings inside a normal paper envelope, D’Addario protects their strings with a corrosion-proof sealed bag.

Some of my friends have told me that Elixir strings are much more durable than D’Addarios. But I have tried both types of strings on my guitar and tested them for quite a while. I would say my vote is still for D’Addario EJ16. These strings are simply the best!

Read more user reviews HERE

Brand	D'Addario
Model	EJ16
Type	Acoustic Strings
Wrap Wire	Phosphor Bronze
Coated / Non-coated	Non-coated
Gauge	Light
Consumer Rating
Price Range	$6.00 - $14.00

Other user’s comment:

Watch Guy

Sorry about using my credentials in the title, but I want to convey how much experience I have with these strings. Sorry if I sound like an ad. I REALLY love these strings.

I have strung literally thousands of guitars over my 40 years of repairing stringed instruments. D’Addario EJ16s are IMHO the best string money can buy- it is the standard of the industry for good reason… they’re simply the best string available! D’Addario’s corrosion-proof sealed bags ensure you get them as fresh as when they left the factory. Lower grade junky stings are shipped in simple paper envelopes and allow the strings to oxidize just sitting on the shelf or in your case. On the other hand, expensive hand made string, like DRs, are wrapped way too tightly, thus, have too much mass, so your intonation and rod will probably need to be readjusted. They also play stiffly.

D’Addario uses the best steel and bronze alloy and wraps the wound strings with just the correct tension so the strings breathe and bend great. They’re also VERY resistant to breakage. I have only broken a handful of D’Addarios over several thousand restringings, and the breakages usually only occurred due to a burr on the tuner post, nut, or bridge. TRUST ME ON THIS… you will love these strings! [Read full review..]

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Wipe your guitar strings

This is very important for maintenance. Wipe down your guitar strings with a soft and dry cloth each time you finished your practicing. What you need to do is simply put the cloth in between the strings and the fingerboard. Run it all the way down the length of the neck of the guitar. Get rid of all the perspiration and rust.

Use string cleaner

There’s a great product called String Cleaner. Just glide it on with the applicator and wipe it off with the provided lint-free cloth. It will keep your guitar strings clean and allow you to play faster. It also reduces excessive finger noise. You can use it on strings, fretboard, back of guitar neck.

Use quality strings

There are various types of guitar strings in the market. Each of the product is not created with equally quality. You may opt for good quality brand of strings such as D’Addario or Elixir. These strings are very consistent and last longer.

Whether you are a guitar beginner or professional guitarist, take well care of your guitar strings is always essential.

GHS String Cleaner is currently on sale at Amazon.

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Save your money! Buy through Amazon with more than 30% discounts!

Get Yourself An All-In-One Acoustic Guitar Package

This acoustic guitar package includes a beautiful Yamaha spruce top acoustic guitar (model F325) with comfortable FG body style, a rosewood fingerboard, meranti wood back and sides. Package also come with a guitar gig bag,  electronic guitar tuner, DVD of guitar lessons, guitar Strap, extra set of guitar strings  and guitar Picks

It Has Everything For You

Basically, this is a very nice starter kit for beginner. It comes with all the basics you need. Yamaha is a trusted brand for their quality and sound. Their guitar is well built and has a very nice tone. The DVD included in this package is professionally arranged with various lessons like how to hold it, tuning, strumming, etc. It even has a Chord Dictionary which shows various chords and finger positions for them, and a Chord Studio which let you play chords you’ve learned with a backup band. Simply awesome!

In overall this entire package is a great deal for the price. It has everything you need to get started. There are even people commented that the price selling through Amazon is much lesser than music store:

Ashley L. Seabrooke “mama05″

“I feel cheated. I bought this exact kit at guitar center for 250 dollars. I did however get a two year warranty, but I would have gladly traded that for a price like this..” [Read more]

D. Bell “crownedbull”

“I shopped around at music stores to price a good starter guitar. I was told about this product. After I went home I looked it up online and the price was much less here through Amazon. I am very happy with the guitar so far. ” [Read more]

If you are just started to learn guitar, this acoustic guitar package is definitely a good buy for you. It not only gives you a great quality guitar – Yamaha, which is a trusted brand for their craftsmanship and quality,  but also provide you with all the basic accessories you need in your learning journey. Buy only one package and you will save money, time and troubles.

If you are buying as a gift for someone, I’m pretty sure he / she going to love this gift very much!

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This video shows you how D’addario guitar strings are made. You may also refer to our another article on Guitar Strings Type.

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A good rule of thumb is when your strings started to sound dead, or when a string (especially a lower string) breaks for no apparent reason, then it is time to restring your guitar.

In general, change your guitar strings every 3 – 6 months should be a good idea. See our another article on How to Restring Acoustic Guitar.

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I got a guitar which my mum stored it for a long time and I’m thinking to buy a set of new strings. I didn’t know anything about guitar strings and I’m just started my guitar lesson. I think I need something easier to press, so that my fingers won’t hurt so much. What strings should I choose?

Answer:

As a beginner, you may choose extra light gauge. These strings are the easiest to press. They won’t hurt you so much if compare to heavier weight strings.

I recommend Elixir Extra Light Strings. This string is easy on your fingers and has excellent durability. Elixir is one of the trusted name in America made better by Nanoweb technology. It is light weight, yet rugged for heavy duty use. A very good choice for guitar beginner. Click here for a list of extra light strings which you could choose based on your own preference.

A note is, light strings need to be replaced more frequently compare to heavy weight strings. So it’s always a good idea to buy a spare set, because you don’t want to have to stop learning just because you broke a single string. You may also want to learn how to restring acoustic guitar. It’s actually pretty easy than you think.

Have fun!

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3. My Fingers Hurt From Playing Guitar!   Question: I’m a guitar beginner and started learning some...

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I used to be a fan of Martin SP. Once I tried the FX series on my Lowden, I fell in love with them immediately! They are the best for finger picking and totally suit my style. These strings produce great tone and note separation. They are easy on my fingers especially for bends and slides. I love the feel and sound. And they seem to last just as well as the others.

Martin FX is currently on sale at Amazon.

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These strings sound crisp and pure. The feel on your fingers is totally amazing. They have a longer life and sustain better than other coated strings too.  Another good point is the price is great compared to other brand’s coated strings.

Brass ends of the strings are painted different colors to differentiate each of them. My friend TJ use these on his Ovation, which strings tail-forward through the bridge, so the colored ends are visible and it looks so cool!

Read more user review HERE

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Phosphor Bronze Strings have unique sound and character. But these strings are prone to dull out quickly due to natural corrosion. When guitarists playing their guitars, the oils and other contaminants on their fingers will corrode guitar strings. This will shorten strings’ life. To combat these realities, Elixir Phosphor Bronze Strings had been introduced with Nanoweb technology – microscopic coating. They make your guitar sounds incredible in whatever extreme conditions.

These strings are above and beyond any strings I have played in the past. They can still sound the same even after 6 weeks of use. This had made them a very good choice for acoustic player like me who change strings often to keep that bright, clear and resonant tone. They may be a little pricey, but that’s okay because they last longer than other brands.

I’m a tone freak and won’t settle for anything less than that rich phosphor bronze sound. I’d tried earlier versions of Elixirs, though I liked the longevity, the sound wasn’t satisfactory in my opinion. But Elixir Phoshpor Bronze string is totally a great find for me! These strings give me more confidence in my playing. Because they simply sound better, which of course makes my playing sound better too. The string noise is minimal and my fingers will just slide smoothly up and down the neck. They are making my $400 Ibanez AE F18 play like a $1200 Martin!

You have nothing to lose by trying these babies out. I assure you, these strings will make you a better guitar player. 

Read more user reviews HERE

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What type of guitar string size should I choose? How do they affect the guitar?

Answer:

Guitar string sizes are also known as gauge. They will affect your guitar’s tone, playability and adjustments.

A larger gauge of strings applies more tension to the guitar. This has the effect of giving you more volume and a more focused sound. Because of the greater tension, it will require more pressure to press the strings. However, higher tension strings vibrate in a smaller arc allowing the strings to be adjusted closer to the fingerboard with less potential of buzzing.

Lighter gauge strings cause the opposite changes. If you are a guitar beginner, you are advised to choose lighter gauge as a start. These strings are easier to press when you learn the chords. Most guitars come from the factory with “Lite” gauge strings .012-.054 for acoustic guitars.

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Ernie Ball Acoustic Super Slinky played by The Counting Crows, The Edge, and Maroon 5 amongst many other touring musicians. Made with the finest and freshest raw materials, all Ernie Ball strings are hermetically sealed to ensure strings stay as fresh as the day they were made. You should buy one and see for yourself.

Let me show you one of the satisfied user’s review:

“I originally started buying Ernie Ball strings because I found the package looked killer! But once I tried these strings, they are awesome! They sound great, last long and the price is definitely right! “

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Question:

I’m a guitar beginner and started learning some basics chords and songs. The main problem I’m facing now is the ends of my fingers hurt every time when I’m trying to practice. It’s pretty painful. What can I do?

Answer:

Newbie will experience some discomfort at first because your fingertips have not toughened. Some newbie also have a tendency to press too hard on the strings. That’s why it hurt your fingers. With time and a light touch (enough pressure to contact the fret top is all that is needed) the pain will eventually go away after you build up calluses. No pain no gain, right?

You may give your fingers a break if you feeling the pain. Let them rest for a while before continue your practice.

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You can now buy this string at Amazon and save 55%!

If you ask me to pick the most durable acoustic guitar string, Elixir will definitely be my answer to you. These strings give bright and lively tone. They used ultra thin nanoweb coating which make them different from other traditional 80/20 bronze strings. They are designed to handle any toughest strumming.

Nanoweb coating actually cuts down unnecessary finger friction. It will keep strings last 3 – 5 time longer than regular strings. In other words, these are strings which you could count on their durability. You will see the quality yourself once you have them on your guitar. The difference will be dramatic – it will make your guitar sound completely different and totally awesome.

You gotta buy these strings!

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You can now buy EXP16 through Amazon and save more than 50%!

A micro-fine layer of EXP Coating is bonded to the phosphor bronze wrap wire which is then wound onto the hex-shaped core wire. This creates a built-in barrier against the corrosion and wear that can quickly sap the life out of the strings and tone.

EXP16 strings have a natural round wound feel and extra-bright tone that lasts three to four times longer than traditional guitar strings. Here are some of the user’s comments:

“These EXP16s sound better, in my opinion, than the Martins, Elixirs, and othersI have tried. The EXP11s aren’t quite as good (they are an 80/20 blend instead of the Phosphor Bronze used here. I have them on my Gibson J-100 Xtra, and I love them.

”These are pretty much the best sounding strings. They came on my acoustic, which is a Jasmine Takamine, and I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what they were until I discovered on the website that it was D Addarios… Great strings!”

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Question:

I started my acoustic guitar lesson and I’m practicing hard everyday. My fingers become sore & very painful. Can I change my steel strings with nylon strings, so that it is easier to play and won’t hurt me that much?

Answer:

This is not recommended. Nylon strings are under less tension and are larger in diameter, which make you think it would be "easier" to play. However, acoustic guitar (steel strings) and classical guitar (nylon strings) are both different in design. The nut, saddle & tuning gear design of acoustic guitar are not suited to nylon strings.

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There’s something special about Martin strings. They give excellent clarity, tone and response. They are ideal for live studio performance with deeper, louder tone plus great sustainability. One of their best selling model among guitarists is Martin Phosphor Bronze MSP4100 Light SP, which is a light gauge made better by SP coating. With 92/08 Phosphor Bronze, it will give you a very warm tone.

If you are looking for rich bronze sound but on a tight budget, Martin Acoustic Guitar Strings could be a great option for you. These strings are best to bring out the character of your guitar!

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This video featuring step by step process making of Yamaha guitar with hand craftsmanship at their Hangzhou factory.

Now this is real cool.

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If you have budget concern and looking for a lower cost set of strings, Ernie Ball acoustic strings might be a great idea. Known as one of the top choice for players since the early 1960s, these strings are easier to play, they sound better, and they are durable.

One of their best selling model, Ernie Ball 2003 Earthwood provide a crisp, ringing sound with pleasing overtones. This string has a little on the wild side and make your strumming feel like a free spirit. There’s another Ernie Ball model, Super Slinky 2148 worth your further study. These strings are made with concert quality and simply awesome!

Other than Ernie Ball, another great brand with low price is Martin Acoustic Guitar Strings.

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Elixir is well known as the pioneer of long-life strings. This string is a symbol of durability and it sounds the test of time.

Back in year 2001, Elixir developed Nanoweb coating, which give us more advanced & anti rust strings. It gives guitarists even more longevity out of a set of strings than every before. These strings have a very nice, crisp and rich sound. The coating feels great on the fingers and probably makes slides a little easier.

Elixir strings may be a little pricey, but they probably will last much longer than those one dollar cheap strings. A small investment goes a long way. Treat yourself with something special like this and you will enjoy the value in return. If you would like to understand further about Elixir strings, here is one of our review on their best selling model: Elixir Nanoweb Light 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Strings.

Other than D’Addario & Elixir guitar strings, there are also some other strings recommendations at very reasonable price. For example like Ernie Ball & Martin.

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D’Addario Acoustic Guitar Strings are high in quality with very affordable price. Passed on for generations, D’Addario is the largest manufacturer of strings for musical instruments. This string maker is well-known with excellent packaging - corrosion-proof sealed bags to ensure their customer get the product as fresh as when they left the factory.

The D’Addario family tradition began in the tiny town of Salle, Italy in 1680 where they made assorted instrument strings for over two hundred years before relocating to New York in 1905. As the modern string making industry began to develop, the D’Addario family emerged as innovators by designing the winding machine most string makers still use today. And while their techniques have modernized, the pride that goes into each set of strings dates back to the D’Addario family’s earliest roots. These strings are like an old favorite for a new generation.

D’Addario strings not only provide great tone but they are durable and very resistant to breakage. Phosphor Bronze was introduced by D’Addario in 1974 and has become synonymous with warm acoustic tone. This revolutionary new breakthrough made D’Addario the leader of guitar strings.

To study further on D’Addario string, you may refer to our recommended model: D’Addario EJ16-3D Phosphor Bronze Light Acoustic Guitar Strings & D’Addario EXP16 Phosphor Bronze Light.

If D’Addario strings is not your cup of tea, you may consider another great brand: Elixir Acoustic Guitar Strings, which is well known as the pioneer of long-life strings.

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Simply put the tuner on table next to you & turn it on. Play a string you want to tune and the needle will bounce to whatever pitch you are at. Look at the tuner indicator, it will tell you how close you are to the right pitch. Adjust the string’s tuning key accordingly. Repeat this procedure for all 6 strings of your guitar. And that’s it! You can easily get it done in minutes.

There are also other ways to tune acoustic guitar. For example like using pitch pipe, tuning fork or even reference to some free online guitar tuner. But again, an electronic tuner is a real convenience. You can simply use it anywhere, any time, any place.

Less work, more play. This is exactly what we looking for.

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Okay, you bought your new set of strings. You are very excited and can’t wait to strum them. But before you get into action, you need to restring guitar with these new babies. To restring acoustic guitar, there are few tools you need:

1. String winder
2. Wire cutter
3. Clean cloth (to clean & wipe guitar)

A video speaks thousand words. I’m not going to write few paragraphs to keep you busy reading and scratching head in the same time. Refer to the below video from Youtube on how to get it done. You never knew it could be this easy. Upon mission accomplished, you will have no excuse to restring guitar yourself anymore.

Restring acoustic guitar is part of your learning process and it’s essential for guitar maintenance. Once you done with it, let move on to our next article on how to tune acoustic guitar.

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Acoustic guitar strings consist of many type of gauges & brands. Guitar newbie often get confused as to what type of strings and brand to buy for his guitar. A very common question pop up in newbie’s mind is which is the best acoustic guitar strings brand for me?

As what we have learned from previous article, there are four main gauge options for Acoustic Guitar:

• Extra light 10 – 46. Easiest to play and least tension. Good for beginners but prone to producing a thin sound.
  

• Custom Light Gauge 11 – 52. Ease of playing maintained and produces slightly richer fuller sound.
  

• Light Gauge 12 – 54. Popular with professional musicians. Higher tuning stability. Not recommended for budget guitar due to higher tension.
  

• Medium Gauge 13 – 56. One of the highest gauges. Very big, rich tone but difficult to play on some guitars due to high tension.
  

For a guitar beginner, there are suggestions to opt for lighter strings because it’s easier to press down and simple to play. However there’s no “The Best Brand” in the market. Choosing a certain brand is more on personal preference.

You may want to check out these popular brands in the market: Elixir, D’Addario, Martin, Ernie Ball, etc. Try out few brands and test them to find the best suit you. Personally, I would prefer Elixir’s extra light strings because it is easier to press and last pretty long. Sometimes after you changed to light gauge strings, you still find it’s difficult to press the strings down. You might want to take your guitar to shops and have it checked. Your guitar “action” (height of strings off the fingerboard) might be a bit too high. This problem can be solved by getting guitar repair shop to lower the action for you.

Our next article: How to restring acoustic guitar

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How often we need to change guitar strings depends on how often you play, your playing style, your care of the strings, the effect your hands have on the strings and the climate in the area. Due to stretching and oil plus dirt buildup, guitar strings will slowly lose their tone. The sound of the strings is one of the major deciding factor in changing them.

Is your guitar sounds duller, less brilliant and bright? Are you having trouble keeping the strings in tune for longer than an hour at a time? Is there a lot of dirt and grime buildup on the strings? Or one of your strings has broken? If any of these “warning sign” appeared, you may have to restring your guitar.

Many professional guitar players recommend change guitar strings after each and every gig. Or some suggest every 6 weeks. Well, for newbie, that sounds a bit too extreme!

One tip to prolong the life of guitar strings are washing your hands before playing your guitar to remove oils and dirt, as well as wipe down the guitar strings with a clean cloth after every practice.

Once you identified is time to replace your guitar strings, let’s take a look at which brands to choose in our next article.

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1. Composition
2. Gauge
3. Brand

Composition

Guitar strings made from material like nickel, stainless, bronze, phosphor bronze, etc. Acoustic guitar use steel strings and classical use nylon. Electric guitars usually use steel strings too. In this article, we will review steel strings instead of nylon, since they are the most common used.

Guitar strings types could also be classified as wound & unwound strings.

a. Wound Strings: A thinner wire wrap with a steel core (usually bronze, nickel or steel). Wound strings are thick and strong. It normally used for the lower registers.

b. Unwound Strings: Unwound strings (also known as standard strings) are generally used for the upper registers. It’s thinner with a higher pitch.

Different type of string and wrapping metals will affect the sound of the string. Bronze is usually considered to have a ‘bright’ sound, which steel is more mellow & softer, especially when wrapped in nickel.

How the string is wrapped could also impact the sound. Although ‘Rround wound’ strings are loud and vibrant, it can be hard on the neck of your guitar and produce noise when sliding your fingers over them. ‘Flat wound’ strings are not as crisp sounding and are easier on frets and fingers.

Gauge

Next, we look at the gauge of the string, ie the thickness or diameter. There are 4 main gauges for Acoustic Guitar strings:

• Extra light 10 – 46. Easiest to play and least tension. Good for beginners but prone to producing a thin sound.
• Custom Light Gauge 11 – 52. Ease of playing maintained and produces slightly richer fuller sound.
• Light Gauge 12 – 54. Popular with professional musicians. Higher tuning stability. Not recommended for budget guitar due to higher tension.
• Medium Gauge 13 – 56. One of the highest gauges. Very big, rich tone but difficult to play on some guitars due to high tension.

Thicker strings sound louder, but they are also under more tension to maintain the required pitch. This can make them hard to play, as the pressure required to push the string down behind the fret is considerable.

To avoid buzzing against the frets, thicker strings usually have to be mounted a bit higher off the soundboard than thin strings. This may slow down the “action” of the instrument, making it more difficult to play quickly.

Brand

So which brand to choose? That is up to your own preference & budget. Each brand has its own solid characteristics, but what works for one person might not sound right to another. The best thing you can do is buy 2 or 3 packs of strings from different makers. Test it and see which one sounds the best to you.

One thing for sure is, choosing appropriate strings will aid technique, enhance quality and improve confidence of the guitar player.

So by now you had basic understanding on guitar strings types, let’s move on to next article: When Should We Replace Guitar Strings?

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