10 Best Guitar Strings in 2023 (Review) - Music Critic (2024)

Guitar String Buying Guide

As you've already seen, you have a lot of choices when it comes to buying guitar strings. You need to consider the tension, gauges, coatings, and materials that they're made of, amongst other things.

In this guide, we'll explain how to tell the difference between different products, what ones will be best suited to your needs, and answer all the other important questions you might have. Let's get on with it!

What to Look for When Buying Guitar Strings?

Firstly, you need to select strings that are designed for your type of guitar. That means that you want to choose nylon for a classical or Spanish guitar, for example. If you have an acoustic or an electric, then you'll also need to choose the right material for your instrument.

Next, you should consider your skill level. Beginners will want to select different gauges and tensions to more advanced guitarists.

You will also want to think about your style of playing. Finger-pickers or shredders will not want to have the same strings as a rhythm guitarist or a chord strummer. You should also keep in mind that some products will be better suited to different genres, as the tone will be different. The lighter the gauge, then the less durable the strings will be too, and if you're a shredder, you need to think about this, as you might end up with lots of breakages.

As with any purchase, your budget needs to be considered too. If possible, purchase multi-packs, as it will save you money in the long run. Generally, however, strings are very reasonably priced, with the most expensive ones still costing less than $20.

How Often Should you Change Guitar Strings?

It's recommended that you change your strings after they've been used for 100 hours of playing. Of course, if you have a breakage in that time, then you'll need to change them earlier - or at least replace the broken string. About 100 hours is when the tone will start to dampen. This could take a hobby guitarist up to six months to achieve, while a professional may get through the hundred hours in a matter of weeks. The style of play should also be taken into account, though, as an intense classical guitar player might damage the strings more quickly from using their fingernails to pick. Likewise, a metalhead might also damage the strings more quickly too.

Lots of guitarists neglect to change their strings. We tend to forget to do so, and just wait until one of them breaks. This isn't a good idea, as you'll end up getting used to lifeless tonal performance. You should also remember that there is a balance. Some strings improve with age, but then they reach a peak and the quality starts to taper off.

It's always a good idea to keep an eye on the condition of your strings, just in case there is more than standard wear and tear affecting them. Heavy-handed fretting can cause underside indentations and wear down the winding until it starts unraveling. Bending, tuning, and down tuning frequently will also affect them, causing metal fatigue. Surface oxidization is another thing that will compromise your strings over time. Exposure to air, moisture, skin oils and perspiration all have a corrosive effect on your strings.

How to Change Guitar Strings?

Changing your strings isn't a difficult procedure. It can be done quickly and without any assistance from a professional. The method varies, however, depending on the type of guitar that you have.

We've previously covered how to change strings on a classical or Spanish guitar in our ten best nylon strings article.

Here is a decent video from Fender about changing electric guitar strings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CtqfHmssx8

Where to Buy Guitar Strings?

It's easy to buy guitar strings these days. You simply need to look online. You can find all the products on our list for sale on Amazon. Many of them are available in multi-packs, which can save you money in the long run. When buying online, it's worthwhile checking who the seller is, because some shady characters sell knock-off strings online that aren't the real deal.

Of course, you can also buy strings in musical instrument stores. The strings that made our list are all manufactured by legitimate, high-level brands so they are stocked in most retailers across America.

Which String Gauge to Choose?

Thicker strings need more tension to produce the same note, while a thinner string can produce the same note at a lower tension.

Thicker gauge string sets reach their resonant frequency quicker because there is more metal to vibrate. They also create a louder volume for the same reason. This can also mean less fret buzz but fret buzz can be down to your guitar.

Thicker strings are a little harder to pluck, so you need stronger fingers and more force to hold notes when soloing.

Beginners will prefer a lighter gauge, but you need to remember that thinner strings can be tough on fingertips. The looser the string is the easier it is to bend, which is an advantage if you bend a lot, but at the same time, they can be too loose for chord strumming and make it feel arduous.

It can take a little experimentation to find your ideal strings. It's a good idea to purchase a few sets with different gauges if you're a beginner so you can find what suits you. Of course, you can't go wrong with standard gauges. Then again, you might get more out of lighter or heavier gauges. Just like a guitar, it tends to be personal preference with strings, so you'll find your ideal set after some time.

Which Guitar Strings for Acoustic?

Most acoustic guitars use steel strings. Some companies make nylon acoustic strings, which tend to be for junior models, travel models, or budget models. They are designed to be affordable, as the neck woods need to be of good quality to withstand steel string tension, so if you use cheaper woods to produce a low-priced product then nylon could be the only option.

What Guitar Strings for Electric?

You need to consider the gauges with an electric guitar. If you are a novice, try different types until you find one that suits you. All electric guitar strings are made from steel, although some brands will use a fusion of other metals. Nickel-plated steel is popular. Some brands will tin-plate.

The major differences in strings come down to the windings or the coatings, that's if they have them.

Some companies offer flat-wound variants on top of their various round wound options. These are mellower and ideal for jazz, fingerpicking, or sliding.

Which Guitar Strings for Classical?

Again, it will come down to your style of playing as well as the genre of music that you enjoy playing.

The big difference with classical strings is how you attach them to your guitar, as well as the winding alloys. You might want to look at our list of the 10 of the best nylon strings, as we cover the issue you there in-depth, and we also recommend some products that could be ideal for your needs.

Best Guitar Strings for Metal?

For metal, then you want the strings to be reinforced, especially if you thrash a lot. Dunlop heavy strings are an excellent, durable choice. We can also recommend Ernie Ball Power Slinky strings, which are heavy and well-suited to metal. Make sure to check what the coating is, as if they're coated then this will give them added protection and make breakages less common. It will also fight corrosion. Having corrosion protection is important if you perform under stage lights as your fingers will be sweatier and this is a big cause of corrosion.

Ultimately, for heavy metal, you want to have the strongest guitar strings possible, which are also comfortable for you to play and suit your level of ability.

Which Guitar Strings are Best for Beginners?

For beginners, we recommend a standard or light set to begin with. The lower tension makes for easier playability and will be less likely to harm your fingertips.

For acoustic guitars, then try the D'Addario EJ16 set. They are a comfortable, light gauge but don't lack too much tension.

For electric guitars, either the Ernie Ball Regular Slinky or Super Slinky are both great options. It's important to note that these strings can be quite thin too, so you need to be careful you don't overplay at the beginning and hurt your fingertips.

Conclusion

It's never a bad idea to upgrade your strings, especially if you've not changed them for a while and they're starting to lose their brightness. It's not a big financial risk either, as they are very reasonably priced. The difference in cost between most products is nominal too, so it's always worthwhile to spend a bit extra. You'll find that more expensive products offer you better resonance, tactile response, and this can even improve your abilities with your beloved instrument.

You'll always notice a big improvement to the sound of your guitar once you've attached new strings to it. Still, it's worth experimenting with different strings before settling on a set that you'll always use. There is a big difference in how they feel and sound, with some suiting certain guitars better than others.

If you're a beginner, then don't buy a set that are designed for experts. It will halt your progress and could lead you to become disconcerted because you'll find your fingertips hurting. Buy a set that suits your skill level and you won't be disappointed.

We hope that this article has enlightened you. We've tried to answer all the questions you might have. And we've also shown you ten awesome products that would be a safe investment.

Expert Tip

If you're not sure what strings are the best for you, then invest in a couple of different types. Then you can try them each out over time and see what ones suit your style best.

Did You Know?

D'Addario invented the very first winding machine, which inspired the machines that modern string manufacturers use today.

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