The Hobgoblin Strings Advice Page

1. What Strings?
2. Tuning Problems (Under Construction)

What Strings?

Guitar Strings

The most basic thing to sort out is what strings for what type of guitar.

1. The classical guitar. This is sometimes called the nylon string guitar even occasionally a folk guitar. There are two types of string on it. The treble strings are made of nylon and are usually clear or white in colour. there have been some black strings available. There's no big difference except for quality and price. The bass strings are also made of nylon but have a metal binding around them. When you want to replace a single bass string - don't ask for a metal string - you'll confuse things. just ask for a classical guitar string and give the note the string is tuned to. Classical guitar player don't have to worry about gauges. The more serious classical players use high tension strings but for most of us, what you find in your local music shop should at least be adequate. Don't use steel strings (All made of metal) on a nylon string guitar. It doesn't sound good and is very likely to do expensive damage to the guitar.

If you're not sure whether you need nylon or steel strings here are some clues: Nylon strings usually thread through a hole in the bridge that runs from front to back of the bridge. Steel strings go through a hole that goes though to the inside of the guitar and are wedged in with pegs. (There are some exceptions to this, however.) Nylon string guitars usually have tuning pegs with a plastic barrel. Some old guitars and jazz guitars have a metal tailpiece which the strings are attached to before going over the bridge. These are most often for steel strings. If the headstock has two slots that the machine heads run into it is probably a nylon string. The exceptions are usually old guitars with tailpieces and metal barrelled machine heads.

2. Steel string guitar. Referred to as folk guitars, acoustic guitars, sometimes dreadnoughts. This is the guitar most frequently used by folk musicians and rock and pop musicians. The top two strings are made of single strands of wire, the bottom four a single strand of wire bound over with metal wire. Different metals are used. Most common are bronze and phosphor bronze. Phosphor bronze strings are usually more expensive and a brown colour. They give a warmer sound and last a little longer. Bronze strings are fine for most people. There are other metals used - my advice would be to take a gamble and try them out. Electric guitar strings are two thin to sound good on a steel strung guitar and nickel wound strings usually don't sound as good as the bronze, However there are exceptions and you may prefer them.

Acoustic guitar strings are usually available in three gauges, medium, light and extra light. Very few people use heavy gauge and very few shops sell them (some bluegrass guitarists do). Light gauge is fine for most people. The heavier the gauge of string you use the better the sound, but they are harder to play. Extra light strings are easy to play and you can bend the notes easily but the guitar may sound tinny. The gauges of each individual string in different makes of set may vary a little, there isn't a rule book, but they are pretty standard.

3. Electric guitar. Strings are often three wound and three unwound and are of lighter gauge than acoustic guitar strings. Bronze and phosphor bronze strings don't work well on electric guitars because the pickups are magnetic and need strings with plenty of iron in them, so they are usually nickel or steel wound.

4. Electro-acoustic guitars. The pickups in these guitars are not usually magnetic so they sound better with acoustic guitar strings. Some are made to take nylon strings, the head stock of these guitars is usually slotted. They will be designed to have light or extra-light strings on them.

Don't put steel strings on a nylon string guitar, I repeat this because it will cause damage. If you put nylon strings on a steel string guitar you won't do any harm but I'd be surprised if it sounds good.

Unwound electric guitar strings are the same as unwound acoustic strings. At a pinch you can use the wrong type of string for the guitar as long as the gauge is OK, but it may not sound good.

As a general rule don't mix gauges. If you have a light gauge set on and one breaks, replace it with a light guage. The odd string may sound too weak or strong against the others. Also the guitar is designed for the balance of pressures of standard sets. Over time you may twist the neck mixing gauges.