11 Best Guitar Strings For Beginners
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Strings to a guitar are like tires to an automobile. They add soul to the entire instrument and give way to dulcet tones. However, the type of strings you choose can significantly change the sound of the instrument. Music is like food for the soul, and given its therapeutic nature, the quality of the instrument and the intricacies that follow should not be overlooked. If you’re a beginner and you’ve been plagued by basic questions about guitar strings, there’s nothing to worry about. Every professional guitarist was once a rookie and had similar questions.
If you’ve been waiting to change your guitar strings and haven’t had the chance to do so, you’ve come to the right place. Sit back and relax as we take you on a journey through the world of music, exploring the various types of guitar strings for both acoustic and electric guitars. Here’s our list of the 11 best guitar strings for beginners.
Top Picks
11 Best Guitar Strings For Beginners
1. Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Custom Gauge Nickel Wound Guitar Strings
The brilliance of these guitar strings lies in their ability to produce well-balanced tones. The tin-plated high carbon steel core makes it long-lasting and a worthy investment. The Ernie Ball guitar strings are one of the best ones when it comes to electric guitar strings for beginners and professional musicians alike. Testifying to their greatness is their use by numerous legends, including the likes of Keith Richards, Angus Young, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton. These electric guitar strings are available for purchase as a set of 3 in a green and electrifying wrapper.
Pros
- Durable design
- Brass wire ball end
- Nickel-plated steel wrap wire
- Lock twists to prevent slippage
Cons
- Some may find the “G” string too slim for their liking.
2. D’Addario Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
D’Addario has been in the game for numerous years and their finesse is revealed in their impeccable craft.The D’Addario phosphor bronze wound strings are light, making them ideal for beginners who find heavier strings to be an ordeal. These tried and tested strings have led some of the most famous musicians like Bryan Sutton, Jackson Browne, and Chris Stapleton to greatness. These guitar strings will rock your world with their reliability and comfort.
Pros
- Anti-corrosive
- Set of 3
- Ideal for warm tones
- Well-balanced acoustic tone
- Hexagonal core for added durability
Cons
- Some may find them stiff initially
3. Elixir Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings – Light
Does music run through your veins? Are you looking to purchase the best guitar strings? If yes, and the acoustic guitar is your choice of instrument, these Elixir Bronze strings can be game-changing. These are light strings that feature gauges of .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, and .053 inches. Their superior make eliminates finger squeaks while playing and allows musicians to strum a wide range of musical notes. The comfort of these strings will have you bidding your plectrum goodbye. Last but not least, they age well with barely any degradation in sound quality.
Pros
- 80% copper
- Resists damage from humidity
- Anti-corrosive
- Ultra-thin NANOWEB coating
Cons
- May not be ideal for professional guitarists
4. DR Strings Hi-Def Neon Multi-Color Electric Guitar Strings
Do you want your electric guitar to sound as good as it looks? If you do, the neon strings are an ideal choice to add a touch of vibrance and pop to your music and guitar. Each string comes in a different color and will light up any stage. The neon-colored K3-coated strings are durable and built to last. These DR Strings boast of a well-balanced sound and fewer unwanted overtones. The superior construction of these strings makes them ideal for use by beginners and guitar enthusiasts.
Pros
- High clarity tones
- Hexagonal core wire
- Enhanced articulation
- Silver and nickel-plated steel wrap
Cons
- The colors may flake after extended periods of use.
5. Gibson Premium Electric Guitar Strings Brite Wires – Light
The world-renowned and best-known manufacturer of guitars and guitar strings brings you Brite strings for electric guitars. Delivering the sound you desire, these strings are ideal for beginners and advanced guitarists. The superlative tone of these strings differentiate them from their competitors. These strings come with gauges of .010, .013, 0.17, 0.26, .036, and .046 inches. If versatility is something you’re looking for, look no further than the Gibson Brite electric guitar strings.
Pros
- Produces warm tones
- Nickel-plated
- Hexagonal core
- Crisp and enhanced sound
Cons
- May not be suitable for all electric guitars
6. Donner Phosphor Bronze Coated Guitar Strings
Are you looking for a set of high-quality acoustic guitar strings? The Donner acoustic guitar strings boast excellent mid and high frequencies and are suitable for resonance boxes made from different materials. Constructed with superior components and 92% copper, these guitar strings are known for their longevity and consistency. This string set comes with spring gauges of .011, .015, .024, .032, .042, and .050 inches.
Pros
- Brass wire ball end
- Anti-oxidation coating
- Balanced acoustic tone
- High carbon steel hex core
Cons
- Some guitarists felt that their fingers didn’t glide smoothly.
7. Legato Pro Orphee Classic Guitar Strings – Normal Tension
The Legato guitar strings are visually attractive and are crafted to win the hearts of passionate guitarists. Whether a rookie or a guitar aficionado, these strings are designed to impress. The brand has focused on durability when designing these strings, so that’s something you won’t have to worry about. The strings produce a balanced sound and are a noteworthy mention on our list of the 11 best guitar strings for beginners. This set of nylon guitar strings comes with string gauges of .028, .032, .040. .030, .035, and .043 inches.
Pros
- Consistent timbre
- Easy-to-tune
- Silver-jacketed wire
- Nylon strings
Cons
- May not have ball ends
8. Vancool Novice Guitar Strings
While there are plenty of guitar strings available for professional guitarists, it’s often difficult to find the best one for beginners. This set of guitar strings by Vancool will surprise you with their ingenuity. Each string has been carefully crafted from steel to provide durability. All the strings have ball ends, making it simple for beginners. If you’ve just started playing the guitar and need a change of strings, this set is the one for you.
Pros
- Set of 2 packs
- Rust-proof coating
- Easy to use for beginners
- Color-coded guitar strings
Cons
- The colors may fade with time.
9. Alice Classical Guitar Strings
These nylon guitar strings by Alice are just what your guitar needs. The high-quality nylon construction results in clear and reasonably good sound. The strings offer a well-balanced tension, and as they are clear nylon strings, you can rest assured that they won’t break easily when you’re tuning your guitar. This set of 3 can be easily purchased online and will serve your acoustic guitar well.
Pros
- Alloy winding basses
- Comfortable feel
- Clear and bright timbre
- Silver-plated copper
Cons
- The thick nylon strings may feel uncomfortable for delicate hands.
10. Martin Classical Nylon Strings – Normal Tension
The company aims at providing the best quality guitar strings to breathe new life into your old guitar. The unrivaled craftsmanship that goes into the making of Martin Class guitar strings is what separates it from the pack. These normal-tension guitar strings are easy to route through tuning posts on the guitar. These strings allow you to tune your guitar naturally, suiting different tones including tenor, mid-tones, and bass. This set consists of 6 guitar strings that are designed to provide a memorable guitar playing experience.
Pros
- Easy-to-tune
- Bronze ball ends
- Good tuning stability
- Nylon strings
Cons
- The “E” string may not be up to the mark.
11. Fender Nickel-Plated Steel Electric Guitar Strings – Light
Pros
- Ball ends
- Nickel-plated
- Well-balanced sound
- Suitable for all types of music
Cons
- It may not be the ideal fit for professionals.
Now that you’ve had a look at some of the best guitar strings that can be purchased online, have you set your sights on anything in particular? Before making that choice, there are a few things you need to know to buy the best guitar strings.
How To Choose The Right Guitar Strings For Beginners
1. The string’s gauge
When it comes to beginners, one of the most important considerations is the string gauge. So, what exactly is it? Well, the string gauge is the thickness of each string. The thickness of the string will have a considerable effect on how the string feels. Each string gauge is represented by a numerical value. The larger the numerical value, the thicker the string will be.
When it comes to light guitar strings, you will want gauges close to .012 .016 .025 .032 .042 inches, while heavier strings carry gauges of .014 .018 .027 .039 .049 .059 inches. This may vary with regard to personal opinion; however, this is what one can expect when it comes to reference ranges for string gauges.
2. Wrap material
Another important criterion is the type of wrap material used on the strings. Two of the most commonly used wrap materials when it comes to guitar strings include phosphor bronze and 8/20 bronze. The difference between them can be heard in the sound produced while strumming. While the phosphor bronze strings produce a well-balanced tone, the 80/20 bronze strings tend to have flair and spray with a more zingy tone. Ultimately, this boils down to individual preference.
3. Durability
In an attempt to make guitar strings durable, manufacturers have started using a coating to prevent sweat and other harmful environmental factors from destroying the strings. Uncoated strings fall prey to such factors and degrade at a faster rate. Simply put, coated strings increase the lifespan of guitar strings.
4. Color-coded
Color-coded guitar strings can be a great help to beginners. This becomes very helpful when having to change the guitar strings. Manufacturers color-code either the strings or the ball ends. Either way, they serve as a convenient way of remembering for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to change strings on an acoustic guitar?
Step 1- Use a tuning key to loosen the tension of each string. Once the string is loosened, unwind the string off of the tuning post.
Step 2- Carefully remove the bridge pins on your guitar. They can be removed by using the built-in notch of the string winder.
Step 3- Place the ball head of the new string headfirst into the appropriate bridge hole. Slide the pin in the bridge hole to secure the string in place. Pull the string while doing so to ensure that the pin is holding the string in place.
Step 4- Take the other end of the string and pull it through the tuning post. Tighten the string as you carefully push it around 3 inches through the tuning post.
Step 5- Carefully tighten the string with the help of a string winder.
Step 6- Follow this procedure with the rest of the strings.
Step 7- Once all the strings have been replaced and tightened, you can start tuning your guitar.
Step 8- Cut off the excess strings at the tuning posts using wire cutters.
2. How to change strings on an electric guitar?
Step 1- Make sure to remember the path of each string before removing them.
Step 2- Loosen the old strings on the guitar by turning the tuning post. You can easily do this with the help of a tuning peg. If you are a beginner, remove them one at a time.
Step 3- Remove the strings from the bridge of the guitar. Do this carefully without yanking it out. Hold onto the ball-end and slowly pull it through the guitar.
Step 4- Clean the guitar carefully before installing the new strings.
Step 5- Make sure that the holes of the tuning post are facing you. Remember that the holes should be facing away from the strings.
Step 6- Thread the string through the bridge of the guitar and route it to the appropriate tuning peg. Remember to place the strings in the same positions as you removed them.
Step 7- Hold the string that has been routed through the bridge of the guitar and place it into the tuning post, crimping it down in an “S” shape.
Step 8- Once it has been placed correctly, start tightening it through the tuning post to lock it in.
Step 9- You can now start the process of tuning your guitar.
Step 10- Cut off the excess strings at the tuning posts using wire cutters.
3. How often should I change my guitar strings?
As a general rule of thumb, guitar strings should be changed every 3 months. While it’s best to change them after 3 months or roughly after a hundred hours of practice, they generally last much longer. As long as they don’t break, it’s fine to wait for a little longer than 3 months to change them.
Have you put off replacing your strings because you didn’t know which ones to purchase? Well, if that’s you, it’s time you made a change. The feel and sound of new guitar strings will inspire and awaken in you your passion for music. Take that leap of faith but before you do so, take a good look at our list of the 11 best guitar strings for beginners. Strum to the beat of your heart and your favorite song with a brand new set of guitar strings. Treat your guitar to the tender loving care it needs and replace those old strings with some of the finest that the world of instruments has to offer.