guitar string recommendations.....

Acoustic? Cleartones

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I've been using Ernie Ball light guage strings for as long as I remember, 'cause that's what I was told to use 20 years ago.

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I have to say that Fender strings, especially the lights they ship on American Strats are very impressive. I have kept them on the guitar for 10 years. Now, I don't so much play guitar as collect them, but people who both know how to play and have played my guitar have commented on the strings - they do bend well and go well with the strat type.

I wouldn't recommend them for a crunchier, Les Paul sound, but I would highly for Jackson, Ibanez or Strat/Tele, espeically single coil.

ETA: Specifically the silver bullets, I use Fender 3250Ls which came stock on American Strats.

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I always go with Elixers for electric. I love light strings

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Ima try these, just to try something new.

I use Ernie Ball Heavy Bottoms. I think I started using them when I was 14 cause I read that Tom Delonge used them. Now I just use them cause I've used them for 11 years and I like how they sound.

D 'Addario heavy

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D 'Addario heavy

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I am an Ovation guy and only use D'Addario (for my acoustics)- expensive, but well worth it.

I used to love Dean Markley Blue Steels but they got expensive and I have to change strings a lot so I tried the Ernie Ball Power Slinkys and I love them! They're pretty thick but have a great tone and stay in tune pretty good

Finding a string that suits you, your guitar, your style and gives you the sound you want is a bit of a journey.

Each brand makes their strings in a slightly different way, which means there are slight tonal differences between them.

So, try a few different types and gauges and find a set that suits your guitar, style and ability.

Try the different manufacturers; Ernie Ball; D'Addario; Rotosound; Fender; Elixir; Martin; etc).



For an electric guitar:

Try different string materials. Pure nickel will give soft, mellow tones and feel smooth, Stainless Steel will give sharp, powerful tones and feel rough, Nickel plated Steel is a combination and gives the best of both with a smooth feel.

Try different gauges (lighter gauges give you more treble tones and are easier to play, heavier gauges give more powerful bass tones but are hearder to play). Or look at a hybrid set, light treble strings for easy bends with heavy bass strings for that power and bass.



For Acoustic guitars:

Choose between Phosphor Bronze which gives a mellow, rounded tone, or 80/20 Bronze which gives bright, crisp, sharp tones.

The gauge of the strings is related to the thinnest string. Gauge 12, aka 0.012, aka 12 thousandths of an inch, is the standard found on most acoustic guitars. Heavier gauge strings (e.g. 13, 14, etc) are harder to play as they have more tension but give more bass tones and volume. Lighter gauge strings (e.g. 11, 10, 9, etc) have less tension and therefore easier to play, but have more treble tones and less volume.

Good Luck.

Also as an after thought, take a look at this [link=(guide on when you should change your guitar strings)]https://www.guitarbitz.com/when-to-change-guitar-strings-i44[/link]

My son just tried the Ernie Ball Cobalts and loves them.