There are some basics you just need to know about strings. They can help you keep from damaging your guitar and can also make it easier to play or even sound better.

You may remember from a past physics class that a vibrating body generates sound by creating sound waves. One that vibrates at a constant frequency generates a musical tone (if it is within our hearing range). Guitar strings are made to maximize their potential to vibrate in different ways.

1. The thickness of a string is called its gauge. In general, the thicker a string, the lower it will sound. That is why the lower sounding strings such as 6 and 5 (see diagram above) are thicker than strings 1 or 2, although they are all the same length.
2. The tension on a string determines its pitch. You can hear this when you tune your guitar. The looser the string, the lower the pitch. Sets of guitar strings are manufactured so that each string will have approximately the same tension so that they feel consistent to the player.
3. The length of a string affects the pitch as well. If you have two guitars with different length necks, and you put the same gauge of strings on both, the one with the longer neck will require more tension to reach the same pitch. This may not make it more difficult to play since the tension is distributed over a longer distance.
4. The material that the string is made of will affect its sound. A heavier material will also require more tension. Some strings are made to keep a bright tone longer, while others are made to interact with an electric guitar pickup more effectively.
5. A larger, heavier string displaces more air than a thin one, but this is offset somewhat by our tendency to hear higher sounds louder. Also, most of the sound we hear comes from the top of an acoustic guitar or through the pickups of an electric.

So how does this help you shop for strings?

When you buy a guitar, ask the salesperson what gauge of strings are on it. If there is any doubt, email the manufacturer and ask what gauge they put on the guitar, as well as which ones they recommend. The wrong gauge could possibly void your warranty.

If you find your guitar too hard to play, consider buying lighter gauge strings. Go just one gauge lighter to try this out. For example, if your top string's gauge is .013, try a set with a .012 on top. This small change may make all the difference. (Because you have not changed the length of the strings, you will need less tension for a thinner string.

There is a tradeoff with using lighter strings though - they may make your guitar sound thinner. If this is not something you hear when you change the strings, it may not be a big problem.

On the flip side, if you are not happy with the sound of your guitar, you may improve the richness and volume of its sound by going to a slightly thicker gauge. Buying a new set of strings is a much cheaper alternative to buying a new guitar.

Knowing string gauges is the most reliable way to buy strings. The use of terms like light, medium, and heavy is not standardized. At least know the gauge of your first (top, highest sounding) string.

Wipe your strings after playing to make them last longer. The oils and acids in your fingers will damage the strings and make them wear out. Also, wash your hands before you play.

Used Guitar Strings

Be sure to change your strings when they wear out. Old strings make a good guitar sound bad.

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