If fretboard is the brain of the guitar then strings are the heart and soul of the guitar. When it comes to acoustic guitars strings are absolutely critical to decide the overall sound of your guitar. Choosing a set of acoustic guitar string is never and easy task to perform. You have to take care of lot many things while purchasing acoustic guitar strings for your guitar.
You have to take many decisions before purchasing acoustic strings such as make on material, gauge, and price. Coming to coated strings, They have made huge advances in terms of tone and feel. They are an increasingly popular choice among musicians. They enhance higher frequencies and jamming experience but all this comes at a significant price.
Buying Guide
All of the string sets featured in our list comes with different range of gauges. Thickness, diameter, material and your own technique does play an crucial role in the final tone of your guitar. So, it becomes necessary to make up your mind before purchasing the string set. After all, you are not going to spend your hard earned money on buying strings every next weekend.
Thicker strings will sound fuller, with a more rounded low end, and on balance they tend to be louder. They’re more durable, too. Fewer string breaks? That’s great. But there are drawbacks. For players who are still building strength in their fretting hands, thick gauges can make for a chastening playing experience, especially if you are a finger-picker or like to play fast runs and bend your strings. If you are a folky strummer, heavier might be a better option.
Types of gauges
Extra light: .010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047
Custom light: .011 .015 .023 .032 .042 .052
Light: .012 .016 .025 .032 .042 .054
Medium: .013 .017 .026 .035 .045 .056
Heavy: .014 .018 .027 .039 .049 .059
The most common material used in making acoustic guitar strings are bronze, phosphor bronze, brass, nickel, silk and steel.
Each material has its own importance. Brass strings have plenty of top-end jangle and brighter tone whereas nickel strings have warmer tone.
If you play a classical guitar then you will need nylon strings. Top three strings in the set of classical strings are made from clear or rectified nylon. On the other hand, the rest three are made from the bronze or silver played copper wire that are wrapped around a multi-filament core.
In this article, we will discuss about top 10 acoustic guitar strings. This will help you to make a better choice for your acoustic guitar.
So, Let’s start
Top 10 Acoustic guitar strings are
1. D’Addario EJ17- 3D acoustic strings
Features
- Medium Gauge
- .013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .056
- Warm and bright balanced tone
- Phosphor bronze
- 3-pack of EJ17 sets
Price – INR 3785
D’Addario is one of the oldest selling brands of guitar strings. It was started by a family in the tiny town of Salle, Italy in 1680. Before, relocating to New York in 1905, D’Addario used to make assorted instrument strings for over two hundred years.
D’Addario is now one of the leading brands providing guitar strings across the globe. In fact, this brand hands down amongst the best string manufacturer in the world.
D’Addario EJ17- 3D was originated in 1947 that provided warm, bright and balanced tones to the guitarist. The brand has drawn a corrosions resistant phosphor bronze onto a hexagonal shaped high carbon steel core that provides it a long-lasting durability and bright sounding tone. The strings are constructed on round wounding that makes it more comfortable in playing and provides a familiar feel to the guitarists.
Let’s have a look on its features and technical specifications
Features
⦁ Medium Gauge
⦁ .013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .056
⦁ Warm and bright balanced tone
⦁ Phosphor bronze
⦁ 3-pack of EJ17 sets
Technical specifications
⦁ Guitar Type: Acoustic Guitar
⦁ Number of Sets: 3
⦁ Number of Strings: 6
⦁ Coated: No
⦁ Gauges: .013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .056
⦁ Core Material: Steel
⦁ Winding Material: Phosphor Bronze
⦁ Winding Type: Round
Pros
⦁ Versatile
⦁ Durable
⦁ Sharp, warm and bright tone
These strings have wide range of versatility. You can play from Jazz to Pop, it is enough for all genres
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2. Elixir Strings 80/20 acoustic strings
Features
⦁ Extra-long life
⦁ 80/20 Bronze
⦁ Bright tone
⦁ 010/.010, .014/.014, .023/.009, .030/.012, .039/.018, .047/.027
⦁ Polyweb coating
Price – INR 4,612
Well! This brand is something unique for the musicians. They are having a huge impact and great contribution in the music industry. In 1995, this company was born with an idea of experimenting coating of PTFE on guitar strings. Unfortunately, the failed but that determination was the fuel to the fire.
They came back with some new innovations and eventually introduced their premium product i.e 80/20 acoustic guitar strings. These acoustic strings are immune to any significant damage, dirt, moisture or debris may exploit the appearance but they cannot ruin your jamming experience.
Earlier, the company used to apply a polyweb coating that was extremely efficient in providing a quality tone. But as you know, if the strings don’t provide you the natural feel then it really becomes difficult to play at your natural pace.
To counter this problem, these strings featured nanoweb coating that allows crispier and brighter sound while retaining the natural feel of the strings. To provide long lasting protection, these strings are coating all around that covers up the gap between the windings of the strings.
Let’s checkout the features and technical specifications
⦁ Extra-long life
⦁ 80/20 Bronze
⦁ Bright tone
⦁ 010/.010, .014/.014, .023/.009, .030/.012, .039/.018, .047/.027
⦁ Polyweb coating
Technical specifications
⦁ Guitar Type: 12-string Acoustic
⦁ Number of Sets: 1
⦁ Number of Strings: 12
⦁ Coated: Yes (Nanoweb Coating)
⦁ Gauges: .010/.010, .014/.014, .023/.009, .030/.012, .039/.018, .047/.027
⦁ Core Material: Steel
⦁ Winding Material: 80/20 Bronze
⦁ Winding Type: Round Wound
Pros
⦁ Strings are coated all around.
⦁ Provides best protection for eliminating moisture, dust, dirt and air.
⦁ Nanoweb coating provides same benefits of a polyweb coating with that natural feel.
These strings are made of 80% soft copper and 20% durable zinc that presents a smoother, mellower tone in comparison with Phosphor Bronze acoustic strings. the ultra-lightweight Nanoweb coating and allows them move freely and they tend to assume a warmer glowing tone.
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3. Ernie ball 2146 Earthwood acoustic guitar string set
Ernie ball is amongst the leading manufacturers of strings and accessories in the music industry. This brand is used by some prominent musicians and famous personalities such as Keith Richards and jimmy page. Ernie ball has combined the latest technology, state of the art materials, determination and passion that has enhanced your jamming experience.
Earthwood series is affordable and perfectly matches to any genre giving you the experience of your life. 2146 hardwood guitar strings provide you the same identity and feel which any other prominent guitar string will give you.
A mixture of 92% copper, 7.7% tin and 0.3% phosphorus are wrapped around tin plated hex shaped steel core wire. These strings have a light orange and gold colour, to feature a professional yet old-school look.
It has warm rich, superb clarity mellow ring tone that is achieved after using finest and freshest materials to craft these strings.
This acoustic guitar string set features a lock twist mechanism to secure the wire around the ball end. It results in null slippage and long-lasting guitar strings.
The core of this guitar string set is made up of brass plated high carbon steel hex wire that increases the durability of the strings and you don’t have to worry while playing wildly.
Let’s have a look on its features and technical specifications
⦁ Warm and bright texture
⦁ Durable
⦁ Bright tone
⦁ Smooth
Technical specifications
⦁ Colour – Multi
⦁ String Gauge – Custom
⦁ String Material – Bronze
⦁ Number of Strings – 6
⦁ Size – Medium Light
Pros
⦁ Rich expensive sound
⦁ Ultimate clarity. Element shield plating
⦁ long-lasting
⦁ best strings life. Reliable.
Ernie ball’s 2146 earthwood strings excel in giving you the best in less. It has rich sound, lock twist mechanism and brass plated high carbon steel core wire. These guitar strings have set in up a perfect example.
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4. DR Strings VTA-13 acoustic guitar strings
Features
⦁ Extended-life strings without coating
⦁ .013-.056 medium gauges
⦁ ACT (Accurate Core Technology) focuses on the core
⦁ Last up to 4 times longer.
⦁ Offers greater tuning stability
Price – INR 1,769
DR Strings are not just acoustic guitar strings but handmade art as well. According to DR, the old-fashioned way delivers what isn’t really possible with new era machines. To make the impossible, DR strings use most advanced materials and techniques.
The reason behind the huge success of the DR strings is their skill set and passion towards the work. They are dedicated and consistent towards music that combine to outperform all other contenders.
Veritas series is a completely new range of long-lasting Guitar String Set. It is manufactured to last 4 X longer than any other string of the similar price range. According to many musicians, they use only one pack of verita guitar strings to rock up many live concerts and performances. You can imagine the level of durability and reliability of these strings.
VTA-13 is the latest of phosphor bronze acoustic guitar strings. They are aimed for every musician out there so that they can have a smooth and rocking experience with their guitars.. DR Strings uses advanced technology is used to reinforce the core wire and to fill in imperfections along the whole core. And the result is improved pitch retention and supreme stability that makes you the king of the ring. Furthermore, the sole reason behind accurate tones, durability, and premium feel is the refined core wire.
Let’s checkout the key features and technical specifications
⦁ Extended-life strings without coating
⦁ .013-.056 medium gauges
⦁ ACT (Accurate Core Technology) focuses on the core
⦁ Last up to 4 times longer.
⦁ Offers greater tuning stability
Technical specifications
⦁ Guitar Type: Acoustic
⦁ Number of Sets: 1 Number of Strings: 6
⦁ Coated: No
⦁ Gauges: .013, .017, .026, .034, .045, .056
⦁ Core Material: ACT steel
⦁ Winding Material: Phosphor Bronze
⦁ Winding Type: Round
It offers you up to four times more life and enhanced tuning stability. The lack of coating avoids the sound differences that coating materials can add to your sound.
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5. Martin MSP6100 SP acoustic guitar string
Features
⦁ Treated with Martin’s Cleartone proprietary technology
⦁ longer lifespan than regular strings
⦁ Light gauge
⦁ .012, .016, .025, .032, .042, .054
⦁ 92/8 phosphor bronze
⦁ Classically expressive tone
Price – INR 1,029
It is a family-owned company that manufactures almost everything related to guitars with its fine quality materials and some really advanced machines.
MSP6100 SP is a perfect match for those people who believe that rich tone should last long as inspiration does. Trusted by thousands of musicians around the globe, this acoustic guitar string ensures that you are accompanied by the best.
MSP6100 SP acoustic strings repel dirt and grit in order to provide a quality long-life jamming experience. Furthermore, the dust repelling coating is extremely thin that you won’t even feel that it’s there or not.
This guitar string set is used by some prominent musicians such as Cody Simpson and Avett brothers. According to them, these guitar strings set provides something unmatchable. Now, you can easily judge the success rate of this guitar string set. These strings provide you a bright and vibrant tone that allows you to innovate more and more.
MSP6100 SP is especially designed to last longer so that you can play on continuously and consistently without any tension of replacing acoustic guitar strings again and again.
Let’s have a look on its features
⦁ Treated with Martin’s Cleartone proprietary technology
⦁ longer lifespan than regular strings
⦁ Light gauge
⦁ .012, .016, .025, .032, .042, .054
⦁ 92/8 phosphor bronze
⦁ Classically expressive tone
Pros
⦁ Cleartone proprietary technology for a longer lifespan.
⦁ Bright and vibrant tone.
⦁ Trusted by many professional musicians.
These strings with bright tones, cleartone proprietary technology and dirt repulsion and set your hands down amongst the best options you can choose from.
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6. Elixir nanoweb light phosphor bronze acoustic guitar string
Features
⦁ .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
⦁ Polyweb coating
⦁ Long lasting
⦁ Phosphor Bronze
⦁ Balanced tone
Price – INR 1,850
These strings don’t just sound great but their micro-thin coating keeps them sounding great as well. They last a lot longer than average strings. It allows you to keep your guitar tone consistently great day in and day out. The coating used on the string actually cuts down on unnecessary finger friction and prevents possible skin hardening or ulcers. These strings last long and reduces the frequency of string changing. Ultimately, it is going to save your money
Let’s check out its feature and technical specifications
⦁ .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
⦁ Polyweb coating
⦁ Long lasting
⦁ Phosphor Bronze
⦁ Balanced tone
Technical specifications
⦁ Guitar Type: Acoustic
⦁ Number of Sets: 1
⦁ Number of Strings: 6
⦁ Coated: Yes (Nanoweb Coating)
⦁ Gauges: .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
⦁ Core Material: Steel
⦁ Winding Material: Phosphor Bronze
⦁ Winding Type: Round Wound
Pros
⦁ High carbon steel alloy for playing fearlessly.
⦁ Faster and better tuning achieved
⦁ reinvented wire drawing process.
⦁ Corrosion resistant packaging.
These strings sound great, bend farther, and stay in tune better even after a couple of sweaty gigs
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7. Martin M140 Bronze acoustic guitar strings
Features
⦁ Light gauge
⦁ Bright tone
⦁ .012, .016, .025, .032, .042, .054
⦁ 80/20 Bronze
Price – INR 1784
People who want to play clear, brilliant and long sounds must check out this unique acoustic guitar strings of Martin’s quality light acoustic guitar strings. They are affordable and reliable with a long-lasting usage.
Most of the strings feature a steel core to wrap things around. But, the M140 acoustic guitar strings are made up of bronze winding alloy that gives deep, rich basses, bright and clear trebles. In a nutshell, you will get brilliant tones and longer string life.
Regardless of the usage, whatever pressure you put on these strings, they will deliver you the best. All thanks to the high-quality materials used by Martin to manufacture these guitar strings.
Let’s checkout its features
⦁ Light gauge
⦁ Bright tone
⦁ .012, .016, .025, .032, .042, .054
⦁ 80/20 Bronze
Pros
⦁ Bronze winding alloy.
⦁ Brilliant tones
⦁ longer life
⦁ Preferred by the professionals
It provides you studio quality performance, brilliant tones and bronze alloy finish. These acoustic strings are perfect partner of every guitarist out there.
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8. D’Addario EJ-16 3D Acoustic guitar string
Features
⦁ Light Gauge
⦁ .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
⦁ Warm
⦁ Bright balanced tone
⦁ Phosphor bronze
Price – INR 456
These strings were introduced in 1947 with phosphorus bronze-built material. Since then, EJ16-3D acoustic guitar string has excelled the game of jamming. In current scenario, these acoustic guitar strings are trusted by many professional musicians and music directors.
Those guitarists who want warm, balanced and a bright acoustic tone should choose EJI16-3D guitar string set.
The company has done precise wounding with corrosion resistant phosphor bronze to bring in bright sounding, long-lasting with excellent intonation, the company has done something different with these strings. These strings are drawn onto hexagonal shaped high carbon steel core that make wonders possible. EJ16-3D acoustic guitar string provides the old school feel and comfort to the players.
Let’s check out its features and technical specifications
⦁ Light Gauge
⦁ .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
⦁ Warm
⦁ Bright balanced tone
⦁ Phosphor bronze
Technical specifications
⦁ Guitar Type: Acoustic
⦁ Number of Sets: 3
⦁ Number of Strings: 6
⦁ Coated: No
⦁ Gauges: .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
⦁ Core Material: Steel
⦁ Winding Material: Phosphor Bronze
⦁ Winding Type: Round
Pros
⦁ Warm and bright
⦁ Balanced tones
⦁ Versatile
⦁ High quality
⦁ Best material and craftsmanship
It is one of the best selling acoustic guitar string in the Indian market. From beginners to experts, this string is preferred by everyone.
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9. Martin MSP4100 SP Acoustic guitar strings
Features
⦁ superior tone for your acoustic guitar
⦁ Tin-plate-coated
⦁ extra longevity
⦁ enhanced tone
⦁ Highest-quality materials
⦁ outstanding tone, response, and durability
⦁ consistency and quality
Price – INR 4,786
These acoustic guitar string sets are made up of high tensile strength core wire and are wrapped with highest quality wrap wire so that you can perform and practice with consistently. The best part is that, it retains the quality of its tone irrespective of the number of times played.
It provides you a studio quality performance at an affordable price. You can easily rock any stage or concert with the help of Martin MSP4100 SP acoustic strings. This is one of the best and amazing option available to you in the market in this
With an affordable price, you are getting a studio quality performance to rock the stage. These guitar strings are simply amazing, the best option available in the market under an affordable price range.
Let’s checkout its features
⦁ superior tone for your acoustic guitar
⦁ Tin-plate-coated
⦁ extra longevity
⦁ enhanced tone
⦁ Highest-quality materials
⦁ outstanding tone, response, and durability
⦁ consistency and quality
Technical specifications
⦁ Guitar Type: Acoustic Guitar
⦁ Number of Strings: 6
⦁ Coated: No
⦁ Gauges: .012, .016, .025, .032, .042, .054
⦁ Core Material: Tin-plated Steel
⦁ Winding Material: 92/8 Phosphor Bronze
⦁ Winding Type: Round
Pros
⦁ Affordable price.
⦁ Long lasting
⦁ brilliance achieved by bronze alloy.
⦁ Warm, Clarity, and sweet tones
These strings provide you ample of features in an affordable price. These strings prove every penny spent on it by offering you clear tones, bronze alloy and studio performance.
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10. Martin SP 7100 Coated acoustic strings
Features
⦁ Treated with Martin’s Cleartone proprietary technology
⦁ longer lifespan than regular strings
⦁ Light gauge
⦁ 92/8 phosphor bronze
⦁ Classically expressive tone
⦁ Clear and Sharp tone
Price – INR5,859
Martin SP 7100 features clear tone proprietary technology. This technology provides full rich tones along with durability to the musicians. However, Ultra-pure steel SP core wire provides tensile strength and response.
This guitar string features electroplating and wraps to provide protection to the core wire. Additionally, it results in rich tones that musicians are fond off. Martin uses their state of the art wrapping technique to perfectly handle the gauge and makes you play the strings without any extra care.
Let’s check out its features
⦁ Treated with Martin’s Cleartone proprietary technology
⦁ longer lifespan than regular strings
⦁ Light gauge
⦁ 92/8 phosphor bronze
⦁ Classically expressive tone
⦁ Clear and Sharp tone
Pros
⦁ Light strings
⦁ Cleartone proprietary technology.
⦁ Repels dirt and oil.
⦁ Cost effective
These light strings are very easy to use for the beginners. It can help them to learn faster and getting a tight hold to the instrument
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So, these were ten best acoustic guitar strings for you guys. Although, there are lot many strings available in the market that can suit your budget. Make sure that they are fine enough to last long and you do not have to compromise with the quality of your performance.
Guitar will not sound well if the quality of the strings is not up to the mark. Consequently, your confidence will definitely go down the graph even if you are playing with a good and perfect technique. Personally, I just everyone to pay a slightly more and get a top-notch quality acoustic string.
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