You want to research and eventually buy the best acoustic guitar strings for beginners, but you don’t know where to start.
When you’re just starting out with guitar, it can be difficult to know what strings are best for your needs.
It can all be very overwhelming when you’re new to playing guitar!
There are so many choices out there! Which strings should you choose? How can you tell which ones will be a good fit for your needs?
At Guitar Exclusive we try to make things as simple as possible for our readers by sorting through all the craziness and getting to the nuts and bolts.
The problem is that there’s a lot of confusing information available on the internet about acoustic guitar strings. There are many different types and brands of strings, each with their own unique characteristics and pros/cons.
Best Acoustic Guitar Strings For Beginners
If you’re looking for acoustic guitar strings that will make it easy to play great music from day one, check out our reviews below.
We will be reviewing what are considered some of the best acoustic guitar strings for beginners on the market today.
Best Acoustic Guitar Strings Overall
D’Addario Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings, Light, 10 Sets
Our best overall pick for best acoustic guitar strings for beginners is from D’Addario and they make some of the best strings out there.
If you’re looking for guitar strings that play beautifully and give you long-lasting performance, you should try D’Addario EJ16 phosphor bronze acoustic.
Guitar strings are the perfect choice for your instrument. Safe to use on both nylon and steel string guitars, these 10 sets of light acoustic Guitar strings offer an amazing tone – warm, bright with balanced sound and great intonation.
Phosphor bronze provides about 75% of that brightness from the nickel silver alloy combined with 25% copper while traditional brass acetate only contains 45%.
The EJ16-10P acoustic guitar strings are corrosion resistant and precision wound using a high-carbon steel core.
They will not dull or rust like some of the other carbon steel string sets on the market.
The D’Addario American Company has been making strings for over 4 decades including these bronze light gauge guitar strings, which are good to use if you have arthritis or experience pain in your fingers from playing your guitar frequently.
Pros
Pros:
- 10 sets of phosphor acoustic strings.
- Warm, bright, and balanced in tone.
- Corrosion resistant.
- Made in the USA.
- Durable and long lasting.
- Precision drawn hexagonal core for superior stability.
Cons
Cons:
- Must be careful when using alternate tunings.
Martin Guitar Titanium Core Light-Tension Nickel Acoustic Guitar Strings
Martin Titanium Core Strings delivers the ultimate player’s experience with tone and sound quality that will elevate performance of any acoustic guitar.
Titanium (Ti) is highly corrosion-resistant and has the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metal to provide durability.
These strings are very flexible, so they allow you to play longer without finger fatigue while maintaining their tonal qualities.
Martin Titanium Core strings produce a clear tone with a balanced feel, making them perfect for rock, blues, bluegrass – in other words, nearly every style of acoustic guitar.
You’ll love the bright tuning and strong playability of these light-tension nickel strings.
Each set includes tenor strings, mid-tones strings, and bass strings that last long while retaining their original brightness over time. All sets are designed for performance, playability – even durability!
Martin Titanium Core strings are designed with a high-quality wrap wire. The tension and feel of the string recreates a light, easy feel for nylon guitar string players seeking an alternative to their gut-string set.
It also offers a core that is much more durable than other types of strings in its category.
These strings are composed of pure nickel wrap wire wrapped on heavy duty titanium core wire, offering you optimal durability while playing time and predictability as well.
Pros
Pros:
- Easy on the fingers.
- Great tone and clarity.
- Superb intonation and stay in tune.
- Long lasting.
- Brings out the low bass, mids, and highs on your guitar.
- No sweat or corrosion build up.
Cons
Cons:
- May not be optimal for alternative tuning.
Best Acoustic Guitar Strings On A Budget
Elixir Strings 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
Elixir Strings are engineered to not only protect your string against corrosion, but also extend the life of your tone making them last longer.
Made of 80% Copper & 20% Zinc, Elixir Strings provide you with one of the brightest tones on the market without sacrificing playability so that you can enjoy all day long.
These strings have a never-before seen patented coating technology so they stand up to pH changes, sweat and humidity giving you even more peace of mind.
Wear these long enough and they will break in and feel like an extension of yourself!
Designed with Eco-Friendly Bronze Wrap Wire, these acoustic guitar strings provide an expressive, vibrant tone that has a crisp “acoustic” feel.
Elixir Strings are played for their high quality and durability as well as their crisp bright sound.
These strings come with our ultra-thin NANOWEB Coating for added protection and cleanliness; allowing you to keep your hands natural and maintain your playing style!
Pros
Pros:
- Long lasting tone as a great price!
- Each string is protected against dirt and sweat.
- Bright sound and easy playability.
- Stay in tune longer.
- Can withstand a variety of temperatures.
- Smooth to the touch.
Cons
Cons:
- Once coating wears off playability will feel slightly different.
Ernie Ball Earthwood Phosphor Bronze Extra Light
Ernie Ball Earthwood Phosphor Bronze Extra Light Acoustic Guitar Strings are for those who want a long lasting, smooth playing, warm sounding string without spending too much.
These strings have an exclusive wrap wire that is phosphor bronze to avoid premature breakage and corrosion and provide players with an even tone and satisfying playability that lasts longer than other strings.
Ernie Ball has made these strings in Southern California since 1974, guaranteeing the quality of every single string produced.
All Ernie Ball Earthwood strings are precision wound with phosphor bronze wire to provide the warmth and start of a brilliant tone with every strike.
The core is made from brass plated high carbon steel hex maximizing durability so you can get that beautiful sound for years to come.
Phosphor bronze creates more warmth than traditional stainless steel while providing consistency in tone over time, yet is still corrosion resistant.
Bronze ages gracefully without producing oxidizing hydrogen which could damage other parts of your guitar’s hardware or its neck. This means that if you want an aged look on your instrument then these could be a good choice.
Product specifications: Gauge – Light, 12-26; String Construction – Polyester Wound Single Wrap Around Clear Nylon Tapewound.
Pros
Pros:
- Philosopher bronze wrap.
- Rich tone.
- Clear and bright overall sound.
- Crafted in Southern California.
- Easy playability.
- Soft on the fingers.
Cons
Cons:
- Extra light = very delicate.
Best Medium Acoustic Guitar Strings
If you are looking for a thicker gauge, here are our choices for those seeking medium strings that are best for starting out.
Martin Clapton’s Choice Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
These Martin Clapton’s Choice Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings, gives you the signature acoustic tone favored by one of the world’s most iconic rock and blues guitarists Eric Clapton.
With its extended lifespan and excellent, brilliant clarity these strings give off all of the tones necessary for your craft.
When choosing new guitar strings it is important to take into consideration what you need them for: power chords or strumming?
These will do both well without compromising anything in either category. The 92/08 Phosphor bronze used in these strings helps them last a long time.
Martin Strings have been the standard in guitars for generations and these acoustic-friendly strings are made to be easy on your fingers.
Well liked by amateurs and professionals alike, Martin Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings give you a warm tone with brilliant clarity.
The design of this synthetic string is made to provide extremely long playing life as they resist warmth that can cause them lengthen their lifespan over time.
Pros
Pros:
- Signature Eric Clapton acoustic guitar strings.
- Rich and full sound.
- Sound better as they age.
- Budget friendly price.
- Great and long lasting sustain.
- Durable playability.
Cons
Cons:
- Brightness may be overly bright based on liking.
D’Addario XT Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings, Medium
D`Addario, the world leader in strings for guitars and other instruments, introduces new Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings.
The proprietary coating on these strings allows them to be played with less exertion so they are lighter on your fingers and offer a more comfortable playing experience.
Perfect for beginners, these tonally balanced string sets are designed to suit a wide variety of playing styles and guitar types from steel string to classical.
Designed with the working guitarist in mind, these strings come coated for fresh tone and longer life.
Every string in this package is treated for an extended lifespan that preserves the natural tone of uncoated strings. Plus, you get 131% more tuning stability and break resistance than traditional strings!
That is why they made our list for the best acoustic guitar strings for beginners.
Pros
Pros:
- High carbon steel wire.
- Re-sealable package.
- Long-lasting.
- Clear sounding harmonics.
- Great tuning stability.
- Preserves tone.
Cons
Cons:
- Not as bright sounding as lighter gauge strings.
Best Heavy Acoustic Guitar Strings
If you are feeling really ambitious and like the way a heavier gauge string feels and sounds, then check out the set below!
D’Addario Acoustic Guitar Strings – Heavy
D`Addario heavy acoustic guitar strings are perfect for long hours of practice while generating a warm, bright sound with excellent intonation.
These nickel-plated steel strings are made in the USA and have years of research to help you find out what works best for your style of playing.
D’Addario acoustic guitar strings are precision wound with corrosion resistant phosphor bronze wire.
This type of string feels bright and balanced, while also being long lasting and easy on your fingers for solo performances.
These acoustic guitar strings help you achieve amazing performances, offering a long lasting, warm, bright and balanced tone.
They also have excellent intonation by nature of the corrosion resistant phosphor bronze wire that is carefully drawn around a hexagonally shaped, high carbon steel core.
Pros
Pros:
- Affordable price.
- Features a bright and balanced tone.
- Corrosion resistant.
- Made in the USA.
- Durable and consistent.
- Clean intonation.
Cons
Cons:
- Heavier gauge strings may not be for everyone.
Best Color Strings
DR Strings HI-DEF NEON Acoustic Guitar Strings
Designed to give your stage presence a little extra pop, these DR Strings HI-DEF NEON Acoustic Guitar Strings feature a heavy gauge to keep them sturdy under rigorous performances while maintaining their excellent playability through long sets.
These neoprene high-gauge nylon monofilament guitar strings are injection coated with 32F K3 coating, both detergent and corrosion resistant for lifecycle durability.
Featuring a hexagonal core wire on most strings combined with silver plated copper wrap provides natural strings at an economical price.
Great for players who want solid tension without having it affect their tuning or tone quality too much, traditional controllers will love how bright, clear and accurate the notes come out of this set
They have a feel that won’t stick to your fingers or wear out too soon. This is why these are highly popular and with the neon look they give your guitar an eye-popping visual effect!
Pros
Pros:
- Neon acoustic guitar strings.
- Looks cool under a UV light.
- Budget friendly price.
- Silver-plated copper wrap.
- Gives great projection and clarity.
- Long-lasting.
Cons
Cons:
- Color eventually will start peeling with consistent play.
Frequently Asked Questions
You might be asking yourself “okay now what?” after reading our product reviews.
If so, don’t worry. We have compiled a list of questions to help guide you through your quest for the best acoustic guitar strings for beginners.
We know how frustrating it can be starting out and not knowing what you should do next or which direction to go in.
This is why we’re going to give you some great tips on how to find the perfect set of acoustic guitar strings for your needs as a beginner.
What gauge acoustic guitar strings should a beginner use?
“The question of what gauge acoustic guitar strings should a beginner use is one that comes up often.
While this may seem like an easy answer, it’s not as simple as you might think.
The reason why there are so many different gauges for beginners is because they have to do with the amount of tension on the guitar string.
This will determine how hard it will be to fret and play chords.”
The answer to this question can depend on the type of guitar you have, your level of experience, and what style of playing you intend.
For a beginner who is just starting out with their instrument, it may be best for them to start off with light gauge strings.
This will make chord changes easier and give the player more time to get used to holding down chords without breaking a string.
An intermediate player might want heavier gauge strings which are better suited for those looking to play harder or faster music like bluegrass or rock-n-roll.
Are medium acoustic guitar strings good for beginners?
As we know, guitar strings come in three different gauges: light, medium and heavy.
Medium acoustic guitar strings are suitable for beginners because they can be easy to play based on your playing style.
They also produce a more mellow sound than heavy gauge strings that are not as loud but still pack a punch.
A beginner may want to test out medium string sets for the first few weeks. Once their fingers have developed enough calluses to comfortably handle lighter gauges without any pain or soreness, then you will know how to proceed.
This way you will be able to know if you should keep them or perhaps switch to a lighter gauge.
Are light guitar strings easier to play?
Light guitar strings are often used by beginners because they’re easier on their fingers.
The lighter tension of these strings can be much more forgiving than heavier ones, and many people find it difficult to deal with sore fingertips for a long time.
So, does using heavy or light string affect your playing?
It’s hard to say definitively what is best for any particular person but typically speaking most people find that using lighter string gauges.
What are the best acoustic guitar strings for blues and folk?
It’s tough to find the best acoustic guitar strings for blues and folk.
There are many different types of strings that produce a range of tones, but some players are looking for the perfect string set to use in their genre.
The best acoustic guitar strings for blues and folk are ones that can produce a warm, rich sound with plenty of character.
For beginners, it’s good to know that some people prefer nylon or steel-wrapped strings while others like phosphor bronze or unwound nickel.
If you want to check out more about acoustic guitars and playing the blues, head on over to our article here: The Best Blues Acoustic Guitars.
If you are interested in exploring folk and are on a budget, this article might also interest you: Best Folk Guitars on a Budget.
Are nylon strings good for a beginner?
A nylon acoustic guitar string can be the perfect choice for beginners. They are not as hard on your fingers, and they provide an excellent quality of sound.
A lot of people think that because nylon strings are softer they do not give off as much volume or power, but in reality this could not be further from the truth.
The tone is actually richer and fuller than steel strings. Nylon also offers more flexibility in terms of tuning and intonation. This makes them ideal for beginners who may have trouble with these aspects of playing the guitar correctly.
There are many out there that feel that nylon strings are the best acoustic guitar strings for beginners.
As you saw, there were no nylon string choices on our picks above. You may be asking why? For me personally, I think nylon strings are great but provide a very niche sound.
When just starting out on guitar, I think of playing like a blank canvas. You want to create anything you want and that will eventually help you find your own sound. I feel it’s best to do this with steel guitar strings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as a beginner guitarist, you really just want the best strings that will allow you to play easily and comfortably. That is why it’s important to seek out the best guitar strings for beginners.
As we saw, there are many different types of strings out there and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.
We hope this article helped you in making that decision easier by giving some key points on the pros and cons of each type of string as well as how they sound in comparison to others.
Like many things guitar and instrument related, there is no one right answer. Instead, there are several options that are worth trying which periodic pivots during your playing time.
It takes experimentation and figuring out at the end of the day what works for you and what doesn’t. As you gain in experience and overall playability, you may like several different options.
For example, I have an acoustic guitar strung with medium gauge strings for specific sounds I’m trying to achieve.
I have another acoustic guitar with a light gauge for specific songs that I have put together as they happen to sound better that way.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article on the best acoustic strings for beginners.
Remember to always HAVE FUN!
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