How many guitar strings are there?

Most standard guitars have six strings. However, some guitars have 7, 8, or even 12 strings for extended range or special styles. For beginners and most players, the six-string setup is the norm and offers all the range needed for most genres

What are the Names of Guitar Strings?

The strings are named based on pitch: E, A, D, G, B, and high E. Starting from the thickest (lowest pitch) to the thinnest (highest pitch), the names go: E, A, D, G, B, E. A common acronym to remember the order of strings from thickest to thinnest is: Eddie Ate Dynamite; Good Bye Eddie.

What is the order of guitar strings?

From the thickest (top when holding the guitar) to the thinnest (bottom), the order is: 6th (Low E), 5th (A), 4th (D), 3rd (G), 2nd (B), 1st (High E). Knowing the order helps with tuning, learning chords, and following guitar tabs.

What are some common materials for guitar strings?

Strings can be made from stainless steel, nickel, nylon, phosphor bronze, flat wound

How to Choose Guitar Strings?

If you play electric guitar, nickel-plated steel strings are the most common and work well for most genres, If you’re into blues or vintage rock, pure nickel gives a warmer tone, Stainless steel is a good pick if you want a sharp, bright sound with less corrosion, For acoustic guitars, phosphor bronze strings offer a rich tone with warmth and brightness, 80/20 bronze strings are another option, giving a brighter, punchier sound, Nylon strings are only for classical guitars or beginner nylon-string acoustics; never use them on a steel-string guitar.

What are winding types for guitar strings?

Roundwound strings, flatwound strings, half-round strings

What are roundwound guitar stirngs?

These are the most common type of winding type for guitar strings. They’re bright and have a textured feel, but can be noisy when fingers slide across.

What are flatwound guitar strings?

Smoother and darker sounding, flatwounds are popular in jazz and blues. They produce less finger noise but feel stiffer. They have a very smooth feel and produce a mellow, warm, and dark tone with less sustain and a more percussive attack.

What are half-wound guitar strings?

These are a middle ground between roundwound and flatwound strings. They offer a smoother feel than roundwounds with more brightness than flatwounds, but can be more expensive.

What type of strings are bass guitar strings?

These are thick, low-tuned strings made for bass guitars. They’re available in roundwound, flatwound, or tapewound.

What type of strings are classical guitar strings?

Classical guitar strings should only be made from nylon, as steel strings can damage a classical guitar’s neck and body.

What type of guitar strings to use on acoustic guitars?

Use bronze or phosphor bronze strings, usually with steel cores. Never use nylon or electric strings on an acoustic.

What type of strings should I use on an electric guitar?

Use nickel or stainless steel strings for an electric guitar. Acoustic-specific strings won’t work properly with magnetic pickups.

What are guitar string sizes or gauges?

String gauge refers to how thick the strings are. Thinner strings are easier to play; thicker ones are louder and more durable. Guitar strings come in extra light or super light (0.008-0.038), light (0.009-0.042), medium (0.01-0.046), and heavy (0.011-0.052)

How do I care for guitar strings?

Keep your strings clean by wiping them down after each use. Oils and sweat can make them corrode faster. Store your guitar in a case to protect strings from humidity and dust.

How Often Should I Replace My Guitar Strings?

If you play daily, change strings every 2–4 weeks. Occasional players can wait 1–2 months. Replace them when they sound dull, feel rough, or are hard to tune.

Can I Boil Guitar Strings to Clean Them?

Yes, boiling can temporarily remove grime and restore brightness, especially on bass strings. But it weakens the metal, so it’s not a long-term solution and we recommend just buying new strings instead.

Why Do My Guitar Strings Keep Breaking?

Common causes include sharp bridge edges, worn frets, over-tightening, or old strings. Make sure your guitar is properly set up and check for sharp spots.

What are some popular brands of guitar string?

D'Addario, NYXL (by D'Addario), Ernie Ball, Elixir, GHS Strings, Stringjoy, Fender

Steel vs nylon strings – which is better?

Neither is “better”; just better for you and your needs as a guitarist. Steel is for acoustic and electric guitars with bright, strong tones; nylon is for classical guitars and gives a soft, mellow sound.

How much are guitar strings?

Most sets cost between $5 and $20, depending on quality, type, and coating.

What are guitar strings made of?

Guitar strings are made from a variety of materials depending on the type of guitar. Electric guitar strings are usually made of steel, nickel, or stainless steel. Acoustic strings are often made from bronze, phosphor bronze, or brass. Classical guitar strings use nylon or a combination of nylon and silver-plated copper. Each material affects the tone, feel, and durability of the strings.

Can you put electric guitar strings on an acoustic?

Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. Electric guitar strings are made for magnetic pickups and won’t sound right on an acoustic. They also have lower tension, which can affect the guitar’s tone and feel. For the best sound and playability, use acoustic strings on acoustic guitars.

Does acoustic string gauge make a difference?

Yes, it makes a major difference. Lighter gauges are easier to play and better for fingerpicking, but they can sound thinner and break more easily. Heavier gauges produce a fuller, louder sound and are better for strumming, but they’re harder on the fingers and may require a stronger setup.

How do I choose electric strings?

Start by considering your playing style and tone preference. If you want a bright tone and long life, stainless steel is great. For a warmer sound, try pure nickel. Light gauges are easier to play and bend, while heavier gauges offer more sustain and volume. Also, match your string type to your guitar’s scale length and setup.

About

About Us

Eddie’s Guitars is a family-owned boutique guitar shop that has been serving musicians since 1971. Located in Historic Maplewood, Missouri, we specialize in high-end guitars, basses, and amplifiers—curating an exceptional selection for serious players and collectors. Unlike big-box stores, we do not carry traditional starter guitars; instead, we focus on premium, handcrafted instruments from top-tier brands.

We operate by appointment only to provide a personalized, no-pressure, private demo experience, ensuring each customer receives dedicated time to explore our inventory without distractions. Our expertise and commitment to customer service have made us a trusted name for musicians worldwide—we ship our guitars across the globe.

Store Information

Address:
7362 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO 63143

Hours:
Monday-Tuesday: 9:30am–6:00pm
Wednesday-Friday: 9:30am–5:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am–1:00pm
Sunday: Closed

Phone: (314) 347-0959
Email: info@eddiesguitars.com

Quality Over Quantity

Some guitar stores only care about moving as many products as they can, and that’s fine for them. At Eddie’s Guitars, however, we firmly believe that instrument quality is paramount to anything else. That is why we have spent over 50 years pursuing the finest instruments and top-quality manufacturers to become an industry leader for high-end guitars and amps.

And not only are we incredibly particular about the brands that we carry, but perhaps most importantly, we diligently research the individual models that we keep in stock. This ensures that each guitar in our inventory meets our high standard for quality and brings something unique to the table — you will not find the variety of guitars and amps we carry in your average music shop.

With new equipment arriving daily, you are certain to find the perfect guitar, bass or amp to fit your style of play. Our meticulous criteria for each instrument that comes through our door also means that your are guaranteed to find only the highest quality of product.

Whether you are a collector looking for something special or you are a guitar enthusiast who knows exactly what you want, our experienced staff are ready to answer any questions and help you find the perfect guitar.

Serving you Since 1971

The history of Eddie’s Guitars dates back to 1971, when shop owner Ed Putney went into business. His passion for music dates back to the 1950s when he began taking classical piano lessons. In the home parlor where he took his lessons, Ed’s passion for guitar was born.

Sitting across from the Steinway Grand Piano where he sat were two Gibson guitars that he lusted to learn how to play. Unfortunately, it was not in the cards for him to learn, as his parents forbid him to play guitar. They were worried he “would turn out like Elvis Presley!”

Throughout being in business in the ’70s and ’80s, Ed realized his passion for guitars could be translated into another area — sales. It was during that time that he committed to selling the best guitars possible and made that the focal point of his business.

In 2000, Eddie’s son Nathan came on board to help curate what Eddie’s Guitars could become. Their vision was to develop and create the business to include nothing but the world’s best guitars, amplifiers and effects pedals. Their decision to handle only the finest quality products lead to include what would become known as boutique manufacturers, small builders that share their affinity for the highest quality. This mantra has created a guitar shop where thousands of incredible voices reside for your choosing.

With half a century’s experience in the music industry, we know what quality instruments are and should be. We implore anybody who shares our passion to visit our showroom and experience what we have to offer: The finest guitars and gear in production.

Meet the Experts at Eddies

The VIP Treatment

We know that finding the perfect guitar is no simple task, and we want you to have one-on-one attention from our experienced staff. Being able to prepare ahead of time by having the desired instruments or equipment ready for you to try creates a much smoother process, and should you find the guitar you thought you wanted doesn’t play as expected, we want to be available to recommend other options.