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.

Frequently Asked Questions

I heard that Eddie's Guitars goes by appointment, can you clarify what that means?

The short answer to that question is, yes — Eddie’s Guitars does operate largely on an appointment basis. This is not because we wish to exclude anybody from our store. We have a very small, but extremely knowledgeable staff and the physical size of Eddie’s Guitars simply cannot accommodate displaying our full inventory that you can find on our website. An appointment will ensure that the product you wish to see is available for sale and on-site in our showroom for you to try. We cannot ensure that the product you wish to see will be on-site without an appointment.

We understand that some people simply wish to browse our showroom or may want to walk-in for accessories. We would like to extend an invite to say that you are always welcome to do so during our posted business hours. We encourage everybody to stop in, meet our staff and see what we are about.

How do I make an appointment and how far in advance do I need to make one?

With our warehouse being logistically near our store’s location, we can have guitars moved for you to demo usually within an hour’s notice – but we do encourage that you reach out 24 hours in advance. We encourage you to bring in any of your own equipment if you feel it will aid you in the process. We understand that each individual has very personalized and specific needs and we have people in house that understand that and are here to help.

Emailing our staff about your future appointment and letting them know what you are interested in and what you wish for your future purchase to do will greatly benefit you. The more information they have of your wants, the better they will be able to assist you. Even something as simple as, “I like this artist’s sound, how can I achieve that?” can go a long way.

Making an appointment also guarantees you time with one of our experts in house. We have access to an amazing array of equipment and feel very confident that with their assistance, any and all sonic needs can be met within our store.

All of our instruments, whether in-house or in storage are kept in a humidity controlled environment.

For acoustic guitars, contact Matthew Chulka : donny@eddiesguitars.com
For all things relating to electric guitars, contact Granville Helm : granville@eddiesguitars.com
For general inquiries regarding our shop, contact : sales@eddiesguitars.com

Email communication is ideal, but you can also call us at (314) 310-0493 during business hours or leave a voice-mail after hours.

Do you display ANY of the guitars that I see on your site?

Of course! We keep a little something from each of our brands on display. But for example; we sometimes have upwards of 100 Paul Reed Smith guitars in stock and it would be impossible to have them all out on display. If you are coming in with the intention of seeing a specific guitar, give us a call before hand so we can make sure it’s here for you.

Is the instrument that I see on your site the one I am actually getting?

Yes, that is the product that you are actually receiving. We understand that there are many visual factors that may play a role in your purchase decision so we always photograph the actual guitar you are buying.

How does mail-ordering a guitar work with Eddie’s?

We ship high-end guitars, amps and pedals all over the world, every single day so you can rest assured that your purchase is facilitated by somebody with a tremendous amount of experience. Collectively, there is over 100 years experience between our staff members. Our small staff is extremely hands on throughout the entire ordering process. The same person that answers your questions over the phone and takes your order is typically the same person that will be inspecting your instrument prior to shipping. Our salesmen are not on a commission basis, the goal is not simply to sell you something, but to sell you something that meets your needs.

Why are the relic guitars more expensive than standard guitars?

Relic guitars are typically more expensive than normal guitars due to several factors:

Labor-Intensive Process: Creating a relic guitar involves a detailed and labor-intensive process where skilled luthiers artificially age the instrument. This includes adding wear and tear to the finish, hardware, and even the neck and fretboard to mimic the look and feel of a vintage guitar. This meticulous process requires a high level of craftsmanship and significantly adds to the production time and cost.
Expert Craftsmanship: The aging process on relic guitars is performed by experienced craftsmen who are adept at replicating the natural wear that occurs over decades of use. This expertise commands a premium price as it ensures the guitar looks authentic and feels broken in, which many players find desirable.
High-Quality Materials: Relic guitars often use high-quality materials to match the specifications of vintage instruments. This includes premium woods, hardware, and pickups, which can be more expensive than those used in standard production models.
Unique Character: Each relic guitar is unique due to the individual aging process. This uniqueness adds to its appeal and value, as no two relic guitars will have the exact same wear patterns and aesthetic details.
Vintage Appeal: Many guitarists prefer the look, feel, and vibe of a vintage guitar but can’t afford or find an actual vintage instrument. Relic guitars offer a way to experience this vintage charm without the prohibitive cost and rarity associated with true vintage models.
Brand and Model Premiums: Guitars from renowned brands that offer relic finishes often carry a premium due to the brand’s reputation for quality and the specific model’s historical significance.

Overall, the combination of the intricate aging process, expert craftsmanship, use of high-quality materials, unique character, and the vintage appeal contributes to the higher cost of relic guitars compared to their non-relic counterparts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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