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.

Return Policy

Returns

48-Hour Approval Period

Most stringed instruments qualify for a 48-hour approval period starting from the time you receive your shipment. This allows you to try the instrument at home and ensure it’s the right fit for you.
Exclusions: In store purchases, Used, Demo, Sale, and Clearance items are not eligible for the 48-hour return policy.

Returns & Restocking Fees

All returns require a Return Authorization (RA) number before shipping. Unauthorized returns will be refused.
Restocking Fees:
- Payments via PayPal, credit cards, or Affirm: 10% restocking fee to cover transaction costs.
- Payments via check, bank wire, or money order: 5% restocking fee.
Refunds may take between 5-7 business days to process.
Customers are responsible for all shipping charges on returns, including the return shipment to us.
Items must be shipped back using the original packing materials, shipping service, and insurance to ensure safe delivery.

Exchanges

During the 48-hour approval period, items can be exchanged for another item of equal or greater value.
Exchange items are not eligible for discounts, and customers will be responsible for all shipping charges.

Reverb Store Purchases

Items purchased through our Reverb store are eligible for exchange only (of equal or greater value).

We’re here to help if you have questions! Please contact us to obtain your RA number or for assistance with your return.

Non-Returnable Items

The following items are not eligible for refunds or returns:

In store purchases
Amplifiers
Accessories
Effects pedals
Sale items
Used items
Demo items
Clearance items

Please carefully consider your purchase before completing the transaction. If you have questions about any product, feel free to contact us for assistance.

Financing and Returns

Reverb Purchases: Purchases made through Reverb.com are subject to their own return criteria. For questions about Reverb returns, please contact us directly for guidance.
Synchrony Bank Purchases: All purchases made using Synchrony Bank qualify for a 5-day return period. Returns will incur a 10% restocking fee, and all shipping fees are the responsibility of the customer.
Affirm Financing Purchases: All purchases made using Affirm qualify for a 48-Hour return period. Returns will incur a 10% restocking fee, and all shipping fees are the responsibility of the customer.

If you have any questions about our return policies, feel free to reach out for assistance.

Affirm Returns for Discounted Items

While we advertise 0% interest financing with Affirm, please note that this offer does not apply to discounted, sale, used, or demo items. Affirm will not allow us to modify the terms for these items, and we are unable to honor 0% financing on discounted or sale items.
If you were planning to use Affirm for a discounted item, please contact the shop directly, and we’ll be happy to discuss alternative payment options with you. We apologize for any confusion this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

Payments

Payment Methods

We accept a variety of payment methods, including all major credit cards*, PayPal, Affirm, bank wire transfers, money orders, cashier’s checks, and personal checks.

Important Note: Payments made by check or money order may require up to 10 business days to clear our bank, which may delay the shipment of your order. For questions regarding payment processing, please contact us directly.

Sales Tax:

Sales within Missouri and Illinois are subject to applicable sales tax.
Purchases shipped outside of Missouri and Illinois will not incur sales tax.

*Please Note: American Express and Discover cards may not be accepted for all transactions due to processing fees. For clarification, please consult a sales representative.

Layaway Program

Eddie’s Guitars offers a 30-day layaway program on new, full-price items only with a 50% non-refundable deposit.

Shipping

Shipping Policy

Same-Day Shipping: Orders placed before 2:30 PM Central Standard Time will ship the same business day.
Free Domestic Ground Shipping: Available for orders shipping to the lower 48 states.
Standard Shipping: All orders are shipped via UPS Ground with full insurance and require a signature upon delivery. If you prefer a different shipping method, please contact us to explore options.

Sales Tax:

Shipments within Missouri and Illinois are subject to local sales tax.
Shipments outside of these states are tax-free. However, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with your local tax laws and regulations.

For expedited shipping or alternative carriers, please contact us, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

International Shipping

We use UPS International for all shipments outside of the North American Continent. If you prefer a different carrier, let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate you. For quotes and questions regarding this process, please contact us.

Exclusions

Some manufacturers do not allow their products to be shipped for free or outside the United States. Amplifiers weighing over 50 pounds may incur additional shipping charges. Some guitars may be made of CITES wood not allowed to be exported from the United States.

Damaged Items

In the rare event that your item arrives damaged, please follow these steps to ensure a smooth resolution:

Do Not Refuse the Package: Accept the delivery, even if the item appears damaged.
Contact Us Immediately: Notify us right away about the damage. Rest assured, you are not responsible for any damage during shipping.
Keep All Packaging Materials: Do not remove the shipping labels, and retain the box and all packing materials. These are required for insurance claims.

All shipments are fully insured and require a signature upon delivery. We will work quickly to resolve the issue and ensure your satisfaction.