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.

Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Mahogany Moderne Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural electric guitar

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The Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Mahogany Moderne Reissue VOS Antique Natural is one of the most intriguing and historically significant designs ever to emerge from Gibson’s late-1950s vision of the future. A faithful recreation of the elusive Moderne prototype, this Custom Shop reissue captures the radical asymmetry and bold styling that made the original a legend among collectors. Finished in Antique Natural with a Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina) treatment, it delivers the look and feel of a carefully preserved 1957 original—subtly aged, resonant, and authentically broken-in.

Crafted entirely from mahogany, the Moderne’s solidbody construction produces a warm, focused voice with strong midrange character and impressive sustain. The lightweight mahogany body enhances resonance while maintaining excellent balance despite the model’s dramatically offset silhouette. The nitrocellulose VOS finish not only allows the wood to breathe and age gracefully, but also lends the instrument a soft sheen and vintage-correct texture that feels immediately comfortable in hand.

The mahogany neck features a glued-in, set-neck joint with traditional hide glue fit for maximum tonal transfer and historical accuracy. Carved to a substantial 50s Vintage profile, it provides the full, rounded feel that players associate with golden-era Gibson craftsmanship. The 24.75" scale length ensures familiar Gibson tension and response, while the nylon nut—cut to a 1.69" width—contributes to smooth tuning stability and authentic tonal character. An authentic 50s no-tube truss rod anchors the neck’s construction, reinforcing the meticulous period-correct approach.

The one-piece Indian rosewood fingerboard offers a rich, smooth playing surface, adorned with classic cellulose dot inlays for understated vintage style. With a 12" (304.8mm) radius and 22 reissue frets, the neck provides effortless playability, ideal for expressive bends and articulate chord voicings. Every detail, from the True Historic black truss rod cover to the raised nickel/plastic Gibson headstock logo, reflects careful adherence to late-’50s specifications. The distinctive Moderne “Gumby” style headstock—complete with four string guides—cements the guitar’s futuristic 1957 aesthetic.

Tonally, this reissue is powered by a pair of Custombucker humbuckers loaded with aged Alnico III magnets and left unpotted for maximum harmonic complexity and dynamic sensitivity. The neck and bridge pickups deliver warm lows, vocal mids, and shimmering highs, responding organically to pick attack and volume adjustments. Controls include two volume knobs and a master tone, wired with 500k CTS vintage taper potentiometers and a period-correct “phone book” capacitor for smooth, usable tonal roll-off. A Switchcraft 3-way toggle selector and 1/4" gold output jack ensure dependable performance, while True Historic appointments—such as the amber switch tip and black switch washer—complete the authentic electronics package.

Hardware appointments balance vintage accuracy with visual elegance. A Historic Reissue ABR-1 no-wire bridge and lightweight aluminum stop bar tailpiece maximize sustain and resonance. Kluson Single Ring reissue tuning machines, plated in Gold VOS, provide reliable tuning stability while complementing the gold VOS pickup covers and hardware finish. True Historic bleach white Top Hat knobs with dial pointers sit atop black control covers, while a 4-ply white pickguard and black mounting rings create striking contrast against the Antique Natural mahogany body. Burnished brass strap buttons add a subtle custom touch.

Strung with .010–.046 gauge strings for balanced feel and articulation, the 1957 Mahogany Moderne Reissue is both a collector’s centerpiece and a serious performance instrument. It ships in a Lifton Historic Reissue brown hardshell case with pink interior, underscoring its premium Custom Shop pedigree.

Bold, rare, and unapologetically forward-thinking, the Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Mahogany Moderne Reissue VOS in Antique Natural stands as a testament to Gibson’s most adventurous era—an icon reborn with uncompromising craftsmanship and unmistakable vintage soul.

Other features include:

Body Finish Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Moderne
Body Styles Moderne
Fingerboard Material One-Piece Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Reissue
Inlays Cellulose Dot
Joint Glued In, Set Neck; Hide Glue Fit
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.85mm / 1.69in
Profile 50s Vintage
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Bridge Pickup Custombucker, Aged Alnico 3, Unpotted
Controls 2 Volume, 1 Tone; 500k CTS Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Phone Book Capacitor
Neck Pickup Custombucker, Aged Alnico 3, Unpotted
Output Jack 1/4" Switchcraft, Gold
Pickup Selector Switchcraft 3-way Toggle
Bridge Historic Reissue ABR-1 No-Wire
Control Covers Black
Control Knobs True Historic Bleach White Top Hat with Dial Pointer
Finish Gold VOS
Mounting Rings Black
Pickguard 4-ply White
Pickup Covers Gold VOS
Strap Buttons 2 - Burnished Brass
Switch Tip True Historic Amber
Switchwasher True Historic, Black
Tailpiece Aluminum Stop Bar
Truss Rod Authentic 50s No-Tube
Truss Rod Cover True Historic, Black
Tuner Plating Gold VOS
Tuning Machines Kluson Single Ring Reissue
Case Lifton Historic Reissue Brown Hardshell with Pink Interior
Headstock Moderne Gumby Style with Four String Guides
Headstock Inlay Raised Nickel/Plastic Gibson Logo
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
57MMANVOGH1
6 lbs 12 oz
#751883

For more information on this Gibson Custom Shop Instrument, please contact us.

Manufacturer: Gibson
Series: Custom Shop
Body Style: Moderne
Actual Weight: 6.12
Condition: Brand New
Model: 1957 Mahogany Moderne Reissue
Color: Antique Natural

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New 1 in stock

SKU: 751883

Weight: 6 lbs 12 oz

Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Mahogany Moderne Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural 7.12 #751883

$5,499.00

Condition:: New
UPC:: 711106178691

Quantity:

Current Stock: 1

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You can demo any guitar by making an appointment with our team. Just reach out to us through a message, email, or chat!

Description

Other features include:

Body Finish Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Moderne
Body Styles Moderne
Fingerboard Material One-Piece Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Reissue
Inlays Cellulose Dot
Joint Glued In, Set Neck; Hide Glue Fit
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.85mm / 1.69in
Profile 50s Vintage
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Bridge Pickup Custombucker, Aged Alnico 3, Unpotted
Controls 2 Volume, 1 Tone; 500k CTS Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Phone Book Capacitor
Neck Pickup Custombucker, Aged Alnico 3, Unpotted
Output Jack 1/4" Switchcraft, Gold
Pickup Selector Switchcraft 3-way Toggle
Bridge Historic Reissue ABR-1 No-Wire
Control Covers Black
Control Knobs True Historic Bleach White Top Hat with Dial Pointer
Finish Gold VOS
Mounting Rings Black
Pickguard 4-ply White
Pickup Covers Gold VOS
Strap Buttons 2 - Burnished Brass
Switch Tip True Historic Amber
Switchwasher True Historic, Black
Tailpiece Aluminum Stop Bar
Truss Rod Authentic 50s No-Tube
Truss Rod Cover True Historic, Black
Tuner Plating Gold VOS
Tuning Machines Kluson Single Ring Reissue
Case Lifton Historic Reissue Brown Hardshell with Pink Interior
Headstock Moderne Gumby Style with Four String Guides
Headstock Inlay Raised Nickel/Plastic Gibson Logo
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
57MMANVOGH1
6 lbs 12 oz
#751883

For more information on this Gibson Custom Shop Instrument, please contact us.

Manufacturer: Gibson
Series: Custom Shop
Body Style: Moderne
Actual Weight: 6.12
Condition: Brand New
Model: 1957 Mahogany Moderne Reissue
Color: Antique Natural