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 PSL '59 Les Paul Standard Brazilian VOS BOTB Page 47 electric guitar

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The Gibson Custom Shop PSL '59 Les Paul Standard Brazilian VOS is an extraordinary recreation of one of the most revered electric guitars ever produced—meticulously crafted to capture the spirit, tone, and aesthetic of an original 1959 Burst. Featured on Page 47 of the celebrated reference book Beauty of the Burst, this instrument pays homage to the legendary late-’50s Les Pauls that defined generations of music. With historically precise construction, premium tonewoods, and a Vintage Original Spec (VOS) finish, it stands as both a collector-grade piece and a world-class performance instrument.

True to the iconic Les Paul formula, the guitar features a solid, non-weight-relieved body constructed from a single piece of lightweight mahogany, paired with a hand-picked AAA figured maple top. The carved maple cap delivers brilliant articulation and harmonic complexity, while the mahogany back provides warmth, depth, and exceptional sustain. Finished in nitrocellulose lacquer with Gibson’s VOS vintage patina treatment, the instrument exudes the subtle sheen and lightly aged character of a well-preserved original. Cream body binding and meticulously accurate plastics complete the authentic late-’50s presentation.

The neck is carved from solid mahogany and shaped to a comfortable 50s Rounded Medium C profile—substantial yet inviting in hand. It joins the body via a long tenon, hide glue fit, maximizing tonal transfer and sustain in true vintage fashion. The 24.75" scale length pairs with a rare and highly sought-after Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, offering exceptional tonal richness and a smooth, glassy playing surface. With a 12" radius, 22 Historic Medium-Jumbo Jescar FW45100 frets, aged cellulose trapezoid inlays, and tortoiseshell side dots, every detail reflects the look and feel of an original 1959 example. A nylon nut, cut to a 1.687" width, further enhances tuning stability and authentic tonal response.

Hardware appointments are equally faithful to period specifications. The guitar features a ’59 Historic ABR-1 bridge without retention wire and a lightweight aluminum stop bar tailpiece, contributing to its lively resonance and dynamic sensitivity. Kluson single-line, single-ring tuning machines provide classic aesthetics and dependable performance. True Historic top hat gold knobs, an amber Catalin switch tip, cream mounting rings, and aluminum strap buttons round out the era-correct hardware package with exceptional attention to detail.

At the heart of its legendary tone are a pair of Custombucker Alnico 3 unpotted humbuckers. Designed to replicate the airy, articulate character of original PAF pickups, these unpotted pickups deliver remarkable clarity, harmonic bloom, and dynamic responsiveness. The neck pickup produces warm, vocal-like sustain, while the bridge pickup offers crisp attack and authoritative midrange bite. Wired with CTS 500K audio taper potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors, the electronics provide smooth, musical control across both volume and tone circuits. A 3-way Switchcraft selector and Switchcraft 1/4" output jack ensure reliable, professional-grade performance. Strung with .010–.046 gauge strings, the instrument arrives ready for expressive bends, articulate rhythm work, and soaring lead lines.

Housed in a brown/pink Lifton reissue 5-latch case and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, this PSL ’59 Les Paul Standard Brazilian VOS represents the pinnacle of Gibson Custom Shop craftsmanship. Combining historically accurate construction, premium materials, and the prestige of its association with Beauty of the Burst, it is a remarkable tribute to the golden era of the Les Paul—built to inspire players and captivate collectors alike.

Other specifications include:

Body Shape: Les Paul
Top: Hand Picked Top Top, Figured Maple LP AAA
Back: 1-Piece Lightweight Mahogany
Binding: Cream, body
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)
Weight Relief: None
Profile: 50s Rounded Medium C
Scale Length: 628.65 mm / 24.75 in
Side Dots: Tortoiseshell
Fingerboard Material: Brazilian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 304.8 mm / 12 in
Neck Material: Solid Mahogany
Fret Count: 22
Frets: Historic Medium-Jumbo JESCAR FW45100
Nut Material: Nylon
Nut Width: 42.85 mm / 1.687 in
Inlays: Aged Cellulose Trapezoid
Joint: Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Bridge: '59 ABR-1 Historic, No retention wire
Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Tuning Machines: Kluson Single Line, Single Ring
Control Knobs: Top Hat Gold True Historic
Switch Tip: Amber Catalin
Strap Buttons: Aluminum
Mounting Rings: Cream True Historic
Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switchcraft
Output Jack: Switchcraft 1/4"
Strings Gauge: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case: Brown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch
Accessories: Certificate of Authenticity
LPR59PSL23137B
8 lbs 4 oz
#96433

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

Manufacturer: Gibson
Actual Weight: 8.4
Series: Custom Shop
Body Style: Les Paul
Model: '59 Les Paul Standard
Condition: Brand New

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New 1 in stock

SKU: 96433

Weight: 8 lbs 4 oz

Gibson Custom Shop PSL '59 Les Paul Standard Brazilian VOS BOTB Page 47 8.4 #96433

$12,199.00

Condition:: New
UPC:: 711106234311

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Current Stock: 1

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Description

Other specifications include:

Body Shape: Les Paul
Top: Hand Picked Top Top, Figured Maple LP AAA
Back: 1-Piece Lightweight Mahogany
Binding: Cream, body
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)
Weight Relief: None
Profile: 50s Rounded Medium C
Scale Length: 628.65 mm / 24.75 in
Side Dots: Tortoiseshell
Fingerboard Material: Brazilian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 304.8 mm / 12 in
Neck Material: Solid Mahogany
Fret Count: 22
Frets: Historic Medium-Jumbo JESCAR FW45100
Nut Material: Nylon
Nut Width: 42.85 mm / 1.687 in
Inlays: Aged Cellulose Trapezoid
Joint: Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Bridge: '59 ABR-1 Historic, No retention wire
Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Tuning Machines: Kluson Single Line, Single Ring
Control Knobs: Top Hat Gold True Historic
Switch Tip: Amber Catalin
Strap Buttons: Aluminum
Mounting Rings: Cream True Historic
Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switchcraft
Output Jack: Switchcraft 1/4"
Strings Gauge: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case: Brown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch
Accessories: Certificate of Authenticity
LPR59PSL23137B
8 lbs 4 oz
#96433