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 Les Paul Custom Figured Charcoal Widow 9.12 #CS600480

The Gibson Custom Shop PSL Les Paul Custom is a commanding blend of traditional Les Paul Custom elegance and modern Custom Shop refinement. Crafted by Gibson, this single cut masterpiece pairs striking visual depth with authoritative tone, delivering a high-performance instrument built for discerning players and collectors alike.

Constructed in the iconic Les Paul body shape, this model features a 1-piece mahogany back topped with a 2-piece hand-picked AAA maple cap, offering the classic tonal balance of warmth, sustain, and articulate snap. The mahogany provides thick midrange character and resonance, while the carved maple top enhances clarity and definition. Designed with 9-hole weight relief, the guitar retains its legendary sustain while improving comfort for extended playing sessions. A rich Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish highlights the dramatic figured Charcoal Widow top, while elegant multi-ply binding frames the body with unmistakable Les Paul Custom sophistication.

The solid mahogany neck is carved to a comfortable Modern Medium C profile (0.82"–0.965"), offering a fast yet substantial feel suited for both fluid lead work and powerful rhythm playing. The neck is joined to the body using a long tenon joint, maximizing sustain and tonal transfer. With a traditional 24.75-inch (628.65mm) scale length, the instrument delivers the familiar Les Paul warmth and slinky string tension players expect. The sleek ebony fingerboard, shaped to a 12-inch radius, is fitted with 22 medium-jumbo frets for smooth bending and articulate response. Elegant mother-of-pearl block inlays add classic Custom styling, while a Corian nut (1.69"/42.85mm) ensures precise string spacing and stability.

The Charcoal Widow’s voice is driven by a versatile pairing of 490R (neck) and 490T (bridge) humbuckers. The 490R delivers warm, rounded tones with excellent clarity for clean passages and singing leads, while the 490T provides focused mids, crisp highs, and the punch needed for driven rock tones. The electronics are anchored by 2 CTS 500K volume pots and 2 CTS 500K tone pots, all part of a hand-wired harness with a Switchcraft 3-way toggle selector and 1/4" output jack, ensuring reliable performance and smooth tonal control.

Gold hardware appointments elevate the instrument’s striking aesthetic. A Tune-O-Matic bridge paired with a stop bar tailpiece provides precise intonation and solid sustain. Grover Kidney tuning machines with gold plating offer dependable tuning stability, complemented by gold-plated pickup covers, brass strap buttons, and black mounting rings. Additional details such as the black multi-ply pickguard, black speed knobs, cream switch tip with black washer, and a 2-ply engraved Les Paul Custom truss rod cover complete the upscale presentation.

Housed in a Custom Shop hardshell case and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity booklet, the Gibson Custom Shop PSL Les Paul Custom Figured Charcoal Widow stands as a refined evolution of a legendary platform—combining premium tonewoods, meticulous craftsmanship, and bold visual character in a guitar built to inspire on any stage.

Description

Other specifications include:

Back 1-Piece Mahogany
Binding Multi-ply
Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape Les Paul
Body Styles Les Paul,Single Cut
Top 2-Piece Hand Picked AAA Maple
Weight Relief 9-Hole
End Of Board Width 56.89mm / 2.24in
Fingerboard Material Ebony
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Medium-Jumbo
Inlays Mother of Pearl Block
Joint Long Tenon
Neck Material Solid Mahogany
Nut Material Corian
Nut Width 42.85mm / 1.69in
Profile Modern Medium C (0.82" / 0.965")
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Bridge Pickup 490T
Controls 2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 2 500K CTS Tone Pots, Hand-Wired Harness, Switchcraft Toggle Switch
Neck Pickup 490R
Output Jack 1/4"
Pickup Selector 3-Way Toggle
Bridge Tune-O-Matic
Finish Gold
Mounting Rings Black
Pickguard Black Multi-Ply
Pickup Covers Gold-Plated
Strap Buttons Brass
Switch Tip Cream
Switchwasher Black
Tailpiece Stop Bar
Truss Rod Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover 2-Ply, Engraved Les Paul Custom
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Grover Kidney
Bridge Tune-O-Matic
Control Knobs Black Speed Knobs
Accessories Certificate of Authenticity Booklet
Case Custom Shop Hardshell
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
LPCPSL000000809
9 lbs 12 oz
CS600480

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

Manufacturer: Gibson
Actual Weight: 9.12
Series: Custom Shop
Color: Charcoal Widow
Body Style: Les Paul
Model: Les Paul Custom Figured Charcoal Widow
Condition: Brand New

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Gibson Custom Shop PSL Les Paul Custom Figured Charcoal Widow 9.14 #CS600481

Here to Make Your Experience Great!

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