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.

2021 – Santa Cruz D Prewar Custom – Adirondack Spruce & Cuban Mahogany Acoustic Guitar

All photos are of the actual product. Learn More

Description
Media Gallery
Downloads

The 2021 Santa Cruz D Prewar Custom – Adirondack Spruce & Cuban Mahogany is a reverent yet inspired reimagining of the golden-era dreadnought, built with the kind of soul, craft, and tonal nuance that only Santa Cruz Guitar Company can deliver. It’s a love letter to the most iconic flat-tops of the 1930s, infused with modern precision and vintage authenticity. And behind it all stands Richard Hoover, a luthier whose name is synonymous with integrity, tone, and the pursuit of perfection.

For decades, Hoover has quietly—but powerfully—shaped the direction of the boutique acoustic guitar world. As the founder of Santa Cruz Guitar Company, he pioneered the small-shop ethos of the 1970s, long before it was fashionable. His focus on responsible sourcing, tonal voicing, and hide glue construction helped usher in an era where guitars could be as expressive as the artists who played them. This D Prewar Custom embodies his legacy—a work of art born from tradition, vision, and an unwavering devotion to tone.

At its heart is a master-grade Adirondack spruce top, offering that unmistakable blend of high headroom, snap, and harmonic bloom. It’s a soundboard that begs to be driven hard but responds with grace to even the softest touch. The back and sides are Cuban mahogany, a rare and historic tonewood that recalls the rich, dry warmth of early dreadnoughts, with added clarity and definition. Together, they create a voice that’s wide open, woody, and full of air—capable of both powerful rhythm and articulate lead work.

Inside, the top is braced with Advanced X Adirondack spruce bracing, meticulously voiced by hand and secured with hot hide glue—a traditional adhesive revered for its superior resonance and ability to bring wood to life. The result is a guitar that feels effortlessly alive, its every note carrying vintage DNA and modern responsiveness in equal measure.

Visually, the guitar is both refined and striking. The violin purfling top border and violin purfle combo rosette are subtle nods to classical craftsmanship, lending the guitar a bespoke elegance that stands apart from standard herringbone fare. The ivoroid body, fingerboard, and headstock bindings add a touch of vintage warmth, set against the rich depth of a fully buffed finish and tinted top that feels authentically aged. The zipper backstrip completes the vintage motif with just the right touch of ornamentation.

The Honduran mahogany neck is carved to a classic V shape with a volute, offering exceptional comfort and vintage flair, topped with an ebony headstock veneer and adorned with a Mother of Pearl SCGC logo inlay. The solid square peghead, fitted with nickel Waverly tuners, holds tuning with old-world class. The 2mm MOP dot inlays on the fingerboard are understated and elegant—classic without being flashy.

Players will appreciate the slightly shorter-than-standard 25.375" scale length, offering a slinkier feel and enhanced warmth, while the 1 11/16" nut width and 2 3/16" bridge spacing strike a perfect balance for flatpickers and fingerstylists alike. The tortoise pickguard is the final visual touch, anchoring the guitar's aesthetic in prewar tradition.

Weighing in at just the right heft and housed in a hard case, the 2021 Santa Cruz D Prewar Custom is more than a nod to the past—it’s a fully realized modern classic. It speaks to those who know tone, who revere craftsmanship, and who understand that the best guitars don’t just sound great—they feel like old friends the moment you strum the first chord.

This is Richard Hoover’s vision come to life: a dreadnought that honors the legends but is built for the player who demands excellence in every detail.

Other specification include:

Adirondack Spruce Top
Cuban Mahogany Back & Sides
Advanced X Adirondack Spruce Braces
Hot Hide Glue Construction
Ivoroid Body, Fingerboard & Headstock Bindings
Violin Purfling Top Border
Violin Purfle Combo Rosette
Back Stripe Zipper
V Shaped Neck with Volute
Ebony Headstock Veneer
2mm MOP Fingerboard Dot Inlays
MOP SCGC Headstock Logo Inlay
Peghead Solid Square
Overlay Material Ebony
Fully Buffed Body & Headstock Finish
Tinted Top
Matte Neck Finish
Tortoise Pickguard
Nickel Waverly Tuning Machines
Hard Case
25.375" Scale Length
1 11/16" Nut Width
2 3/16" Bridge Spacing
7637

For more information about the Santa Cruz D Prewar, please contact us.

Manufacturer: Santa Cruz
Body Style: Dreadnought
Actual Weight: 4.4
Condition: Excellent
Model: D Prewar
Year: 2021

Product Images

Product Videos

Play

Unveiling Mastery: Santa Cruz Vault Series OM Style 45 Demo – Renaissance Cedar & The Tree Mahogany

Play

Behind the Scenes at the Bourgeois Guitars Factory with Master Luthier Dana Bourgeois

Downloads

New

SKU: 7637 CONSIGNMENT

Weight: 4 lbs 4 oz

2021 - Santa Cruz D Prewar Custom - Adirondack Spruce & Cuban Mahogany

$7,650.00

Condition:: New
UPC:: n/a

Quantity:

Current Stock:

Adding to cart… The item has been added

Free Shipping inside lower 48 states

48 Hour Return Policy

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

Description

This is Richard Hoover’s vision come to life: a dreadnought that honors the legends but is built for the player who demands excellence in every detail.

Other specification include: