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.

Santa Cruz OM Custom – Bearclaw Swiss Moon Spruce & African Blackwood Acoustic Guitar

All photos are of the actual product. Learn More

Description
Media Gallery
Downloads

The Santa Cruz OM Custom featuring Bearclaw Swiss Moon Spruce and African Blackwood is an exceptional example of how tradition, innovation, and craftsmanship can converge in the hands of a visionary builder. Richard Hoover, the founder of Santa Cruz Guitar Company, has spent decades shaping the boutique acoustic guitar world with his uncompromising standards and artistic approach to lutherie. His influence stretches far beyond the instruments themselves. Through collaboration, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of tonal perfection, Hoover has helped establish the custom acoustic guitar as an art form in its own right. Each Santa Cruz guitar is built not only to perform but to inspire a lifetime of musical expression.

At the heart of this OM Custom lies a Bearclaw Swiss Moon Spruce top, known for its elegant grain pattern and rare tonal purity. Harvested during winter phases of the moon to enhance its natural resonance, this topwood is remarkably responsive, with exceptional clarity and dynamic range. Paired with African Blackwood back and sides, the result is a tonal powerhouse. African Blackwood is one of the densest and most harmonically rich tonewoods available, often likened to a cross between Brazilian Rosewood and ebony. It offers deep, powerful lows, bell-like highs, and a unique overtone complexity that makes every note shimmer with definition.

Supporting the top is a carefully voiced scalloped Adirondack Spruce bracing system, assembled using hot hide glue to maximize energy transfer and tonal richness. The OM body, with its balanced proportions and refined curves, makes this guitar equally at home in the hands of fingerstylists and flatpickers. The 25.375" scale length, 1 3/4" nut width, and 2 3/16" bridge spacing strike a perfect balance between comfort and precision, while the Standard V neck profile delivers a secure yet fluid playing feel.

Aesthetically, this guitar is a visual tour de force. The top is finished in a fully buffed sunburst that showcases the bearclaw figuring with elegance. Rich backlit tortoise appointments frame every detail, from the body, fingerboard, and peghead binding to the heelcap, tail wedge, and even the headstock overlay and backstrip. The slotted headstock features a refined ivoroid script inlay, while the ebony fingerboard is adorned with 42 style snowflake inlays and bordered with a cowboy rope purfling that continues around the top and fingerboard extension. The rosette matches with a beautifully detailed cowboy rope design, bringing together a look that is both intricate and refined.

Gold Waverly slot head tuning machines complete the headstock with elegance and smooth functionality. A tortoise pickguard adds a classic touch to the body, and the matte neck finish ensures smooth, fatigue-free playability. Weighing in at 4 pounds 8 ounces and housed in an Ameritage hard case, this OM Custom is built to perform for a lifetime while standing as a work of art in its own right.

The Santa Cruz OM Custom is not just an acoustic guitar—it is a celebration of tonewood, craftsmanship, and the legacy of Richard Hoover's lifelong pursuit of acoustic excellence. It represents the rare intersection of tonal beauty, visual sophistication, and sonic versatility.

Other specifications of the OM Custom include: