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 Made 2 Measure Murphy Lab 1959 Les Paul Standard Electric guitar in Kentucky Bourbon Fade

2021 - Gibson Custom Shop Made 2 Measure Murphy Lab '59 Les Paul Standard Murphy Painted Ultra Heavy Aged Kentucky Bourbon Fade

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The Gibson Custom Shop Made 2 Measure Murphy Lab ’59 Les Paul Standard, finished in the Murphy Painted Ultra Heavy Aged Kentucky Bourbon Fade, is a stunning example of vintage-inspired craftsmanship, tone, and artistry. This guitar is one of the rare instruments personally painted by Tom Murphy, whose legendary finishing skills helped define the Murphy Lab aesthetic; he is no longer painting Gibson instruments, making this guitar especially significant and collectible. The Kentucky Bourbon Fade captures the warm, amber-to-deep-honey gradient of a classic Burst, beautifully enhanced by the Ultra Heavy Aged treatment, which simulates decades of natural wear, checking, and patina from genuine stage use.

Built to the exacting specifications of a 1959 Les Paul, the body features lightweight solid mahogany with a handpicked two-piece figured maple top, carefully joined using hide-glue fit construction to maximize resonance and sustain. The nitrocellulose lacquer finish not only highlights the exquisite flame of the maple top but also provides the historically accurate thin lacquer feel that contributes to the guitar’s organic tone. The Ultra Heavy Aged process imbues the guitar with realistic wear patterns, including lacquer checking, edge wear, and subtle surface patina, giving it the character of a true vintage instrument.

The neck is crafted from solid mahogany with a long neck tenon for exceptional stability and sustain. Its Carmelita Fine Carve profile—specified “Do Not Roll”—offers a perfectly shaped neck with a precise feel at .874" at the 1st fret and .985" at the 2nd fret, preserving the sharp, vintage-style edges favored by collectors and players alike. The solid rosewood fingerboard, also hide-glue fitted, complements the neck, providing a responsive, smooth playing surface. Coupled with the classic 24.75" (62.865 cm) scale length, it delivers the warm, expressive tone that defines a great Les Paul.

Tonally, this Made 2 Measure ’59 Les Paul is equipped with unpotted Custombucker pickups in both the neck and bridge positions. These pickups faithfully reproduce the open, harmonically rich, and dynamic characteristics of late-’50s PAF humbuckers, offering everything from creamy cleans to aggressive overdrive. The electronics are fully period-accurate, featuring two 500K CTS volume pots, two 500K CTS tone pots, a hand-wired harness with Bumblebee capacitors, and a Switchcraft toggle switch, ensuring authentic vintage tone and reliable functionality.

The hardware remains true to the era with a nickel-finished ABR-1 bridge and a lightweight aluminum tailpiece, both contributing to resonance and sustain. The guitar comes strung with Gibson’s standard .010–.046 gauge strings for immediate playability.

Housed in a Brown/Pink Reissue case modeled after original Lifton-style cases, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, this Murphy Lab ’59 Les Paul Standard combines impeccable construction, historic attention to detail, and the artistry of one of Gibson’s most revered finishers. The Kentucky Bourbon Fade, Ultra Heavy Aged finish, and status as one of the last Tom Murphy-painted instruments make this guitar a truly collectible and heirloom-quality Les Paul, ready to inspire players and collectors alike.

Other specifications include:

Neck Material Solid Mahogany, Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Neck Profile Carmelita Fine Carve-Do Not Roll (.874" @ 1st Fret / .985" @ 12th Fret)
Fingerboard Solid Rosewood, Hide Glue Fit
Scale Length 24.75”, 62.865cm
Body Material Lightweight Solid Mahogany Body, Handpicked 2 Piece Figured Maple Top, Hide Glue Fit
Finish Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Hardware Finish Nickel
Bridge ABR-1Tailpiece Lightweight Aluminum
Neck pickup Custombucker Unpotted
Bridge pickup Custombucker Unpotted
Controls 2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 2 500K CTS Tone Pots, Hand-Wired Harness with Bumblebee Capacitors, Switchcraft Toggle Switch
Strings .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case Brown/Pink Reissue
Accessories Certificate of Authenticity
LPR59M2M16121
8 lbs 11 oz
#911179

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

Manufacturer: Gibson
Actual Weight: 8.11
Series: Custom Shop Murphy Lab, Vintage Reissue, Made 2 Measure
Body Style: Les Paul
Color: Kentucky Bourbon Fade
Model: Les Paul Standard
Condition: Brand New

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SKU: 911179A

Weight: 8 lbs 11 oz

2021 - Gibson Custom Shop Made 2 Measure Murphy Lab '59 Les Paul Standard Murphy Painted Ultra Heavy Aged Kentucky Bourbon Fade

$14,699.00

$10,289.00

Condition:: New
UPC:: 711106054384

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Description

Other specifications include:

Neck Material Solid Mahogany, Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Neck Profile Carmelita Fine Carve-Do Not Roll (.874" @ 1st Fret / .985" @ 12th Fret)
Fingerboard Solid Rosewood, Hide Glue Fit
Scale Length 24.75”, 62.865cm
Body Material Lightweight Solid Mahogany Body, Handpicked 2 Piece Figured Maple Top, Hide Glue Fit
Finish Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Hardware Finish Nickel
Bridge ABR-1Tailpiece Lightweight Aluminum
Neck pickup Custombucker Unpotted
Bridge pickup Custombucker Unpotted
Controls 2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 2 500K CTS Tone Pots, Hand-Wired Harness with Bumblebee Capacitors, Switchcraft Toggle Switch
Strings .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case Brown/Pink Reissue
Accessories Certificate of Authenticity
LPR59M2M16121
8 lbs 11 oz
#911179