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 Reissue VOS Electric Guitar in Sunrise Tea Burst

All photos are of the actual product. Learn More

Description
Media Gallery
Downloads

The Gibson Custom Shop PSL '59 Les Paul Standard Reissue in VOS Sunrise Tea Burst is a stunning modern tribute to one of the most legendary instruments in music history. Drenched in vintage mojo and crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this guitar represents the peak of Gibson’s legacy as one of the most influential instrument makers of all time. Since its founding in 1902, Gibson has shaped the sound of popular music, creating instruments that have graced the hands of everyone from blues pioneers and rock legends to jazz greats and metal titans. Among their most iconic creations stands the Les Paul Standard, an instrument born from innovation and musical ambition.

Les Paul was more than a dazzling guitarist. He was a forward-thinking inventor whose vision helped reshape the possibilities of the electric guitar. His collaboration with Gibson in the early 1950s marked the beginning of a new era. While Les brought his experimental mindset and relentless drive for sonic purity, it was Gibson President Ted McCarty who refined those concepts into a production model that could take on the world stage. McCarty’s influence on the Les Paul was monumental. He championed features like the tune-o-matic bridge and the humbucking pickup, and under his guidance, the Les Paul model evolved into the gold standard for solidbody guitars.

This PSL '59 Les Paul Standard Reissue pays faithful homage to the most coveted year in Les Paul history—1959—while offering a dazzling twist with its unique VOS Sunrise Tea Burst finish. At its core, it features a two-piece hand select AAA figured paple top bonded with hide glue over a one-piece lightweight mahogany back, true to the original construction. The nitrocellulose lacquer finish allows the guitar to breathe and age naturally over time. The long tenon neck joint and hide glue fit ensure maximum resonance and sustain.

The neck profile is the iconic 1959 Authentic Medium, measuring .860 inches at the first fret and .975 inches at the twelfth, giving the player that substantial yet incredibly playable feel that vintage enthusiasts crave. It boasts an Indian rosewood fingerboard with a 12-inch radius and 22 historic medium-jumbo frets. Cellulose nitrate trapezoid inlays, a nylon nut, and a historically accurate truss rod and cover complete the fingerboard's old-school vibe.

Hardware and appointments are period correct and exquisitely executed. The ABR-1 bridge and lightweight aluminum stop bar tailpiece provide solid tuning stability and transfer of tone, while Kluson tuners, nickel-plated hardware, and gold butyrate top hat knobs round out the aesthetic. The pickups are a matched pair of unpotted Custombucker Alnico III humbuckers, delivering warm, articulate tone with an open, dynamic response—just like a great burst should.

This reissue includes CTS 500K audio taper potentiometers, paper-in-oil capacitors, a Switchcraft three-way toggle switch, and period-correct cellulose acetate butyrate plastics throughout. It weighs in at 8 pounds 10 ounces and ships in a vintage-style brown and pink 5-latch hardshell case with a certificate of authenticity.

The Gibson Custom Shop PSL '59 Les Paul Standard Reissue in VOS Sunrise Tea Burst is more than a guitar—it is a fully realized embodiment of musical heritage, historic craftsmanship, and timeless tone. It stands as a tribute to the genius of Les Paul, the vision of Ted McCarty, and the unmatched legacy of the Gibson brand.

Other specifications include:

Body Shape Les Paul
Top 2-Piece Hand Select AAA Figured Maple, Hide Glue Fit
Back 1-Piece Lightweight Mahogany
Binding 1-Ply Royalite
Body Finish Nitrocellulose Lacquer VOS (Vintage Patina)
Weight Relief None
Profile 1959 Authentic Medium (0.860" / 0.975")
Scale Length 628.65 mm / 24.75 in
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8 mm / 12 in
Fret Count 22
Frets Historic Medium-Jumbo
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.85 mm / 1.687 in
End Of Board Width 56.89 mm / 2.239 in
Inlays Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
Joint Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Finish Nickel
Bridge ABR-1
Saddle Material Nickel-plated Brass
Tailpiece Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Tuning Machines Kluson Single Line, Single Ring
Pickguard Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Truss Rod Authentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod Cover Authentic Stepped 2-Ply
Control Knobs Gold Butyrate Top Hats
Switch Tip Amber Catalin
Switch washer Replica Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Jack Plate Cover Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Control Covers Black Royalite
Strap Buttons Aluminum
Mounting Rings M69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Pickup Covers Authentic Profile Nickel Silver
Neck Pickup Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)
Bridge Pickup Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)
Controls 2 Volume/2 Tone CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
Pickup Selector 3-Way Switchcraft
Output Jack Switchcraft
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case Brown/Pink Reissue 5-Latch
Accessories Certificate of Authenticity
LPR59PSL000000588
8 lbs 10 oz
#952346

For more information on the Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Standard, please contact us.

Manufacturer: Gibson
Series: Custom Shop
Actual Weight: 8.10
Condition: Brand New
Color: Sunrise Tea Burst
Body Style: Les Paul
Model: PSL '59 Les Paul Standard Reissue

Product Images

Product Videos

Play

Gibson Custom Shop PSL Murphy Lab '68 Les Paul Custom | Graham Curry Demo

Play

Rickenbacker Guitars Factory and Museum Tour

Downloads

New

SKU: 952346

Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz

Gibson Custom Shop PSL '59 Les Paul Standard Reissue VOS Sunrise Tea Burst 8.10 #952346

$6,899.00

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

Other specifications include:

Body Shape Les Paul
Top 2-Piece Hand Select AAA Figured Maple, Hide Glue Fit
Back 1-Piece Lightweight Mahogany
Binding 1-Ply Royalite
Body Finish Nitrocellulose Lacquer VOS (Vintage Patina)
Weight Relief None
Profile 1959 Authentic Medium (0.860" / 0.975")
Scale Length 628.65 mm / 24.75 in
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8 mm / 12 in
Fret Count 22
Frets Historic Medium-Jumbo
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.85 mm / 1.687 in
End Of Board Width 56.89 mm / 2.239 in
Inlays Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
Joint Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Finish Nickel
Bridge ABR-1
Saddle Material Nickel-plated Brass
Tailpiece Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Tuning Machines Kluson Single Line, Single Ring
Pickguard Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Truss Rod Authentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod Cover Authentic Stepped 2-Ply
Control Knobs Gold Butyrate Top Hats
Switch Tip Amber Catalin
Switch washer Replica Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Jack Plate Cover Laminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Control Covers Black Royalite
Strap Buttons Aluminum
Mounting Rings M69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Pickup Covers Authentic Profile Nickel Silver
Neck Pickup Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)
Bridge Pickup Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)
Controls 2 Volume/2 Tone CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
Pickup Selector 3-Way Switchcraft
Output Jack Switchcraft
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case Brown/Pink Reissue 5-Latch
Accessories Certificate of Authenticity
LPR59PSL000000588
8 lbs 10 oz
#952346

For more information on the Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Standard, please contact us.

Manufacturer: Gibson
Series: Custom Shop
Actual Weight: 8.10
Condition: Brand New
Color: Sunrise Tea Burst
Body Style: Les Paul
Model: PSL '59 Les Paul Standard Reissue