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 Les Paul Standard ’50s Plain Top Electric Guitar in Pelham Blue Top 9.8 #226830070

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The Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s Plain Top in Pelham Blue is a stunning fusion of vintage-inspired craftsmanship and timeless tone, dressed in one of the most striking finishes ever to grace a Les Paul. The gloss nitrocellulose lacquer over the Plain Maple Top brings a rich, satiny depth to the Pelham Blue hue—cool, classy, and unapologetically bold. It’s a top that doesn’t rely on flame or figure to turn heads; instead, it leans into classic, understated elegance, letting the vintage soul of this instrument speak for itself.

Built with a solid mahogany body and no weight relief, this guitar delivers the unmistakable heft and sustain that Les Pauls are legendary for. At 9 lbs 8 oz, it’s a tone monster that resonates deeply, projecting with authority whether you’re playing searing leads or punchy rhythm parts. The ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and Grover Rotomatic tuners with kidney buttons round out the nickel hardware, ensuring classic feel, modern reliability, and excellent tuning stability across the board.

The mahogany neck is carved to the beloved Vintage 50s profile, offering a solid, substantial grip that immediately feels like home for those who appreciate traditional Gibson necks. Paired with a rosewood fingerboard featuring a 12” radius and medium jumbo frets, the playability is smooth and fluid, ideal for expressive bends and effortless fretting. The acrylic trapezoid inlays and cream binding further cement the old-school aesthetic, while modern appointments like the Graph Tech nut ensure precision in intonation and tuning.

Under the hood, the Les Paul Standard '50s delivers the raw, unfiltered tone that made Gibson famous. Equipped with Burstbucker 61R and 61T humbuckers, this guitar sings with vintage-inspired PAF clarity—thick, articulate mids, warm lows, and a biting top end that never gets harsh. From bluesy neck pickup warmth to snarling bridge pickup grit, the range is vast and musical. The hand-wired electronics with Orange Drop capacitors and traditional 2 volume / 2 tone layout (with a 3-way toggle switch) give you all the tonal flexibility you’d expect from a Les Paul Standard—and then some.

Rounding out the aesthetic are classy appointments like gold top hat knobs with silver reflectors and pointers, cream pickguard, and an amber switch tip, all contributing to the authentic ’50s vibe. The guitar ships in a Gibson hard shell case and includes a full accessory kit, ready to hit the stage, studio, or become the crown jewel of any collection.

The Les Paul Standard '50s Plain Top in Pelham Blue is a modern classic that channels the best of Gibson’s golden era while embracing premium components for today’s players. Bold in color, rich in tone, and unapologetically old-school in feel—this is the Les Paul that lives up to the legend.

Other specifications include:

Body Material Mahogany
Top Plain Top
Weight Relief None
Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Material Mahogany
Neck Profile Vintage 50s
Scale Length 24.75" / 62.865cm
Fingerboard Material Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 12" / 304.8mm
Number of Frets 22
Frets Medium Jumbo
Nut Material Graph Tech
Nut Width 1.695" / 43.05mm
End-of-Board Width 2.26" / 57.4mm
Inlays Acrylic Trapezoids
Hardware Finish Nickel
Bridge ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Tuners Grover Rotomatics w/ Kidney Buttons
Pick Guard Cream
Control Knobs Gold Top Hats with Silver Reflector & Pointers
Switch Tip Amber
Switch Washer Cream
Jack Plate Cream
Neck Pickup Burstbucker 61R
Bridge Pickup Burstbucker 61T
Controls 2 Volumes, 2 Tones & Toggle Switch (Hand-wired with Orange Drop Capacitors)
Strings .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case Hard Shell Case
Included Accessories Includes Gibson Accessory Kit
LPS5P00PHNH1
9 lbs 8 oz
#226830070

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

Manufacturer: Gibson
Series: USA
Actual Weight: 9.8
Body Style: Les Paul
Color: Pelham Blue Top
Model: Les Paul Standard 50's
Condition: Brand New

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

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SKU: 226830070

Weight: 9 lbs 8 oz

Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s Plain Top Pelham Blue Top 9.8 #226830070

$2,599.00

Condition:: New
UPC:: 711106138961

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Description

Other specifications include:

Body Material Mahogany
Top Plain Top
Weight Relief None
Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Material Mahogany
Neck Profile Vintage 50s
Scale Length 24.75" / 62.865cm
Fingerboard Material Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 12" / 304.8mm
Number of Frets 22
Frets Medium Jumbo
Nut Material Graph Tech
Nut Width 1.695" / 43.05mm
End-of-Board Width 2.26" / 57.4mm
Inlays Acrylic Trapezoids
Hardware Finish Nickel
Bridge ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Tuners Grover Rotomatics w/ Kidney Buttons
Pick Guard Cream
Control Knobs Gold Top Hats with Silver Reflector & Pointers
Switch Tip Amber
Switch Washer Cream
Jack Plate Cream
Neck Pickup Burstbucker 61R
Bridge Pickup Burstbucker 61T
Controls 2 Volumes, 2 Tones & Toggle Switch (Hand-wired with Orange Drop Capacitors)
Strings .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case Hard Shell Case
Included Accessories Includes Gibson Accessory Kit
LPS5P00PHNH1
9 lbs 8 oz
#226830070