Elixir · Strings
NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric
Light .010-.046
Standard .010s that survive a summer of gigs instead of a fortnight
8.3/104.8 (8,082)
The cheapest change that alters how a guitar sounds and plays
Strings
Strings are the only part of a guitar you are expected to replace, and they are the one component where a few dollars genuinely changes the instrument. Gauge decides how hard you have to press and how much the neck is pulled; alloy decides how bright it sounds; a coating decides how long that lasts. Nothing else on this site gives a bigger return for the money.
Elixir · Strings
NANOWEB 80/20 Bronze Acoustic
Light .012-.053
80/20's brightness without 80/20's two-week lifespan
8.2/104.8 (15,539)
Elixir · Strings
NANOWEB Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
Custom Light .011-.052
The same coated string as the light set, a step easier under the fingers
8.0/104.8 (8,201)
Elixir · Strings
NANOWEB Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
Light .012-.053
The long-life acoustic string, and still the one to beat on longevity
8.0/104.8 (12,221)
D'Addario · Strings
EXL170 XL Nickel Wound Bass
Light .045-.100, long scale, four strings
The four-string bass set every other set gets compared to
7.8/104.8 (3,867)
D'Addario · Strings
NYXL1046 Nickel Wound Electric
Light .010-.046
The same gauge as an EXL110, with the tuning problem actually solved
7.8/104.8 (5,426)
D'Addario · Strings
XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic
Light .012-.053
A coated string that does not feel or sound like a coated string
7.8/104.7 (3,294)
D'Addario · Strings
EXL110 XL Nickel Wound Electric
Regular Light .010-.046, three sets
The electric string most guitars leave the factory wearing
7.7/104.8 (20,994)
Elixir · Strings
POLYWEB 80/20 Bronze Acoustic
Extra Light .010-.047
The slick, warm, easy-playing set for hands that are still toughening up
7.7/104.7 (1,698)
D'Addario · Strings
EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
Light .012-.053, three sets
The default acoustic string, and the one to buy if you are not sure
7.3/104.7 (38,577)
Ernie Ball · Strings
Earthwood Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
Medium Light .012-.054
A light set with a heavier bottom end, for a guitar that needs driving
7.3/104.7 (14,275)
D'Addario · Strings
EJ11 80/20 Bronze Acoustic
Light, .012-.053
The bright, brash acoustic string the whole category was built on
7.2/104.7 (17,357)
D'Addario · Strings
Pro-Arte Nylon Classical
Normal tension, tie-end
The reference nylon set, and the one most classical guitars are voiced around
7.2/104.6 (28,780)
D'Addario · Strings
EJ27N Student Nylon Classical
Normal tension, full size, three sets
The same idea as Pro-Arte, sorted less tightly and sold three at a time
6.8/104.5 (22,877)
Belfort · Strings
Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
Light
Cheap phosphor bronze from a brand with no published specification
5.8/104.6 (10,002)