Sales, Specials & Features
Popular Guitar Strings
Classical Strings
- Augustine Regal Blue
$7.39 - D'Addario EJ45
$6.49
Choosing Classical Strings
- Harder materials sound brighter (e.g. carbon)
- Softer materials sound warmer (e.g. nylon)
- Higher tension has a louder attack
- Lower tension has more sustain
- Lower tension gives easier vibrato
- Precious metal content gives fuller sound (e.g. pure silver)
Acoustic Strings
- Elixir Nanoweb
$11.98 - Martin SP
$4.99
Choosing Acoustic Strings
- Harder materials sound brighter (e.g. 80/20 Bronze)
- Softer materials sound warmer (e.g. Phosphor Bronze)
- Round cores give a more traditional mellow sound
- Hex core strings have a more edgy modern sound
- Lighter gauge is easier to play and has a lighter sound
- Heavier gauge is harder to play and has a louder sound
Electric Strings
- Elixir Nanoweb
$8.95 - Ernie Ball Slinky
$4.89
Choosing Electric Strings
- Harder materials sound brighter (e.g. nickel wound or pro steel)
- Softer materials sound warmer (e.g. pure nickel or gold)
- Round cores give a more traditional mellow sound
- Hex core strings have a more edgy modern sound
- More magnetic metals have more sustain (e.g. cobalt and super alloy)
- Less magnetic metals sound richer (e.g. nickel or gold)
Historically, strings were made of wound gut materials with the lower bass strings wound with various metals. There are several manufacturers still making strings in the historic methods today as well as many synthetic strings designed to replicate the sound and feel of traditional gut strings.
Today, there are three primary guitar string categories: strings for classical/flamenco guitars (nylon, fluorocarbon and other synthetics with bass strings wound with various metals), strings for acoustic guitars (steel, bronze, phosphor bronze, nickel, etc.) and strings for electric guitars (steel, nickel and other metals chosen for electromagnetic properties).
There are many technical factors which can influence your guitar string selection. The properties of the sound and response of a given string can have a strong impact on both the player and the instrument. The relative hardness of the string's component materials in conjunction with an array of treatments the strings undergo during the manufacturing process can combine to create different degrees of sustain, timbre (warmth vs brightness), playability, and longevity.
Here at Strings By Mail, we strive to have the best selection of strings at the best possible prices. That's why we are your online music store!
For more comprehensive information please visit our string basics pages:
Classical and Flamenco String Basics
Acoustic String Basics
Electric Strings Basics