Sales, Specials & Features
Popular Guitar Strings
Classical Guitar Strings
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Augustine Regal Blue
$11.99
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D'Addario EJ45
$10.99
How Do I Choose 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 Guitar Strings
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Elixir Nanoweb
$15.99
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John Pearse PB
$7.99
How Do I Choose Acoustic Strings?
- Harder materials: sound brighter (e.g. 80/20)
- Softer materials: sound warmer (e.g. Phosphor)
- Round cores: traditional mellow sound
- Hex core strings: edgy modern sound
- Lighter gauge: easier to play with a lighter sound
- Heavier gauge: harder to play with a louder sound
Electric Guitar Strings
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Pyramid Pure Nickel
$8.99
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Ernie Ball Slinky
$6.99
How Do I Choose Electric Strings?
- Harder materials: sound brighter (e.g. pro steel)
- Softer materials: sound warmer (e.g. pure nickel or gold)
- Round cores: traditional mellow sound
- Hex core strings: 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)
Guitar Strings
What were strings made of in the past?
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.
What are strings made of today?
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).
What difference do strings make?
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
SBM News
Adam del Monte
Strings By Mail proudly announces that our latest new sponsored artist is Adam del Monte. Adam’s flamenco and classical prowess are well known, and his compositional creativity has significantly enhanced the repertoire.
Best Guitar Support Guide
We have tested and compiled data over time and are excited to introduce our Best Guitar Support Guide. We've designed the Guide to make it easier to choose the right guitar support for your needs.