Acoustic and Electric String Tension Names Explained
An issue players face is how manufacturers across the globe name their gauges as tensions with such a wide range.
To simplify, tension names listed on our string filter are standardized to what most manufacturers use.
Acoustic strings for example, show "Light" as a standard 12-52 set. Then, + and - refer to thicker or thinner variations based on the standard set.
Electric strings for example, show "Light" as a standard 10-46 set. Then, + and - refer to thicker or thinner variations based on the standard set.
We believe that selecting the right diameters for your instruments and your playing style is VERY important. We hope that our precise categorization helps you filter your specific needs. If you are unsure what strings to purchase and would rather use a human player filter, don't hesitate to contact us.
Shop By Filter - How To
You can filter strings by either Full Sets or Single Strings. Classical strings offer additional filters for Bass Sets or Treble Sets.
Use the master filter in the header to shop all string products or the filter on any page to shop products from that page.
After you make your selection, the filter will display product results along with deeper filter options with a number count for each available.
After making selections, notice the black filter result tabs above the products. These show what criteria is being filtered, such as gauges or materials. You can X or delete these to remove a particular filter or remove all to reset.
Example: Let's say Mr. Smith would like to know all the possibilities for what he already plays, Acoustic Phosphor Bronze. He knows the first string is a .012 gauge and last string a .054. His budget is $9 max per set. While visiting the Acoustic Guitar Strings page or sitewide in our header:
- Select Product Type "Full Set" (page will refresh)
- Select Full Set # of Strings "6"
- Select Full Set Material "Phosphor Bronze"
- Select Full Set by 1st string gauge "0.012"
- Select Full Set by last string gauge "0.054"
- Input Max Price "9.00"
Once you click away out of price, you should see (at the time of writing this) 17 results across 8 manufacturers. Mr. Smith now has a nice collection of similar strings to compare and experiment with from different manufacturers. Follow this link to see the above result.
If you'd like help from our friendly human string filters, don't hesitate to contact us.
Electric Guitar Strings
(sorted by Price (high))
Electric Guitar Strings are used most frequently for the rock, jazz, and country styles. Like acoustic guitar strings they are made of metals, but primarily steel or nickel. They have a core of metal which is covered in a metal winding. While the relative hardness or softness of the metals involved is a factor, their character is primarily driven by the magnetic properties of the metals involved, unlike acoustic strings, since their sound is defined by their interaction with the magnetic pickups of an electric guitar.
Electric Strings constructed with materials such as steel or with a high iron content will have a very bright and powerful sound while some less magnetically powerful alloy combinations, including materials such as nickel, will not be as bright or powerful. Treatments of the string surface also play a major role in sound. Flat wound strings will have a more mellow sound than round wound strings. Some recent developments have led to new strings with different magnetic properties, such as the
Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Strings, which exhibit a higher output or the
Optima Gold Series, which has a somewhat warmer sound.
Strings specifically designed for jazz use, such as the
Thomastik-Infeld George Benson Series, tend toward a more round and mellow sound, while strings developed for specific electric use, such as the
D’Addario ProSteels, will have a brighter more piercing sound.
Visit our
electric guitar string basics page to learn more.
Shop all guitar strings at
StringsByMail.com or visit our basic guide page to
help you choose which strings to buy.
Have a question about electric guitar strings? Call 800-513-8271 to talk with our friendly music, strings, and gear experts or contact them
online. They’re available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. EST.
And remember: U.S. orders received weekdays before 3 p.m. EST ship the same day!
