Acoustic Guitar Strings

Acoustic Guitar Strings

Shopping for acoustic guitar strings for sale—best acoustic guitar strings, phosphor bronze strings, 80/20 bronze strings, coated acoustic strings, 12-string acoustic guitar strings, or nylon folk strings? At Chicago Music Exchange, we stock the top brands and sets trusted by touring pros and studio players: D’Addario (XS, XT, EJ), Martin (Authentic, SP, Lifespan), Elixir (Nano/Polyweb), Ernie Ball (Everlast, Earthwood), GHS, DR, John Pearse, Thomastik-Infeld, Santa Cruz (Parabolic Tension), Gibson, Curt Mangan, and more—each fresh, authentic, and ready to play.

Why Players Upgrade Their Acoustic Guitar Strings

  • Tone refresh: New strings restore shimmer, punch, and note separation for recording and live gigs.
  • Feel & response: Match gauge and alloy to your technique—fingerstyle bloom, flatpicking projection, or strumming warmth.
  • Longevity & value: Coated acoustic strings resist sweat and corrosion for consistent tone between string changes.
  • Playability & comfort: Lighter gauges reduce fatigue; silk & steel and low-tension sets are easier on hands and vintage instruments.

The Main Types (and what they sound like)

  • Phosphor Bronze (most popular): Balanced lows, rich mids, sweet highs—great “everyday” set for singer-songwriter, folk, Americana.
  • 80/20 Bronze (brighter): Crisp attack and piano-like sparkle—favored for strummers, bluegrass flatpickers, and cutting through a mix.
  • Coated (Elixir, D’Addario XS, Martin Lifespan): Same alloys with a protective coat—longer life, consistent tone on tour.
  • Silk & Steel / Low-Tension (John Pearse, Santa Cruz): Softer feel, mellower top—perfect for fingerstyle, small-body guitars, and players recovering from hand fatigue.
  • Flat-top/Monel/Retro (Thomastik-Infeld, Martin Retro): Smoother feel, lower finger noise, and a vintage, woody fundamental.
  • Nylon Folk (ball-end): Fits standard steel-string bridges for a warm, classical-leaning voice without hardware changes.

    12-String Acoustic Sets: Balanced pairs for chime without chaos; choose coated if you want long-lasting shimmer.

Gauges & Specs (how to choose quickly)

  • Extra/Custom Light (.010–.047 / .011–.052): Easiest playability; great for beginners, small-body guitars, drop tunings with a light touch.
  • Light (.012–.054): The do-everything gauge—balanced feel for strumming, fingerstyle, and recording.
  • Medium (.013–.056): More tension and volume—ideal for dreadnought/jumbo, hard strumming, and bluegrass.
  • Mixed/Bluegrass sets (e.g., .012–.056): Light trebles for bends + medium basses for low-end authority.
  • Core & wrap: Round core = suppleness; hex core = focus and tuning stability. Round-wound is standard; polished/flat-top reduces squeak.
  • Pro tip: If chords record “zingy,” try phosphor bronze or flat-top. If your mix sounds dark, jump to 80/20 or go a gauge lighter.

A (Very) Short History of Acoustic Guitar Strings

Steel strings rose to prominence in the early 20th century to deliver more volume and projection alongside banjos and fiddles. Over time, makers refined alloys (80/20 → phosphor bronze), coatings, and tension philosophies (e.g., Santa Cruz Parabolic Tension) so today’s sets offer precise feel, long life, and repeatable tone—whether you play vintage Martins and Gibsons or modern boutique acoustics.

Popular Models by Use-Case

  • Everyday singer-songwriter: D’Addario EJ16, Martin MA540, Ernie Ball Earthwood Light
  • Touring longevity: Elixir Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze, D’Addario XS Phosphor Bronze, Martin Lifespan 2.0
  • Bluegrass/flatpick: D’Addario EJ17 Medium, John Pearse 600M, Martin SP Medium
  • Fingerstyle/OM/000: Thomastik-Infeld Plectrum, Santa Cruz Parabolic Low Tension, John Pearse Silk & Phosphor
  • Vintage vibe/woody tone: Martin Retro Monel, Thomastik-Infeld Spectrum/Plectrum
  • 12-string: Elixir 12-String, D’Addario EJ36, Martin M180

Price Ranges (plan your buy)

  • Standard sets: ~$6–$12
  • Coated/Premium: ~$12–$22+
  • Boutique/flat-top/monel/low-tension: ~$15–$28+
  • Multi-packs: Save on routine changes; ideal for frequent gigging.

Quick Chooser (copy/paste to cart)

  • Balanced all-rounder: Phosphor Bronze Light (.012–.054)
  • Bright strummer: 80/20 Bronze Light or Medium
  • Touring consistency: Coated Phosphor Bronze Light
  • Fingerstyle comfort: Silk & Steel / Low-Tension Phosphor Bronze
  • Vintage/woody tracks: Monel/Retro, Light or Custom Light
  • Endless shimmer: Coated 12-String Light

Why Buy Acoustic Strings from Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange has the best acoustic guitar strings selection—fresh, authentic inventory across D’Addario, Martin, Elixir, Ernie Ball, GHS, DR, John Pearse, Thomastik-Infeld, Santa Cruz, Gibson, Curt Mangan, and more.

  • Climate-controlled storage and fast shipping
  • Exact gauge/alloy notes and staff recommendations on every page
  • Easy bundle-and-save with capos, tuners, picks, and string winders

Acoustic Guitar FAQ

What are the best acoustic guitar strings for beginners?
Phosphor bronze light (.012–.054) balances comfort and tone. If your hands tire, try custom light or silk & steel.

Phosphor bronze vs 80/20—what’s the difference?
Phosphor bronze = warmer, balanced; 80/20 = brighter, crisper. Choose by how your guitar sits in the mix.

Are coated acoustic strings worth it?
If you sweat a lot or gig weekly, coated strings (Elixir, D’Addario XS, Martin Lifespan) keep tone consistent longer and reduce squeak.

Which strings for fingerstyle?
Try phosphor bronze light, silk & steel, low-tension, or flat-top for smooth articulation and low noise on mics.

What gauge should I use on a dreadnought?
Light for versatility; medium if you flatpick hard and want maximum projection.

How often should I change acoustic strings?
Gigging weekly: every 2–4 weeks (coated may last longer). Studio players often change before sessions for peak sparkle.

Do famous artists use specific string types?
Pros across folk, country, bluegrass, pop, and rock use phosphor bronze and 80/20 in lights/mediums; many tour with coated sets for stability.

  1. Ready for better tone in one string change?
    Explore acoustic guitar strings for sale at Chicago Music Exchange and dial in your sound—from phosphor bronze warmth to coated longevity and vintage monel character, we’ve got the exact set your guitar—and your songs—deserve.