Best Acoustic Guitar Steel Strings
By: The Gear Dude | Date: 28th May 2020
An acoustic guitar at first glance is a simple thing, a wooden box with string on it you use to make music. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Little changes in the instrument make a huge difference. Everything from the type of wood, the shape of the body, the finish on the instrument and especially which strings you choose. In addition to a difference in feel a good set of strings can complement the tone of a great instrument or help adjust for some of the things that you may not like. In this article I plan to discuss what I believe are the best choices available today to make your instrument feel and sound the best for you.
Ernie Ball Earthwood
Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar StringsWe have all seen slinky strings for electric just about everywhere we turn. It was only a matter of time before Ernie Ball made a splash in the world of acoustic guitar strings. The Ernie ball Earthwood series provides warmth and clarity as you would expect a phosphor bronze string should. Where I believe they stand apart from the rest though is how balanced they are. These make them excellent strings for a solo player or practicing at home. They boast a massive roster of pros who use them as well.
Pros
Warmth & clarity
Balanced tone
Cons
Short life
Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze
Aluminum Bronze Acoustic StringsAll string manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to extend the life of their product. Yes, it’s a disposable item but that doesn’t mean you want to be changing it constantly. Enter the Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings. By using an aluminum oxide wrapping on the string Ernie Ball is able to give you a long lasting and corrosion free string without any type of coating. These create a beautiful bright shimmer which will not compromise any sonic projection. Both fingerpickers and strummers will enjoy these strings.
Pros
Bright sound
For All Players
Lots of projection
Cons
Expensive
D’Addario Nickel Bronze
Nickel Bronze Acoustic Guitar StringsUncoated premium acoustic guitar strings are becoming a favorite of many players. D’addarios contribution to the pot is definetly one you should consider. The D’addario Nickel Bronze strings have an amazing crispness and clarity which will bring out the voice in your instrument. They also sound excellent when playing in a band setting or with other musicians due to their excellent midrange. The drawback to these however is that they do not last as long as traditional acoustic strings.
Pros
Maximises your guitar
Great with a band
Cons
Expensive
Short life
D’Addario XT Acoustic
Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar StringsThe newest coated string from the most well-known manufacturer in New York is a fusion of innovations all within a guitar string. The D’addario XT Acoustic strings feature high carbon NY steel, D’addario innovative coating methods and boasts that they are 42% stronger and are 131% more stable tuning when compared to regular strings. Plus, at Gear Dude, we are a huge fan of the colored ball ends they use to differentiate string gauge. If you like the feel of coated strings and want to try something new the D’addario XT is worth your consideration.
Pros
Great tuning stability
Long life
Cons
Expensive
Coated not for everyone
D’Addario EJ16
Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar StringsFor decades and decades players and luthiers alike have looked to the D’addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze strings as a baseline expectation of what a set of acoustic guitars should be. These strings feature a phosphor bronze wire wrapped around a hexagonal high carbon steel core. The manufacturers tagline for these strings is “consistent, long lasting tone with excellent intonation” and that’s exactly what you get. Plus, they are tonally very balanced as well. It’s really hard to ask for much more.
Pros
Long life
Balanced Tone
Great intonation
Cons
Coated last longer
DR Strings Dragon Skin
Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar StringsIf you have sweaty palms and find yourself destroying set after set of strings, then stop reading this article and order yourself a set of the DR Dragon Skin strings. DR has created a unique coating that find a perfect balance between protecting your strings and preserving your tone. The coating they use is harder than what all other manufacturers use which is where the name comes from. The DR Dragon skin will survive even the sweatiest of hands!
Pros
Won't corrode
Long life
Cons
Expensive
Coated not for everyone
Elixir Nanoweb
Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar StringsWhen people think of coated strings the brand Elixir is usually the first one most people will mention. Many players turn to a coated string as they last 3-5 times as long as traditional ones, not just durability but sonically as well! The Nanoweb coating is the thinner of the two options elixir offers, both of which are available on all gauges. The Phosphor bronze version is warm and balanced throughout all of the strings and due to its coating is will remain this way.
Pros
Super Long life
Balanced Tone
Cons
Coated not for everyone
Elixir Polyweb
80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar StringsWhen people mention Elixir strings some will forget that they acoustic strings offer two types of coating. The alternative to the one I have previously mentioned (as well as the original) is called Polyweb. Polyweb is a thicker coating aimed at getting a longer life out of the strings. This coating does preserve the life and bright tone of these strings, but the thick coating feel isn’t for everyone. They do have a very bright shimmering tone which will last for quite some time.
Pros
Super Long life
Enhanced Brightness
Cons
Coating can flake off
Coated not for everyone
Martin Authentic Acoustic SP
92/8 Phosphor Bronze Guitar StringsSince 1833 Martin has been making acoustic guitars that define what we think of as an acoustic instrument. I think it’s natural to trust that their strings would be a great choice for not only theirs for any acoustic instrument. They feature a high tensile-strength core wire to keep a stable tuning and a tin-plated steel core which helps to beat corrosion.
Pros
Variety of sizes available
Excellent tuning stability
Resistance to corrosion
Cons
Coated last longer
Martin Authentic Marquis Silked
92/8 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic StringsThe Martin Authentic Acoustic Marquis Silked strings are a redesign of a string we have all come to know and love. By adding a soft silk wrap at the ball end these strings will prevent wear and tear on the guitars bridge as well as the string holes in the body. In addition to giving a great tuning stability this also help enhance the clarity of your instrument as well. These are especially a great choice for older guitars.
Pros
Variety of sizes available
Excellent tuning stability
Resistance to corrosion
Cons
Coated last longer
