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Ernie Ball Slinky Guitar Strings
$8.99 - $95.99The Top Selling Guitar String, Ernie Ball Slinky Electric Strings offer the highest standards through precision manufacturing to achieve a world-class tone Widely revered for consistency by ensuring exacting specifi...4 Payments of $24.00
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D'Addario EXL120 XL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings 10 Pack
$62.99D'Addario XL Electric Guitar strings are world-renowned as The Player's Choice amongst gutiar players of all genres and styles. XL strings are wound with nickel-plated steel, known for it's distinctive bright ton...4 Payments of $15.75
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Elixir 16102 NanoWeb Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$21.99Elixir Acoustic Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings feature the exclusive, ultra-thin NANOWEB coating. Strings are not just strings. They are the connection between you and your music. When strings go dead, so goes th...h m s
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Elixir 11052 NanoWeb 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$19.99 - $38.95Elixir Nanoweb Acoustic Guitar Strings; Don't Mess around with An Ordinary String! Elixir Strings with ultra thin NANOWEB coating sound great 3 to 5 times longer than ordinary strings. They have the bright tone a...h m s
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D'Addario EXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
$8.49 - $139.99EXL110 EXL110, D'Addario's best selling set, offers the ideal combination of tone, flexibility and long life. The standard for most electric guitars. EXL116 EXL116 is a hybrid set with an .011 on top a...6 Payments of $23.33
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D'Addario EJ Series Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$9.99 - $24.99EJ15 D'Addario's lightest gauge of acoustic strings, EJ15s are ideal for beginners or any player that prefers a softer tone and easy bending. EJ26 Referred to as Custom Light, EJ26 strings are a D'Addar...h m s
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Elixir 12052 NanoWeb Electric Guitar Strings
$16.99Elixir NanoWeb Electric Guitar Strings give your guitar long lasting tone! Breathe life in to your electric with Elixir's NanoWeb guitar strings. Providing excellent tonality that lasts 3 to 5 times longer than o...h m s
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DAddario Acoustic Guitar Strings 3 Pack with Free Pegwinder
$24.99D'Addario's most popular acoustic set, EJ16 delivers the ideal balance of volume, projection and comfortable playability. Now you can get the Daddario 3 Pack strings and be ready to rock in no time. Phosphor Bronz...h m s
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D'Addario NYXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
$57.95 - $229.99D’Addario NYXL guitar strings will bend farther, sing louder, and stay in tune better than any string you’ve played before. Envisioned, perfected, and manufactured by DAddario in New York, this newly engineered, bre...6 Payments of $38.33
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Elixir 11050 PolyWeb 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$37.95Elixir PolyWeb Acoustic Guitar Strings feel like a dream with tone that lasts! Elixir Strings boasting the original POLYWEB coating have the full-bodied sound you would get from broken-in strings. Touting an im...h m s
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D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$19.99 - $52.99The XS acoustic strings feature D'Addario's most advanced coating technology which allows the string windings to be completely protected from contaminants preserving a lasting, clear tone with maximum life. High car...4 Payments of $13.25
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D'Addario XT Electric Guitar Strings
$35.99XT Electric Nickel Plated Steel strings combine D'Addario's most popular electric guitar alloy with an extended lifespan treatment on every string in the set, preserving the natural tone and feel of uncoated strings...h m s
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Guitar Strings
From acoustic to electric, it all starts with the string. Materials include chrome, cobalt, nickel, phosphor, bronze, nylon, silk and steel. Diverse windings, different gauges, crazy colors, cryogenics, and protective coatings are all called upon in the ultimate pursuit of tone, longevity, and well...yeah...looking cool. From eight-string to baritone to classical to straight-ahead rock, AMS has the right set of guitar strings for every player.
Guitar String: Where Your Tone Really Comes From
When it comes to tone, your strings are make-or-break (sometimes literally). Guitar strings are the first thing your hands touch and the first thing your sound passes through, which means they have a huge say in feel, response, and overall vibe. Change the strings, and the guitar can feel like a different instrument.
American Musical Supply carries guitar strings for every style of player and every type of guitar, from electric and acoustic to bass. You’ll find different gauges for lighter touch or firmer resistance, along with materials and coatings that influence brightness, warmth, and longevity. Whether you’re chasing snap, sustain, or something in between, you'll find top options from Ernie Ball, D’Addario, Elixir, and numerous others right here.
Choosing the Right String Gauge
String gauge has a big impact on how your guitar feels and responds. Gauges are measured in thousandths of an inch, so a set labeled .009 starts with a high E string that’s nine thousandths thick. Small changes on paper can feel very different under your fingers.
Here’s a general way to think about it:
- Light gauges feel easy to bend and play, making them popular for fast leads and lighter touch styles
- Medium gauges balance flexibility and control, offering solid tone without feeling stiff
- Heavier gauges provide more resistance, fuller tone, and better tuning stability, especially for aggressive playing or lower tunings
Electric guitars have the lowest-gauge strings, followed by acoustic guitars, and finished up with bass. What’s considered “light gauge” for acoustic would be considered medium (at least) for electric.
Your scale length, tuning, and playing style all matter. If bends feel like work, go lighter. If strings feel too loose or thin, stepping up a gauge can tighten things up fast.
How String Types Differ by Guitar
Different guitars ask different things from their strings. Materials, tension, and gauge all change based on how the instrument is built and how it’s meant to be played. Most types of strings can also come coated or uncoated, depending on your preference.
Electric Guitar Strings
Electric strings are usually made from steel cores wrapped in nickel-plated steel, pure nickel, or stainless steel, which allows magnetic pickups to sense their vibration. These tend to be lighter and easier to bend, and they work well with the low-tension feel many electric players prefer.
6- and 12-String Acoustic Guitar Strings
6-string and 12-string acoustic strings are typically steel, wound with phosphor bronze or 80/20 bronze, for rich resonance and volume on a hollow body. Six-string acoustics use steel strings for brightness and projection, and 12-string sets pair each course to create a lush, shimmering chorus effect that’s thicker and fuller overall.
Classical Guitar Strings
Classical guitar strings use nylon strings (with the lower three wound with silver-plated copper or bronze), producing a warmer, softer tone with less neck tension. These are ideal for fingerstyle and classical techniques, and feel much gentler under the fingers than steel strings.
How Often You Should Change Guitar Strings
How often you change guitar strings depends on how much you play, how hard you play, and what kind of tone you expect from your instrument. Here are a few signs it’s time for a change:
- A dull or lifeless tone that doesn’t brighten up even after tuning
- Tuning instability where the strings won’t settle in
- Rough or sticky feel under your fingers
- Visible corrosion or discoloration along the windings
For casual players, every few months might be fine. Regular gigging or recording often calls for much more frequent changes to keep things sounding right.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guitar Strings
Are coated guitar strings slippery?
Some feel smoother than uncoated strings. Preference comes down to touch and playing style.
Is it bad to mix guitar string brands?
It’s not ideal. Sets are designed to balance tension and feel across all strings.
Can the choice of guitar string affect intonation?
It can. Different gauges and materials may require minor setup adjustments.
Refresh Your Sound With Guitar Strings From AMS
A new set of guitar strings can change how your instrument feels and sounds in an instant. Whether you’re chasing brightness, smoother playability, or strings that last longer between changes, the right set makes it obvious the moment you tune up. American Musical Supply makes it easy to upgrade with a wide selection of guitar strings to stock up on. Browse our full lineup and find the strings that fit your guitar and your playing style.
