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DR Strings DEQ-7/10 Dragon Skin Plus 7 String Set
$16.99Dragon Skin+ strings sound huge, are easy to play, and have outstanding endurance. Packed with patented technology, Dragon Skin+ upgrades both the core and the wrap wires to be exceptionally musical, balanced, and l...h m s
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Martin MA500FX Flexible Core Phosphor Bronze 12-String Set
$11.99The 12-string set that provides brilliant sound and an ease of play that is often missing in 12-string sets! The Martin MA500FX Flexible Core Phosphor Bronze set isn’t just about flexibility; it’s about bending the ...h m s
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D'Addario EJ27N Classics Classical Guitar Strings
$8.49The DAddario EJ27 Classical Guitar Strings are great for beginners and students. This set contains 3 clear nylon trebles and 3 silverplated copper wound on nylon basses for warm, long lasting tone. Get yours to...h m s
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Ernie Ball Earthwood 80/20 Bronze 12-String Acoustic Set
$10.99 - $11.99Ernie Ball Earthwood 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings are made from 80% copper, 20% zinc wire wrapped around hex shaped brass plated steel core wire. These acoustic guitar strings provide a crisp, ringing sound ...h m s
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Stringjoy Broadways Nickel Electric Guitar Strings
$12.99If you’re looking for the most flexible string around, well boy howdy, have you ever come to the right place… Stringjoy Broadways bring back a much-loved but since discontinued gauge combination from the past...h m s
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Stringjoy Naturals Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$12.99 - $14.99Looking for a string that sounds super good and plays super good? Then you need to check out Stringjoy Naturals Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings. With this set, you really get the best of both worlds, ...h m s
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Ernie Ball Coated Titanium RPS Electric Strings
$12.99Ernie Ball Slinky Coated Electric Guitar Strings combine the latest technological advancements in string manufacturing. All wound strings are treated with groundbreaking nanotechnology that repels unwanted moisture ...h m s
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DR Strings NMCE11 K3 NEON Multicolor Electric Guitar Strings
$10.99 - $12.99To make learning both fun and easy, beginners and guitar teachers alike can benefit from the DR Neon Multi-Color Electric Guitar Strings . These super bright color-coated strings sound clear and bright, and are a fu...h m s
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Stringjoy SJ-ARTAP Ariel Posen Artist Guitar String Set
$11.99Stringjoy presents the Ariel Posen Signature nickel wound electric guitar string set. Boasting balanced tension and a bigger voice: A carefully selected 14-62 spread keeps every string in perfect conversation—grand-...h m s
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Ernie Ball P02406 Ernesto Palla Black and Silver Nylon Strings
$8.99Ernie Ball Ernesto Palla concert quality classical guitar strings are made of a solid nylon filament Gold fourth, fifth, and sixth wound strings are made of 80/20 bronze plated copper wrapped around a nylon floss co...h m s
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DR Strings MTR-10 HI-BEAM Electric Guitar Strings
$8.99HI-BEAM Electric Guitar Strings feature a nickel-plated steel wrap wound on a hexagonal core wire, delivering a bright tone with great versatility that can stretch across a wide array of musical genres. They’re i...h m s
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D'Addario XS Nickel Steel Strings Medium Top Extra Heavy Bottom 11-56
$15.99XS Nickel coated electric guitar strings provide the longest life of any D’Addario electric guitar string. Coated with their groundbreaking XS coating, these premium electric strings attain maximum life and a smooth...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.
