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Darco Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$4.99The Darco line of acoustic strings promises quality, tone, and value in every pack. These Darco Phosphor Bronze strings provide great brilliance and articulation that players love about phosphor bronze strings. They...h m s
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Dunlop ZWEN Zakk Wylde Electric Guitar Strings
$11.00Built with Dunlop True Balance technology, these electric guitar strings deliver optimal clarity and feel at any tuning. Dunlop and Zakk Wylde have come together once again to deliver electric strings design...h m s
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Ernie Ball 2624 8-String Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Guitar Strings
$16.99Ernie Ball Slinky Strings are widely revered for their world class tone. These strings are precision manufactured to the highest standards and most exacting specifications to ensure consistency, optimum performance,...h m s
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DR Strings RPML11 Rare Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$8.99 - $17.99DR Strings RARE phosphor bronze acoustic strings are a departure from standard, good quality bronze strings currently available... not necessarily better, but possessing a new, different, and stronger "voice". When ...h m s
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Ernie Ball Earthwood Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$7.99 - $19.99Produced with an exclusive phosphor bronze wrap wire, the Earthwood Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings are engineered to meet the demands of acoustic musicians worldwide. These concert quality strings provide d...h m s
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Ernie Ball 2008 Earthwood Rock and Blues Acoustic 80/20 Bronze Strings
$7.99 - $17.99The Rock and Blues are made from 80% copper, 20% zinc wire wrapped around hex shaped tin plated high carbon steel core wire. One of the most popular acoustic guitar strings as used by the Eagles, Elvis Costello and ...h m s
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Ernie Ball 2625 8 String Slinky Electric Guitar Strings
$15.99Guitarists choose Ernie Ball strings for their exceptional quality and tone. The Ernie Ball 8 String Slinky wound strings are made from nickel plated steel wire wrapped around a hex shaped steel core wire. The plain...h m s
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Elixir 16182 NanoWeb Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings
$21.99Taylor Guitars worked with Elixir Strings to create a custom string set that brings bolder highs and fuller lows to the Grand Concert and Grand Auditorium guitars. Elixir Acoustic HD Light Phosphor Bronze Strings wi...h m s
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Ernie Ball P02850 M-Steel Slinky Guitar Strings
$12.99 - $14.99The Skinny Top Heavy Bottom loudest, most expressive strings ever created. Provides increased output, frequency response, and strength. Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Slinky Strings are the perfect hybrid set for tho...h m s
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D'Addario XS 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Set
$19.99 - $52.9980/20 Bronze are our brightest acoustic guitar strings, made to give your tone an unparalleled shine. With the addition of our revolutionary XS coating, our bold, bright 80/20 strings obtain maximum life, with an un...4 Payments of $13.25
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Elixir 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings 3 Pak
$35.99Play for longer without compromising tone and feel with what experienced players worldwide say are the best acoustic guitar string on the market. Elixir Strings protects the whole string - not only the outer string ...h m s
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DAddario Nickel Wound Single Acoustic or Electric Guitar Strings
$1.99 - $9.95XL Nickel Wound, D'Addario's most popular electric guitar strings, are precision wound with nickelplated steel onto a carefully drawn, hexagonally shaped, high carbon steel core. The result, strings with long lastin...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.
