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DR Strings RCA-12 SUNBEAM Acoustic Guitar Strings
$8.99SUNBEAM Acoustic Guitar Strings utilize a phosphor bronze wrap wound on a round high-carbon steel core. Â The use of the round core increases flexibility and produces a long sustain that fades slowly and evenly wit...h m s
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Fender 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$7.99For those who want to brighten things up a bit. The Fender 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings deliver bright tone and great feel, making them perfect for an acoustic guitar with a naturally dark tone. Made from ...h m s
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Stringjoy SJ-FW Foxwoods Coated Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings
$18.99Looking for a string that sounds super good and plays super good? Then you need to check out Stringjoy Foxwoods. With this set, you really get the best of both worlds, because they’re perfect for players who are loo...h m s
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DR Strings DDT Drop Down Tuning Electric Guitar Strings
$11.99 - $17.95The first thing you will notice about the DDT Drop Down Tuning strings is how stable they are and how they go right into tune and lock in. Players say "they are so stable it is almost eerie." Now, you can stand and ...h m s
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Ernie Ball P02629 Slinky 8-String Electric Guitar Strings
$15.99Ernie Ball Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings are made from nickel-plated steel wire wrapped around a tin-plated hex-shaped steel core wire. The plain strings are made of specially tempered tin plated high carbon ...h m s
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Dunlop JRN1156DB Jim Root Drop B Guitar Strings
$10.99When you’re dishing out blast-beat-driven grooves and extra twisted melodies from downtuned depths like Jim Root, you need a set of strings that will stand up to your onslaught while staying in tune. He came to the ...h m s
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Martin MA140 Authentic Acoustic SP 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Strings
$7.99 - $20.99The ultimate in 80/20 bronze acoustic strings, these Martin Authentic Acoustic SP strings are made with Martin’s highest tensile-strength core wire, then tin-plate it on all six strings for added corrosion resistanc...h m s
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Martin Authentic Acoustic SP 92/8 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings
$7.99 - $128.99The Authentic Acoustic SP 92/8 Phosphor Bronze strings strings are engineered with the performer in mind and they will always stand up to rigorous practice and performance schedules. Martin started with their highes...6 Payments of $21.50
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Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwound Electric Guitar Strings
$19.99Ernie Ball Flatwound Guitar Sets are wound with a patented cobalt alloy ribbon for a round sound with a flat feel and feature a plain g string for easy bending and soloing. Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwound Electric G...h m s
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Ernie Ball P02069 Earthwood Folk Nylon Ball End Classical Strings
$8.99 - $21.99Plain strings are made of a solid nylon clear filament. Nylon produces rich pure treble tones with percussive attack. Wound strings are made of 80/20 bronze wrapped around a multifiliment nylon core. Ball end classi...h m s
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Fender Super Bullet Electric Guitar Strings
$9.99The ultimate string for modern tremolo players! The combination of Nickelplated Steel with Fender's patented, German made Bullet End, which fits precisely in the tremolo block, creates one stable string! For all of ...h m s
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Martin Flexible Core Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings
$8.99 - $21.99String bending on an acoustic has never been easier! The Martin Flexible Core strings feel soft to the touch, making them ideal for beginners. But don’t be fooled by comfort! They are for professional players too. J...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.
