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Gibson Dave Mustaine Electric Guitar String Set
$15.00Dave Mustaine is the legendary guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and founder of the multi-platinum-selling and Grammy® Award-winning band, MEGADETH. Dave worked closely with Gibson to create a string set with the fea...h m s
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Martin MA130S Authentic Acoustic Marquis Silked Silk and Steel Strings
$9.99 - $25.47The MA130S Silk and Steel strings are the right choice for you. Martin Authentic Acoustic Marquis Silked strings offer thread wrapping for bridge protection, corrosion resistance and excellent tuning stability. Mart...h m s
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D'Addario EXL120 Plus Nickel Electric Guitar Strings Super Light
$8.49D'Addario EXL120+, with its 9.5 gauge high E, is the ideal step up string set for players who are moving up from 9 to 10 gauge sets. Additionally, it's great for balancing tension between various scale length guita...h m s
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Ernie Ball Earthwood Acoustic 80/20 Bronze Guitar Strings
$7.99 - $85.99Made 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 Joe Bonamassa. Ernie Ba...4 Payments of $21.50
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D'Addario XT Acoustic Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
$15.99 - $41.99XT Acoustic Phosphor Bronze strings combine D’Addario’s most popular acoustic alloy with an extended lifespan treatment on every string in the set, preserving the natural tone and feel of uncoated strings. D’Addari...h m s
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Martin 41Y19MEC Clapton's Choice Signature Acoustic Guitar Strings
$8.49 - $20.37Eric Clapton loves his Martin acoustic guitar strings so much that he wanted to endorse them. We are proud and honored that Martin Guitar makes the strings that Eric trusts to produce his legendary guitar sounds. Wh...h m s
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Ernie Ball 2839 Slinky Nickel Wound 6-String Baritone Strings
$12.99Ernie Ball Nickel Wound 6-string Baritone Electric Bass Strings are made from nickel plated steel wrapped around a hex shaped steel core wire. The plain strings are made of specially tempered tin plated high carbon ...h m s
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Martin Authentic Acoustic Marquis Silked 80/20 Bronze Strings
$8.99Martin Authentic Acoustic Marquis Silked 80/20 Bronze strings offer extra protection for your fine guitar. Martin Guitar knows a thing or two about pampering valuable instruments. Martin added a soft silk wrap to th...h m s
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Daddario NYXL Nickel Wound Balanced Tension Guitar Strings
$12.99A Balanced Tension set designed for greaterer dynamic control and a more consistent feel between strings for evenly balanced bending, strumming, fretting,and picking. D’Addario NYXL Super Light guitar strings ...h m s
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DR Strings BKE9 Black Beauties Electric Guitar Strings
$11.99 - $26.95DR Strings Black Beauties black coated electric guitar strings represent the latest in coated guitar string technology! DR’s K3 Technology coated wire is pre coated before winding for extra life and extra protectio...h m s
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Ernie Ball Cobalt 7-String Slinky Electric Guitar Strings
$14.99 - $16.99Engineered to maximize output and clarity, Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky guitar strings are the one of the latest innovations in string technology. Seeking to provide guitarists and bassists with a new voice, Cobalt stri...h m s
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Ernie Ball P0221 Skinny Top Beefy Bottom Slinky Electric Guitar Strings
$9.49The Ernie Ball Skinny Top Beefy Bottom Slinky’s combine the lighter playability of the Regular Slinky set with slightly heavier wound strings than the popular Beefy Slinky set. This combination is the ultimate for l...
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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.
