acoustic guitar strings

Before we dive into the specific characteristics of various types of acoustic and classical guitar strings, let’s address the question of gauges since it applies to both types. Acoustic strings are manufactured in a range of thicknesses or gauges. These gauges are designated in thousandths of an inch. The lightest strings are typically .010 and the heaviest a .059. String gauge has a big influence on playability and sound. Most acoustic guitars ship with light or medium gauge strings, which are also known as 12s or 13s.

Note that classical guitar strings are also designated according to their tension. We will discuss the effect of tension on classical guitar playability and performance below.