The acoustic guitar is, by far, one of the most engaging instruments out there. Just imagine – you can always take your guitar out and play along while you and your friends sing your favorite songs. Of course, some have bigger ambitions and want to become really good at it. And both paths are great, but only one thing remains – you’ll always want to have a good tone. And one of the main components of great tone and great performance are good guitar strings.
Of course, things might sometimes get a little complicated in finding the right set of strings. With so many brands out there, some may get a little lost in finding the right ones for them. This is why we decided to look more into this topic and see what are the best steel strings for standard “Western”-style acoustic guitars. Any of these will do you well, but each comes in handy for different musical styles and other personal preferences.
D’Addario EXP
Being one of the most famous manufacturers, D’Addario has some amazing strings to offer in this category. We’re looking at their EXP strings, which come as coated phosphorus and bronze combination. In case you’re into traditional and folk music, these will serve you really well. Their smooth tone and slightly brighter resonance work great in these settings. Additionally, they’re also designed to minimize all the noise during your performance. Not to mention that they can last for a while.
Elixir Nanoweb 80/20
Elixir strings are pretty famous for their longevity and fresh tone, even after months of extensive active playing. After all, they’re right among the top manufacturers of coated strings. Here we have their Nanoweb 80/20 strings for acoustic guitars. The designated name is due to a combination of 80% copper and 20% zinc. This results in a very bright and vibrant tone that’s especially useful for solo guitar players. Add in the ultra-thin coating to the equation and you’ve got yourself a long-lasting set of strings that feel like there’s no coating at all.
Martin SP Lifespan
If you’re at least somewhat familiar with acoustic guitars, you most likely know how well-respected Martin Guitars are. Of course, they also specialize in making great guitar strings, offering some of the best stuff on the market today. Their SP, or “Superior Performance,” string series are quite popular. They come with a steel core and have an 80/20 ratio of bronze and zinc. And, as you could expect from Martin, these strings are extremely durable and have such a rich and full sound that fits a plethora of musical styles.
Ernie Ball 2564 Aluminum Bronze
We’d also like to take some time to look into Ernie Ball and some of their strings. Mostly known for electric guitar string sets, we also have great acoustic stuff, like their 2564 Aluminum Bronze. These strings bring a balanced tone that’s just slightly darker. Although pretty versatile, they’re very popular among rhythm players who need to have that resonant and controlled tone when strumming chords.
