Musical Instruments, Strings and Accessories
Choosing acoustic guitar strings is a personal decision and you may need to try a few sets or gauges before you find the optimal string set for your acoustic guitar. Though there’s no right answer, we can help you find the right set for you.
Find your favourite D’Addario strings in our store – Here.
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Drawing on generations of string-making innovation, D’Addario electric guitar strings provide the sound of countless records you know and love, as well as the live vibe of musicians the world over. Check out all we have to offer, from tried-and-true XLs, to our unbelievably long lasting XS sets.
Find your favourite D’Addario strings in our store – Here.
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Hannabach is one of the most famous German classical guitar string manufacturers. Well known for their high quality and diverse range, Hannabach offers up to five different string tensions in some of its model ranges.
With tensions ranging from super low to super high, Hannabach offers strings to suit everyone.
Let us look through some of their range from the lowest to the highest price point.
High precision clear nylon trebles, and multi-filament core silver plated copper wire basses, the 500 Series offers a surprisingly good entry point into the world of Hannabach.
At this price point these strings suit either the budget minded amateur, or the professional who changes strings more frequently to achieve their preferred sound.
Using similar high precision clear nylon trebles, and multi-filament core silver plated copper wire basses found on the 500 Series, the 600 Series has a “Carbon” third G string replacing the nylon string from the 500 Series.
Some players prefer the smaller diameter of the Carbon third to improve intonation, and provide a brighter higher attack option, with better transition from trebles to basses.
The basses are also anti-corrosive treated.
High precision high-density nylon trebles, and multi-filament core silver plated copper wire basses, they sound brilliant, but not intrusive and provide a decent bass tone. The trebles, made from high-density nylon, offer the typical, slightly damped sound of nylon strings. Today the 800 series is the high-level entry into the world of Hannabach.
High precision round nylon trebles (100% uniform round without irregularities or deviations), and multi-filament core silver plated copper wire basses, offering pristine sound quality and fulfills professional demands for playability, intonation and tuning stability requirements. The bass strings have a thicker silver coating for longevity.
Many players consider the 815 Series perfectly balanced across all strings making them one of the most popular choices.
High precision round clear nylon trebles, and extremely strong synthetic fiber core with hard silver plated copper wire basses, mark the fine-tuning of this series. The synthetic fiber core offers a clearer sound that last longer.
The bass strings are nickel and cadmium free. The environmentally friendly packaging consist of only one paper bag.
Featuring the same precision round nylon trebles as the 815 Series, the bass strings are what set this series apart. The bass strings are multi-filament core silver plated copper wire basses, but importantly these bass strings are polished.
Polishing the bass strings is an expensive process, but done correctly the polishing process largely reduces or eliminates string squeak produced by the fingers. The reduction in squeaking is most appreciated in the recording or concert environments.
The polishing process can remove the silver plating and make the basses inconsistent and/or dull in appearance. This is perfectly normal for polished strings.
Featuring the same precision round nylon trebles as the 815 Series, the bass strings are what set this series apart. The bass strings are multi-filament core copper wire basses, but importantly these bass strings are coated in 24K Gold.
The Gold coating is resistant to the acid produced by the hands, meaning their life is extended beyond that of traditional silver coatings. This is particularly important for those who have sweaty hands.
Apart for the purposeful reason for their coating, the 24K Gold makes them look as expensive as they are.
High precision round flurocarbon trebles, and high-density fiber core with golden alloy wire basses. The trebles have a yellowish tint, and their “carbon” material leads to an overall brighter sound than nylon, but not unnaturally bright like some carbon trebles.
Hannabach Goldins are a top seller in the high end range, with many players praising the strings for their ability to make any guitar sound better, and for having good longevity.
The overall sound is strong and brilliant making the Goldin a favourite with concert players who demand high volume.
Being a medium/high tension set, the Goldins have a tension feel similar to standard high tension strings.
The bass strings are nickel and cadmium free.
Strings By Post – in tune with your needs.
The string manufacturing industry has come a long way since Ernie Ball began making custom-wound sets in his Tarzana, CA music shop. So long are the days of simple wire strings. The technology that goes into manufacturing today’s guitar and bass strings are wildly complex, so we’re hoping to simplify things to make sure the next time you step foot in your local music shop you’re not overwhelmed by all of the choices.
One of the questions we get most frequently asked is what the difference is between coated and uncoated strings. Much like how it sounds, uncoated, or plain strings, have no extra layer of protective coating, while coated strings are treated with a thin layer of polymer which can be applied on the wrap wire, core wire, or the entire string.
The main benefit of coated strings is its corrosion-resistant properties. Changing climates, as well as sweat and oils from your skin, all contribute to the degradation of your strings. If you don’t regularly clean your strings, dirt and oil will build up in the valleys between the wrap wire and speed up the corrosion process, which ultimately contaminates the strings and kills tone. But unlike plain strings, coated strings provide a thin layer between the wrap wire and your fingers. The coated layer doesn’t allow dirt and grime to build up as quickly, allowing you to elongate the time between string changes.
Sounds great, right? It is! But with any good thing, coated strings also have their drawbacks. While the polymer coating is great for keeping your strings clean and protecting them from the elements, coatings often dampen the highs, the way the strings respond, and sometimes even the way they feel. Some players find that coated guitar strings affect their tone, while also having a more slippery feel.
While a loss of tone is true for other coated strings on the market, Ernie Ball’s Everlast coating does not have any effect on the string’s tone. Developed at Princeton University, Everlast is a groundbreaking nanotechnology just nanometers thin that coats the entirety of the wound string, allowing it to repel moisture and oils that would lead to tone-killing buildup.
On top of our industry-leading Everlast treatment, our Paradigm strings are also manufactured with our Plasma Enhancement process. The high heat of the plasma removes contaminants and smooths out defects for a consistent finish. Ensuring that the wire has a more stable microstructure before it is wrapped means the string will last longer.
At the end of the day, coated versus uncoated strings completely comes down to personal preference. So the best way to find out if coated strings are the best for you is to try a pack for yourself.
Strings By Post – in tune with your needs.
Our relationship with the four-string groove machine dates back to the early 1970s. Fast forward to 2019 and bass players of every style of music and playing type are spoiled with over 40 different sets of Ernie Ball bass strings to choose from.
Wondering where to start in choosing the right strings? Don’t fret, here’s the low-down on all things bass strings.
In simpler terms, this describes the outer ‘wrap’ layer of the string: round, bumpy, flat, or smooth. This wrap is likely to have the biggest impact on your overall sound.
If you’re after a ‘brighter’ rock sound that cuts through the mix, you’re probably a Roundwound player. Take a look at our range of Nickel wound, Cobalt, Coated and Stainless Steel bass strings.
If you’re after ‘darker’, vintage bluesy or jazzy tone with more thump, you should check out our range of Flatwound Bass Strings.
We’ve also have a third option for players who want that round sound but with the smooth feel of flats, Slinky Flatwounds.
Your equalizer (which controls your treble, bass and mid levels), amplifier, effects, and playing style will also have a dramatic impact on your sound. But the natural ability of the strings is where it all starts.
String gauge is the measurement of string thickness in thousands of an inch. The thicker and heavier the string, the closer it will be to the frets; therefore, it will affect the overall action and playability of your bass.
Because heavier strings have more harmonics, tension is what keeps the tuning stable. Whereas lighter strings have a tighter sound and project more of a “bite.” Light gauges are also easier to bend and fret for playability. “Slappers” and “poppers” will generally use a lighter gauge bass string.
Ultimately, you should be looking to find a balance of harmonics and playability that works for you. If you’re not sure, try our Regular Slinky Bass Strings. They’re designed with a balanced tone, feel, and tension. Take a look at our full range of bass strings and see what you think will work for you.
Keep in mind that it’s unlikely your audience will be able to hear the gauge you play. And you can always tweak your equalizer and tone settings to dial in a perfect tone shape.
Quick tip: The scale length of your guitar and also what tuning you’re playing in will determine your options. We’ve got you covered if you need Short Scale bass strings or Super Long Scale bass strings. Our new Beefy Slinkys are also the perfect options for those ultra-low tunings. Prefer more strings? Check out our bass strings for 5 and 6 string basses.
Ernie Ball bass strings are available in three main materials, each with their own variation and unique tone.
The number one selling bass string in the world, our Slinky Nickel Wound has a special recipe made from a nickel plated steel roundwound wrap. They give a balanced tone that works well with all bass types and styles. The roundwound wrap isn’t as durable as a flatwound, so for added longevity consider our Coated Roundwound bass strings.
Slinky Cobalt bass strings have roundwound wrap that uses a cobalt alloy to provide a stronger magnetic relationship with the pickups. The result equals a much wider range of output across all EQ bands. We use cobalt as the wrap in our Slinky Flatwound sets to make the most expressive flatwound in the world.
Stainless Steel Bass Strings have greater resilience against corrosion. And they make a great alternative to the nickel wound sets if you play slap as they have a naturally brighter tone. We use stainless steel as the wrap for our flatwound bass strings as steel provides a great long lasting smooth feel and the perfect mellow sound when flattened.
The strings you choose will help project the exact sound of you’re trying to achieve. So whether you’re into rock, pop, soul, funk, jazz, reggae or anything in between, it’s an important decision to consider.
There are many other things that can — and will — affect your sound, but you need to have the right tools for the job. Think about the differences between bassists like Mike Dirnt, Pino Palladino, Rick Savage and Tony Levin. They all play different strings for a reason.
It’s all about personal taste and there aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing your strings, so explore your options. You may find that certain basses work better with certain types of strings. For example, a passive bass may work better with our Cobalt set. Or you may settle in with our Hybrid gauge if you want to drop dune but keep the easy bending on the top.
One more quick tip: If you’re experimenting with gauges you should also consider the impacts it has on your truss rod and neck.
Strings By Post – in tune with your needs.
Ernie Ball manufactures over 200 varieties of electric guitar strings in a diverse selection of materials, string gauges, and styles. Whether you are a beginner or a professional guitar player, you can find the right strings for your level and guitar type with this electric guitar string buying guide.
Electric guitar strings, like acoustic guitar or electric bass strings, are manufactured in a range of thicknesses or gauges. The thickness of an electric guitar string has a large influence on the playability and sound in addition to other factors like the string material.
Easier to bend and play, so ideal for beginner guitar players with uncalloused hands.
Ideal for vintage electric guitars.
Even projection with bright sound.
Require more finger pressure to fret and bend notes.
Hotter output with punchy tone.
Are preferred for low tunings such as Drop D, Drop A, etc.
Exert more tension on the guitar neck.
Electric guitar strings are made using various metal alloys which have a significant impact on the strings’ sound. Here are some general tonal characteristics of the most common types of strings:
Nickel: Balanced brightness and warmth.
Cobalt: Wide dynamic range with increased low end and crisp highs.
M-Steel: Rich and full tone with powerful low end response.
Pure Nickel: Vintage output with a warm tone.
Stainless Steel: Bright, crisp, “edgy” tone with corrosion resistance.
Ernie Ball electric guitar strings come in a variety of materials described above including the popular Nickel Wound Slinky’s, M-Steel, and Cobalt electric guitar strings. Below is a quick comparison of the different types of Ernie Ball electric guitar string types. You can also use our useful compare tool on our website to compare any of our electric guitar string products.
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Electric Strings are our top selling set, and are favored by Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Steve Vai and legions of guitar players worldwide. Regular Slinky wound strings are made from nickel plated steel wire wrapped around a hex shaped steel core wire. The plain strings are made of specially tempered tin plated high carbon steel producing a well balanced tone for your guitar.
Our new state-of-the-art wire drawing process coupled with our patented RPS (reinforced plain string) technology dramatically increases tensile strength by up to 35% and provides up to 70% more fatigue strength than traditional strings. Our Paradigm wrap wire uses an exclusive plasma enhanced process to remove defects and greatly improves corrosion resistance.
Engineered to maximize output and clarity, Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Guitar Strings provide an extended dynamic range, incredible harmonic response, increased low end, and crisp, clear highs. Cobalt provides a stronger magnetic relationship between pickups and strings than any other alloy previously available. Cobalt Slinkys are also soft and silky to the touch, making string bending a breeze.
Maraging Steel, is a superalloy used in high stress applications for the aerospace and defense industries. These wound strings are comprised of a patented Super Cobalt alloy wrapped around a Maraging steel hex core wire, producing a richer and fuller tone with powerful low end response. A patented winding of steel around the ball end of the plain strings reduces slippage, breakage and stays in tune better than conventional strings.
Made from pure nickel wire wrapped around tin plated hex shaped steel core wire, these guitar strings produce a warm rich tone with that signature Slinky feel.
Ernie Ball’s RPS wound strings consist of specific gauges and core to wrap ratios for balanced rich harmonics and a signature Slinky feel. Plain strings in RPS sets last longer and stay in tune better than conventional plain strings. A patented winding of brass wire is tightly wrapped around the lock twist of the ball end of the plain strings. String slippage and breakage are minimized at the ball end where these most often occur.
Titanium’s inherent strength prevents string breakage, string slippage, and is proven to keep your guitar strings in tune better than conventional plain strings. Ernie Ball coated Slinky guitar strings maintain the feel and sound of uncoated sets, combining the added protection with the vibrant tone Ernie Ball customers have relied on for over 50 years.
Primo Slinkys sit neatly between the popular Regular Slinky and Super Slinky strings while providing a balanced, comfortable feel across all six strings. This combination is perfect for players who are looking for added playability with minimal differences in tone and tension. Mega Slinky strings are ideal for players who prefer a thicker sounding set with only a slight difference in tension and feel.
We did the math so you don’t have to. The new Burly string set combines our Power and Skinny Top Heavy Bottom gauges, while the Ultra set provides the tone and feel of Regular and Power Slinky’s.
Strings By Post – in tune with your needs.
Ernie Ball acoustic guitar strings offer musicians the power to handpick the sound of their music. Acoustic guitar strings highly influence the overall sound and tonality because there are no pickups or amplifiers to interfere. Just pure music. But how do you choose the right acoustic string for your desired sound? There are many different kinds of Ernie Ball acoustic guitar strings to choose from. This guide can help you select the right ones.
First, we’ll address the most important, but sometimes the most confusing, element of choosing the right acoustic guitar strings: the gauge. The gauge of a string refers to the thickness of a string measured in thousandths of an inch. The larger the number, the thicker the string. Here’s a quick cheat sheet for what gauges to select.
Easier to bend, suitable for fingerpicking or single note playing
Ideal for vintage or smaller-bodied acoustic guitars
More treble, meaning subtle picking and strumming techniques stand out more
More bass, meaning deeper and stronger tones
Work well with larger acoustic guitars
More volume and sustain
Acoustic guitar strings can be composed of one or more types of material, and the different material(s) create different tones and sustainability. Here’s a quick comparison of the different types of Ernie Ball acoustic string compositions.
Ernie Ball Our new state-of-the-art wire drawing process coupled with our patented RPS (reinforced plain string) technology dramatically increases tensile strength by up to 35% and provides up to 70% more fatigue strength than traditional strings. Our PARADIGM wrap wire uses an exclusive plasma enhanced process to remove defects and greatly improve corrosion resistance. Get strings that last longer and sound fresher – without the tone-killing side effects of a coated string.
Made from 80% copper, 20% zinc wire wrapped around hex shaped tin plated steel core wire, this is the most popular type of acoustic guitar string. They provide a crisp, ringing sound with excellent projection.
Phosphor bronze strings are made of 92% copper, 7.7% tin, 0.3% with phosphorus wire wrapped around tin plated hex shaped steel core wire. These guitar strings have a light orange, gold color and provide a rich warm tone, with excellent clarity.
Aluminum bronze strings are made from a blend of copper and aluminum specifically tailored for acoustic guitar strings. They offer more projection and clarity than traditional bronze strings, while also providing improved corrosion resistance. Ernie Ball maraging steel hex cores and aluminum bronze wrap wire provide more pronounced lows coupled with crisp brilliant highs.
Ernie Ball coated acoustic guitar strings use groundbreaking nanotechnology that repels unwanted moisture and oils that negatively impact your tone. Unlike most coated string products on the market, our proprietary treatment is applied to both the inner hex core and outer wrap wire to provide ultimate protection without compromising tone or feel. Ernie Ball offers acoustic strings that are virtually indistinguishable from our uncoated string products allowing for the natural feel and sound players are accustomed to.
Coated strings generally last longer than uncoated strings and cost a bit more. Ultimately, coating is a personal preference; try both and decide which suits you best!
Strings By Post – in tune with your needs.
The predominant answer to this question is yes, but there are some exceptions. Lets look at a few variables to answer this question in some detail.
Instruments can have a huge variation in quality that can range from kids toys to high quality professional instruments.
Some kids toys, like the pineapple ukulele pictured here, are not likely to benefit at all from new strings unless a string is broken.
The pineapple ukulele is a rather extreme example of a poorly made instrument, but it does introduce some topics key to answering the question posed. This ukulele essentially lacks the basic traits that allow for good string tuning and intonation.
Instruments need good structural integrity not to deform in shape, which can cause the string length to change unintentionally during tuning or playing of the instrument. A good string attachment method on the bridge and good machine tuners also help maintain the string length and tension accurately. Instruments also need to have precisely placed frets, nut and saddle to ensure good intonation can be achieved. Unfortunately, the pineapple ukulele as neither good structural integrity, nor good intonation. In short, it cannot stay in tune due to a very poor design, and will therefore never sound good regardless of the condition of the strings fitted to the instrument.
Fortunately, most instrument sold through major music store retailers will be far better in terms of manufacture and design compared to the pineapple ukulele which is essentially a kids toy.
Any instrument of reasonably quality that allows for good string tension stability and intonation will likely benefit from new strings.
Older strings become lifeless and dull sounding as the strings themselves, over time, hold natural oils from fingers and debris. After a while corrosion can also take place on the strings themselves. All of this can make tuning more difficult, impact on intonation, and lead to an increased chance of string breakage.
How often strings need to be changed is a subject for future articles, but generally the amount of use, string type, and storage conditions can determine to a large extent, how often strings should be replaced.
Some instruments are manufactured for a specific gauge or tension, or material of string, and moving away from the strings that they were designed for can impact negatively on their sound and playability. Often instruments can be adjusted to compensate for different string gauges and tensions, but this is not always the case.
The vast majority of instruments will work well with a wide variety of string choices, and it is often only by trial and error that a player will find a string of preference.
If you can’t remember the last time you changed your strings, change them. You might be pleasantly surprised by the brighter, more vibrant, inspiring sound produced by your instrument.
Strings By Post – in tune with your needs.