A Passionate Topic

Selecting String Gauges

Thoughts on selecting guitar string gauges can range from the simplest suggestions to what might amount to a holy war.

There are certainly some guidelines that you can use for choosing a string gauges, but in the end it comes down to what works best for you, your playing style, your specific instrument, and those ten things at the ends of your hands.

The best gauge is the one that inspires you to play on a specific instrument.

General Guidelines

    If you are unsure where to begin, you can start with the most used gauges.

Electric

10–46

Acoustic

12–53

Experiment from the Standard

Test Other Gauges

Adjust up or down in those most used gauge ranges based upon your preferences. Still, in the beginning stay in that more standard range as you dial-in your preferences. For example, if you want to try lighter go to the 9-42s from the 10s. Further, if you want to try heavier, go to the 11-48s from the 10s.

Check Out "Exotics"

If you want to try the more "exotic" gauges, do it with a purpose. For example, you might like the feel and playability of the lighter strings but you want that heavier bottom end. The hybrid of the 9/10s 9-46 (STMB) might be the ticket for your pick attack, how you play, and everything else in your signal chain.

Instrument-Specific

If needed, dial that in based upon the specific instrument. For example, you might not be able to get the neck relief you need if you move to 8-38s from 10-46s. That will likely require a new setup and some guitars might not be able to be setup for that. You may want to try some 9.5-44 sets on your Teles and Strats. Some players swear by these 9.5-44 (XL+) sets for their Fenders and other 25.5″ scale length guitars.

Chasing Someone Else's Gauge

There is plenty of lore out there about string gauges. Some examples are that Billy Gibbons plays 7s. Stevie Ray Vaughn played heavy-duty "bridge" cables. That may be true, and we say, give both of them a try if that is your thing. Billy Gibbons is going to sound like Billy Gibbons, SRV is going to sound like SRV, and you are going to sound like you.

Bottom line is,... pursue your tone and the joy of playing. Do your best to enjoy all of it.

Electric String Gauges

Use this table to compare the individual string diameters in our electric-guitar sets. Measurements are shown in thousandths of an inch.

Set 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Nickname
8–38 .008 .011 .014 .022 .030 .038 8s
Extra Light 9–42 .009 .011 .016 .024 .032 .042 9s
9–46 .009 .011 .016 .026 .036 .046 9/10 Hybrid
9.5–44 .0095 .0115 .016 .024 .034 .044 XL+ 9.5
Light 10–46 .010 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046 10s
10–48 .010 .013 .017 .028 .038 .048 10/11 Hybrid
10–52 .010 .013 .017 .030 .042 .052 Fat Bottom 10s
10–54 .010 .013 .017 .032 .042 .054 Heavy Bottom 10s
Medium 11–48 .011 .014 .018 .028 .038 .048 11s
11–50 .011 .014 .018 .028 .038 .050 Heavy 11s

Acoustic String Gauges

Acoustic gauges generally use more tension than electric sets because the strings play an important role in driving the guitar's soundboard.

Set 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Nickname
10–47 .010 .014 .022 .030 .038 .047 10s
11–50 .011 .015 .022 .030 .036 .050 11s
12–53 .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 12s
13–56 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046 .056 13s

The Bottom Line

There is no universally perfect gauge, only the gauge that works best for your guitar, your hands, and the way you make music.

Have fun and experiment. Get out of your comfort zone and test something new. After that you may return to your standard or find a new favorite.

Still Not Sure?

Tell us what guitar you play, what gauge you currently use, and what you would like to change about the feel or response.

We will be happy to help you choose a place to start.

American String

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