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Guitar Strings: Our Pick, Gauges & When to Change Them

Our pick (editorial): Elixir coated strings. This is an honest editorial preference, not a hands-on test claim: we favour coated strings for beginners because they last longer between changes - fewer dull-sounding weeks, fewer string-changing chores while you are still learning, and less corrosion from beginner practice sweat. They cost more per pack; the trade is fewer packs and longer good tone. Differences below are from Elixir's official pages (elixirstrings.com, checked 2026-10-17).

Start here: coated vs uncoated

Coated (e.g. Elixir)

A featherweight coating protects the whole string, including gaps between windings, against dirt, sweat and corrosion (per Elixir).
Tone stays bright far longer, so beginners change strings far less often.
Costs more per pack, often less per month of good tone.
Smoother feel and less finger squeak for many players.

Uncoated (Ernie Ball, D'Addario XL/EJ, Martin, Fender 150)

Cheaper per pack and the widest choice of gauges and alloys.
Fresh-set brightness fades faster as windings fill with debris.
Plan on more frequent changes if you play daily.

Elixir spotlight

Set	Tone / feel (per Elixir)	Choose it if
Electric NANOWEB (nickel-plated steel)	Bright tone, smooth feel; ultra-thin coating barely noticeable	You want coated life with a traditional smooth feel
Electric OPTIWEB (electric only)	Crisp, uncoated-like tone; natural, firmer grip for bends and vibrato	You dislike coated feel but want coated life
Acoustic Phosphor Bronze NANOWEB	Rich and full: warmth with sparkle	Your one acoustic set for most guitars and styles
Acoustic 80/20 Bronze NANOWEB	Bright, lively, focused and bell-like	Your guitar sounds dark or you want cut and clarity

Elixir also makes POLYWEB (warm, slick/fast) and newer Attune acoustic - we feature NANOWEB/OPTIWEB here because they are the mainstream beginner choices. Source: Elixir official electric/acoustic pages and coating comparison, checked 2026-10-17.

Shop the sets

ILLUSTRATION

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Our pick

Elixir Electric NANOWEB Super Light .009-.042 (12002)

Our pick for electric beginners: easy bends, soft on fingertips, and coated life means fewer changes

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

Nickel-plated steelultra-thin NANOWEB coatingbright tonesmooth feel (per Elixir)

View at Elixir

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ILLUSTRATION

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Our pick

Elixir Electric NANOWEB Light .010-.046 (12052)

Our pick if .009s feel too slinky: the standard .010 electric gauge with coated life

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

Nickel-plated steelNANOWEB coatingbright tonesmooth feel (per Elixir)

View at Elixir

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ILLUSTRATION

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Our pick

Elixir Electric OPTIWEB Light .010-.046 (19052)

Players who want uncoated feel and bend control, but coated tone life

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

Nickel-plated steelOPTIWEB coatingcrisp tone and naturalgrippier feel (per Elixir)

View at Elixir

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ILLUSTRATION

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Our pick

Elixir Acoustic Phosphor Bronze NANOWEB Light .012-.053 (16052)

Our pick for most acoustic beginners: warmth plus sparkle, and months between changes

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

Phosphor bronze wrapNANOWEB coatingrich and full tonesmooth feel (per Elixir)

View at Elixir

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ILLUSTRATION

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Our pick

Elixir Acoustic 80/20 Bronze NANOWEB Light .012-.053 (11052)

Brighter, more bell-like acoustic voice - great if your guitar sounds dark

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

80/20 bronze wrap (80% copper/20% zinc)NANOWEB coatingbright and livelyfocused tone (per Elixir)

View at Elixir

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ILLUSTRATION

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Starter

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 2221 .010-.046 (electric)

The classic uncoated electric benchmark - cheaper per pack, change more often

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

Nickel-wound electric strings.010-.046uncoated

View at Ernie Ball

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Starter

D'Addario EXL110 XL Nickel .010-.046 (electric)

D'Addario's best-selling electric set since 1974 - a safe uncoated default

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

Nickel-plated steel wraphex corebright versatile toneuncoated (per D'Addario)

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Starter

Fender Original 150R Pure Nickel .010-.046 (electric)

Warmer, mellower electric tone than nickel-plated sets

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

Pure nickel wound stringsregular .010-.046warmer vintage toneuncoated

View at Fender

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Starter

D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Light .012-.053 (acoustic)

The standard uncoated acoustic set most guitars ship with

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

Phosphor bronze acoustic stringslight .012-.053uncoated

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Starter

Martin MA540 Authentic Acoustic SP Phosphor Bronze Light .012-.054

Martin's own factory string - the canonical dreadnought set

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

92/8 phosphor bronzetin-plated steel core (per Martin)light .012-.054uncoated

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Gauge guide

Gauge	Feel & tone	Start here?
Electric .009-.042 (Super Light)	Easiest bends, least finger pressure, slightly thinner tone	Yes - great first electric gauge, and for kids/small hands (extra-light)
Electric .010-.046 (Light/Regular)	The standard: fuller tone, still bendable	Yes - the default most electrics ship with
Electric .011-.049 (Medium)	Firmer, bigger bottom end, harder bends	Later, or for drop tunings/jazz
Acoustic .011-.052 (Custom Light)	Gentler on fingers, a little less volume	Good for kids, small hands and sore fingertips
Acoustic .012-.053/.054 (Light)	The acoustic standard: full dreadnought voice	Yes - start here on most acoustics
Acoustic .013-.056 (Medium)	Loudest, firmest, hardest work	Bluegrass/strumming later - can need a setup check

Changing gauge a lot can change neck tension - if you jump two steps, a setup check is wise. When in doubt, replace like with like.

Other string families

Acoustic alloys

Phosphor bronze = warmth + sparkle, the modern default. 80/20 bronze = brighter, more focused. Both exist coated (Elixir NANOWEB) and uncoated (EJ16, MA540).

12-string

Uses paired courses (octave/unison). Buy a dedicated 12-string set, tune carefully, and expect string changes to take longer. Same coated-vs-uncoated logic applies.

Classical nylon - warning

Never put steel strings on a classical guitar. Classicals are built for nylon tension; steel can warp the neck and pull the bridge off. Buy nylon classical sets only for nylon-string guitars, and steel only for steel-string acoustics/electrics.

Bass (brief)

Bass strings are much thicker, cost more, and last longer between changes. Match scale length (long scale is standard) and keep the same family (roundwound is the default).

When to change strings

Tone goes dull, woolly or lifeless even after tuning.
Tuning gets unstable or notes sound sour up the neck (intonation drift).
Visible discoloration, roughness or corrosion, especially on wound strings.
They feel gritty, or a string breaks (replace the set, not just one, for even tone).

Keep at least one spare set for your main guitar (two if you gig or break strings), stored dry in its sealed packet. Daily players may change uncoated sets every few weeks; coated sets commonly go far longer - change on the signs above, not the calendar.

How to change them (teaser)

One string at a time, stretch gently, tune up to pitch, and wipe strings down after playing. For the full beginner setup around your first restring, see What you need to start, the accessories checklist (spare strings are item one for a reason) and our first-setup budget. Tune up afterwards with the free tuner.

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