Trivia Book for Beginner Guitarists, Volume 1

It goes without saying that strings are the most important and indispensable component of stringed instruments, including the guitar.
What criteria do you use when choosing strings? All stringed instruments share the same basic structure: they produce sound through “string vibration.”
In the case of electric guitars (and electric basses), pickups capture this string vibration, convert it into an electrical signal, and transmit it.While the “vibrational characteristics” of the body and neck also have a significant impact on the sound, the core element is the vibration of the strings themselves.
Currently, various manufacturers offer a wide variety of strings. These can be broadly divided into two types: “plain strings,” which consist solely of a core wire, and “wound strings,” which have a winding wrapped around the core wire. How do these affect string vibration and tone?

The core wires of electric and acoustic guitar strings are made of steel. To explain this in slightly scientific terms, steel is an alloy of iron containing approximately 0.04–1.7% carbon; the higher the carbon content, the harder the steel becomes.
This “steel wire,” which is produced by drawing steel into a fine wire, serves as the core of the guitar string. Some steel wires, like piano wire, have a high carbon content and are extremely hard.
What’s important is a balance of strength, durability, and flexibility that supports excellent vibration and playability; therefore, the core of guitar strings is essentially made from the same type of piano wire.
If a guitar string is too hard, it can cause problems with string vibration and playability; if it is too soft, the pitch becomes unstable and the string cannot vibrate sufficiently. Furthermore, strings that are too hard or too soft are prone to breaking. This piano wire is classified into grades based on its carbon content, which affects hardness, tone, and sustain; as a key component of the string’s construction, the core wire material is of critical importance.

There are two types of core wires: round core wires and square-shaped core wires. Currently, hexagonal core wires—known as “hexagonal cores”—are the mainstream choice.

When replacing strings yourself, take a close look at the cross-section after cutting them! You’ll likely be able to understand the shape of the core wire and how the winding is arranged.

Of course, “plain strings” use round core wires. Theoretically, round wires produce more uniform and superior string vibration when stretched straight—so why are hexagonal core wires used for “wound strings”?

It’s because a hexagonal core allows the winding wire to be wrapped more securely. Generally, with a round core, the winding tends to loosen easily, often resulting in an uneven wrap. With a hexagonal core, however, the winding wire interlocks tightly at each vertex.

Some people might wonder, “What about triangular or square core wires?”

Theoretically, a rounder core provides superior string vibration. So what about octagonal or hexadecagonal cores?

In reality, these are difficult to manufacture, which is why hexagonal core wires have become the standard today. However, this doesn’t mean that all hexagonal core wires are ideal; the material grade of the piano wire, as mentioned earlier, is also a crucial factor. Additionally, some manufacturers use special “elliptical” core wires to produce high-quality strings.

The winding material for most electric guitars (and electric basses) falls into two broad categories: “nickel” or “stainless steel.” In addition, acoustic guitars use strings made of bronze or phosphor bronze, among others.
The material of electric guitar strings must be capable of responding to the magnetic field of the pickup.Even if the winding material isn’t magnetic, the pickup will still respond magnetically as long as the core wire is made of a magnetic material. (An example of this is black nylon strings for Bass.)
Now, “nickel” refers to a nickel alloy. It is magnetic, soft, easy to work with, and resistant to rust, which is why nickel is overwhelmingly used in high-quality strings. The purity of the nickel varies depending on the manufacturer.
On the other hand, “stainless steel” is an alloy of steel and chromium. It is resistant to rust and is a metal familiar to us in everyday life. As a string material, it offers excellent strength and durability, along with good magnetic response, which is why it is used in widely available, inexpensive strings.
If we break down “stainless steel” further,

They are classified as follows. Even though they are all called “stainless steel,” the characteristics of the strings differ depending on which type is used.
In some cases, stainless steel may match the characteristics of the pickup better than high-quality nickel, and while it is difficult to make a definitive judgment on which is superior
, the material of the winding wire—just like the core wire—is a very important factor for guitar strings.
Furthermore, for acoustic guitars, most strings use copper-based alloys—such as brass, a material also used in wind instruments like the saxophone and valued for its “resonance”—as the winding material.
For acoustic guitars, the “resonance” and tone of the strings themselves are more important than compatibility with the pickup. Even with Electric Acoustic guitars, since piezo-type pickups directly capture string vibrations, the “resonance” of the strings in their natural state is more important than the magnetic properties of the strings.
Copper has high thermal conductivity and has long been used as the material that “resonates” the most.

If we break down “copper alloys” further,

Classified in this way, phosphor bronze is the most popular material for acoustic guitar strings. This alloy has a reddish-yellow color and is also called “gold strings” due to its golden luster. With its moderate flexibility and exceptionally rich high-frequency harmonics, it is considered the ideal material for acoustic guitars that rely on natural resonance.

◼️ Round-Wound Strings

This is the most common type, featuring a round wire wrapped around the core, and is used on most electric guitars (and electric Basses) as well as acoustic guitars. It produces a sharp tone characterized by rich harmonics, clear articulation, and a bright timbre.

◼️Flat-Wound Strings

These strings have a smooth, polished finish. Their smooth feel makes fingering easy, so touch noise is hardly noticeable.
The tone is round and sweet, with the high frequencies slightly rolled off; while the low end is full-bodied, the attack is soft, resulting in somewhat limited sustain. They are well-suited for jazz-style guitar playing.

◼️Half-Round Strings

These strings feature a semi-circular winding, resulting in a tone that falls between Round and Flat. They are known for being developed exclusively by D'Addario.

◼️Half & Half Strings

These unique strings feature round-wound wire on the body side and semi-circular wire (known as “Ground,” which is a cross between round and flat) on the neck side. They maintain a round tone near the pickups while offering smoother fingering and reduced touch noise on the fretboard.

Ball ends are necessary for securing the strings to the tailpiece, and most are made of brass.
Since these ball ends come into direct contact with the tailpiece, they play a crucial role—along with the bridge—in transmitting string vibrations to the body. For this reason, brass, which is known for its excellent resonance, is used as the material.There are also colored ball ends, but these are made of brass plated with nickel or chrome. While their shape, size, and thickness vary by manufacturer, why do most ball ends have a hole in them?

In fact, these holes are absolutely necessary for the manufacturing process, as they are required to secure the strings to the machine during the winding process.
There are also special types of ball ends (such as bread ends, Floyd Rose-compatible ends, and loop ends), as well as “double ball ends,” which feature a ball end at both ends of the string.

I hope you now understand that the piano wire used as the core of guitar strings is steel wire. This piano wire has a high carbon content and is extremely hard. As mentioned earlier, piano wire is graded based on its carbon content; typically, the “SWRS82A” grade is most commonly used for guitar strings.
This is turning into another science lesson again (laughs)

This carbon content is standard for piano wire. I hope you understand that without a moderate amount of impurities, the wire would lack the flexibility, string vibration, and tone required for guitar strings, even if it were strong enough.

Staff Comment

Those guitar strings you usually buy on a whim actually have a lot more to them than you might think!

We’ve packed in all the essential knowledge—like the key differences between light and super-light gauges and their tonal characteristics—that you’ll definitely find useful. Choosing strings that match your playing style and guitar will make your daily practice and live performances even more enjoyable. Please use this as a guide when selecting your strings!

Currently, guitar strings typically consist of “plain strings” for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd strings, and “wound strings” for the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings.
However, until around the 1960s, the 3rd string on electric guitars was a “wound string.” Starting in the 1970s, when bending became common, the 3rd string gradually shifted to the plain string we use today.Driven in part by the demands of the hard rock scene at the time, extra-light gauges ranging from 009 to 042 became the standard. It’s fair to say that guitar strings have evolved alongside advancements in instrument design and the introduction of innovative components. Differences in gauge directly affect string vibration. Be sure to adjust the width of the nut slots to match the gauge you’re using. If the nut slots don’t match the gauge, you’ll experience buzzing or unstable tuning.

Furthermore, human sensory perception is surprisingly acute and sensitive—it’s said we can actually feel a difference as small as 0.001 inches (0.0254 mm)! Why not trust the sensation in your fingertips and choose the material, type, and brand that best suits your playing style?
Let’s aim to become “players who can tell the difference”!

“Tension” refers to the “tension of the strings,” but it encompasses three distinct meanings: “the force with which the strings are stretched,” “the force with which the strings press against the nut and bridge,” and “the stiffness of the strings as felt by the player’s fingertips.”

Needless to say, these three types of “tension” are interrelated.
Additionally, the total tension on a guitar is approximately
40 kg for light gauge and 70–80 kg for a Bass. Thicker gauge strings generally have higher tension, but the tension can vary depending on the material and structure of the core and winding wires.

Have you ever had to take your guitar in for repairs because it was buzzing or going out of tune easily?
No matter how good the strings you choose are, the way you install them can significantly affect the sound. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the problem to stem from improper string installation.
Basically, after threading the string through the bridge, wind it straight onto the tuning peg without twisting it. Twisting the string negatively affects its vibration, makes it prone to going out of tune, and increases the likelihood of it breaking, thereby shortening its lifespan. If you wind the string too many times, it will go out of tune easily; if you wind it too few times, the tension will be insufficient. While some systems, like Floyd Rose, have slightly unique stringing methods, we hope you’ll find this guide helpful.

To change strings accurately and quickly, we recommend using a string winder.

The biggest enemies of guitar strings are “moisture” and “salt.” During daily practice and before live performances, sweat and humidity expose the strings to these elements. Be sure to wipe the strings with an absorbent cloth.

Additionally, if you won’t be playing your guitar for an extended period, leaving the strings under constant tension will cause them to gradually deteriorate. We recommend loosening the tuning slightly to reduce the strain on the neck.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s time to replace your strings.
・It’s becoming difficult to stay in tune
・The strings have stretched out completely; while they stay in tune, the tone has become muffled
・The surface of the strings is rusty
Strings that have reached the end of their lifespan lose the stiffness of their core wire, resulting in weaker tension. Overtones deteriorate, causing high notes to sound dull, and the attack is lost. To keep your guitar in top condition, make a point of replacing the strings regularly.

Here are some of the most representative electric guitar strings available.

D'Addario EXL110

NICKEL WOUND

REGULAR LIGHT

010, 013, 017, 026, 036, 046

Artists Who Use Them

John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers) / Greg Howe / John Scofield / Brian Setzer / Lisa Loeb / Billy Martin (Good Charlotte) / Lenny Kravitz / Brad Delson (Linkin Park) / Mathias Jabs (The Scorpions) / Trevor Rabin, and others

The tension is uniform; the wound strings have a firm, solid feel, while the plain strings feel slightly stiffer.

D'Addario EXL115

NICKEL WOUND

BLUES/JAZZ ROCK

011, 014, 018, 028, 038, 049

Artists Who Use These Strings

Pat Metheny / Andy Summers, and others

These strings have a full, rich tone and resist distortion well, so they’re also recommended for rock.

D'Addario EXL120

NICKEL WOUND

SUPER LIGHT

009, 011, 016, 024, 032, 042

Artists Who Use Them

Joe Satriani / Kerry King (Slayer) / Neal Schon (Journey), and others

The bright sound suits a variety of playing styles.

D'Addario EXL125

NICKEL WOUND

SUPER LIGHT/REGULAR

009, 011, 016, 026, 036, 046

Characterized by a firm tone, these strings pair well with single-coil pickups that produce bright highs and are an excellent match for Stratocasters.

SUPER SLINKY

009, 011, 016, 024, 032, 042

Artists Who Use It

Jimmy Page, and others

This standard model enjoys overwhelming support from top guitarists.

It’s also a favorite of my personal favorite guitarist, Jimmy Page (LED ZEPPELIN)!

REGULAR SLINKY

010, 013, 017, 026, 036, 046

The wound strings have a crisp, snappy feel, while the plain strings have a lighter tension, resulting in a well-balanced sound without any harshness.

Written by: Nihei (Electric Guitar Specialist at TCGAKKI)

He was introduced to the guitar through the manga “BECK” while in middle school and, influenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana, discovered his passion for rock music.
He graduated from a vocational school specializing in guitar making. He has worked on the Acoustic Floor at TCGAKKI and in the TCGAKKI Premium Guitar Lounge. Currently, as the electric guitar specialist, he actively shares his love for the instrument through writing columns and appearing on YouTube.

Qualifications and Experience: 8 years as a musical instrument appraiser

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