Good vs. poor guitar strings?

Question

I just got my new Ibanez JamPack IJV50 Quickstart Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Pack, and I'm loving it! I read several reviews, and many people seem to think the guitar strings are of inferior quality. Now, I can see the grease on them, and could understand that part, but I get the feeling there is something more to this. How can I tell a quality guitar string from one of poorer quality?

Answer 1

Since you just received a Guitar Pack I am going to make the assumption that you are fairly new to the guitar. The 1st thing is that all guitar strings will eventually get worn out. They eventually will lose some of their tone (where it sounds dull and not as crisp or full when they were new). They could get sticky or greasy as you said. So make sure you replace your strings when the time is right. Or if you think the ones on now are inferior, then try a different brand of strings.

There are different brands / types / gauges of strings as well. You can try all the different brands or types as you would like, but it is highly recommended to stay with the gauge your guitar is set at. All guitars are setup for specific gauge. Like my acoustic gauge range is .011-.052 or called "Custom Lights". If you are into playing the guitar and it is a new guitar, then I also strongly suggest that you spend the $40-$75 to get your guitar setup. This will lower the action (put the strings closer to the fret board, so you don't have to push as hard) and also let you know what gauge you are set at. This makes a huge difference, just look up guitar repair in your local phone book. If you put larger gauged strings that what your guitar is set at, then you run the risk of bending your trust rod and making your guitar not sound as good as it could.

But as for strings, I use the Elixir Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings (Custom Light Gauge). If those are not available then I use the D'Addario EXP strings. Martin strings are also very quality. You'll have to try them all, because the type of string people use is mostly decided by personal opinion. I like the Elixirs because they last longer, they have a nice slide to them, and in my opinion sound amazing. I hope this helps. I play about 4-6 hours a day and replace my strings about every 2-3 months.

Answer 2

hi, Zach. in my opinion ought to bypass with a robust steel-stringed acoustic, used, once you're purely beginning out (far greater bang for the greenback vs. new). And word that extremely some the actually worst undesirable guitars i've got seen have been nylon-stringed "classic" guitars - the lighter string rigidity in contact enables some relatively shoddy production, conserving mutually purely long sufficient to sell the flaws. particular, the sleek nylon strings that are relatively straight forward to tug down is suited, yet look into "flat-wound" steel strings, no count number if it relatively is a huge deal (i do in comparison to them, as they sound "lifeless", yet by no ability strategies). in an prolonged time, once you need to use your sophisticated skill to get exhilaration from the wealthy sounds of a nicely-performed classical, particular, attempt it on. intervening time, for all-around enjoying, steel policies.

Answer 3

You go by the sound when you strum the strings on your guitar. If the strings are bad, it will have kind of a dull sound. Good strings on a good guitar will have a crisp sound. Of course you could go to a music store and have them put you on some good strings or do it yourself.

Answer 4

It's all in the feel. How do they bend, do they hold pitch well, do they stretch too fast, do they not go back to shape after a heavey bend, can you shift/slide easily, do they leave crap all over your fingers.

You'll understand after you've tried many different types.

Answer 5

I have always preferred nylon tape strings... a different sound, one you should hear before you buy but a more subtle resonance I found... imho anyhow... good luck!