Musical Instrument Strings - everything you need to know

Eagle Music is the ‘Pickers Paradise’. Our range of strings is world class including Eagle-Puretone, D ‘Addario, Martin, Elixir etc. We explain all the different types and ‘how to change strings’ and ‘when to change your instruments strings’.

All the different type of string gives a different sound and “feel” to your instrument. Experiment with all aspects to find your preferred tone and volume, but remember this brief note: thinner steel and nickel strings will give you more “clang” and “twang”, heavier wound bronze or phosphor bronze will produce a “warmer” sound with more body.

Strings come in many different materials …including high tensile Steel Unwound Plains, Phosphor Bronze Wound, Nickel Steel Wound, Stainless Steel Wound, Bronze and Brass Mix Wound (80/20) etc. Nylon, and Nylgut etc.

Strings come in many different size gauges and are measured in Imperial measurement (not metric) The string numbers eg. ‘9’ or ‘12’ refer to the diameter of the strings and they are measured in old imperial measurement, which is used by the USA manufacturers (Not Metric) a ‘9’ for example measures .009” (which is nine thousandth’s of an inch in diameter). Strings come in ‘Ball End’, ‘Loop End’ and ‘Tie on’.

It is important that you check and buy the correct gauge of strings before re stringing your instrument. The gauge and Weight of your strings affects the action and set-up of your instrument.

Each of the different type of string gives a different sound and “feel” to your instrument. Experiment with all aspects to find your preferred tone and volume, but remember this brief note: thinner steel and nickel strings will give you more “clang” and “twang”, heavier wound bronze or phosphor bronze will produce a “warmer” sound with more body.

Note that Eagle-Puretone custom gauge sets can be made up At Eagle Music at no extra cost.

Last but not least, the position that you strike your strings, what you strike them with and the pressure that YOU exert as you play, accounts for much of your instruments tone and volume.