Beginner Guitar String Questions

Welcome to the forums!

What guitar do you practice with and what string size does it have now?

The reason for asking this is because the string size will feel different between electric, acoustic, and classical. For instance a set of 12 gague strings on acoustic will be very heavy on electric, or may not even fit in the nut slot.

My advice for now is that the string gauge being toward the lighter side will help with strength you are not likely used to using yet. On the down side, it is easier to push too hard and have notes go sour. You can overcome this with being mindful about it. Some folks notice the thinner strings can bite into their fingers a little easier, but I did not find that a problem.

If you are looking at “house brand” being what is sold by the manufacturer, then those will be quality strings. If you are buying the cheapest set you can find off the internet, then you are likely to be disappointed at times. Budget strings can break, be inconsistent in diameter (making vibration odd), or be made of alloys that oxidize far earlier. I’d go with a name brand.

Look around the forums here. There are some brand discussions. I recommend highly that you start trting different brands and alloys and posibly coatings once you have a reasonable feel for your instrument, maybe 6 months.

I play electric. Here is one discussion:

Here is an investigation Justin did:
https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/what-string-gauge-should-we-use-hts-0005