Smaller, lighter, and physically easier to play guitar strings should be used for beginning players. The only real way to obtain strings of this type is to purchase sets that use a smaller gauge, preferably ones that are labeled as light or extra light. This is the only way to obtain strings of this type. When compared to electric guitar strings, acoustic guitar strings are naturally larger and more challenging to play due to the fact that they are frequently wound with a material called phosphor bronze. When compared to bronze, which is used to wind acoustic strings, the nickel used to wind electric strings results in a string that is both lighter and more pliable.
From a string player’s point of view, this makes the electric guitar, which is not typically considered to be an instrument suitable for beginning players, a simpler instrument to play.
The following characteristics should be prioritized when marketing electric guitar strings specifically to beginners:
- Construction of strings with a nickel-wound steel core
- Lighter string gauge
- Strings that are flatwound
- Strings with a coating
One or more of these characteristics will be present in each and every beginner-friendly electric string that we recommend purchasing. We are going to steer clear of heavier and thicker gauges and instead focus on lighter sets that have a low E string that is.042 or lower. Check out our comprehensive guide to the best guitar strings if you’re interested in perusing additional string options for your acoustic, electric, or bass guitar.
1. Elixir Light-Emitting Electric Strings with a POLYWEB Coating
Due to the coating, non-coated strings tend to be slower and more difficult to play than coated strings, primarily because the coating acts to level out the nickel winding. In reality, Elixir manufactures several distinct varieties of coating, one of which, known as POLYWEB, generates a warmer tone and, in our opinion, is less taxing on the hands and fingers. According to the information that we have, their “super light” set includes strings with gauges ranging from 09 to 42, making it their lightest known electric string set.
Using coated strings will result in a playing experience that is noticeably smoother and will produce a better tone overall. The only disadvantage of using coated Elixir strings is that they are more expensive. This is due, in part, to the fact that they are designed to last significantly longer than conventional, uncoated string.
THE PROS
- Coated strings are easier to play and produce a better tone than non-coated strings.
- A significantly longer playing career
- Fewer instances of finger scraping
THE CONS
A significant amount more expensive
2. Ernie Ball Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Extra Slinky Guitar Strings
Ernie Ball’s Classic Rock n’ Roll Extra Slinky strings are light and easy to bend, making them an excellent choice for beginning guitarists who are working to break in their fretboard. Although it has one of Ernie Ball’s thinnest available gauges (0.38 on the low E string), it still produces a warm vintage tone and works exceptionally well when paired with a tube amplifier.
Despite having a smaller gauge, the chords produce a full and well-sustained sound, while individual notes and melodies ring out clearly with a great deal of definition and character. In addition to that, a significant amount of emphasis is placed on pick scrapes and subtle right-hand movement.
These string sets are popular among jazz and blues musicians due to the warmth they exude and the ease with which they can be played, despite the fact that they are adaptable to virtually any musical genre. The larger strings have a winding made of pure nickel wrapped around a core made of high carbon steel. This is a fairly common recipe for electric string windings.
If you’re just starting out with electric guitar, you probably shouldn’t buy a whole bunch of strings right away; instead, you should get a set to see if you like them and want to continue using them.
They are our go-to string recommendation for the vast majority of scenarios.
THE PROS
- Tonality that is warm
- Very easy to play due to the light gauge, which also makes bending and technique require less effort. Excellent value.
THE CONS
Sometimes there is a bit of an excessive amount of “scrape” on left-hand movements.
Lack of a coating
3. Reverend Willy Electric Strings by Dunlop, Extra Light
The extremely thin gauge of these strings is the primary selling point for beginners; it is even slightly lower than that of the Ernie Ball set that we researched earlier. Even though Dunlop strings aren’t even close to being as well-known as Ernie Balls, this Billy Gibbons set has the smallest gauge out of all the sets that we recommend.
It will make learning chords and short melodies much less of a physical issue, which will allow you to focus on memorization and head knowledge pertaining to the fretboard instead.
These strings are nickel wound, just like the first two sets, but their resonance is slightly “hotter” and more twangy, particularly when played through a clean tube amp.
THE PROS
- The smallest gauge on this list
- Gentle on the hands and fingers.
- Lead picking benefits greatly from the tone.
- Having reasonable costs
THE CONS
With such a narrow gauge, you sacrifice some of the fullness and coziness of the smoke.
4. Ernie Ball Super Slinky
The Super Slinky comes from Ernie Ball’s “main” electric string line and is a little heavier than the Rock N Roll string set that was recommended earlier. The Super Slinky is part of Ernie Ball’s electric string line. They are essentially an uncoated version of the Elixir set, which makes them a much cheaper alternative. Their numbers range from 09 to 42. If you’re just starting out on the guitar and want a thicker, more chord-friendly tone, and you don’t intend to do much soloing, we think these are the strings for you. Even with 42 strings, the string set is still considered to be relatively small, which indicates that it will continue to be simple to play.
PROs
Light gauge is very user-friendly in terms of playing it.
Bends and techniques require less effort.
Chords and rhythm are more effectively expressed through the gauge.
Great price point
THE CONS
A slightly increased amount of “scrape” on left-hand movements
Lack of a coating
- D’Addario ProSteel Super Light Acoustic Guitar Strings
D’Addario’s rendition of a super light electric string set boasts magnetic steel that is unlike any other type, and the company claims that this will result in a sound that is both brighter and more aggressive. The Dunlop Pro Steels are a set of strings that have a sound that is more intense and bright, and they are comparable to the Dunlop Billy Gibbons set. At the same time, this is a common trait of lighter gauges, so it’s difficult for us to tell if that’s due to the claim of a unique type of steel or just the natural resonance of the strings. However, lighter gauges tend to have a more resonant sound.
Due to the fact that their clean tone has a distinct depth and brilliance, we are happy to recommend them as a good alternative for beginners who are looking for a string that is primarily focused on playing lead guitar and melody.
These sets are advertised as being “corrosion-resistant,” despite the fact that they are not coated. Despite this, the price is slightly higher.
THE PROS
The tone is analogous to years of existence and is fantastic for rhythm.
Pick and finger scrapes produce a sound that is distinct and clear.
Construction using steel and bronze gets back to the fundamentals
Great price point
THE CONS
There is neither a coated nor a string treatment.
Lack of a coating
The Methods We Used to Choose the Very Best Electric Guitar Strings for Beginners
The criteria that should be satisfied by the electric guitar strings that are ideal for beginners to use are as follows, in no particular order:
a thinner gauge that’s simple to pick up and play
The superior degree of quality in terms of tone
a more comfortable sound when strumming chords
You’ve solved a significant portion of the equation if you have these three things in your possession. But in addition to these considerations, we also put a significant amount of weight on the direct experience we’ve had with every string set that we recommend. Therefore, the answer is that we do play the guitar and make use of these strings.
We are not writing about something that we simply researched online and read a couple of reviews on before deciding to write about it.
These are genuine recommendations for things that we have handled and can vouch for.
When it comes to evaluating electric guitar strings, there are a few more general characteristics and quality indicators that we can take a look at. In particular, we are taking into account the following aspects:
WHAT ARE COMMON ELECTRIC GUITAR STRING FEATURES TO WATCH FOR?
The Elixir acoustic string lineup features a treatment known as the POLYWEB Coating.
Nickel Winding Steel Core: The majority of guitar strings are constructed around a core made of high-carbon steel.
String gauge refers to the size of the string and is typically listed for each individual piece of string in a package.
Bright EQ: The string instruments have a greater sensitivity to the midrange and treble frequencies of the equalizer.
When the EQ is set low, the strings will respond more favorably to the low end of the frequency spectrum.
WHAT DO GUITAR PLAYERS NEED FROM A GOOD SET OF STRINGS?
A tone that is balanced should have a pleasant sound on both the low and high EQ settings of the electric guitar. In a general sense, this indicates that they will work well with both single-note picking patterns as well as strumming patterns.
Coating or Age-Prevention: Some of the electric guitar strings available on the market today come with a coating or treatment that helps to extend the string’s lifespan and improves the tone of the string.
The Building Process and the Materials: When thicker guitar strings are wound, this means that they have a core—typically steel—that is surrounded by another layer of material that is wrapped around that core. Particularly for the thicker gauges, the type of winding material, such as nickel, steel, bronze, or phosphor, will have an effect on the quality and durability of the strings.
How long a string can be expected to last while retaining its tone and resonance is referred to as its length of life. Strings that have lost their freshness will not only corrode in an obvious way, but they will also lose their vital tonal quality.
Other Essential Factors to Take Into Account
In the following paragraphs, we will discuss some answers to the most frequently inquired about topics. In the event that you have any further inquiries, please feel free to post them in the comments section down below.
Is it absolutely necessary to have coated electric strings?
Coated guitar strings, regardless of whether you’re working with electric or acoustic instruments, have a much longer lifespan and typically sound better than their uncoated counterparts. This is a fact that cannot be refuted.
However, there are a lot of professionals who don’t use coated strings and even prefer the rougher sound and feel that you get with uncoated round wound guitar strings. This is because coated strings tend to wear out faster.
Therefore, they are not required in any way, but there are a number of significant benefits that are difficult to disregard.
In a nutshell, the question boils down to whether or not you are willing to pay the additional cost in exchange for the extended lifespan.
Are uncoated strings more prone to breaking than coated ones?
Coated strings are less likely to break than uncoated strings, although this does depend to some extent on the gauge and size of the string. Simply put, this is due to the fact that there is more reinforcement in each winding and less space in between each winding.
How long do the strings on an electric guitar typically last? How frequently do they need to have their settings adjusted?
You can expect an average lifespan of two to three months from uncoated electric guitar strings. This is the case in most cases.
Coated electric guitar strings, similar to Elixirs, can last for a significantly longer period of time. The average duration is between six and eight months.
Obviously, a great deal is determined by a number of different factors.
The amount of time you spend actually playing is the primary concern.
Should beginning musicians begin with electric strings that have a thinner gauge?
In general, and particularly for electric guitar, I would say yes.
Because playing electric guitar involves more lead techniques, such as bending, and therefore calls for a greater degree of string manipulation, the best electric guitar strings for beginners should always be a lighter gauge. This is because playing electric guitar requires a greater degree of string manipulation.
To change the strings on an electric guitar, do you need any special tools?
To change the strings on your electric guitar, we recommend using a peg winder; however, if you don’t have one, you can certainly do it by hand. This article provides visual demonstrations of the process for you.
The string cutter, winder, and three-in-one tool that comes with it are what we use.
What purpose does it serve to leave the smaller electric strings unwound?
You’ll probably find that the G, B, and E strings on most electric string sets are unwound, leaving only the steel core in its various sizes exposed. This is a standard aspect of the construction of steel strings, in which the low E, A, and D strings are wound while the other three strings are left unwound. This makes it easier to achieve a balance of size and tone across all six strings.
What are some indications that I need to change the strings on my electric guitar?
Because electric guitar strings don’t discolor nearly as much as acoustic guitar strings do, determining how old they are can be a little bit more challenging than determining how old acoustic guitar strings are. Even so, it is possible that you will observe a darkening or staining, particularly on the thicker wound strings that are located above the fret separators.
You should also be able to hear a clear degradation in the tone quality as well as a loss of sustain.
It’s possible that you need to replace your electric guitar strings, particularly if the tone you’re getting doesn’t have enough thickness or weight to it.
Conclusion
As they progress through their studies of the electric guitar, nearly all of them will form a close relationship with a specific group of strings.
However, beginners frequently go into the process of purchasing strings without having any idea where to begin or what to look for.
This list is merely a recommendation of where to start, made by individuals who had actually gone before you and used these string sets. These individuals are the ones who have compiled this list. It will, at the very least, provide you with a starting point to work with and familiarize you with the more widespread and typical choices.