Buying guide: which Ernie Ball strings should I choose for my acoustic guitar?
Ernie Ball makes over 200 different types of strings in a variety of materials, gauges and styles, electric, acoustic and classical. Whether you're a beginner or a professional guitarist, this buying guide will help you find the right strings for your guitar and playing style.
STRING THICKNESS FOR ACOUSTIC GUITAR
Acoustic guitar strings, just like electric guitar strings and bass guitar strings, are made in a wide variety of sizes and thicknesses. The thickness of a guitar string has a major influence on its playability as well as on its sound. The materials used to make the strings in turn also influence the playability and sound.
Thinner guitar strings
Easier to play and bend, ideal for beginners
Ideal for vintage guitars
Even projection with a clear sound
Thicker guitar strings
Require more force to press and bend
More output and more powerful sound
Commonly used for lower tunings such as Drop D, DADGAD, etc.
Apply more pulling force to the neck of the guitar
ALLOYS FOR ACOUSTIC GUITAR STRINGS
Acoustic guitar strings are made using several different alloys that have a major impact on the sound. Below are some general tonal characteristics for the most commonly used alloys:
80/20 Bronze: clear and balanced sound
Phosphor Bronze: warm and balanced sound
Aluminum Bronze: superior projection and clarity
COMPARISON ERNIE BALL ACOUSTIC GUITAR STRINGS
Ernie Ball acoustic guitar strings come in a lot of variations and in different types of alloys. The most popular are Earthwood 80/20 Bronze and Earthwood Phosphor Bronze. Below we’ll give you a brief overview of the different types of Ernie Ball acoustic guitar strings.
Earthwood 80/20 Bronze
Ernie Ball Earthwood 80/20 Bronze strings are (along with the Earthwood Phosphor Bronze strings) the most popular acoustic guitar strings in the Ernie Ball range. The Earthwood 80/20 Bronze strings are made of 80% copper and 20% zinc wrap wire wrapped around a hex steel core wire. The core wire is also equipped with a brass top layer. These acoustic guitar strings provide a clear and ringing sound with pleasant overtones.
Earthwood Phosphor Bronze
Ernie Ball Earthwood Phosphor Bronze strings are (along with the Earthwood 80/20 Bronze strings) the most popular acoustic guitar strings in the Ernie Ball range. The Earthwood Phosphor Bronze strings consist of a wrap wire with 92% copper, 7.7% tin and 0.3% phosphorus. This winding wire is then wrapped around a tin-plated hex steel core wire. These strings have their typical light orange, gold color and provide you with a warm and ringing sound with excellent clarity.
Paradigm 80/20 Bronze
Ernie Ball Paradigm 80/20 Bronze acoustic guitar strings give you unprecedented strength and longer string life while retaining that typical Earthwood 80/20 Bronze sound and feel. The industry-leading 'ultra-high strength' steel wire is used here in both the wound and non-wound strings so that the strings can be tuned faster, easier and better, no matter what playing style. Thanks to the plasma treatment and the Everlast coating with which these strings are treated, they also have an extended resistance to dirt and corrosion. These are the strongest and longest lasting strings in the Ernie Ball range.
Paradigm Phosphor Bronze
Ernie Ball Paradigm Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings give you unprecedented strength and longer life while retaining that typical Earthwood Phosphor Bronze sound and feel. The industry-leading 'ultra-high strength' steel wire is used here in both the wound and non-wound strings so that the strings can be tuned faster, easier and better, no matter what playing style. Thanks to the plasma treatment and the Everlast coating with which these strings are treated, they also have an extended resistance to dirt and corrosion. These are the strongest and longest lasting strings in the Ernie Ball range.
Everlast Coated 80/20 Bronze
Ernie Ball Everlast Coated acoustic guitar strings use a groundbreaking nanotechnology that repels moisture, dirt and corrosion, greatly extending the life of the strings. The patented treatment is applied to both the core wire and the wrap wire to provide optimal protection without compromising the sound and playing feel. These Everlast Coated 80/20 Bronze strings are made from 80% copper and 20% zinc wrap wire wrapped around a hex steel core wire. The core wire is also equipped with a brass top layer. These acoustic guitar strings provide a clear and ringing sound with pleasant overtones.
Everlast Coated Phosphor Bronze
Ernie Ball Everlast Coated acoustic guitar strings use a groundbreaking nanotechnology that repels moisture, dirt and corrosion, greatly extending the life of the strings. The patented treatment is applied to both the core wire and the wrap wire to provide optimal protection without compromising the sound and playing feel. These Everlast Coated Phosphor Bronze strings consist of a wrap wire with 92% copper, 7.7% tin and 0.3% phosphorus. This wrap wire is then wrapped around a tin-plated hex steel core wire. These strings provide you with a warm and ringing sound with excellent clarity.
Aluminum Bronze
Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze acoustic guitar strings have more projection and clarity than traditional Earthwood 80/20 Bronze or Earthwood Phosphor Bronze strings. In addition, they also offer improved resistance to dirt and corrosion. These Aluminum Bronze strings are made from a hex Maraging Steel core wire and Aluminum Bronze wrap wire (made from a mix of copper and aluminum) which together provide more pronounced lows and clear, brilliant highs. The Aluminum Bronze acoustic guitar strings are unique and only available from Ernie Ball. These strings sound like nothing you've ever heard!
WHAT STRINGS ARE IDEAL FOR ME?
Which strings are best for you is a question that’s difficult to answer. It all depends on what kind of music you play, what kind of acoustic guitar you play, are you a beginner or have you been playing the guitar for a long time, do you play in standard tuning or in drop tunings, etc. Strings are something personal and this buying guide will give you a good idea of which strings suit you best.
The best way to see which strings are ideal for you is to compare them. Buy a number of different types and put them all on your acoustic guitar in 1 to 2 weeks. This way you can compare and experience which types suit you best. Ernie Ball also has handy Tone Packs that contain the 3 best-selling acoustic types. The Tone Packs come in the two most popular gauges, both 11-52 and 12-54.
