Electric Guitar Strings

Welcome to the Electric Guitar Strings department! Here at Guitarbitz we stock a vast variation of strings that are for sale at great prices! We are one on the cheapest string retailers online! When you buy in bulk the stings are even cheaper again. So, if you need cheap electric guitar strings then buy withe Guitarbitz Guitar Shop!

Finding a string that suits you, your guitar, your style and gives you the sound you want is a bit of a journey.

Buy Guitar Strings the different manufacturers, Ernie Ball, D'Addario, Rotosound, Fender, Elixir etc.

Try different gauges; lighter gauges give you more treble tones and are easier to play, heavier gauges give more powerful bass tones but are harder to play. Or look at a hybrid set, light treble strings for easy bends with heavy bass strings for that power and bass.

Try different string materials; pure nickel will give soft, mellow tones and feel smooth, Stainless Steel will give sharp, powerful tones and feel rough, Nickel plated Steel is a combination and gives the best of both with a smooth feel.

If you don't know which size string you should but then don't panic. Most guitars come with nickel plated steel strings and typically, if you have a Fender type guitar like a Telecaster or a Stratocaster style then you will probably have strings of gauge 9 fitted. If you use Gibson style guitars such as Les Pauls and SGs then you are more likely to have strings of gauge 10 fitted.

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When should you change strings on an Electric Guitar?

Here are a couple of questions to answer:

1) Have you had the same strings on for over 2 months?
2) Are your strings rusty?
3) Are your strings rough?
4) Do your strings sound dull?
5) Had a string break recently?
6) Do your strings smell?

If you answered yes to any of the above, its probably time to replace your electric guitar strings.

Because of moisture on your fingers and in the atmosphere, strings corrode and rust over time and their ability to vibrate diminishes. This not only causes the sound to dull but even worse, the feel of the strings becomes rough and will hurt or even damage your fingers.

Strings can also become brittle from too much vibration, just think of how a paper clip snaps if you twist it too much, the same happens to strings.

If you play a lot, say for 2 hours a day every day, then you should look at changing your guitar strings every month.
If you play less, but still strum most days, the max you should leave them on the guitar would be 2 months.

There is an alternative to changing your strings this often. You can buy coated strings. These last longer due to a coating on the strings that prevent dirt build up and corrosion. Coated guitar strings tend to last 3 to 5 times longer than normal strings, so you can leave them on for longer. These still need to be changed though. At least every 6 months these should be changed as they are also prone to breaking because of the vibrations of the string as explained earlier using the paper clip analogy. Coated strings do cost more, but last longer, so can work out more cost effective.

If you would like any more help with choosing strings, then feel free to call us on 0845 2222 603 and we will be happy to help.