Do certain guitars actually require certain strings?

[Rosewood99]

I always see these posts asking what are the best strings for such and such guitars. Do guitars really do better with certain strings? I have found it depends on the tone you want, not what the guitar wants.

[L20A]

No, but certain players require certain strings.

[bufflehead]

some strings will complement a guitar's built-in personality more than others.

[zmf]

So many strings; so little time.

Guitars can ALWAYS sound better.

The problem is you have to match the best strings with the best bridge pins with the best saddle. What are the chances of that happening?

Even if you pull that off, you might not have the guitar that's best suited for you.

"One must imagine Sisyphus happy." Albert Camus

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

...I have found it depends on the tone you want, not what the guitar wants.

You've answered your own question.

[foxo]

Life’s too short to fret over trying every string known to mankind.

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

I always see these posts asking what are the best strings for such and such guitars. Do guitars really do better with certain strings? I have found it depends on the tone you want, not what the guitar wants.

Yes, some guitars sound better with certain brands and metal combo's and tensions, IMO.

I have both...some that do sound better...to me...with particular brands and types of strings, and some that just don't care what I put on them, they sound the same, and great, with anything.

The "good"? problem we have today is that there are just so many brands, and types of strings out there to try. A fella...or a lady...could easily buy a new high end $$$$...or more...guitar with the money it would take to buy just one set of every string brand, metal type, and tension out there in the market now.

I guess it is a very good problem to have, if you happen to own a finicky guitar...or...you are hunting for a certain tone and response...or...you are just coocoo for cocoa puffs and love experimenting endlessly {;-)

And...you have a healthy guitar goodies allowance set aside in your weekly, monthly, yearly, household/personal finances.


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[Mbroady]

I personally feel the certain string types bring out a particular quality/tone that certain people like better on certain guitars.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

I always see these posts asking what are the best strings for such and such guitars. Do guitars really do better with certain strings? I have found it depends on the tone you want, not what the guitar wants.

No, but some guitars do require lighter strings than others due to how they were constructed. And of course there are steel string guitars and nylon string guitars, and neither works well with the other. Nylon strings won't do a good job of driving a steel guitar's top, and a nylon guitar is going to suffer damage due to the higher tension of steel strings.

All that aside, I'll never understand why anyone wants someone else to pick their strings for them. Every time I get a new guitar I go through a process of finding the string set the most appeals to me. I'll order a dozen or more sets and play each of them for a couple of weeks. I make notes about what each brought to the table, and eventually I'll land on a set that really sings on that particular guitar. It's a fun and interesting exercise that leaves me feeling pretty confident that I'm getting the most from the instrument.

[Misifus]

Simply, no.

[Kitkatjoe]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

I always see these posts asking what are the best strings for such and such guitars. Do guitars really do better with certain strings? I have found it depends on the tone you want, not what the guitar wants.

I agree with you it's what you want, but I'm sure there are others who would disagree. I'm learning that there are some very special other world guitars that have been born under a full moon,and refuse to wake up and sound superb.😅 They are sleeping, so I'm now afraid to ask my Martin what strings he requires.😉

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by mcduffnw

Yes, some guitars sound better with certain brands and metal combo's and tensions, IMO.

But do actually they sound better, or do they sound better to you? My point is that it seems silly to ask for advice on which strings sound best for a particular guitar when it depends on the person asking not the one giving the advice.

[TBman]

Certain string gauges sound better on certain guitars.

Some strings get us close to the tone that we have in our heads that we believe the guitar should have.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by TBman

Some strings get us close to the tone that we have in our heads that we believe the guitar should have.

Again, that applies to you, but not necessarily a recommendation given to another member. Still don't understand why so many people ask for what string is best for their guitar. A better question might be "what are the characteristics of such and such string."

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by RRuskin

You've answered your own question.

I know. It's called a rhetorical question.