The best size guitar string Gauge is the size you like that fits your playing style and makes you comfortable. Being comfortable is as important as tone. It is hard to play if you feel like you are working too hard. Other considerations would include guitar type and general stability of the instrument.
The general rule of thumb is that heavier gauge strings have a fuller sound and are louder than lighter gauge strings. Flat picking acoustic guitar players often may play medium or heavy gauge strings with a slightly higher action for the volume and full sound produced. Contrarily, a country player using an acoustic electric guitar may prefer lighter gauge strings as they are more comfortable and easier on the fingers.
When it comes to electric guitar players many older rock styles were played either with light and extra light gauges for the quick respond and easy bending qualities. However some blues and rock players would try and get the best of both worlds playing a medium or even heavy gauge string and tuning the guitar to Eb. Which then leads to some of the more “modern” rock bands whom have decided to tune down to D, Db and C using even heavier gauge strings to get a deeper fuller sound. Jazz guitar players sometimes prefer a flat wound string, which produces a darker fuller sound than round wound strings. Which opens an brand new topic, however the same rules apply, lighter gauges are easier to play and heavier gauges are fuller sounding.
When it comes to the stability and playability of your instrument lighter strings are more forgiving. Guitars with neck and or fret imperfections requiring slightly higher than “comfortable” string height, feel much more comfortable to play with a lighter gauge string making the notes much easier to hold down. For less stable instruments such as older 12 string or even 6 string acoustic guitars, that are exhibiting stress in the bridge and or neck, a lighter gauge string may also be favored to minimize the stress and tension on the instrument.
There are many makers of guitar strings all of which have their own ‘feel”, however the string gauge general rule of thumb applies in a rather universal manner.
John Ragatti, Instructor
Metal Head Lessons, Boston MA
