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Good strings for Acoustic guitar

The RockThe Rock Posts: 1,439
in Musicians and Gearheads
I love playing my acoustic guitar, but the strings are so hard and always hurt my fingers....despite the fact I've been playing guitar now for quite a while.

Can anyone recommend some good, softer strings I could try out?
2006: London Astoria, Lisbon I & II, Paris, Verona, Milano
2007: Wembley, Dusseldorf, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
2009: Manchester
2010: Belfast, Berlin
2012: Manchester I & II
2014: Leeds, Milton Keynes
2018: Amsterdam I, Prague, Krakow, Berlin, Barcelona, London
2022: Berlin, Budapest, Krakow, Amsterdam II

Comments

  • rustneversleepsrustneversleeps The Motel of Lost Companions Posts: 2,209
    get some elixir polywebs
  • Stickman12Stickman12 Posts: 504
    rustneversleeps said:

    get some elixir polywebs

    bump on the elixers or martin lifespan sp
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    Martin Silk & Steels. Elixers would be my 2nd choice, but Silk & Steel is a much better choice.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • xtremehardy388xtremehardy388 Posts: 2,759
    I didn't want to jump on the Elixer band wagon...but when I did, I realized it's the way to go. Also try some GHS fast fret.
    Grand Rapids '04, Detroit '06
    JEFF HARDY AND JEFF AMENT USED TO LOOK THE SAME
    "Pearl Jam always eases my mind and fires me up at the same time.”-Jeff Hardy
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,331
    I had my guitar guy put some heavy gauge on my acoustic - some GHS I think - and they make my fingers hurt like hell, but damn that sound!
    www.cluthelee.com
  • xtremehardy388xtremehardy388 Posts: 2,759
    2-feign-reluctance said:

    I had my guitar guy put some heavy gauge on my acoustic - some GHS I think - and they make my fingers hurt like hell, but damn that sound!

    I remember when my dad used to buy the Zakk Wyldd gHs strings because they were so heavy. He hated it when I'd break strings so he bought those. I said they hurt my fingers and he told me to suck it up.
    Grand Rapids '04, Detroit '06
    JEFF HARDY AND JEFF AMENT USED TO LOOK THE SAME
    "Pearl Jam always eases my mind and fires me up at the same time.”-Jeff Hardy
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,331
    xtremehardy388 said:

    2-feign-reluctance said:

    I had my guitar guy put some heavy gauge on my acoustic - some GHS I think - and they make my fingers hurt like hell, but damn that sound!

    I remember when my dad used to buy the Zakk Wyldd gHs strings because they were so heavy. He hated it when I'd break strings so he bought those. I said they hurt my fingers and he told me to suck it up.
    Haha! Today it felt like my pinky was going to fall off. I had the same thought! Suck it up!
    www.cluthelee.com
  • tcadd94tcadd94 North Jersey Posts: 611
    I'm a big fan of D'Addario strings for acoustic. Light gauge. Give them a try too. Really nice, bright sound.
    I've been fortunate enough to see Pearl Jam live.

    I am hanging in the balance of a perfect finished plan
    Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand.
  • BinFrogBinFrog MA Posts: 7,309
    Ernie Ball light or medium light Aluminum Bronze.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • xtremehardy388xtremehardy388 Posts: 2,759
    The Rock said:

    I love playing my acoustic guitar, but the strings are so hard and always hurt my fingers....despite the fact I've been playing guitar now for quite a while.

    Can anyone recommend some good, softer strings I could try out?

    I totally JUST realized your avatar was The Rock....nice to see another wrestling fan on here (despite how low the company has sunk)
    Grand Rapids '04, Detroit '06
    JEFF HARDY AND JEFF AMENT USED TO LOOK THE SAME
    "Pearl Jam always eases my mind and fires me up at the same time.”-Jeff Hardy
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,331
    tcadd94 said:

    I'm a big fan of D'Addario strings for acoustic. Light gauge. Give them a try too. Really nice, bright sound.

    Good experiences with these as well : )
    www.cluthelee.com
  • Dog LoyalDog Loyal Posts: 336
    Since no one else has mentioned it, it might not be your strings that are the problem. It may be that the action on your acoustic is set too high. Any decent guitar shop should be able to adjust that for you. So if you don't get any relief after trying different strings, have the action checked out. I did this with my Big Baby Taylor and it made a world of difference.
    The kids of today should defend themselves against the Seventies Nineties.
  • xtremehardy388xtremehardy388 Posts: 2,759
    Dog Loyal said:

    Since no one else has mentioned it, it might not be your strings that are the problem. It may be that the action on your acoustic is set too high. Any decent guitar shop should be able to adjust that for you. So if you don't get any relief after trying different strings, have the action checked out. I did this with my Big Baby Taylor and it made a world of difference.

    +1
    Grand Rapids '04, Detroit '06
    JEFF HARDY AND JEFF AMENT USED TO LOOK THE SAME
    "Pearl Jam always eases my mind and fires me up at the same time.”-Jeff Hardy
  • FoxyRedLaFoxyRedLa Lauren / MI Posts: 4,810
    Is this a sign of needing string replacement? My low E is fraying....please tell me there is just a coating on them.

    image
    Oh please let it rain today.
    Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
  • BinFrogBinFrog MA Posts: 7,309
    ...replace them.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 16,025
    I'd replace them. Can't beat the sound from some new strings.
  • FoxyRedLaFoxyRedLa Lauren / MI Posts: 4,810
    Damn. Just had the strings replaced in Sept. Is that normal wear and tear?
    Oh please let it rain today.
    Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 16,025
    FoxyRedLa said:

    Damn. Just had the strings replaced in Sept. Is that normal wear and tear?

    I'm no expert but probably depends on how much you play.
  • FoxyRedLaFoxyRedLa Lauren / MI Posts: 4,810
    Lol or how shitty I play :))
    Oh please let it rain today.
    Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
  • Dr.Teeth and the Electric MayhDr.Teeth and the Electric Mayh Posts: 1,180
    Elixirs all the way. I gig pretty frequently and these are the best imo for sound and lasting power.
    looking to hear of the earth
  • FoxyRedLaFoxyRedLa Lauren / MI Posts: 4,810
    :-? I picked up Polywebs last time.
    Oh please let it rain today.
    Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    It sort of looks like the coating on the strings is what's fraying. You can probably keep the strings, so long as the texture isn't bothering you.

    You could also try a couple different coated strings, like Elixir Nanowebs, or D'Addario EXP.

    Or, like I posted waaaay earlier in this conversation, you could try some Silk and Steel strings. I personally like the Martin strings, but the D'Addario strings are pretty good as well. They're the first thing that comes to mind when you ask about "soft" strings.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
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