Acoustic Guitar Strings

I hate changing strings - but then again, doesn't everyone?

So it makes sense to spend my time playing and teaching, not fannying around changing strings. And that's why I always use the long-life, coated D'Addario EXPs on my own instruments and in the workshop for my customers, too.

The coating keeps sweat, dead skin and corrosion out; and that means the strings last longer and I spend a lot less time changing strings.

Why do I use and recommend EXPs above other coated strings?

Firstly, it's all about the sound - they sound like an uncoated string.

Secondly, EXPs have a nice, natural feel, unlike other brands of coated string which can feel plasticky and which are prone to "shed their skin" if the coating ruptures.

And because they last around 3x longer than uncoated strings, they actually save money as well as time.
​

First Choice

My favourite gauge string, with a light touch and a great sound.

Good All-Rounder

A medium string, slightly fuller sound than .011" gauge. ​

Easiest to Play

Nashville Tuning
Super-light and easy to play, so an ideal string for beginners.
Nashville Tuning adds a shimmer to a second guitar.

Classical Guitar Strings

Warning - DO NOT put steel acoustic guitar strings on a Classical (Spanish) guitar. 
Steel Acoustic strings hold a lot more tension than nylon Classical strings, and will either tear-off the bridge of your Classical guitar or collapse the top of your instrument. 

First Choice

Great sound &.good value.
​ I prefer the Light Tension set.

A Little Fuller

The same great sound, just a little fuller. Medium tension.

Budget

Short-Scale
A good string at a bargain price, great for budget guitars.
For 1/2 and 3/4 size guitars Medium-low tension on short-scale instruments.

Electric Guitar Strings

If your strings are dirty or corroded, your guitar won't play in tune - that's a fact of life - but it will also sound dull and lifeless. Sadly, no amount of distortion or effects can hide it.
Fitting fresh strings brings your sound back to life, put the Strut in your Strat, the Twang in Your Tele, and make your SG Sound Groovy. 

First Choice

The Best string I've ever played - light and easy to play, great sound, totally reliable.
​Always have a spare set of Ball's in your gig-bag.

A Little Fuller

Still easy to play, with a great sound, totally reliable.
​Don't leave home without your Ball's.

Down-Tuned

Power Boosting
Extra-Heavy to be stable at lowered tunings, with the usual Ernie Ball quality. 
​Insert your own gag here...
Cobalt-Samarium alloy core for a greater magnetic shunt - that means more power from a lightweight string.

Tuners and Effects

If you're not in tune, making all the right moves won't do you any good - you'll still sound awful. An electronic tuner makes tuning-up as simple as watching the display turn green at the right note. 

The basic sound of an electric guitar can be pretty grim, so it's normal to use effects units to modify the basic sound. My NUX MG-100 does the work of a roomful of amplifiers and racks of effects. If that seems like a good deal it also contains a drum machine, a tuner, a loop recorder, and it will allow me to play through headphones whilst jamming to my iPod or phone using an auxiliary cable.(see below).
It has done ten years under my feet and has never misbehaved - I can't tell you what a great deal this pedal is.

The Tuner of Choice

My Korg tuner has been in solid use for the last 13 years - this is the updated version.

Handy Clip-On Snark

Dead-on accuracy, easy to read in dark places. 

Pedal & Power Combined

My Workhouse Effect Unit
Power your 'board and add a tuner. Brilliant product.
Amazing value! Multiple effects, amp simulations, a drum machine and a loop recorder - for pennies.

Stands and Cables

Day-to-day essentials that matter a great deal more than you might at first think.

Hercules Wall Hanger

Don't put your guitar back in its case - show it off on your wall and tempt yourself to play.
So, how many do you need...?

Hercules Guitar Stand

Securely holds your guitar when you're busy doing other things. I don't trust anything else.

Effect Pedal Patch Leads

Beautiful Quality Cable
3 x Short, right-angle jack leads to connect your pedals together.
Not the cheapest guitar lead around, but beautifully made with quality components.

Straps and Bags

As my students already know, the wrong strap is a ghastly liability and a real handicap that can be easily avoided. Short, non-slip types are best to properly position your instrument relative to your body.

A good quality gigbag is essential when transporting your instrument around: but don't even think about one for airline travel - only a hard case can protect you from baggage handlers and their ham-fisted lobbing of your guitar.

Suede Suede Guitar Strap

Because suede grips your clothing you can let go of that Mutant-Monkey-Paw-Death-Grip you developed trying to stop your SG from neck-diving to your knees.

Strap-Locks

Prevent you guitar strap from accidentally slipping off the strap buttons. Much cheaper than repairing a broken neck.

Road-Tested Hard Cases
Tom & Will Gig-Bags
I won't put my guitars into any other case. Hiscox make lightweight, incredibly strong cases that don't cost the earth. Make sure you order the correct case for your guitar
Good quality gig-bag at a good price. Ideal for carrying to and from lessons, school, gigs etc

Instruments

Solid, reliable instruments that won't break the bank.

Vintage V300

A great-sounding guitar, with a small body that make sit particularly good for kids. Highly recommended.

Squier Bullet Strat HSS

Squier is Fender's entry-level brand. I recommend the Bullet as a dirt-cheap, versatile guitar that you could play for the rest of your life.

Squier Mini Strat

Squier Jazz Bass
Just like the classic Strat design, but smaller and without the tremolo bridge
. Great for kids and pixies.
For my money, the Squier Jazz Bass is a tough act to follow. It sounds the part and the body is perfectly balanced to be easy to play.
Declaration: some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. To be clear - an affiliate link costs you nothing, but may generate a small commission for me.