WMC:        "Which gauge string do you want?"

Customer:  "Medium…"

WMC:        "By medium you mean the heaviest?"

Customer:  "Uh…regular…?"

An all-too common situation at the Wakefield Music counter when it comes to buying guitar strings. Added to the confusion is the fact that some string manufacturers call the same gauge string by a different name than their competitors. We will try to disseminate the differences as they pertain to the strings we sell and hopefully clear some of the confusion come your next string purchase.

Extra Light gauge strings commonly use a .010 gauge high 'e' string. Some manufacturers call them 'Ultra Lights' or 'Super Lights', but when in doubt use the high string gauge as your name and ask for 'Ten gauge acoustic strings'. There are .010 gauge electric guitar strings so you'll have to qualify the type when asking or ordering. It's not common to use anything lighter than .010 gauge since the string 'flops' around and is difficult to play without it bending sharp, so it's best to avoid .009's or electric string on your acoustic.

Light gauge strings commonly use a .012 gauge high 'e' string and are sometimes called 'Twelves' or 12-gauge string. The 'Standard Light' string is found on many guitars installed new at the factory so more often than not, this is the 'feel' you may be looking for when the time comes to replace your original string set.

Medium gauge strings commonly use a .013 gauge high 'e' string. The issue here is that certain makers call their 13's 'Heavy' which makes sense when considering the 'heaviest' string on our wall to purchase. This is a heavy gauge string with considerable tension! You should consider at least two things when installing these strings on your guitar: Can your guitar take the added tension or was is designed to? Some makers caution against using heavy strings to the point that you'll void the warranty if any damage occurs from their use. Heavy strings can 'bend' the neck upwards and raise your action as well as pull on your bridge-all things to consider and adjust your guitar for. Most commonly, guitar players that want to try lower tunings moving down from standard 'E' one to as low as three whole steps down which lessons the tension yet allows for better string tone and vibration.

SO! Next time you stop in to purchase your strings keep in mind that 'medium' is not the 'middle' gauge in 'regular' guitar strings, but LIGHT! ;)