Bible Knowledge: Acoustic Guitar Strings

🎸 Primary Elixir Acoustic String Types

1. 80/20 Bronze with NANOWEB® Coating

Bright and lively tone
Smooth feel with extended life
Good for strummers and players who want a brighter sound
Multiple gauges available (e.g., Extra Light, Light, Medium, etc.)

2. 80/20 Bronze with POLYWEB® Coating

Warmer, more “played‑in” tone
Slick and fast feel
Thicker coating compared to NANOWEB
Great for players who prefer a mellow tone with gentle attack

3. Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB® Coating

Rich and full tone with warm sparkle
Smooth, lasting feel
A bit warmer than 80/20 bronze but still clear and balanced
One of the most popular Elixir acoustic options

🧩 Optional/Additional Variants

4. ATTUNE Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings

A specific lineup available on the Elixir store
Similar to standard phosphor bronze with coating, but packaged under a unique “ATTUNE” label
Usually offered in a few gauges

5. Anti‑Rust Plain Steel Single Strings

Not a full set, but single strings sold individually
Kept rust‑resistant even on unwound plain steel strings
Useful for custom builds or replacing one broken string

📌 What You Won’t Count as Separate Types

These are not separate “types” on their own, but they are variations with the same basic coatings:

Gauge variations (e.g., Extra Light, Light, Medium, Light‑Medium, Resonator, 12‑string, Baritone, etc.) — these change string thickness but not the fundamental type of string
All Elixir acoustic sets use coated wound strings plus anti‑rust plain steel unwound strings — the coating type (NANOWEB vs POLYWEB) and alloy (80/20 Bronze vs Phosphor Bronze) define the category more than gauge does

✅ Summary: Types of Elixir Acoustic Strings

Type	Coating & Alloy	Tone/Feel
80/20 Bronze — NANOWEB®	Bright and lively	Bright, smooth
80/20 Bronze — POLYWEB®	Warm and “played‑in”	Warm, slick
Phosphor Bronze — NANOWEB®	Warm & full	Warm, balanced
ATTUNE Phosphor Bronze	Branded variant of phosphor bronze coated	Balanced tone
Anti‑Rust Plain Steel (singles)	Individual unwound strings	Replace singles or customize gauges

🧠 Quick Tip

NANOWEB® coatings tend to sound closer to traditional uncoated strings with brighter tone.
POLYWEB® is thicker and smoother, often warmer in tone.

If you want, I can also list typical gauge options for each of these, so you know what sizes (e.g., Light, Medium, Extra Light) are available for each type!

Here’s a **clear breakdown of Elixir acoustic guitar string types along with the gauge options you can choose for each type — so you know what sets and sizes are available when shopping. Elixir classifies acoustic strings mainly by alloy and coating, and each type comes in a range of gauges for different playing styles.

🎸 1. Elixir 80/20 Bronze with NANOWEB® Coating

Bright, lively tone with smooth feel and long‑lasting tone thanks to the thin NANOWEB® protective layer.

Typical Gauges (sets):

Gauge Name	Typical Sizes
Extra Light	.010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047
Custom Light	.011 .015 .022 .032 .042 .052
Light	.012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053
Light‑Medium	.012 .016 .024 .035 .045 .056
Medium	.013 .017 .026 .035 .045 .056
HD Light	.013 .017 .025 .032 .042 .053
• Also available for 12‑string and baritone guitars.

Example Products

– classic extra light
– standard options
– HD Light vibe

🎸 2. Elixir 80/20 Bronze with POLYWEB® Coating

Warmer, “played‑in” tone with a slightly thicker coating for smooth feel — especially nice if you want reduced brightness and more mellow sound.

Typical Gauges:

Gauge Name	Typical Sizes
Extra Light	.010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047
Custom Light	.011 .015 .022 .032 .042 .052
Light	.012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053
Light‑Medium	.012 .016 .024 .035 .045 .056
Medium	.013 .017 .026 .035 .045 .056
Resonator	.016 .018 .028 .035 .045 .056
• Also available in 12‑string sets.

Example Product

– popular coated set

🎸 3. Elixir Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB® Coating

Warm, rich tone with a full sound and sparkle — a popular balanced choice for acoustic players. NANOWEB coating keeps the feel smooth and tone lasting longer.

Typical Gauges (sets):

Gauge Name	Typical Sizes
Extra Light	.010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047
Custom Light	.011 .015 .022 .032 .042 .052
Light	.012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053
Light‑Medium	.012 .016 .024 .035 .045 .056
Medium	.013 .017 .026 .035 .045 .056
HD Light	.013 .017 .025 .032 .042 .053
12‑String Light	.010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047 plus smaller octaves
• Other gauges available depending on set.

Example Product

– one of the popular phosphor bronze options

🧩 Extra Options

🔹 Acoustic Single Strings

Elixir also sells individual strings in different coatings and materials if you want to build custom gauges. You can mix and match for unique setups (e.g., lighter melody strings with heavier bass ones) — especially useful if you’re experimenting or replacing just one string.

🧠 Quick Guide to Choosing

Type	Tone	Feel	Best For
80/20 Bronze W/ NANOWEB	Bright, lively	Smooth	Strummers & versatile players
80/20 Bronze W/ POLYWEB	Warm & mellow	Slick	Fingerstyle or mellow tone lovers
Phosphor Bronze W/ NANOWEB	Warm & full	Smooth	Balanced tone across genres

🎯 Quick Practical Tips

Light gauges (.012–.053) are most common for general playing.
Extra Light is easier on the fingers and great for beginners.
Medium gauges give fuller tone but require more finger strength.
HD Light blends benefits of light and medium for balanced tone and tension.

If you want, I can also explain which set is best for your playing style (e.g., fingerstyle vs strumming, or which size might suit your guitar body). Just tell me what you play!

Here’s an easy practical guide to choosing Elixir acoustic guitar strings based on your playing style — whether you lean toward strumming, fingerstyle, or a bit of both. I’ll explain which types and gauges tend to work best for each style and show some great Elixir string choices you might consider.

🎸 Playing Style Guide — Which Elixir Strings to Choose

🎶 1. Fingerstyle (Plucking with Fingers)

What you want:

Strings that are easier to press
Clear, warm, balanced tone
Less tension so fingers don’t tire quickly

Best choices:

Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB — warm and balanced tone that suits detailed fingerstyle passages.
Lighter gauges (e.g., Light .012–.053 or Custom Light .011–.052) — easier on fingers and good for clarity.

Good options:

– excellent if you play fingerstyle a lot and want very easy playability.
– balanced between brightness and warmth; great all‑round set for fingerstyle.
– classic warm tone, very versatile.

👉 Why choose this: Phosphor bronze strings tend to have a richer, warmer tone with sparkle, and Nanoweb coating keeps the feel smooth and lasting longer — ideal for detailed plucking.

🎸 2. Strumming / Rhythm Playing (Pick or Heavy Strums)

What you want:

Bold projection
Full, strong sound
Tension that doesn’t go dead with heavy hits

Best choices:

80/20 Bronze with NANOWEB — brighter and crisper tone, works well with rhythm and flatpicking.
Medium gauge or standard Light — strikes a good balance of volume and comfort.

Good options:

– bright and articulate, great for rhythm and flatpicking.
– easier on the fingers if you like lighter tension (still bright).

👉 Why choose this: 80/20 Bronze has a livelier attack and brighter sound — excellent when you want chords to cut through or when playing with band/ensemble.

🎶 3. Balanced / Versatile (Both Strumming + Fingerstyle)

If you want one string set that works well for both techniques:

Phosphor Bronze with Nanoweb (Light or Custom Light) — it’s versatile, balanced between warmth and clarity.

Many players find Custom Light (.011–.052) or Light (.012–.053) to be a good middle ground for both styles.

📌 Quick String Style Summary

Playing Style	Best Alloy & Coating	Gauge	Why
Fingerstyle	Phosphor Bronze, Nanoweb	Light / Custom Light	Warm, balanced, easier tension
Rhythm/Strumming	80/20 Bronze, Nanoweb	Light / Medium	Bright, articulate, punchier
Versatile All‑Around	Phosphor Bronze, Nanoweb	Light / Custom Light	Balanced tone for mixed use

🎯 Final Tips

✅ If you’re undecided, start with Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb Light (.012–.053) — most players find this a versatile pickup.

✅ If your focus is acoustic solo work or singer‑songwriter style, the warm, balanced tone of phosphor bronze is very pleasant.

✅ If you play a lot of reducing finger noise while sliding or doing expressive technique, Nanoweb coating helps keep strings smooth longer.

If you tell me your guitar body type (e.g., dreadnought, smaller body) and whether you mostly use a pick or fingers, I can fine‑tune the perfect string gauge recommendation for your exact setup!

Great! To pick which Elixir acoustic guitar strings suit you best, your guitar body type (e.g., dreadnought vs smaller‑bodied) and playing style (strumming vs fingerstyle) really matter. Here’s a practical recommendation using real products you can consider 👇

🎸 Choosing Strings by Guitar Body & Style

🎯 1. Small‑bodied guitars

Examples: Parlour, 000/OM, Grand Auditorium
Ideal gauges:

Light (.012–.053) or Custom Light (.011–.052)
These help the guitar speak clearly without too much tension, since smaller bodies don’t project as loudly with heavy strings.
Lighter gauges also make fretting easier and reduce risk of buzzing or too much neck tension.

Recommended sets:

– Great balanced set for fingerstyle or softer playing on smaller guitars.
– Another excellent custom‑light phosphor bronze choice with warm tone.
– Extra‑light 80/20 bronze for a brighter tone and easy playability.
– Classic phosphor bronze light set with warm, rich tone.

💡 Small‑bodied guitars + fingerstyle: Choose phosphor bronze for warmth.
💡 Small‑bodied guitars + softer strumming: You can try 80/20 bronze for a brighter attack.

🎯 2. Dreadnought & Larger‑bodied guitars

Examples: Dreadnought, Jumbo
Ideal gauges:

Light (.012–.053) if you want easier playability
Light‑Medium (.012–.056) or Medium (.013–.056) if you want more volume, depth & projection (heavier strings excite the top more on large bodies).

For most people starting with Elixir on dreadnoughts, Light or Custom Light is a comfortable balance that still delivers fullness without straining your fingers.

The tension increases with heavier gauges, which generally enhances volume and sustain but can be harder to fret.

Recommended from the above options:

All four sets shown above work well — if you prefer a bit more volume, prioritize phosphor bronze light or custom light.

🎶 Quick Style Notes

Play Style	Best String Type	Gauge
Fingerstyle / Light playing	Phosphor Bronze	Custom Light / Light
Rhythm / Strumming	80/20 Bronze or Phosphor Bronze	Light / Light‑Medium
Balanced / Versatile	Phosphor Bronze	Custom Light / Light

➡️ Lighter gauges = easier to play, warmer sound on smaller guitars.
➡️ Heavier gauges = more volume and presence (good on dreadnoughts).

🧠 Final Tip

Smaller guitar (parlor/OM/000) → usually prefer Custom Light (.011–.052) or Light (.012–.053) for best balance of ease and sound.
Bigger guitar (dreadnought/jumbo) → you can step up toward Light‑Medium or Medium if you want more body and louder tone, but Light sets are still very common.

If you tell me exactly which guitar model you have (e.g., Yamaha FG800, Taylor 214ce, etc.) and your usual playing style (fingerstyle vs strumming), I can pinpoint the single best string gauge/type for your setup! 🎶

Which is the most popular choice or most sellable?

Yes — among Elixir acoustic guitar strings, there are clearly best‑selling and most popular choices that players tend to buy most often. These sets are the ones you’ll see most frequently stocked on the official store and recommended in reviews.

🏆 Most Popular / Best‑Selling Elixir Acoustic Strings

These are consistently listed as best‑sellers on the official Elixir store and in market overviews:

🥇 Elixir Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB® Coating

One of the top sellers in the acoustic category.
Offers warm, balanced tone with the long‑lasting Nanoweb coating.
Often recommended as the go‑to Elixir acoustic set for most players.
On the official best‑seller list in multiple gauges (Light, Custom Light).

📌 This set also frequently tops general best acoustic string lists because of its balance of tone and longevity.

🥈 Elixir 80/20 Bronze with NANOWEB® Coating

Another very popular choice with bright and lively tone.
Especially common for people who like clear attack and shimmer.
Also listed as a best‑seller in the Elixir store (e.g., Light 12‑53).

This set is often the first coated set that many players try because it sounds a bit closer to traditional uncoated bronze but lasts much longer.

🥉 Elixir 80/20 Bronze with POLYWEB® Coating

Not quite as common as the two above, but still consistently carried in stores as a warmth‑focused alternative to Nanoweb.
Often chosen by players who prefer a darker, “played‑in” feel.

📌 Best‑Seller Snapshot (Official Store)

From the Elixir best‑seller page, these are the acoustic models that show up most often:

Product	Type	Notes
80/20 Bronze with NANOWEB (Light 12‑53)	Best‑Seller	Most common “go‑to” bright acoustic string
Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB (Custom Light 11‑52 & Light 12‑53)	Best‑Seller	Extremely popular balanced set
80/20 Bronze with POLYWEB (Custom Light 11‑52)	Best‑Seller	Warmer feel option

🎸 Why These Are Popular

⭐ Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb

Excellent tone life and balance — not too bright or too mellow
Works for both strumming and fingerstyle
Smooth feel and long tone retention — strings don’t go dull quickly
Often recommended as the most reliable all‑around acoustic string by reviewers.

👍 Summary — Most Sellable Choices

If you want the single most popular Elixir acoustic string set, these are the top picks:

🥇 Elixir Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB® (Light or Custom Light)
➤ Best all‑around choice for most players.
🥈 Elixir 80/20 Bronze with NANOWEB® (Light)
➤ Bright and articulate — great for rhythm and sparkle.
🥉 Elixir 80/20 Bronze with POLYWEB®
➤ Warm, smooth, “played‑in” feel — a nice alternative.

These three occupy the top spots among sellers and are the ones you’ll most often see listed as best sellers across retailers.

🎯 Quick Buying Tip

Start with Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb (Light .012–.053) if you’re unsure — it’s the most universally liked and widely sold Elixir acoustic set.
If you want a brighter sound, go with 80/20 Nanoweb.
If you want a warmer vibe with a bit more smoothness, try 80/20 Polyweb.

If you want, I can also list specific gauges and the tone differences between them for these popular sets!

Here’s a clear comparison of the most popular Elixir acoustic guitar string sets, showing what different gauges do to your tone and playability — so you can pick the one that suits you best 👇

🎸 Popular Elixir Acoustic String Sets & What They Sound Like

🎶 Best All‑Around (Warm & Balanced)

– Most popular acoustic set overall

Tone: Warm, full, rich with clarity
Feel: Smooth and less finger squeak
Best for: Players wanting balanced tone for most styles
Why it’s popular: This set hits the sweet spot of tone life, warmth, and smooth feel.
Typical gauge: Light (.012–.053) — the most commonly recommended size.

– Slightly lighter and easier on fingers

Tone: Similar warmth as above, a touch easier to play
Best for: Fingerstyle or players who switch between fingerstyle and strumming
Why it’s great: Custom Light (.011–.052) reduces tension without sacrificing tone.

🎸 Bright & Articulate (Great for Strumming / Cutting Through)

– Most popular bright acoustic choice

Tone: Bright, lively, crisp
Feel: Smooth with good response
Best for: Strumming, country, acoustic rock
Why it’s popular: 80/20 bronze wrap gives a brighter sound that complements rhythmic playing.

– Easier playability

Tone: Bright, punchy but gentler tension
Best for: Beginners or players who prefer easy fretting
Why choose this: Easier on fingers but still bright and full‑sounding.

– Great all‑purpose lighter set

Tone: Bright and defined
Playability: Light and forgiving
Good choice if you like 80/20 brightness with comfortable tension.

– Balanced brightness with better midrange presence

Tone: Slightly fuller than standard light, still bright
Best for: Players who want extra clarity with a bit more texture
Why try it: A good middle ground between standard light and medium tension tones.

🎯 String Gauge & Tone — What It Means

📌 Gauge Basics

String gauge refers to how thick the strings are — the bigger the number, the higher the tension and fuller the tone, but also harder to play.

Gauge Size	Feel	Tone
Extra Light (.010–.047)	Easiest to play	Brighter, less body
Custom Light (.011–.052)	Light, comfortable	Balanced warmth & brightness
Light (.012–.053)	Most common	Balanced tone, good projection
HD Light (.013–.053)	Richer low end	Fuller tone, more power

✔ Lighter gauges = easier on fingers, bright and articulate
✔ Heavier gauges = louder, warmer, fuller tone but require more finger strength

🎼 Tone Guide by String Material & Coating

🎶 Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB

Tone: Warm + sparkling highs
Coating: Thin (Nanoweb) so strings sound closer to uncoated strings
Best for: Versatile players who want a balanced tone with longevity.

🌟 80/20 Bronze with NANOWEB

Tone: Bright, punchy, clear note definition
Great for: Strummers, rhythm playing, genres needing articulation.

🔥 80/20 Bronze with POLYWEB

Tone: Warmer and “played‑in” feel
Best for: Fingerstyle players who prefer a softer, smooth sound (though these are less common than Nanoweb options).

💡 Quick Recommendations Based on Style

🎸 Strumming / Band Playing

Best choice: Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 Bronze — clear, bright, expressive.
Try Extra Light if you want easier playability.

🎶 Fingerstyle / Mixed Playing

Best choice: Elixir Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB — warm, balanced, long‑lasting.
Custom Light gives a very comfortable feel.

🎙️ Balanced All‑Rounder

Phosphor Bronze Light is the most widely recommended seller — works great for both rhythm and lead.

🧠 Real‑World Tips

✔ NANOWEB coatings sound closer to natural strings with bright tone and smooth feel.
✔ POLYWEB strings feel warmer and more mellow — good for genres that don’t require sparkling articulation.

If you want, tell me the brand and model of your guitar and whether you mostly play strumming or fingerstyle, and I’ll suggest the exact best gauge for your setup!

Wednesday, 17 December 2025

Acoustic Guitar Strings