You’re a beginner when it comes to playing the guitar. You don’t know what to look for when purchasing an acoustic guitar. This guide will help you understand the different features of an acoustic guitar and how to choose the best one for you.
There are different types of acoustic guitars. The most common are steel string acoustic guitars. They are named for the type of strings they use. Steel-string acoustic guitars can be used for a variety of music styles.
When choosing a steel string acoustic guitar, you should consider the following factors:
- The body size and shape. The two most common shapes are dreadnought and concert. Dreadnought guitars are larger and have a fuller sound. Concert guitars are smaller and have a brighter sound.
- The type of wood used for the body. The most common woods are spruce, cedar, and mahogany. Spruce is the lightest wood and produces a brighter sound. Cedar is a bit darker and produces a warmer sound. Mahogany is the darkest wood and produces a full sound.
- The neck. The neck is the part of the guitar that you hold when you play. The most important factor to consider when choosing a neck is the width. Narrower necks are easier to play for beginners. Wider necks are better for advanced players.
- The strings. The most common string types are nylon and steel. Nylon strings are softer and easier on
Best Steel String Acoustic Guitars: Editor Recommended
Our Editor’s Best Steel String Acoustic Guitars Reviews
- Layer of silk between the 80/20 wrap and core
- More mellow sound and comfortable feel
- For acoustic guitar
- Gauges: 10, 14, 20w, 28, 40, 50
- Made in California, USA with the freshest and finest materials
- FOR PARLOR OR VINTAGE GUITARS - The tone and feel of Silk & Steel is ideal for parlor guitars and vintage instruments.
- WARM & MELLOW - With their low tension and reduced finger noise, Silk & Steel sets are incredibly warm and mellow, great for fingerstyle playing.
- SILVER PLATED COPPER WINDINGS - Silk & Steel strings are made with silver-plated copper windings, over a combination silk and steel core.
- EARN REWARD POINTS - D’Addario Silk & Steel strings come with a code on the recyclable VCI bag, which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
- MADE IN THE USA – Our acoustic guitar strings are made in the USA—drawn to exacting specifications at our New York production facility.
- Silk-steel
- 11.5-14-26-28-38-47
- Added soft silk wrap to the ball ends of the authentic acoustic strings to prevent wear and tear on the bridge and Bridge plate
- Offer Thread wrapping for bridge protection, corrosion resistance and excellent tuning stability
- CORROSION-RESISTANT, PRECISION WOUND – D’Addario Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings are precision wound with phosphor bronze wrap wire, over a hexagonal high-carbon steel core.
- MOST POPULAR ACOUSTIC GUITAR STRING - Now the standard in acoustic guitar strings, Phosphor Bronze strings were originally pioneered by D’Addario in the 1970s.
- MADE IN THE USA – Our Phosphor Bronze strings are made in the USA—drawn to exacting specifications at our New York production facility.
- PRECISION WOUND - D’Addario 80/20 Bronze acoustic guitar strings are precision wound over a hexagonal high carbon steel core.
- BOLD, BRIGHT SOUND - The 80/20 Bronze wrap wire provides bold, bright acoustic sound, with crisp projection that fills the room.
- THE ORIGINAL ACOUSTIC STRING - 80/20 Bronze was originally created by John D’Addario Sr. and renowned guitar maker John D’Angelico in the 1930s.
- EARN REWARD POINTS - Our 80/20 Bronze acoustic guitar strings come with a code on the recyclable VCI bag, which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
- MADE IN THE USA – D’Addario 80/20 Bronze strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.
- 【DESIGNED IN GERMANY】Havendi is a young German start up. We exist since 2020 and since then we proudly count more then 10.000 customers worldwide. Thanks to our community, we are able to develop more and more awesome products and support talented musicians. Thanks for your trust!
- 【BRILLANT QUALITY】Thanks to our unique Havendi master craftsmanship and high quality standards, you get outstanding guitar strings that make every gentle melody and powerful chord sound harmonious. The strings are durable, rust-proof and tuning stable thanks to their finishing.
- 【 EASY TO PLAY】The smoothFORCE strings unfold their full magic with little effort and can be played as smooth as butter. Thus, they guarantee even newcomers with sensitive fingertips more playing fun and faster success.
- 【RECOMMENDED BY PROFESSIONALS】Rely on the recommendation of experienced music teachers and guitar players when choosing your strings. Play right into the hearts of your listeners with Havendi guitar strings!
- 【OUR PROMISE】If you are not 100% satisfied with the strings, you will get a replacement or refund - Musician's Word of Honor!
- CRYOGENICALLY TREATED STRINGS BUILT TO LAST THREE TIMES LONGER. Our 6-set guitar strings acoustic consist of 92% copper and 8% zinc, making them durable, resisting breakage and corrosion for peak performance no matter how hard you dive or bend.
- A VERSATILE TONE BLEND WITH EXCELLENT PROJECTION & SUSTAINABILITY. Our acoustic guitar string provides a classic balanced tone with perfect intonation, delivering incredible mid-frequency clarity. Best known by many artists across all music genres.
- COMFORTABLE STRING BENDING PERFECT FOR PLAYING ROCK & BLUES MUSIC. Our acoustic strings extra light features a 10-47 roundwound wire, offering a thicker, fuller sound and reliable tuning stability that stays in tune longer while performing a gig.
- EASY PLAYABILITY FOR BEGINNERS & SEASONED GUITARISTS. Our acoustic guitar strings medium light offers smoother control and feel, making them easy to play, regardless of experience level and technique. Great for fingerpicking, strumming, and more.
- AN ICONIC GUITAR PRODUCT COMPANY MADE IN THE USA. The Dean Markley brand is a household name in guitars used and tested by many, including some legendary players since 1972. We primarily manufacture strings for acoustic, bass, and electric guitars.
- ✅ 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐘: Following very elaborate manufacturing processes, the results are some impeccably crafted acoustic guitar strings DESIGNED IN GERMANY. We guarantee a brilliant sound quality, durability, optimum tuning stability, and protection against rust often caused by hand sweat. 80/20 Phosphor-Bronze
- ✅ 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍-𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆: Our LightForce strings for acoustic are as soft as butter and require much less force than other manufacturers' strings. With our Light Force strings, you can play for hours without pain. Also, you will have a cleaner grip and get to enjoy your playing sessions more and enjoy your new acoustic guitar accessories!
- ✅ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐋-𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑: It doesn't matter if you play soft melodies, fingerstyle, or heavy and extended chords. Belfort acoustic guitar strings are specially optimized for maximum flexibility in terms of style. Regardless of your playing style, Belfort acustic guitar strings will help you bring out the best in your play. It is also suitable for both beginners and seasoned professionals.
- ✅ 𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐔𝐒: With our eBook, you'll learn how to play 95% of all pop songs and learn the pros' tricks. Our guitar eBook is developed by experienced music educators and recommended by guitar teachers. As an additional gift, we give you 4 picks of different sizes and textures.
- ✅ 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊: If, for any reason, you are not 100% satisfied with your guitar strings for acoustic, we will always find a solution to whatever problem you encounter. Your satisfaction matters a lot to us. Experience the brilliant sound of our Belfort strings by ordering now. It is absolutely risk-free!
- ❄️Phosphor Bronze Material - Constructed with phosphor bronze wrap wire, stainless steel, and steel hardness of brass wire ball end, Donner guitar strings have good elasticity and are not easy to deform.
- ❄️Anti-oxidation coating - significantly protects strings against common corrosion and extends life span, as well as a comfortable feel for players.
- ❄️High Carbon Steel Hex Core - With hexagonal steel core vibration balance and advanced winding technology, Donner guitar string sets will help you achieve stable and amazing performance
- ❄️Hold Tune Stable Sound - Donner acoustic guitar strings offer a long lasting, warm, bright and balanced acoustic tone with an expressive, vibrant presence. Sound can be transmitted to resonance boxes very well
- ❄️Widely Applicable - Suitable for various types of resonance boxes such as D, J, OM, etc. No matter they are of mahogany, rosewood or maple material, Donner strings can show you a satisfactory dynamic and comfortable feel. Every string is labeled to let you string up your guitar easily
- PROFESSIONAL GUITAR STRINGS: Discover your guitar’s true voice. These strings are designed with higher tensile strength and tin-plated core wire to enable a full and balanced tone, a quicker response, and an increased tuning stability. They’re available in extra light, custom light, light, and medium gauges.
- HIGH-QUALITY DESIGN: Made from 80/20 bronze, these acoustic strings feature top-quality bronzed-steel core wire and bronze wrap wire. At first, the sound is a bright, punchy attack. It quickly mellows out as you play, making this pack ideal for bluegrass players.
- SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE: Best for rigorous practice and performance, our acoustic guitar strings can be used for fingerpicking and flat-picking. If you have finger fatigue after playing or wish bending notes was easier, try a lighter string gauge.
- VERSATILE STRINGS: String gauge is an important part of getting the best sound out of your guitar. We recommend using only our extra-light through medium-gauge strings on our guitars. Medium-gauge strings deliver more volume and are perfect for larger-bodied guitars.
- THE TONE YOU DESERVE: For every handmade element we craft, we never forget why we do it: to help you set your creativity free. You’ll find a wide range of Martin strings that fit your instrument and playing style. Enjoy incredible tone, no matter what you play.
What else you should know about best steel string acoustic guitars
1. What are the best steel string acoustic guitars for beginners?
There are many different types of steel string acoustic guitars for beginners. It really depends on what you are looking for in a guitar. If you want a guitar that is easy to play, then you might want to look for a guitar with a narrower neck. If you are looking for a guitar that has a rich, full sound, then you might want to look for a guitar with a larger body.
2. What are the best steel string acoustic guitars for intermediate players?
Some of the best steel string acoustic guitars for intermediate players include the Yamaha FG800, the Fender CD-60S, and the Takamine G Series GD20.
3. What are the best steel string acoustic guitars for advanced players?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference. However, some of the best steel string acoustic guitars for advanced players include the Martin D-28, the Taylor 814ce, and the Gibson J-45.
4. What are the best steel string acoustic guitars for fingerstyle players?
There are many great steel string acoustic guitars for fingerstyle players, but some of our favorites include the Martin D-28, the Taylor 814ce, and the Gibson J-45.
5. What are the best steel string acoustic guitars for strummers?
There are many great steel string acoustic guitars for strummers. Some of our favorites include the Taylor Swift Baby Taylor, the Yamaha FG800, and the Seagull S6.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best steel string acoustic guitars. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best steel string acoustic guitars will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.