Finding the best electric guitar strings for you can make an incredible difference in your sound. Many new guitarists will take the time to choose a guitar with the right tonewoods and pickups, but then keep playing with whatever stick strings the guitar has. Knowing what types of electric guitar strings are out there can help you choose a type that's more suited to your playing style.

Choosing the Best Electric Guitar Strings: Considering String Gauge

Before you settle on a brand, perhaps the most important part of buying a set of strings is choosing the right gauge for you. The gauge refers to the size of each string. Lighter gauge strings will generally have a sound that is less full, but these strings are often easier to bend and fret, since they place less tension on the neck.

Popular Gauges- Why Does String Size Matter?

You may have heard another guitarist say they have "10s" or "9s" on their guitar. This is shorthand for two of the most popular string gauges for electric guitarists. "10s" are sets of strings ranging from 0.010-0.046 gauge. The high E string is a 0.010 gauge, and the strings gradually increase in size to the low E at 0.046. And these gauges are the most popular for good reason--a set of 0.010 gauge strings balances tone and playability.

However, if you want more freedom to bend notes or prefer a guitar with very low action (prefer having the strings very close to the neck), then a set of strings ranging from 0.009-0.042 gauge may be for you. These strings cause less stress on your hands over time, as they exert less tension. They also have a slightly brighter sound.

Heavier and Custom Gauges to Create Your Tone

Generally speaking, a larger/heavier gauge string will have a sound that is somewhat darker than a lighter gauge. This is where a set of 0.011-0.048 strings comes in. These strings support harder playing and tend to have less risk of fret buzz. In most sets of 11s, you can choose whether you want the third string (the G) to be flat like the B and high E, or wound like the top electric guitar strings. This probably seems like a small difference, but even this simple change can significantly impact your tone. A wound third string will darken the character of your guitar's tone, but a flat one will brighten it.

Many manufacturers also have custom gauge options, where individual string gauges will vary slightly from your typical set of 9s, 10s, or 11s. Custom-gauge strings are something I prefer playing with, because they give me more control over the soundscapes I create. You can even find sets of strings with a skinny top/heavy bottom winding. This creates a totally different tonal character.

Roundwound or Flatwound?

Most strings for electric guitar are round-wound--this means that a metal winding is created around a metal core, making the string cylindrical. However, you also can purchase flat-wound strings. While these strings also have a core and an outer winding, they are wound to be almost completely flat. You may have heard these referred to as "jazz strings," but you can use them for several other types of music. Flatwounds won't cause the signature noise that a round-wound creates when you scrape it with a pick or your fingernail. They also limit sustain and overtones, and many have the kind of "thumpy" sound you hear on jazz guitars.

You may occasionally see strings that are "half-round" or "ground-wound." These strings are designed to be a hybrid between flat-wound and round-wound strings. If you like the characteristic sound of flat-wound strings but need a little more resonance, a half-round might be a good choice.

Choosing a String Material

While the sheer volume of electric guitar string options might be overwhelming to the new guitarist, having plenty to choose from means that you'll have seemingly endless ways to experiment with your own unique tone. All guitar strings have a core of steel, nickel, or another conductive metal. This is a must since a guitar's pickups need to register the string vibration in order to create sound.

The cores of most strings are similar, but it's the outside winding that really sets your tone apart. Here are some of the common string winding materials and what they mean for tone:

• Nickel--This creates a warm, vintage-sounding tone.
• Nickel-plated steel--This string type is a mix of brightness and warmth.
• Stainless steel--All-steel windings have a little more bite, and they naturally resist corrosion.
• Cobalt--Cobalt is especially good for capturing very dynamic playing.
• Chrome--Popular with jazz and blues players, chrome strings are warm but don't have as much sustain.
• Titanium--These strings are bright and very strong.

You also can find polymer-coated strings that are corrosion-resistant. While a set of corrosion-resistant strings means you'll have to replace them less often, it also deadens your tone a little. If you want an eye-catching set of strings, many manufacturers now make multicolored string options, too.