Guitar Strings

Elcoda offers strings for classical, acoustic, flamenco, electric and bass guitars, as well as 7-, 8-, 10-, 12-string and other specialised guitars.

The range includes Knobloch Strings, Savarez, Augustine Strings, Pyramid, D'Addario, Luthier and other manufacturers.

Selecting guitar strings requires more than identifying the type of guitar. Material, tension or gauge, scale length, tuning, instrument construction and individual player preferences should also be considered.

Classical Guitar Strings

The Classical Guitar Strings section includes sets for concert, student and luthier-made instruments.

For classical guitar, treble material, bass-string construction and overall set tension are particularly important.

Trebles may be made from traditional nylon, specialised nylon formulations or fluorocarbon. These materials differ in feel, diameter, response and tonal character.

Classical Guitar String Tension

Manufacturers use descriptions such as Low, Medium, Normal, Medium-High and High Tension.

These descriptions are not completely standardised: a High Tension set from one manufacturer may differ considerably from another brand.

When changing manufacturer, it is therefore useful to compare the specifications of the actual set rather than relying only on the tension category name.

Nylon or Carbon Classical Guitar Strings

Nylon trebles are traditionally used on classical guitars and may differ in material formulation, diameter and manufacturing method.

Fluorocarbon strings, often called carbon strings, generally use a smaller diameter at comparable tension and differ in response and tonal character.

Neither material is universally better: the result depends on the particular guitar, the player's technique and the desired response and sound.

Knobloch Strings

Knobloch Strings is an important professional range at Elcoda for classical and flamenco guitar strings.

The assortment includes different Knobloch series with nylon and other treble types, different tension levels and different bass constructions.

The available tension options allow players to select a set according to the individual instrument, required response and preferred playing feel.

Knobloch Flamenco Strings

Knobloch also offers specialised series for flamenco guitar, designed around the fast response associated with this type of instrument.

Tension, treble material and the construction of the particular set should all be considered.

Savarez

Savarez is represented at Elcoda with a broad range of strings for classical, acoustic and specialised guitars.

Classical-guitar ranges include nylon and fluorocarbon trebles and standard, high and mixed-tension combinations.

Savarez also offers acoustic-guitar strings, 12-string sets, baritone-guitar strings and Manouche / Gypsy Jazz strings.

Augustine Strings

Augustine Strings offers strings for classical and acoustic guitars.

Its classical-guitar ranges combine different treble materials and different bass tensions.

When changing between Augustine ranges, treble and bass specifications should be considered separately, as a set may combine different tension categories.

Pyramid

Pyramid has a particularly broad role in Elcoda's guitar-string range, including both standard and specialised guitar strings.

The catalogue includes Pyramid strings for classical, acoustic, electric and bass guitars, as well as instruments with unusual scales, tunings or numbers of strings.

D'Addario

D'Addario is represented by a broad range of acoustic, electric and bass-guitar strings, including specialised configurations.

Gauge, winding material, scale length and intended tuning are particularly important when selecting these strings.

Flamenco Guitar Strings

The Flamenco Guitar Strings section contains specialised sets for flamenco instruments and playing techniques.

Players typically consider response speed, tension, playing feel and compatibility with the particular guitar.

The Elcoda range includes, among other products, specialised Knobloch flamenco strings.

Acoustic Guitar Strings

The Acoustic Guitar Strings section contains sets for steel-string acoustic guitars.

Gauge, winding material, tension, scale length and playing style should be considered.

Phosphor bronze is one commonly used winding material. Elcoda offers such sets from D'Addario, Savarez, Augustine, Pyramid and other manufacturers.

Acoustic Guitar String Gauge

Gauge is normally identified by the diameter of the first and last strings in the set, for example .011–.052 or .012–.053.

Lighter sets generally require less playing force, while heavier strings provide a different feel and apply a different load to the instrument.

A substantial change of gauge may require adjustment of the guitar setup.

Manouche / Gypsy Jazz Strings

Selmer / Maccaferri-type guitars use specialised string sets associated with the Manouche and Gypsy Jazz tradition.

Elcoda's range includes, among others, Savarez Argentine.

Gauge, string-end design and compatibility with the particular guitar should be checked.

Electric Guitar Strings

The Electric Guitar Strings section includes sets in different gauges and constructions.

Gauge, winding material, scale length, tuning and guitar setup all affect playing feel and instrument behaviour.

Gauge becomes particularly important for drop tunings, tremolo systems and major changes from the previous string set.

Bass Guitar Strings

The Bass Guitar Strings section contains sets for different scale lengths, numbers of strings and applications.

In addition to gauge, string length must be considered: Short Scale, Medium Scale, Long Scale and other versions are available.

Elcoda also offers sets for 4-, 5- and 6-string basses and specialised constructions, including options for lower tunings.

7-String Guitar Strings

The 7-String Guitar Strings section includes specialised sets.

The exact type of 7-string guitar, scale length, tuning and construction must be considered.

The number of strings alone does not determine compatibility: a seven-string classical guitar and a modern seven-string electric guitar require fundamentally different strings.

12-String Guitar Strings

The 12-String Guitar Strings section includes dedicated sets with primary and paired strings.

Overall gauge, material, tuning and instrument construction should be considered.

Because total tension is substantially greater than on a conventional six-string guitar, a set intended for the correct instrument type should be used.

Nashville Tuning Strings

Nashville Tuning uses a specialised set of lighter strings, corresponding mainly to the higher courses of a 12-string guitar.

These sets are used to create a characteristic high-register sound on a six-string guitar.

Strings for Special Guitars

The Strings for Other Guitars section includes specialised sets for instruments outside the standard six-string categories.

Elcoda's range includes strings for 8- and 10-string instruments, baritone guitars, Portuguese guitars, resonator guitars and other specialised guitar types.

Strings for certain historical and extended-range guitars are also available, where scale length, tuning and exact instrument type are particularly important.

Scale Length and String Length

Scale length is a key specification when choosing specialised strings.

This is particularly important for bass guitars, baritone guitars, extended-range and historical guitar types.

Gauge alone is not sufficient: overall string length and the position of the winding must also fit the instrument.

Standard and Lower Tunings

Lowering the tuning reduces the tension of a string of the same gauge.

Drop Tunings and other lower tunings therefore often use heavier gauges or specialised sets.

Major tuning changes may also require adjustment of the instrument.

Sets and Individual Strings

Depending on manufacturer and series, guitar strings may be available as complete sets or individual strings.

Singles are particularly useful for players building custom sets, using unusual tunings or replacing one damaged string.

How to Choose Guitar Strings

Start by identifying the instrument: classical, flamenco, acoustic, electric, bass guitar or a specialised guitar type.

Then consider scale length, tuning, number of strings, material, tension or gauge and the strings currently installed.

If the current strings work well, knowing the exact manufacturer and series is the most reliable starting point for replacement.

When a change in feel, tension, response or tonal character is desired, several technically suitable sets can be compared.

If the Required Strings Are Not Listed

Elcoda's range is not limited to the products currently displayed on the website.

If you need a particular set or individual string, provide the manufacturer, series, product number or instrument specifications.

Elcoda will try to check whether the required strings can be ordered through available suppliers.

Guitar Accessories and Cases

Elcoda also offers guitar accessories and professional hardware, including machine heads, supports, capos, pickups, tuners and humidity-control products.

For storage and transport, guitar cases and bags are also available.

International Delivery

Elcoda is based in Germany and supplies guitar strings to professional musicians, students, teachers, instrument makers, music schools, dealers and other customers worldwide.