The guitar. It’s one of the most beloved and versatile instruments on the planet. From the twang of a country tune to the blistering riffs of heavy metal, the guitar’s found a home in nearly every genre and culture. Whether it’s the warm resonance of an acoustic, the searing sustain of an electric, the delicate nylon of a classical, or the deep rumble of a bass, the guitar speaks to us in countless ways.
But have you ever stopped to wonder, “How many strings do guitars have?” While the standard answer is six, the world of guitars is far more diverse than that. The number of strings directly influences the instrument’s tone, range, and overall versatility. A guitar with more strings can produce a wider range of notes and more complex chords. This opens up a whole new world of musical possibilities for players.
So, let’s dive in and explore the fascinating world of guitar strings. We’ll cover standard configurations, delve into the variations, discuss the materials they’re made from, how they’re tuned, and even take a peek at the historical context. Get ready to learn about guitars with more than six strings, from the extended range of 7 and 8-string models to the shimmering chorus of a 12-string. Let’s unlock the secrets behind those strings and discover the incredible sounds they can create!
The standard six-string guitar
If you’re like most people, you think of a guitar as an instrument with six strings. And it’s true: The six-string guitar is the most common type you’ll see.
Anatomy of a six-string guitar
From thickest to thinnest, the strings on a standard six-string guitar are tuned to the notes E, A, D, G, B, and e. Guitarists often use the mnemonic “Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie” to remember the order. The low E string, which is the thickest, vibrates at a frequency of 82.4 Hz. The high e string, which is the thinnest, vibrates at 329.6 Hz.
This particular tuning makes it relatively easy to play common chords, scales, and arpeggios. With standard tuning, you can play a pretty wide range of notes.
Why six strings became the norm
The guitar evolved from earlier stringed instruments, eventually settling on six strings as a happy medium between playability and tonal range.
Six strings offer a good balance. It’s relatively easy to form chords and play melodies, and the guitar can be used across many different genres of music. You can play almost anything on a six-string guitar, from classical compositions to rock anthems.
Acoustic guitar string configurations
While you can find guitars with a range of string configurations, the most common acoustic guitars have either six strings or twelve strings.
Six-string acoustic guitars
Six strings are the standard for acoustic guitars. They’re available in many body shapes, including dreadnought, concert, and grand auditorium. Each of these body types influences the guitar’s sound in a slightly different way.
Twelve-string acoustic guitars
Twelve-string guitars have six pairs of strings, called courses. Each course has two strings, and the strings are typically tuned in octaves or as unison pairs.
Because of the doubling of the strings, twelve-string guitars have a rich, full sound. They also require more finger strength to play than a six-string.
You may know the sound of a twelve-string guitar from the work of artists like Roger McGuinn of The Byrds and Tom Petty.
Electric guitar string configurations
While acoustic guitars most often have six strings, when it comes to electric guitars, there are a few more variations.
Six-string electric guitars
Just like with acoustic guitars, six strings is the standard. But with electric guitars, the pickups and amplification play a big part in shaping the sound you hear. You can choose between single-coil pickups for a brighter, clearer tone or humbucker pickups for a thicker, warmer sound.
Seven- and eight-string electric guitars
Seven- and eight-string guitars give guitarists an extended range, and they’re often used in metal and progressive music. The extra strings let you play lower notes, adding depth and heaviness to your sound.
With a seven-string guitar, the most common tuning is B-E-A-D-G-B-e, which adds a low B string. For eight-string guitars, you’ll often see F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-e, which adds both a low F# and a low B.
Some well-known players who have embraced extended range guitars include Steve Vai and Tosin Abasi, who use the extended range to create complex, innovative sounds.
Other electric guitar variations
While they’re not as common, you might come across electric guitars with even more strings, like nine- or ten-string models. These guitars offer even greater tonal possibilities, but they can be more challenging to play.
Bass guitar string configurations
While most guitars have six strings, bass guitars typically have fewer.
Four-string bass guitars
The standard four-string bass guitar is usually tuned to EADG, the same as the lowest four strings on a standard guitar, only an octave lower.
The bass guitar plays a key role in providing the rhythmic and harmonic foundation for all kinds of music, from rock and country to jazz and pop.
Five-string bass guitars
As bass players have sought to extend the lower range of their instruments, five-string basses have grown in popularity.
The fifth string is typically tuned to B, giving the instrument the tuning BEADG.
Other bass guitar variations
Though less common, six-string bass guitars do exist, as do other configurations. For most bass players, though, either a four-string or five-string instrument will provide the range they need.
Alternate tunings and their impact
So far, we’ve mostly talked about guitars using “standard tuning,” which means the strings are tuned to E, A, D, G, B, and E. But there are lots of other ways to tune a guitar. Any tuning besides standard is called an “alternate tuning.”
Some popular types of alternate tunings are:
- Drop tunings: In drop tunings, you lower the pitch of your lowest string. “Drop D,” where you tune the low E string down to D, is a common one.
- Open tunings: Open tunings involve tuning the guitar so that strumming all the strings together without fretting any notes produces a chord. Open G is a well-known example.
- Modal tunings: Modal tunings emphasize certain intervals, creating unique sonic textures.
Alternate tunings can open up a whole new world of sounds on the guitar. They can make certain chord voicings easier to play and create unique sonic textures. Drop D is popular in rock and metal, while open G is often used in blues and slide guitar.
Guitar string materials and their influence on tone
The material a guitar string is made from has a big impact on the instrument’s sound. Here’s a quick look at the most common types.
Steel strings
Steel strings are known for their bright, clear tone, which is one reason they’re so common on acoustic guitars. There are several types of steel strings, including:
- Stainless steel
- Nickel-plated steel
Nylon strings
If you’re looking for a warmer, mellower tone, nylon strings may be the right choice. You’ll most often find nylon strings on classical guitars.
Compared to steel strings, nylon strings have a softer feel, making them easier on the fingers—especially for beginners.
Other string materials and coatings
Strings can also be made from bronze, nickel, or other materials. Coated strings tend to last longer than uncoated strings, and there are two main types:
- Roundwound strings
- Flatwound strings
Roundwound strings are made by wrapping a round wire around a core wire. They’re known for their bright tone and are the most common type of string. Flatwound strings are made by wrapping a flat wire around a core wire. They have a smoother feel and a mellower tone than roundwound strings.
The History of Guitar Strings
The six-string guitar we know and love didn’t just pop into existence. It evolved from earlier stringed instruments over centuries. Think of ancient lutes and other plucked instruments – they were the ancestors of the modern guitar. These early instruments had varying numbers of strings, and their designs reflected the musical styles and cultural preferences of their time.
The development of the guitar as we recognize it really took off in the mid-19th century. Before that, guitars often had fewer than six strings. Some had four, five, or even seven! The move toward six strings wasn’t arbitrary. Luthiers and musicians experimented to find the ideal balance between range, playability, and tonal complexity.
Cultural preferences played a huge role. As musical styles evolved, so did the instruments. The rise of classical guitar music, for example, demanded a certain level of expressiveness and versatility that the six-string guitar could provide. Ultimately, the six-string configuration proved to be the most adaptable and satisfying for a wide range of musical genres, solidifying its place as the standard.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, while the six-string guitar reigns supreme as the standard, the world of guitars offers a delightful array of string configurations. From the powerful depths of a seven or eight-string, often favored in metal and progressive genres, to the bright, shimmering tones of a twelve-string, there’s a guitar out there to match almost any musical vision. And let’s not forget the banjo-like twang of a four-string tenor guitar or the unique voices of extended-range instruments.
The key takeaway is that there’s no single “right” answer to the question of how many strings a guitar should have. It’s all about experimentation and finding the instrument that best suits your playing style, the genre you love, and the sounds you want to create. String material, gauge, and construction also play a vital role in shaping your tone, so don’t be afraid to try different options until you find what resonates with you.
So, whether you’re a seasoned shredder or a curious beginner, grab a guitar and see where its strings take you! There are tons of excellent resources online and in libraries to help you learn more about guitars, string selection, and the fascinating history of these versatile instruments.