KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Most guitars are manufactured with six strings and six tuning pegs, including standard acoustic models and electric guitars in standard tuning. Bass guitars boast four strings.
- If you are looking for something different with extra strings, many players opt for 12-string guitars for that gorgeous Nashville sound.
- You can also purchase a seven-string guitar or remove as many strings from your current guitar as you want.
If you are new to the world of playing music, you may want to learn how many strings does a guitar have. Many of the best guitars, after all, are acoustics, and these models ship with a pre-defined number of strings. So why learn about strings when looking for the best acoustic guitars, and what are the various string counts? Keep reading to find out.
Acoustic Guitar – How Many Strings?
After learning who invented the acoustic guitar, you may want to know how many strings come with these instruments. Acoustic guitars generally feature six strings, if you are wondering how often you should change guitar strings. These six strings can be tuned however you please, and modern guitars integrate nicely with a wide range of string types if you are comparing medium vs light guitar strings.
When shopping for the best strings for acoustic guitar, however, you will notice that not all models even require six strings.
Guitar String Options
While the vast majority of electric guitars and acoustic guitars ship with six strings and six tuning pegs, there is some wiggle room here if you are looking for unique playing styles.
12-String Guitars
Some acoustics and electrics double the standard number of strings to 12 for a unique sound beloved by country artists and folk artists. 12-string guitars operate similarly to a standard six-string guitar, but each note is doubled. For instance, there are two low E strings, two A strings, and so on. However, the second matched string is of a higher octave, which is what gives this type of guitar its unique sound.
7-String Guitars
Russian guitars, otherwise called Gyspy guitars, ship with seven strings. These guitars typically shine with alternative tunings, like open G. The added string allows players to create unique chord configurations that are simply not possible with a standard six-string guitar. Additionally, a small percentage of electric guitars ship with seven strings, and these are used primarily in progressive rock, hard rock, and heavy metal music.
Any Number You Want
Just because a guitar has room for six, seven, or even 12 strings does not mean you have to follow the rules. You can take away any, or all, of the strings for a unique effect. Many famous guitarists play with four strings, five strings, or even two strings.
Guitar Strings FAQs
How many strings do bass guitars have?
Electric bass guitars boast four strings, including the lowest strings. Some bass guitars, however, have as many strings as a regular guitar or other stringed instruments.
How many strings does a classical acoustic guitar have?
Modern guitars of the classical acoustic type feature six strings, though some boast an additional string to accompany the lowest strings. These types of guitars are not often found as 12-string acoustic guitar models.
Do all guitars have six strings?
No, as many guitars feature different string configurations, even in standard tuning. If you are looking for extra strings, go for a 12-string guitar with the thinnest strings around. You can also remove strings from a standard guitar when necessary.
STAT
“Guitars typically have six strings. Each string has a different thickness. Starting from the thinnest string, the strings are called string 1, string 2, and so on, up until string 6.” (source)
TIP: No matter how many strings you have, be sure to change them out at regular intervals to ensure your instrument sounds great.
Sources:
https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instrument_guide/acoustic_guitar/mechanism/mechanism002.html
https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/do-all-guitars-have-six-strings
https://www.musicgrotto.com/how-many-strings-does-a-guitar-have/
https://www.fender.com/articles/play/never-forget-string-names-again
https://www.npr.org/2007/08/26/13924188/the-harp-guitars-floating-strings
