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Nowadays, the term “fingerpicking” is used to describe a wide range of playing styles. Some people will play with all five fingers on their right hand (the picking hand), while others will only use three or four fingers at once. There are some players who even pick with their left hand! But no matter what type of fingerpicking you do, it’s always important to make sure your strings are suited for the way you play them.
Acoustic guitar strings come in a variety of types and gauges. The type you choose will depend on the sound, feel, and playability that you prefer. Some players find that steel strings are too harsh for their fingers while others like the sharper attack they provide. For this reason, it’s important to experiment with different string types before making your final decision.
Strings also vary in thickness from light gauge (0.010″) to heavy gauge (0.050″). A lighter gauge is easier on your fingers but provides less volume and sustain than heavier gauges do; likewise, heavier gauges are more difficult to bend but often provide richer overtones than lighter ones do. Again, experimentation is key!
Guitarists often ask if they should use standard nickel wound strings or phosphor bronze ones. The truth is, both are great options depending on your preferred feel and tone. Phosphor bronze strings are slightly softer than nickel wound strings so they tend to be easier to play, but players who really like the bright, twangy sound of steel strings might like the sharper attack that nickel wound strings provide.
Here we’ll talk about the best acoustic guitar strings for fingerpicking and how they can help you reach your full potential as a player!
Our Recommendations of Best Acoustic Guitar Strings for Fingerpicking
- Elixir Strings 80/20 Bronze
- D’Addario EJ16-3D
- Martin Authentic
- Ernie Ball Everlast Light Coated
- GHS Strings VN-L
- DR Strings DRAGON SKIN
1. Elixir Strings 80/20 Bronze
The Elixir Strings have a mix of 80% copper and 20% zinc which produces a tone like no other string. It’s really slick and makes bending sound great. They also come with the this NANOWEB Coating to make those pesky “thumb slaps” feel like they’re not even happening!
The Elixir Strings are currently one of the best acoustic guitar strings on the market for fingerpicking. They’re easier to bend than most other strings, which is really important when trying to play fast songs.
The coating also helps keep the sound of the guitar consistent, which is great if you’re playing in a lot of different environments. These strings are also great because they’re really easy on your fingers and hands, making them perfect if you have sensitive skin or play guitar for long periods at a time.
If you are looking for the best acoustic guitar strings for fingerpicking, then Elixir definitely makes a great choice. It can definitely be hard to find new strings that don’t hurt your fingers while still offering great tone quality and ease of use, but these are perfect!
2. D’Addario EJ16-3D Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
Next, we’re going to talk about the D’Addario EJ16-3D Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings along with why it’s such a great choice for fingerpickers, one of the first choice of professionals worldwide.
These strings are made from phosphor bronze which gives them a warm tone. Phosphor bronze is also very easy on the fingers without feeling rough, so you’ll probably have no problem playing these strings after getting used to them. The gauges are .012, .016, .024w, .032, .042 and they come in a set of six. These strings also have stings made from micro-fine alloy to make them even smoother on the hands for playing!
These strings are available in small packs or large sets with everything you need to replace all your old strings at once. You can even get them with an electric tuner if you don’t have one already!
D’Addario EJ16-3D Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings are made from phosphor bronze, which gives the strings a warm tone. These strings are very smooth on the hands and easy to bend for fingerpicking guitarists. Get them in a pack or with an electric tuner in either packages of six, 12, 18 or 36!
3. Martin Authentic Acoustic Guitar Strings – Superior Performance
Martin has a new line of acoustic guitar strings that is especially designed for fingerpicking. The company recommends that players who want to use these strings pick up a set of extra light-gauge strings that are made from either nickel or phosphor bronze.
First, they’re really smooth on the fingers and easy to bend without too much effort! Second, Martin is designed specifically for acoustic guitars with less volume, which makes them perfect for fingerpicking because you won’t need the full sound of the guitar to cut through in a mix. Third, they sound great and last a really long time!
Martin acoustic guitar strings are known for their authentic sound. They come in a variety of different gauges.These are popular choices for beginners because they produce a clear and crisp tone, and their metallic winding makes it easy to hold the string down for notes and chords.
So, if you’re looking for an extra smooth set of strings to use when fingerpicking try Martin’s new line of acoustic guitar strings! They are especially designed for that style of playing and are well worth the investment.
4. Ernie Ball Everlast Light Coated Acoustic Strings
Ernie Ball Everlast Light Coated Acoustic Strings are a great choice for fingerpicking. The coating on the strings reduces the potential for picking up any dirt or grime from your fingers off from the fretboard.
This lighter gauge string also makes it easier to play hard-to-reach notes and create more detailed melodies with less effort. These strings can last up to three times as long as uncoated strings, so you’ll save money in the long run by choosing these over uncoated strings.
A few drawbacks to these strings are that they don’t have as much volume or brightness as some other acoustic guitar strings. Especially if you play with a pick, this isn’t the string for you! But if you want to do some serious fingerpicking, It’s definitely one of the best when it comes to this.
5.GHS Strings VN-L
GHS Strings VN-L strings are popular on the market today because of their elegance and durability. They are made from phosphor bronze, which is an alloy that has a high level of resistance to corrosion. Vintage bronze is also resistant to sweat, humidity, and temperature changes.
One of the best things about GHS strings is that they last up to three times longer than other brands on the market. These are great for fingerpicking because they’re durable, easy to bend, and have greater tonal resonance.
GHS Strings also has a line of strings that are made of nickel-plated steel. These strings are known as the EXL Nickel Wound electric guitar strings, but they work fantastic on acoustic guitars too! Another reason these strings are so great for fingerpicking is because they have a smooth finish and will not cause as much wear on your nails as other types of strings might.
These sets of strings come in all different gauges, but we suggest that beginners start out with an extra light or thin set to work their technique and build calluses. The most popular gauge that works well for fingerpicking is .010-.047, but you may want to experiment with different gauges until you find the right one that suits your style of playing.
It’s also important to keep in mind that GHS Strings can be found at extremely affordable prices when compared to other brands on the market today. If you are looking for a great set of strings that will work for fingerpicking, then look no further!
6. DR Strings DRAGON SKIN Acoustic Guitar Strings
I like DR Strings too and I think they’re one of the best acoustics strings for finger-picking. The Dragon Skin line of strings is made of phosphor bronze wire, which means they’ll respond to your fingers more quickly and with a bit more brightness than nickel strings.
They also last longer than ordinary strings because of the pure metal core wrapped in bronze. You can expect a slightly better sound from these strings because the bronze acts as a conductor, able to transfer more information from your fingers into the model.
Dragon Skin strings are made with 100% phosphor bronze wire, which is made up of 99.2% copper and 0.8% tin.This gives each string a bit more strength to resist wear and tear from heavy playing or mistakes, making them perfect for students! Each set comes with 12 strings in the following gauges: .012p – .054p – .077p – .095p – .11 – .15 – .22w – .30w – #34s
DR Strings are my go-to brand for acoustic guitar strings because they’re made to maximize the transfer of your touch into sound. They respond quickly, with a bright tone that lasts longer than usual!
Things To Consider When Buying Guitar Strings
When considering which guitar strings to buy, you’ll want to pay attention to the gauge of the string and the material it is made out of. Generally, when it comes to acoustic guitars and fingerpicking, you’ll want a light gauge-typically extra light– that is either made from nickel or phosphor bronze.
The main reason these types of strings are so great for fingerpicking is because they’re really smooth on the fingers and easy to bend without too much effort!
Light-gauge string sets usually come with a set of extra light gauge strings as well as a heavier one. This gives you the option of changing gauges depending on how hard you want to press down and what type of sound you’d like to produce.
The heavier gauge will give your guitar more volume while the lighter gauge will allow for more delicate playing – depending on your preference!
There are several different types of materials used to make these strings. The most common are nickel and phosphor bronze as I’ve mentioned earlier, but you might also come across steel, cobalt or titanium.
Nickel strings are composed of nickel-plated steel (or pure nickel) and they produce a clear sound with good volume . Since the metal used is soft, these types of string tend to last longer than other materials.
Phosphor bronze strings are made from phosphor-bronze wire wrapped around hexagonally shaped core wire . They also sound clear and produce good volume. They’re also known to last more than nickel types of strings.
Whichever material you choose, make sure the strings are preferably made from either nickel or phosphor bronze; both types of metal produce good quality sounds that work well for fingerpicking! You can pick up a set of your preferred metal and type of strings from a local store, or shop online to get a great deal!
What’s Next?
Fingerpicking is a lot of work, but it’s worth the effort. If you want to make your fingers last longer and be more comfortable while playing with them without sacrificing sound quality, try out some nickel or phosphor bronze acoustic guitar strings for finger picking!
These types of strings are smooth on the fingers and easy to bend without too much effort–plus they’re really affordable online. You can find these string sets at any music store like Guitar Center or Amazon if you don’t have one nearby. It only takes about an hour to install new strings so this might be something fun for yourself or someone else who plays guitar as well! Let me know in the comment which one you would pick?
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