10 Best Guitar Strings in Singapore | Best of Lifestyle 2023

The work doesn’t stop once you’ve chosen the perfect guitar that’s durable, high-quality, and roaring with sound that’s exceptional. At some point in your journey as guitarist, you’ll need to replace your set of strings, which is obviously part of the maintenance. Newbies in the hobby might think that all guitar strings are the same, and that you don’t need to pay much attention about it. But seasoned pros know full well that a set of excellent strings mean great comfort and playability, outstanding sound quality, and durability. That’s why it’s important to choose wisely, especially, if you’re planning to book gigs in the future. However, with an extensive variety of guitar strings in the market, which then are the best options available in Singapore? In our Best of Lifestyle series, we introduce the 10 Best Guitar Strings in Singapore, providing quality recommendations based on your lifestyle and budget needs.

This article was last updated on 6 January 2023.

1. Ernie Ball Phosphor Bronze

Recognised outstanding quality for decades

Ernie Ball is a world-famous brand recognised for decades for producing top-quality guitar strings. One of their excellent products is the Earthwood line, a set that’s made specifically for acoustic guitars. At first, these strings sound bright, but once they have properly settled on your guitar, they deliver a beautiful, warm tone, and offers great playability. As compared to standard string sets, the Earnie Ball Earthwood Phosphor Bronze set features heavier gauges in the low strings which means that they’re capable of producing more tonal variety.

A crowd favourite for affordability

Few strings out there have it all. And the Ernie Ball’s Earthwood line is definitely part of the few. It’s a crowd favourite for its affordability, yet it’s equipped with outstanding qualities that every guitarist will look for. Besides remarkable tonal variety, they offer excellent tactile response, and they’re designed to last—you wouldn’t remember the last time you needed an urgent replacement right before the gig!

Why buy this:

• Great value for money
• Delivers wide tonal range
• Reliable and designed to last
• Great tactile response
• Attractive orange colour

2. Elixir Acoustic Guitar Strings

Ideal for recording artists and live performers

Covered with Nanoweb coating, these Elixir strings provide a long-lasting tone which is convenient for frequent performers who would otherwise need to frequently adjust their guitar’s tuning. Furthermore, this unique coating prevents squeaking when you slide your fingers across the strings, so your audience can fully focus on the beauty of your music. This is particularly useful for fingerstyle guitarists.

Long-term investment

While pricier than other options, this string set can be considered a long-term investment. They’re extra durable, and as mentioned, offers an extended tone life. In addition, they come in a wide range of gauges, making them versatile for different playing styles. On top of that, it’s equipped with solid protection from corrosion, so rest assured you can enjoy these guitar strings in tip-top condition for a long time.

Why buy this:

• Extended tone life
• Squeak-free performance
• Corrosion-safe
• Lasts twice as long than standard string sets

3. D’Addario EJ16

Meticulously produced phosphor bronze strings

It’s impossible to discuss phosphor bronze strings without mentioning D’addario. After all, the brand pioneered the use of phosphor bronze in acoustic guitar strings back in the early ‘70s. The material is known to create beautiful sonic balance and tonal warmth which makes your guitar versatile enough to explore a wide range of music genres. Produced in-house, D’addario strings go through a meticulous quality control process which only means they’re one of the best and most durable choices in the market. We particularly admire the lock twist design that effectively minimises slippages, so that the strings are secure, comfortable, and highly playable.

Great clarity and sustain

Because this string set’s gauges are lighter than standard options, the strings produce exceptional clarity and sustain when you play the treble strings. It’s definitely something you’ll be proud to bring to live acoustic performances to keep your audience hooked with its amazing sound quality.

Why buy this:

• Strings are secure, comfortable, and highly playable
• Perfect for all music genres
• Creates beautiful sonic balance and tonal warmth
• Remarkable clarity and sustain
• Meticulously produced

4. Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings

Ask any experienced guitarist to give you a list of the most popular guitar strings, and without hesitation, he’ll write down the Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings on the first place. What’s surprising anyway? Even Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Slash have decided to use this set in the past. What seasoned musicians love about this world-famous electric guitar strings is their simplicity and user-friendliness. Aside from the fact that they’re high-quality, long-lasting, and deliver fantastic sound, they’re comfortable on the fingers. Plus, they have twisted brass wires that make everything hassle-free when you need to replace them.

Why buy this:

• Most popular electric guitar strings used by seasoned musicians
• Regular gauge set
• Simple and user-friendly

5. D’Addario EXL110

If you’re going for a brighter, crisper, snappier electric guitar sound, then it’s time to switch to D’Addario EXL110 electric guitar strings. What makes this set a standout is that it’s been produced using cutting-edge techniques to achieve the best quality possible and precision. As a result, you get a string set that’s an industry-standard for most musical genres and playing styles. It’s also good to note that these guitar strings are securely packaged in anti-corrosive bags, so they’re always preserved in their most outstanding condition.

Why buy this:

• Durable and high-quality electric guitar strings
• Get it if you want brighter, crisper, snappier sound
• Soft and supple strings with great response
• Securely packaged in anti-corrosive bags

6. D’Addario EJ45 Pro-Arte

Feeling a bit romantic? Go grab your Spanish guitar, but not until you’ve securely installed the D’Addario EJ45 Pro-Arte nylon guitar strings. They’re well-balanced and lean towards warmer tones. You can be also confident that D’Addario strings are wound and measured precisely using laser assistance. And in terms of playability, there’s nothing like these nylon strings—they’re the softest, most comfortable strings to tug, strum, and play!

Why buy this:

• Excellent choice for classical guitar
• Precise, true-sounding strings
• Well-balanced, warm tones
• Easy playability
• Affordable

7. Martin M170 80/20

Most suitable for beginners in the acoustic guitar world, these guitar strings are extra light, and fingertips friendly. On top of that, they create pleasurable resonance and offer remarkable tactile response. And even if you’ve surpassed the beginner stage already, go ahead and purchase these extra light strings if you have a small guitar.

Why buy this:

• Extra light and easy on the fingertips
• Phosphor bronze wrapped
• Creates lovely resonance
• Suitable for small guitars

8. Ernie Ball 2220 Power Slinky

If you’re listening to Guns n’ Roses or Metallica, you’re surely listening to that powerful sound that comes from the Ernie Ball 2220 Power Slinky set. Ideal for rhythm guitarists and perfect for blues and rock music, these guitar strings deliver a consistent, well-balanced tone. In addition, they’re reliable and won’t break easily.

Why buy this:

• Heavy gauge ideal for rock and blues
• Well-balanced tone
• Robust strings
• Deliver broad tonal range

9. Gibson Premium Brite Wires

Gibson is a well-loved electric guitar brand, and this set of Gibson Premium Brite Wires is what comes as standard on their guitars. Experienced guitar players love this set for their amazing longevity. They can also be adjusted towards warmer or brighter tones—they’re super versatile. In addition, they feature extended tone life, which means you don’t have to frequently fine tune your guitar during your gig.

Why buy this:

• Amazing longevity
• Holds tone well, perfect for frequent performers
• Nickel-plated
• Versatile

10. D’Addario NYXL

For bassists, the D’Addario NYXL is your break-proof option. Made with high carbon steel, it’s incredibly robust which means you won’t need replacement any time soon, perhaps, you won’t even think about it for a long time. It’s also a standout option because of its enhanced tuning stability, making it a great choice among professional bass guitar players who are always on stage. Despite its robustness, it’s super light and easy on the fingertips—perfect for hour-long showdowns and concerts.

Why buy this:

• Designed with higher break strength
• Stays in tune for a long time
• Great sound quality
• Super light and easy on the fingertips
• Well-balanced tone

We hope that our guide on the 10 Best Guitar Strings in Singapore has helped you to buy the best guitar strings in Singapore whether for your acoustic, electric, bass, or classical guitar. Please share this with your family and friends if you have found it useful.