FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Daddario Guitar String

Question:
I've just found a pack of Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Nickel Wound Guitar Strings... Trouble is I have an acoustic guitar and the packet says that some of these strings (EAD) are for electric guitar while the others are both. Is there any differences or can I use them on my acoustic.

Answer:
Short answer -- you can use them on your acoustic but the sound will suffer because there is a difference in the mass and vibrational characteristics of the different metals used in the strings. Since electric guitar strings are usually lighter gauge than those used on acoustics you'd probably also lose quite a bit of volume and tone even if there wasn't a difference in the metals themselves, which there is. If there were no difference manufacturers would simply sell the same strings for both instruments thereby simplifying manufacturing and distribution logistics. The sound of electric guitar is dependent upon the magnetic characteristics of the strings while an acoustic needs a string with properties that will produce a good sound mechanically. Here's a short explanation from D'Addario's website FAQ found at