Why Should Not You Put Electric Guitar Strings on Your Acoustic Guitar?

Acoustic and electric guitars, despite some similarities, are designed with different string preferences in mind. When considering using electric guitar strings on your acoustic guitar, it's important to understand the differences between the two and the potential impacts on your instrument.

The Basics: String Composition and Function

Acoustic and electric guitar strings are made from various metals, including steel and nickel, and can be either plain or wound. Both types can be used on both instruments, although not every string is designed for every setup. Generally, all-metal strings, whether described as acoustic or electric, can be installed and will work, but the performance and tone can vary.

String Tension and Its Effect on the Instrument

The crux of the matter lies in string tension, which can significantly affect both the sound and structural integrity of your guitar. If you attempt to use electric guitar strings on an acoustic guitar, the tension can be vastly different and may lead to several issues, including:

Neck bowing: Using strings that are too light can cause the neck to bow backwards, leading to setup issues. Sound quality: Lighter or incorrectly sized strings can result in a subpar sound, making the guitar sound "nasty." Hardware damage: Incorrectly sized strings can damage the hardware and other parts of the guitar over time.

It is possible to install electric guitar strings on an acoustic guitar if you can find strings with the same gauge and tension as the guitar was designed for. For instance, putting nickel wound medium gauge strings (13-56) on certain acoustic guitars can work, but this requires careful consideration of the guitar's original setup.

Compatibility Between Plain and Wound Strings

The plain strings of an acoustic guitar are the same as those used in electric guitars, and will work without issue. However, the wound strings present a different challenge.

Steel wound strings used in acoustic guitars are often wound with a non-magnetic alloy, which means they will produce less volume and tone compared to standard electric guitar strings. While it is possible to install these strings on an electric guitar, the volume and tone will likely suffer.

Classical Nylon String Acoustic Guitar

It is not advisable to install electric guitar strings on a classical nylon string acoustic guitar. These guitars are not built to handle the increased string tension typical of steel strings, and doing so can lead to significant damage to the instrument's bridge and other components.

Steel String Acoustic Guitar

Steel string acoustic guitars, on the other hand, can accommodate some electric guitar strings. For example, using a 12-gauge high "e" acoustic string as an "b" string on an electric guitar can work, but may result in a poor treble/bass balance. This setup might be sufficient in a pinch, especially if you need a quick solution, but for optimal performance, it is always best to use the correct strings for your instrument.

Conclusion

While it is possible to install electric guitar strings on an acoustic guitar, doing so is not necessarily a good idea. The differences in string tension and composition can lead to subpar sound quality, neck bowing, and even damage to the guitar. When in doubt, it's best to stick with strings that are designed for your specific guitar type to maintain optimal performance and longevity.

Keywords: electric guitar strings, acoustic guitar, string tension