If you’re searching for some of the best guitar strings for country and folk music, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, I’m going to highlight some of the best and most affordable sets of strings that you can possible find on the market.
Finding the right strings for country and folk music is not that easy. There’s just so many different kinds of strings out there! Still, once you stick to the strings made by the most reputable string manufacturers, it all becomes much easier.
That’s why I decided to create a list of 10 best guitar strings for country and folk music. Feel free to check out the list below and scroll down to the next section if you want to read more about each of these models.
10 Best Guitar Strings For Country & Folk Music
| Martin Guitar MA540 | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| D’Addario EJ16 | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| D’Addario XT Phosphor Bronze | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| Ernie Ball Everlast | See on Amazon | – |
| Ernie Ball Earthwood | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| Elixir 16052 Nanoweb | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| Gibson Masterbuilt | See on Amazon | – |
| Martin SP Studio Performance | See on Amazon | – |
| Fender 60L | See on Amazon | Thomann |
| Stringjoy NB1254 | See on Amazon | – |
1. Martin Guitar MA540
Martin MA540 are one of the most affordable and the best sounding strings for country and folk music. Fort those who don’t know, Martin is a legendary manufacturer of acoustic guitars, but they also make absolutely amazing strings too.
This particular set of strings features a light gauge (12-54) which is very easy and comfortable to play. On top of that, these strings are really versatile, so they can be efficiently used for both strumming and fingerpicking.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most popular set of acoustic strings in the world. Considering their low price and a really good tone, versatility and durability – this is one of the best options out there. Especially if you’re into country and folk music!
2. D’Addario EJ16
D’Addario EJ16 is one of the most popular set of strings in the world. This particular model is even cheaper than the one mentioned earlier, so it’s definitely suitable for all the players on a tight budget.
What makes it so cool? Well, these strings feature a light gauge (12-53) and a precision wound corrosion resistant phosphor bronze wire. This is a really important feature for everyone who’s searching for durable and long-lasting strings.
Overall, this is a pretty standard set of strings that can be used in a wide range of different genres. Undoubtedly, anyone who loves to play folk and country music will be satisfied after choosing the D’Addario EJ16.
3. D’Addario XT Phosphor Bronze
D’Addario XT Phosphor Bronze set of strings is a bit more expensive than previous two options, but it offers an amazing quality. If you’re not searching for the cheapest strings out there, you should definitely consider getting this model.
What makes it so good? Well, these strings feature an extended lifespan treatment on each one of the strings. This is a big advantage, because it increases the durability and versatility of these strings.
It is also worth mentioning that these strings feature a high carbon steel wire and the Fusion twist technologies which improve the tuning stability and break resistance.
The manufacturer claims that these strings can last up to four times longer than regular strings. That’s pretty impressive, right?
Surely, D’Addario XT Phosphor Bronze are one of the best guitar strings for country and folk music. I have no hesitation in recommending this set of strings to all musicians who are looking for reliable and great sounding guitar strings!
4. Ernie Ball Everlast
Ernie Ball Everlast is an another popular set of strings among the country and folk musicians. This particular set features a very light string gauge (10-50), so it’s perfect for subtle and smooth fingerpicking and fingerstyle playing.
The Everlast strings feature a very warm and rich tone which is perfect for folk and country music. Although these strings are thin, they are actually really durable. You can be sure that you’ll be able to enjoy them for a long time!
I highly recommend checking out the Ernie Ball Everlast strings if you’re searching for thin, inexpensive and long-lasting strings. These are one of my favorites!
5. Ernie Ball Earthwood
Ernie Ball Earthwood is an another very popular set of strings among both amateur and more advanced players. Personally, I’m using these strings on a daily basis and I really enjoy their tone, versatility and durability.
The Earthwood strings are perfect for both strumming and fingerpicking. If you’re into subtle fingerstyle playing, you’re absolutely to love these strings! These strings feature a medium light gauge, which means that they’re really easy to play.
Overall, I have no hesitation in recommending these strings to all lovers of folk and country music. There’s a high chance that you’ll be using these strings for years to come.
6. Elixir 16052 Nanoweb
Elixir Nanoweb 16052 strings are one of the best acoustic strings that you can possibly find on the market right now. This particular set is often used by intermediate and professional guitarists who are searching for the best possible tone.
The main thing that differentiates the Elixir strings from strings by other brands is the fact that they are extremely durable and their tone lasts up to five times longer. Honestly, this is a massive advantage.
Nevertheless, you have to bear in mind that these strings aren’t that cheap. If you’re searching for a really high quality – go for it! But if you’re on the hunt for the cheapest possible option, the Elixir’s are not for you.
7. Gibson Masterbuilt
Gibson Masterbuilt Premium is an another set of high quality acoustic guitar strings suitable for the most demanding guitarists. Again, these strings are not cheap, but they feature an extremely high quality.
We all know that Gibson is a legendary manufacturer of guitars and the quality of their products is really high. These strings definitely prove that statement. If you put them on your acoustic guitar, you’ll get a really bright attack and a sustained warmth. As you can imagine, they sound amazing!
Undoubtedly, these phosphor bronze strings are absolutely great. I’m sure that these are one of the best strings for country and folk music that you can possibly find on the market right now.
8. Martin SP Studio Performance
Martin SP Studio Performance is an another very popular set of strings made for advanced and professional musicians. These strings work perfectly fine during studio sessions and live performances.
These particular strings feature a light gauge (12-54), which makes them very easy and comfortable to play. On top of that, they feature bronze alloy which enhances their brilliance and long life.
The main disadvantage of Martin SP Studio Performance strings is that they tend to be quite expensive. If you’re okay with spending a bit more to get the highest possible quality, you should definitely consider putting them on your guitar.
9. Fender 60L
We all know that Fender manufactures some of the best electric guitars in the world – there’s no doubt with that. But not many people are aware that they also make really good guitar strings – including the Fender 60L set!
This particular set of strings offers an affordable price and a very rich tone. They’re mainly designed for solo artists and singer-songwriters. What’s more, they work perfectly fine for both strumming and fingerpicking.
Undoubtedly, these are one of the best strings for country and folk music. Low price and great guitar tone – who needs anything else?
10. Stringjoy NB1254
Stringjoy NB1254 is an another really popular and affordable set of phosphor bronze strings suitable for various different genres of music. I’m sure that a lot of folk and country musicians will appreciate the quality of these strings!
What makes them so good? Well, these strings feel really smooth, so they’re extremely easy to play. This is a really important feature, especially if you’re a folk musician! On top of that, they offer a really good tuning stability.
Although Stringjoy NB1254 is not the cheapest set of strings on today’s list, it definitely deserves a lot of attention. Surely, these are one of the best guitar strings for folk and country music. There’s a high chance that once you put them on your guitar, you’ll be really happy!
FAQ
What brands make the best guitar strings for country and folk music?
Folk and country musicians usually choose guitar strings made by such brands as Martin, Elixir, D’Addario, Fender and Gibson.
Are guitar strings expensive?
Not all guitar strings are expensive! In fact, there’s a lot of sets of great strings that are actually really affordable. It’s totally possible to find a set of good strings without paying a lot of money.
Are phosphor bronze strings better?
Phosphor strings usually feature a warm sound which can be efficiently used for fingerpicking and fingerstyle playing. That’s why a lot of folk and country musicians decide to choose this type of strings.
Are lighter guitar strings easier to play?
Yes, lighter guitar strings are much easier to play. If you want to increase the comfortability of playing, changing the strings to a set of lighter ones will definitely help you with that.
What strings do folk guitars use?
Folk guitars usually feature phosphor bronze or 80/20 bronze guitar strings.
Summary
As you can see, there are a lot of great and affordable sets of guitar strings out there. I’m sure that if you decide to stick to one of the options mentioned above, you won’t be disappointed!
Which guitar strings are your favorite? Do you prefer using light or heavy strings? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s guide, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this blog post, you may also like:
