Strings...

[tancque]

Hi,

I learned myself playing on a classic guitar with nylon strings, but a friend gave me a steel string "flat top" to experiment with. The strings were a bit rusty so I wanted to replace them but the vendor asked me which diameter the string should be. I didn't know that they come in sizes so I had no idea.

Now I found out that there are different steel strings can someone explain what the difference is, and what size I should have bought?

Thanks
Tancque
eternal beginner

[Dr_simon]

Start with mediums and from there you can decide if you want to go heavier (better tone, harder to play) or lighter (less tone, easier to play).

I like Martins bronze strings on my acoustic 6 string and play mediums.

[konman]

I would say go talk to a guitar tech or a good sales person (only somebody who knows about strings). Unlike electrics, acoustic guitars are much more difficult to set up, and with wrong strings they will need to have intonation adjusted, or with too light strings your guitar will start buzzing. Your tech will give you an idea what size strings are already on the guitar -- get new strings same size.