- Selecting the right guitar string is mostly a matter of personal taste. Jazz, rock, folk, alternative acoustic, all are affected by the type of metal, gauge and winding of the guitar string played. Because you play or are considering a D'Angelico guitar, it's very likely, but not assumed, that you'll be playing jazz.
- D'Angelicos were originally designed as a premium jazz guitar, and the optimum string for jazz is the flatwound string. D'Angelico also manufactures an excellent line of strings for all genres of music, including steel flatwound strings. For rhythm playing, .010 or .011 gauge is best and .009 primarily for lead work. There are many other fine brands of strings available, including D'Addario, Gibson, Martin, La Bella, Ernie Ball, Elixir and Tomastik.
- If rock is where your heart lies, roundwound nickel strings would be your best choice. Once again, for rhythm playing, .010 or .011 gauge is best and .009 for lead work. Another note to lead guitarists; Ernie Ball was the innovator of "slinks" in the 1950s. The EB 2253 Pure Nickel Super Slinky strings are favored by Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Slash because of their long life, versatility, warm rich tone and
well-balanced all around good sound. - The D'Angelico is an excellent sounding guitar unplugged. You'll want to select bronze or phosphor strings for playing your D'Angelico strictly acoustically. A set of coated Elixirs produces good sound and eliminates squeaking. Martin also manufactures their patented sink 'n steel strings which are mellow and easy on the fingers. You'll want to select a richer sounding .010 to .013 string to bring out the best sound.
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