When you’re playing your acoustic guitar, there’s nowhere to hide, and that’s why the sound of your strings is so important. When playing unplugged, the dull sound of poor-quality strings can quickly become more obvious, especially when you can’t cover it up with swathes of distortion, chorus, and reverb. And with that being said, here are the best strings for Taylor’s GS Mini.
While strings aren’t the most expensive component of an acoustic guitar, the strings of an acoustic guitar play a role just as critical as the resonance of the acoustic guitar top and its bracing pattern.
What Strings Already Come On The GS Mini?
Before getting into the best strings to replace the original strings that came with Taylor’s GS Mini, let’s first find out what strings originally came on the GS Mini.
Premium brands like Taylor make sure that the best components go into each of their models, and ensure that their players keep the ability of the acoustic guitar sounding as good as the day it left the shop floor.
Although the exact strings that Taylor equips their guitars with vary between various models, on their GS Mini model are Elixir’s Medium Gauge Phosphor Bronze (.013-.056).
What’s Your Playing Style?
The style of music you play will dictate the type of strings that will suit your acoustic guitar the best. If you tend to play more rhythm and strum hard, then it’s recommended to stick with a medium gauge. Not only will they project much better than lighter strings, but they’ll also stand up better to a harder style of play.
Fingerstyle players tend to benefit from lighter gauge strings, as they’re easier on the fingers and have a more delicate tone. If this is more your style and you don’t play much of anything else, then you may want to consider a set of silk and steel strings.
What Tone Are You Looking For?
When it comes to acoustic guitars, the strings that come installed have an enormous impact on the overall sound of the guitar, so if you’ve got a specific tone in mind, consider:
If you’re looking for a bright or crisp tone, then 80/20 bronze is recommended. The only downside to these strings is that they typically dull much faster than most other types of string.
Although a little more mid-focused than 80/20, phosphor bronze strings offer brighter tones. The phosphor content within the strings helps to slow down the corrosion process, which is one of the leading causes of tone loss.
Aluminium bronze strings are widely regarded for their high-quality bass response, so if you’re looking for something that emphasises the lows better, then these would be a good choice.
Best Replacement Taylor Strings
The stock sound is probably what made you fall in love with your GS Mini in the first place, so in the event that keeping things as the manufacturer intended is what you’re looking for, then stick with Elixir’s Medium Gauge Phosphor Bronze.
Coated Vs Uncoated Strings
Something else that you should take into account is coated vs uncoated strings. Coated strings have a thin layer of polymer, giving them extended life compared to uncoated strings, as polymer helps to give protection from the acidic sweat of your hands that normally wear down strings. There is, however, a downside to the increase in string lifespan, in that the coating process typically robs the strings of some high-end and volume.
Best Alternatives
D’Addario XS Phosphor Bronze
A recent addition to D’Addario’s already premium lineup of strings, their XS strings feature a super-thin coating that provides a superb feel and an extended lifespan. Like D’Addario’s XTs, they’re also made using high-carbon NY steel which helps to make them harder to break and easier to keep in tune.
The wound strings of XS strings have an ultra-thin coating – they even claim that it’s 10 times thinner than human hair, so good luck noticing that! The unwound strings are given a unique polymer treatment so that all six strings sound fresher for longer, giving a really nice, balanced sound.
Martin Authentic Superior Performance
Just as you wouldn’t hang a Picasso on a dingy wall, Martin’s Authentic Acoustic string set is worthy of any luthier’s guitar.
A solid option is Martin’s Superior Performance set, which is available in 80/20 bronze or phosphor bronze and features high tensile-strength core wire that is tin-plated on all strings to help beat corrosion.
Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze
We all know how strings can take quite a beating over the course of their lifespans. Whether it’s caused by changes in temperature and humidity or being played by sweaty fingers, the life of a guitar string is tough. This is one reason string manufacturers offer ‘coated’ strings, which helps to reduce the effects of corrosion.
While not everyone enjoys using coasted strings, Ernie Ball’s Aluminium Bronze acoustic guitar strings bridge the gap by using aluminium oxide wrapping, rather than normal coating, that offers protection without compromising performance. These strings create a wonderful bright sound that’s perfect for fingerpickers and strummers alike.