Guitars, Basses, Amps, & Pedals > Guitar & Bass Strings > Martin MA540 3 pack Authentic Acoustic SP Guitar Strings Phosphor Bronze

Martin MA540 3 pack Authentic Acoustic SP Guitar Strings Phosphor Bronze

Martin MA540 3 pack Authentic Acoustic SP® Guitar Strings Phosphor Bronze .012 to .054
sku# MA540PK3

Martin® Authentic Acoustic® Superior Performance SP® strings feature higher tensile strength and tin-plated core wire on all six strings that enable a fuller and more balanced tone, quicker response and increased tuning stability. Our impeccable standards for acoustic guitar tone are embedded in our string design and precision manufacturing process. That's why we make our own.

Available in:

Individual Sets
3 Packs
Bulk Boxes of 25 Sets

Gauge	E	B	G	D	A	E	Tension	Model
80/20 Bronze
Extra Light	.010	.014	.023	.030	.039	.047	135.8	MA170
Custom Light	.011	.015	.023	.032	.042	.052	153.7	MA175
Light	.012	.016	.025	.032	.042	.054	167.3	MA140
Medium	.013	.017	.026	.035	.045	.056	189.6	MA150
Extra Light 12-String	.010/.010	.014/.014	.023/.010	.030/.012	.039/.018	.047/.027	261.7	MA180
Light 12-String	.012/.012	.016/.016	.025/.010	.032/.014	.042/.020	.054/.030	324.0	MA190
Bluegrass	.012	.016	.025	.035	.045	.056	179.8	MA240
92/8 Phosphor Bronze
Extra Light	.010	.014	.023	.030	.039	.047	137.0	MA530
Custom Light	.011	.015	.023	.032	.042	.052	155.1	MA535
Light	.012	.016	.025	.032	.042	.054	168.5	MA540
Light/Medium	.0125	.0165	.0255	.0335	.0435	.055	179.3	MA545
Medium	.013	.017	.026	.035	.045	.056	190.9	MA550
Extra Light 12-String	.010/.010	.014/.014	.023/.010	.030/.012	.039/.018	.047/.027	263.3	MA500
Silk & Steel Folk
Custom	.0115	.014	.023	.028	.038	.047	122.2	MA130

How to choose a string gauge for your acoustic guitar

String gauge is an important part of playing and getting the best possible sound out of your guitar.
Here’s everything you need to know about acoustic guitar string gauges to make an informed decision about what strings are best for you.

What does string gauge even mean?

Gauge refers to the diameter of a string. Gauges are described in thousandths of an inch and can be found listed on the back of a string pack.

Overall, string gauges are classified as:

Extra light
Custom light
Light
Medium
Heavy

For purposes of this tutorial we’ll refer to anything from extra light to light as “lighter,” and anything from medium to heavy as “heavier.” While we want this article to be a comprehensive overview of string gauges for acoustic guitars, it is important to note that Martin does not recommend heavy gauge strings for any Martin guitars. We recommend using only extra light through medium gauge strings on our guitars. Heavy strings can cause too much tension on the top which may cause irreversible damage.

What is your experience level?

If you’re just starting out, it’s not unusual that your fingers will have to toughen up a little. Lighter gauge strings will be more forgiving on your fingers as you’re learning, but as your dexterity and hand strength improve, you may find you prefer strings with different qualities.

Lighter

Easier to fret (important for beginners) and to bend
Better resonance under a lighter touch, common when first starting out

Heavier

Bigger sound - provide more volume and resonance
Better tuning stability - stays in tune longer

Consider the body size of your guitar

While string gauge is very much a matter of personal preference based on tone and feel, most manufacturers recommend string gauge based on body size. This is primarily due to the amount of tension exerted on the guitar top by the strings. In general, the larger the body, the more tension they can withstand.

Lighter

Exert less tension and are typically recommended for smaller bodied guitars such as 0, 00, 000, and OM, plus all cutaway models

Heavier

Exert more tension and are typically recommended for larger body sizes such as D, Jumbo, and Grand Jumbo

What style of music do you play?

Certain techniques and styles of playing will demand different attributes from your strings and can impact which gauge you should choose.

Lighter

Good choice for rock, folk, country, and blues style playing with a lighter attack (plucking)
Allow for easier bending of notes
May break more easily with more aggressive playing styles

Heavier

Good choice for bluegrass and genres that require tuning down
Good choice for rock, country, and blues style playing with a harder attack

What sound are you going for?

Are you playing for yourself in your living room? Or do you need your sound to reach the back of an auditorium? You’ll want to be sure to choose the right string gauge that will help you and your guitar sound the best.

Lighter

Offer appropriate volume and range for playing in an intimate setting

Heavier

Produces more volume and sustain
Great choice if you’re accompanied by other players

Experimenting with string gauge

If you found yourself aligned with most of the qualities of “lighter” strings outlined here, choosing a string labeled “Light” is a good starting point. If you’re finding finger-fatigue is an issue, or you wish it was easier to bend notes, try extra light or custom light gauge strings.

If most of the qualities prescribed to heavier strings appealed to you, start with strings that are labeled “Medium.” While Martin does not recommend using heavy gauge strings on Martin guitars, we want to paint a complete picture of string gauge options. Some guitarists use heavy gauge strings for amplification, sustain, drop/down tuning, or tuning stability reasons.

One thing to keep in mind when trying out a new string gauge is to make sure your guitar is set up correctly for the gauge you're playing. Things like fret buzz can be a symptom of needing to visit a luthier to have your guitar adjusted.

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