The Ultimate Guide to Titanium Strings: Durability, Tone, and Playability

The Ultimate Guide to Titanium Strings: Durability, Tone and Playability

Titanium guitar strings are one of the newest string materials around — but they are rapidly gaining popularity among serious musicians. Many of the leading string makers now offer titanium strings, including Martin, Ernie Ball, D’Addario, Galli and Thomastik-Infeld. You’ll see them for every type of guitar as well from electric to classical axes. There are also titanium violin strings and uke strings using these materials.

We’ve touched briefly on titanium strings before at Strings and Beyond, but given their rise in the community, we decided it was time for a deep dive. What are titanium guitar strings? What do they add to a guitar? Should you get a set? We’ll answer those questions and more in this titanium guitar string guide.

A Brief History of Titanium Guitar Strings

Before anything else, it’s important to note that many titanium strings aren’t real titanium. Introduced by Savarez in the late 1990s, the first “titanium” treble strings were a type of fluorocarbon classical guitar string, which are known for increasing brightness and volume. The name came from the material’s grayish-purple color, which looked somewhat like the metal. This same concept was later adapted by D’Addario, Hannabach and others for classical guitars and ukuleles.

However, other manufacturers were working on alternatives. Ernie Ball introduced a new enamel-coated Slinky string design at the 2008 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show. Available for electric and acoustic guitars, these strings also had titanium reinforcement on the ball end. This improved the tuning stability and reduced breakage. At some point, Ernie Ball also added titanium reinforcement to the wrap wire, though it’s not clear when.

The next advancement in titanium guitar strings came from C.F. Martin & Company. Debuting on September 11, 2018, patented Luxe by Martin Titanium Core Acoustic Guitar Strings have a round titanium core wire with a pure nickel wrap wire. Currently, Martin remains the only company that offers such a design, and they have not yet incorporated it into electric guitar strings — but we’re sure the day is coming when someone does.

Pros and Cons of Titanium Guitar Strings

Although titanium-carbon classical guitar strings are a different material than titanium core strings, they share many characteristics that make them an intriguing alternative to steel electric and acoustic guitar strings or classical nylon strings. Here are some of the benefits of titanium strings to think about when choosing your next set.

• Titanium strings are more flexible than traditional steel guitar strings and regular carbon strings. This makes them highly playable whether you’re fretting or bending, and effects like vibrato are easier to pull off.
• The strings are easy on your fingers, which is great for long practices and shows.
• The materials are very strong and naturally corrosion-resistant, offering excellent durability whether coated or uncoated.
• These strings offer a tone that’s bright but not too bright, offering balance to your instrument and the band’s sound.
• Titanium strings are also clear and articulate, which can help a guitar shine during solos or as part of a complex mix.
• The projection of titanium is very good, which further helps your instrument be heard.
• Titanium guitar strings have excellent tuning stability and tonal consistency. They hold their sound throughout long gigs so you don’t need to constantly re-tune and adjust.

All that said, there are a few potential downsides to titanium strings that you should keep in mind.

• The strings have a little different feel than other materials (steel, nylon, etc.) which will take some getting used to.
• The treble strings can occasionally have a harsher and slightly thinner sound than common materials.
• On the classical side, titanium strings have a shorter sustain and are less expressive than nylon strings. They also are harder and stiffer than nylon.
• Titanium guitar strings are more expensive than other options because the material is rarer and harder to work with. Although this is somewhat canceled out by their durability, the upfront cost can be prohibitive to musicians on a budget.

Tips for Playing Titanium Guitar Strings

If you’re intrigued by the benefits of titanium strings and have the money for it, we encourage you to take the plunge. Because of the unique style and feel, though, you shouldn’t play them exactly like steel or nylon strings. Consider these titanium guitar string tips when buying and using your first set.

• You will want to press lighter on the strings than you normally would; too much pressure will generate string buzz. This will take some practice to ensure the right touch. Alternatively, on an electric guitar, you may consider raising the action a little so you can play using your regular technique.
• Be sure to wind the strings securely on the tuning post. Titanium is a bit smoother than steel, so it may need more tension to avoid slipping.
• On the classical guitar side, “titanium” strings will need a longer break-in than nylon strings before you play them hard.
• Although titanium strings have exceptional overall tuning stability, especially against humidity, they can be sensitive to temperature changes. As such, you should still check the tuning periodically.
• Even with the corrosion resistance, titanium strings need proper care to maximize their lifespan. Wipe them down after each session and regularly use a string cleaner or lubricant to remove debris, moisture and oil buildup.

You can find a new set of titanium guitar strings along with ukulele and violin strings at Strings and Beyond. Whether it’s D’Addario Pro Arte Dynacore Classical Guitar Strings, Ernie Ball Coated Slinky Titanium RPS Reinforced Electric Guitar Strings, Martin Titanium Core Acoustic Strings or another style, we have options that use the power of titanium for highly playable, great-sounding and long-lasting strings.