The Definitive Answer to Brian May’s Acoustic String Choice
When you think of Brian May, your mind probably jumps straight to the roaring, orchestral tones of his homemade Red Special guitar and his iconic sixpence pick. However, the Queen legend’s acoustic sound is just as integral to the band’s rich musical tapestry. For any guitarist striving to capture that warm, articulate acoustic tone heard on masterpieces like “Love of My Life,” “’39,” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” a crucial question arises: what acoustic strings does Brian May use?
To cut straight to the chase, Brian May’s definitive choice for his acoustic guitars, for both his 6-string and 12-string models, is Elixir® Nanoweb Coated Phosphor Bronze strings. Specifically, he favors the Light gauge (.012-.053) for his 6-string guitars and the Light gauge (.010-.047) for his 12-string instruments. This isn’t just a fleeting preference; it’s a long-standing relationship built on the strings’ unique ability to deliver consistent, long-lasting tone and exceptional playability, aligning perfectly with May’s meticulous approach to his craft.
This article will provide an in-depth analysis of why these specific strings are Brian May’s go-to choice, exploring the technology behind them, the importance of their alloy and gauge, and how they contribute to his legendary acoustic sound.
The Go-To Choice: A Closer Look at Elixir Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze
It’s one thing to know the brand and model, but to truly understand why a discerning musician like Brian May commits to a particular set of strings, we need to delve into the details. His choice isn’t accidental; it’s a calculated decision based on performance, feel, and, most importantly, tone.
The Nanoweb Coating Technology
The defining feature of Elixir strings is their proprietary coating. The Nanoweb coating is an ultra-thin, flexible polymer tube that completely envelops the string, protecting it from the elements that typically kill tone. Here’s what that means in practice:
- Unmatched Longevity: The primary enemy of a guitar string is corrosion caused by sweat, finger oils, dirt, and humidity. This buildup gets into the windings of the string, dampening its vibrations and making it sound dull and lifeless. The Nanoweb coating acts as a barrier, preventing this grime from accumulating. For a touring musician like Brian May, this is a game-changer. It means fewer string changes and, more crucially, a consistent tone night after night.
- Consistent Tone: Uncoated strings sound their absolute best for only a few hours of playing time before their brightness begins to fade. Elixir strings, thanks to the coating, maintain their “new string” sound and feel for 3 to 5 times longer. This reliability allows Brian to pick up his acoustic guitar, whether in the studio or on stage, and know exactly how it’s going to respond.
- Reduced Finger Squeak: A fantastic side-effect of the smooth coating is a significant reduction in finger squeak—that distracting screeching sound you get when sliding your fingers along wound strings. For the delicate, clean fingerpicking required in a song like “’39,” this is an enormous sonic advantage, especially in a recording environment.
Brian May’s long-time guitar tech, Pete Malandrone, has confirmed the use of Elixir strings on numerous occasions, emphasizing their reliability and consistency for the demanding schedule of touring and recording.
The Alloy Matters: Why Phosphor Bronze?
The type of metal alloy used for the wrap wire around the string’s core has a profound impact on its tonal character. The two most common types are 80/20 Bronze and Phosphor Bronze. Brian’s preference for Phosphor Bronze is a key ingredient in his warm and expressive acoustic sound.
- 80/20 Bronze: Often just called “bronze” or “brass,” this alloy (80% copper, 20% zinc) is known for its exceptionally bright, crisp, and articulate tone right out of the package. It has a brilliant “zing” that can be very appealing, but this brightness tends to fade relatively quickly as the strings oxidize.
- Phosphor Bronze: This alloy is composed of approximately 92% copper, 8% tin, and a tiny amount of phosphorus. The addition of phosphorus helps to slow the corrosion process, giving the strings a longer tonal life even without a coating. Tonally, Phosphor Bronze is celebrated for its rich, warm, and complex sound. It has a strong fundamental note but is also lush with pleasing overtones, creating a fuller and more well-rounded sonic profile.
When you listen to the acoustic intro of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” you hear a sound that is punchy and clear, but also fundamentally warm and woody. It’s not thin or overly shrill. This is the hallmark of Phosphor Bronze strings. The alloy provides the tonal richness, and the Elixir Nanoweb coating preserves that ideal tone for an extended period.
The Feel and Tension: Understanding String Gauge
String gauge refers to the diameter of the strings, measured in thousandths of an inch. Brian May’s choice of a Light gauge (.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053) for his 6-string acoustics represents a perfect middle ground, offering a sublime balance of playability and tonal power.
Here’s why this gauge works so well for him and many other professional players:
- Comfortable Playability: Lighter strings require less tension to be brought up to pitch. This means they are physically easier to press down on the fretboard, making intricate chord shapes and fast passages more comfortable. They are also easier to bend, allowing for more expressive playing.
- Balanced Tonal Response: While heavier strings can produce more volume and low-end, they can also be more difficult to play and can put excessive stress on the guitar’s neck and bridge. Light gauge strings provide a wonderfully balanced sound—they have enough brightness and “sparkle” for articulate fingerpicking, but also enough mass to drive the guitar’s top for a full, resonant tone when strummed.
- Versatility: The .012-.053 set is arguably the most versatile and popular acoustic string gauge in the world. It works beautifully on almost any body size, from smaller concert guitars to the jumbos and dreadnoughts that Brian often favors for their powerful sound.
A Quick Comparison of Common Acoustic String Gauges
To put Brian’s choice into context, here is a table comparing the most common acoustic string gauges:
| Gauge Name | Typical Gauges (High e to Low E) | Playability Profile | Tonal Characteristics | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Light | .010 – .047 | Very easy to fret and bend. Low tension. | Bright and crisp, but with less volume and bass response. | Beginners, players with light touch, vintage guitars. |
| Light (Brian May’s Choice) | .012 – .053 | The “standard” feel. Balanced and comfortable. | Highly versatile. A perfect mix of treble clarity and bass fullness. | All-around use, strumming, fingerstyle, most guitar body shapes. |
| Medium | .013 – .056 | Higher tension. Requires more finger strength. | Loud, powerful, and bass-heavy. Enhanced sustain. | Aggressive strumming, bluegrass, driving dreadnought tops. |
A Special Case: The Glorious Sound of the 12-String
No discussion of Brian May’s acoustic work would be complete without mentioning his masterful use of the 12-string guitar. The ethereal, chorus-like shimmer of his Guild F-512 on “’39” or his Ovation Pacemaker on “Love of My Life” is iconic. For these instruments, his string choice is equally specific and logical.
He uses Elixir Nanoweb 12-String Light strings (.010-.047). The choice of a “light” gauge is even more critical on a 12-string guitar for several reasons:
- Tension Management: A 12-string guitar has nearly double the string tension of a 6-string, placing immense stress on the neck, top, and bridge. Using a lighter gauge set (.010-.047) helps to manage this tension, making the guitar more comfortable to play and ensuring its long-term structural health.
- Enhanced Playability: Fretting two strings at once for every note is physically demanding. A lighter gauge significantly reduces the effort required, making complex chords and clean notes much easier to achieve.
- Tonal Clarity: With 12 strings ringing out, the sound can sometimes become muddy or overly “jangly.” The Elixir coating helps to tame unwanted harsh overtones, resulting in a smoother, more balanced, and symphonic sound. The reduced finger squeak is also a massive benefit here, cleaning up the overall performance.
How to Get a Brian May-esque Acoustic Tone
Simply putting the right strings on your guitar is just the first step. If you’re chasing that coveted warm, articulate, and powerful acoustic sound, here are the other essential components:
- The Guitar: Brian has famously used large-bodied acoustics, such as a Guild F-512 12-string and various jumbo and dreadnought 6-strings (including his personal Guild and a Gibson J-200). A guitar with a solid spruce top and a larger body will help you get the necessary volume, projection, and low-end fullness.
- The Pick: While he’s famous for using a sixpence on his electric guitar, this can be quite harsh and metallic on an acoustic’s bronze strings. To emulate the effect, use a very hard, thick, and non-flexible pick (e.g., a Dunlop Tortex 1.0mm or thicker, or a Jazz III). A stiff pick provides a sharp, clear attack with minimal pick “flap,” allowing each note to ring out distinctly, similar to the effect of the sixpence.
- The Technique: Brian’s playing is incredibly precise. He combines confident strumming with articulate fingerpicking and hybrid picking (using both a pick and his free fingers). Practice clean chord changes and focus on making every note count, whether picked or strummed.
Final Thoughts: The Pursuit of Perfect Tone
The choice of Elixir Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze Light strings is a perfect reflection of Brian May’s overall philosophy as a musician and sonic architect. It is not a casual or arbitrary decision but a deliberate choice that prioritizes reliability, tonal consistency, and premium sound quality. For an artist who built his own guitar to achieve a specific sound in his head, it’s only natural that he would choose a string that offers cutting-edge technology to solve the age-old problem of string degradation.
The warm, complex voice of the phosphor bronze alloy provides the foundational character, while the light gauge offers the ideal blend of comfort and power. Finally, the Nanoweb coating encapsulates it all, preserving that perfect tone and feel for countless hours of playing. It’s a testament to how even the smallest details are vital in crafting a truly legendary sound.