Best Guitar Strings for Resonator (2026): 4 Picks Compared
Updated Nov 15, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The Stringjoy leads this list for resonator guitars: a 16-56 phosphor bronze set in a 2-pack, with a hex core and a light gauge. The Elixir follows with coated 80/20 bronze strings and POLYWEB coating, and the two GHS sets round out the four: pure nickel in a pack of 3, and phosphor bronze for square-neck and round-neck resonators.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Players who want a 2-pack of resonator strings: Stringjoy 16-56 Resonator Light Naturals Acoustic Guitar See pick 1
- Players who want coated strings: Elixir See pick 2More picks: Best Coated Guitar Strings
- Players who want a pack of 3 sets: GHS Strings 1600 Resonator Acoustic Slide Guitar See pick 3
- Players who want phosphor bronze strings: GHS Strings See pick 4
Want the full range? Best Guitar Strings ranks the top guitar strings for every buyer, or browse all 54 guides.
The 4 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Stringjoy 16-56 Resonator Light Naturals Acoustic Guitar
- Sets in pack: 2
- Material: Phosphor Bronze
- Gauge: Light
- 30-day warranty stated
It earns Best Overall as a 16-56 phosphor bronze set in a 2-pack, with a hex core and a light gauge.
Who it suits
- Players who want a 2-pack of resonator strings
- Players who want phosphor bronze strings
Skip it if
- You want a single pack instead of a 2-pack
- You want a warranty longer than 30 days
It is a 6-string set at 16-56, in phosphor bronze with a hex core and a light gauge. The 2-pack holds two sets, and the strings are crafted in Nashville, Tennessee. It carries a 30-day manufacturer warranty.
2Runner-Up
Elixir
- Coated strings
- Sets in pack not stated in the listing
- Material: 80/20 Bronze
- Gauge: Light
It holds Runner-Up as the coated set here: 80/20 bronze with POLYWEB coating in 16-56.
Who it suits
- Players who want coated strings
- Players who want 80/20 bronze strings
Skip it if
- You want a 2-pack of strings
- You want pure nickel strings
It is a 6-string set at 16-56 in 80/20 bronze, with POLYWEB coating. The set runs 16-18-28-35-45-56, and the coating protects the strings from sweat, corrosion, humidity and rust. It comes as a single pack.
3Also Great
GHS Strings 1600 Resonator Acoustic Slide Guitar
- Sets in pack: 3
- Material: Pure Nickel
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Also Great as a pack of 3 pure nickel sets at 16-56, with a 1-year warranty.
Who it suits
- Players who want a pack of 3 sets
- Players who want pure nickel strings
Skip it if
- You want phosphor bronze strings
- You want a single pack of strings
It is a 16-56 set in pure nickel, roller wound, with gauges 016-018-N28-N36-N46-N56. The pack of 3 holds three sets, and GHS has made strings since 1964. It carries a 1-year standard warranty.
4Also Great
GHS Strings
- Sets in pack not stated in the listing
- Material: Phosphor Bronze
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Also Great as a phosphor bronze set for square-neck and round-neck resonator guitars.
Who it suits
- Players who want phosphor bronze strings
- Players who want strings for square-neck resonators
Skip it if
- You want pure nickel strings
- You want a pack of 3 sets
It is a phosphor bronze set built for square-neck and round-neck resonator guitars. Each string is sealed in its own packaging to protect against moisture and oxidation. It carries a 1-year standard warranty, and GHS has made strings since 1964.
Side by side
| Product | Coated strings | Sets in pack | Material | Gauge | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stringjoy 16-56 Resonator Light Naturals Acoustic Guitar | Not stated | 2 | Phosphor Bronze | Light | Not stated | 30-day |
| Elixir | Yes | Not stated | 80/20 Bronze | Light | Not stated | Not stated |
| GHS Strings 1600 Resonator Acoustic Slide Guitar | Not stated | 3 | Pure Nickel | Not stated | Not stated | 1-year |
| GHS Strings | Not stated | Not stated | Phosphor Bronze | Not stated | Not stated | 1-year |
How we ranked these guitar strings
Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Coated strings weight 2
- Sets in pack weight 1
Buying advice: guitar strings for resonator
Match the material to your resonator
Two sets here are phosphor bronze, one is 80/20 bronze and one is pure nickel. The Stringjoy and the GHS 1650 are phosphor bronze, the Elixir is 80/20 bronze with POLYWEB coating, and the GHS 1600 is pure nickel. Pick the material first, then compare gauge and pack size.
Check the gauge and the pack size
The Stringjoy, the Elixir and the GHS 1600 are all 16-56. The Stringjoy comes in a 2-pack, the GHS 1600 comes in a pack of 3, and the Elixir comes as a single pack. Compare the three 16-56 sets on pack size, and the GHS 1650 on material and warranty.
Check the coating before you choose
The Elixir is the coated set here, with POLYWEB coating over 80/20 bronze. Its coating protects the strings from sweat, corrosion, humidity and rust. If coating matters to you, the Elixir is the pick; if not, compare the other three on material and pack size.
Frequently asked questions
What gauge are resonator guitar strings?
The Stringjoy, the Elixir and the GHS 1600 are all 16-56. The GHS 1650 is a phosphor bronze set with a 1-year warranty, built for square-neck and round-neck resonators.
Are these resonator strings coated?
The Elixir is the coated set here, with POLYWEB coating over 80/20 bronze. The Stringjoy and the GHS 1650 are phosphor bronze, and the GHS 1600 is pure nickel.
How many sets come in each pack?
The Stringjoy comes in a 2-pack, the GHS 1600 comes in a pack of 3, and the Elixir comes as a single pack. The GHS 1650 is a single set.
Which strings have a 1-year warranty?
The GHS 1600 and the GHS 1650 each carry a 1-year standard warranty. The Stringjoy carries a 30-day manufacturer warranty.
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Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Nov 15, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.