Pricing and availability

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Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash the sweet symphony of your acoustic guitar with the Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 strings. Known for their crisp, bright sound and pleasing overtones, these strings are a favorite among musicians seeking a blend of warmth and clarity. The 80/20 bronze alloy—crafted from 80% copper and 20% zinc—ensures a dynamic tone that resonates beautifully whether you're strumming folk tunes or picking intricate melodies.

Handcrafted in California, these strings are the choice of legends like the Eagles and Joe Bonamassa, offering a natural feel that enhances your playing experience. The hex-shaped tin-plated steel core wire not only provides stability and reduces finger squeak but also allows the bronze wrap to adhere securely for lasting durability.

With a medium light gauge ranging from .012 to .054, these strings offer versatile playability, making them ideal for various playing styles and acoustic guitars. Whether you're playing solo or in an ensemble, the balanced tension and projection will captivate your audience. Plus, the element shield packaging ensures your strings remain fresh, maintaining their vibrant sound right out of the package.

Key Features:

  • 80/20 bronze alloy: 80% copper, 20% zinc
  • Hex-shaped tin-plated steel core wire
  • Crisp, bright sound with pleasing overtones
  • Medium light gauge: .012, .016, .024, .032, .044, .054
  • Handcrafted in California
  • Element shield packaging for prolonged string life

Product specs

Guitar Type Acoustic Guitar
Number of Strings 6
Coated No
Gauges .012, .016p, .024w, .032, .044, .054
Core Material Hexagonal Brass-plated Steel
Winding Material 80/20 Bronze
Winding Type Round Wound

FAQs

What tone can I expect from Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 strings?

Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 strings offer a bright, clear tone with excellent projection, making them ideal for styles that benefit from a crisp, articulate sound.

Are Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 strings suitable for all acoustic guitars?

Yes, these strings are designed for acoustic guitars and can enhance the brightness and clarity of a guitar's natural sound, especially beneficial for guitars with a warmer tone.

What are the gauge sizes for Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 strings?

The gauge sizes for these strings are .012, .016, .024, .032, .044, and .054, offering a balanced tension that suits a variety of playing styles.

Do Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 strings have a coating?

No, these strings are not coated, which allows them to maintain their natural feel and bright tone.

What is the core material of Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 strings?

The core material is hexagonal brass-plated steel, which provides strength and stability while enhancing the bright tonal characteristics of the strings.

Matt Domonkos

Matt Domonkos

Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 Bronze Alloy Mix- Acoustic Guitar Strings Review

Video thumbnail for Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 Bronze Alloy Mix- Acoustic Guitar Strings Review by Matt Domonkos

Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 Bronze Alloy Mix- Acoustic Guitar Strings Review

Matt Domonkos

Matt Domonkos

Reviews

PROS

  • Beautiful tone that enhances both new and older guitars

  • Long-lasting strings with consistent sound quality

  • Comfortable feel under fingers, suitable for various playing styles

  • Offers deep, rich, and warm tones

  • Reliable and durable, withstands retuning and detuning well

  • Consistent sound across different packages

  • Excellent value for the price

  • Bright and crisp tones, ideal for folk and country music

CONS

  • Some users find the tone dull and lacking resonance

  • May produce a tinny sound not preferred by all guitarists

  • Sound may not suit every guitar or personal preference

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20.

User experience

  • Earthwood strings reportedly lose their brightness and go dull within a week, which may appeal to those preferring a "dead" string sound.

    Source
  • Chronic string changers find Earthwood strings' lifespan too short, even compared to other non-coated strings.

    Source
  • Earthwood Medium Light 80/20 strings are noted for their warm tone and affordability, with some owners preferring them over more expensive coated strings.

    Source
  • High E string breakage is a common issue with Earthwood Medium Light strings, reported by multiple users.

    Source
  • Owners with motor neuropathy find 10-gauge Earthwood strings more playable than 11s, especially when tuned to C#.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some users experienced quality control issues with Earthwood strings, including breakage during tuning and kinked wound strings.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to D'Addario and John Pearse, Earthwood strings are noted for shorter longevity, often going dead quickly.

    Source
  • Ernie Ball Super and Regular Slinky electric strings are preferred over Earthwood acoustics due to reliability and availability.

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  • Some users prefer Earthwood strings over D'Addario for a less metallic and twangy sound on fiberglass bowl body guitars.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Earthwood Extra Lights are appreciated for their quietness on smaller guitars like a 3/4 size, suiting quieter playing environments.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
S

Great tone, decent price.

Great for folk and country tone, I love these strings and they last a while.

sonnysoul

The Best!

The best Acoustic guitar strings I have ever tried

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Billy Corgan uses Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20

Billy Corgan

Singer, Guitarist

The Smashing Pumpkins

...
Verified via YouTube

At 3:06 in the video, it clearly shows these strings.

See how Mike Herrera uses Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20

Mike Herrera

Singer, Guitarist

MxPx

...
Verified via YouTube

Mike talks about playing a acoustic guitar and they show ernie ball medium light acoustic strings

See how Justin Deblieck uses Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20

Justin Deblieck

Singer, Guitarist

Ice Nine Kills

...
Verified via Photo

In this post jd shows off the strings he recieved from ernie ball. he plays a set of earthwood light strings on his acoustic guitars

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light 80/20, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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