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Ernie Ball Earthwood Silk and Steel Extra-Soft Acoustic Guitar Strings, 10-50 Gauge (P02047)
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Ernie Ball |
String Gauge | Extra Light |
Color | Extra-Soft (10-50) |
Instrument | Acoustic Guitar |
String Material Type | Bronze |
About this item
- Earthwood Silk and Steel acoustic guitar strings soften tone and touch for a warm sound and comfortable feel
- Discreetly nestled between the tin-plated, high-carbon steel core and the shiny gold wrappings of 80/20 bronze, lies a delicate layer of silk wrap
- The brightness of 80/20 bronze wrap wire is coupled with a soft subtle silk wrap, resulting in a pleasing warm, mellowed tone
- Gauges: 10, 14, 20, 28, 40, 50
- Made in California, USA with the freshest and finest materials
Frequently bought together
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Product information
Item Weight | 1.06 ounces |
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Product Dimensions | 4.25 x 0.5 x 4.5 inches |
Country of Origin | USA |
ASIN | B0002DVB7Q |
Item model number | P02047 |
Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #372 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #14 in Acoustic Guitar Strings |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | March 7, 2007 |
Color Name | Extra-Soft (10-50) |
String Gauge | Extra Light |
String Material | Bronze |
Number of Strings | 6 |
Size | Single Pack |
Feedback
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Ernie Ball Earthwood Silk and Steel Extra-Soft Acoustic Guitar Strings, 10-50 Gauge (P02047)
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What do they sound like? Do they really give that warm tone?
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Product Description
Ernie Ball Earthwood Silk & Steel Extra Soft 80/20 Bronze acoustic guitar strings are made with an 80/20 bronze alloy wrap, along with a layer of silk between the wrap and steel core. The silk produces a more mellow sound and makes the string feel more comfortable while reducing finger noise. Gauges .010, .014, .020w, .028, .040, .050
Top Brand: Ernie Ball
From the manufacturer
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Earthwood Tone and Touch
- Mellower tone than standard 80/20 bronze
- Natural feel
- Silk wrap around core wire
- Crafted with the finest and freshest materials
Earthwood Silk and Steel Acoustic Guitar Strings
Discreetly nestled between the tin-plated, high-carbon steel core and the shiny gold wrappings of 80/20 bronze, lies a delicate layer of silk wrap. This added layer of luxury softens tone and touch while reducing finger noise. Like our standard 80/20 bronze sets, tone is bright, yet slightly mellowed, while tension is also slightly lessened. Available in Extra Soft (10-50), Soft (11-52), Regular (13-56), and 12-String Soft (9-46).
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Silk and Steel 80/20 Bronze
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Aluminum Bronze
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Earthwood 80/20 Bronze
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Earthwood Phosphor Bronze
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Everlast Phosphor Bronze
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Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars 3,572
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4.6 out of 5 stars 4,374
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4.7 out of 5 stars 34,417
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4.7 out of 5 stars 31,601
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4.6 out of 5 stars 1,330
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Price | $10.99$10.99 | $11.99$11.99 | $6.99$6.99 | $7.99$7.99 | $12.99$12.99 |
Tone | Bright | Clear, with strong lows | Bright | Warm | Warm |
Core Wire | Tin-plated high-carbon steel | M-Steel | Brass-plated, high-carbon steel | Brass-plated, high-carbon steel | Brass-plated, high-carbon steel |
Wrap Wires | 80/20 Bronze Alloy and Silk | Aluminum Bronze Alloy | Wrap Wire Nano-treated, 80/20 Bronze Alloy | Phosphor Bronze Alloy | Nano-treated, 80/20 Phosphor Bronze Alloy |
Plain Strings | Tin-plated, high-carbon steel | Tin-plated, high-carbon steel | Tin-plated, high-carbon steel | Tin-plated, high-carbon steel | Tin-plated, high-carbon steel |
12 String Set? | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
From the brand
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Ernie Ball, the world’s leading manufacturer of strings and accessories, has been making high-quality electric guitar and bass strings since 1962. World-class players like Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Slash, and Jimmy Page have all played Ernie Ball strings to create their unique sound.
We use the latest technologies and finest materials to continuously enhance your playing experience and provide an unparalleled palette of expressive options.
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Compare with similar items
This Item ![]() Ernie Ball Earthwood Silk and Steel Extra-Soft Acoustic Guitar Strings, 10-50 Gauge (P02047) | Recommendations | |||||
Try again! Added to Cart Add to cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to cart | |
Price | $10.99$10.99 | $17.73$17.73 | -18% $9.70$9.70 List: $11.90 | $8.99$8.99 | -15% $6.99$6.99 List: $8.25 | $8.99$8.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, Mar 6 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Mar 6 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Mar 6 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Mar 6 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Mar 6 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Mar 6 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Henry’s Music | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
instrument | Acoustic Guitar | Acoustic Guitar | Acoustic Guitar | Acoustic Guitar | Electric Guitar | Classical Guitar |
string material | Bronze | Bronze | Bronze | Phosphor Bronze | Nickel | Nylon |
string gauge | Extra Light | Light | Extra Light | Light | 0.01 | 0.03 |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers appreciate the musical instrument strings for their nice sound, quality, and feel. They find the strings easy to play with, smooth to the touch, and comfortable to practice with. Many of them find the strings offer good value for money. However, some customers have mixed opinions on the string durability.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the strings. They say the strings sound wonderful and add a nice tone to their guitars.
"...And the tone is EXCELLENT. My guitar now has that deep warm sound you expect from a Martin. The volume is a bit lower, but not noticeably...." Read more
"These r perfect for any acoustic guitar, they have a great tone and sustain beautifully. Very durable, and play perfectly" Read more
"...wound strings I've used, and they have a very elastic, snappy feel and sound. They pluck with a strong attack and a gentle warm tone...." Read more
"...The guitar was always good sounding. But now it is miles above anything that I could hear imagined...." Read more
Customers appreciate the quality of the strings. They say the thinner gauge and quality of the strings allow them to play longer and form more difficult notes. The tone is mellow and laid-back, making them great for beginners. Some customers mention that the strings are a better upgrade from the Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium-Light strings and bring the guitar to life.
"...In summary, Great strings for beginners and anyone who challenges playing Eathwood”s Line of Light Strings" Read more
"...Playing the guitar both unplugged and through an amp, the strings are definitely more mellow and laid back. They don't ring out like other strings...." Read more
"...They've got a very dynamic, expressive quality to them. I play a small Alvarez parlor guitar and they feel pretty perfectly suited to the guitar...." Read more
"They're way better than whatever brand of strings I cut off. But they feel a little rough for my liking." Read more
Customers appreciate the softer feel of the strings. They find them comfortable to play with, making calluses easier without pain. The smooth texture is also appreciated by some customers, especially for older fingers. However, some find the electric guitars feel rougher with these strings.
"...The highest two strings are unwound, and feel softer too, but maybe because my hand isn't recoiling from the strings as much?..." Read more
"...They’re more like a soft 80/20 phosphor bronze. They’ve got a bright sunny tone, although the A string is a little more on the mellow side...." Read more
"...first silk-wound strings I've used, and they have a very elastic, snappy feel and sound. They pluck with a strong attack and a gentle warm tone...." Read more
"...stars suggest, I give these a very solid 5 out of 5...great sound, great feel and very reasonably priced..." Read more
Customers find the strings easy to play with. They say the strings are soft, making them great for beginners. The strings provide a pleasant playing experience that's easy on the fingers and hands.
"...I tried the Earthwood Ultralight stings. They were easier to play, but they didn’t have the deep warm tone you expect from a Martin...." Read more
"...Nice touch! Strings went on easy enough, no drama there. I used to 10-50 extra light...." Read more
"...forward, even after my hand is all healed, just because they're pleasant to use." Read more
"...; between these and the Martins I've used in the past...these are nicer to play and they do seem to be more gentle on the fingers...." Read more
Customers appreciate the quality of these musical instrument strings. They say the strings are easy on the fingers, work well, and are a good brand.
"...It's a warm slight metallic while Elixir was a strong metallic. They are perfect, hoping they are durable and that will be the cherry on top." Read more
"...What a great product!..." Read more
"...and these, for me, are in the sweet spot of tone, playability, quality and price. Things to know:..." Read more
"I put these on a parlor guitar because they were the best option I found for the short scale and low tension required. They sound wonderful...." Read more
Customers find the strings easy to use with their fingers. They stay in tune longer and are suitable for gentle fingerpicking. The strings are smooth and not rough on wrinkly fingers, allowing them to play longer without getting sore finger tips.
"...in the past...these are nicer to play and they do seem to be more gentle on the fingers...." Read more
"The fact that they stay in tune and that they're easy on the fingers but the sound is absolutely amazing it's thick and deep in mellow I have a..." Read more
"...These strings are great. These are suited for gentle fingerpicking, they are not made for banging out bluegrass tunes...." Read more
"...Easy on my fingers and have a nice right tone that is perfect for large guitars...." Read more
Customers like the value for money of the musical instrument strings. They say the strings are good, inexpensive, and have a great sound. Some reviewers mention they're worth the upgrade.
"...Plus, these strings are fairly inexpensive, which seals the deal!" Read more
"...these a very solid 5 out of 5...great sound, great feel and very reasonably priced..." Read more
"For the price it is a pretty good deal if you are trying to get new guitar strings" Read more
"...these, for me, are in the sweet spot of tone, playability, quality and price. Things to know:..." Read more
Customers have mixed reviews about the string durability. Some find them soft, flexible, and easy to play with the same tension. Others report breaking strings within an hour of use, unraveling, or having a shorter lifespan than other strings they've used.
"Great strings for beginner. Unfortunately one string broke during the initial install. Aside from that, they work well. Just be careful...." Read more
"...Stringing - Unlike a lot of other folks, I did not break any strings while I was restringing the guitar...." Read more
"High e string broke within a few min during stretching and tuning. I’ve played guitar for 20 years. Must have gotten a bad string...." Read more
"...The tonal quality was excellent. Unfortunately two strings broke within an hour of use." Read more
Reviews with images
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Sound great!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2025Style: 12-String Soft (9-46)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: Single PackVerified PurchaseProduct as advertised. Came quickly. Good service. Thanks
- Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2024Style: Extra-Soft (10-50)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: Single PackVerified PurchaseJust so you understand what kind of player I am, I used to play extensively when I was younger. I had even considered a career in music. Got older, got a job, a family, and the guitar went under the bed, never to be seen again. (actually, I ended up giving it away),
When I retired, my wife bought me a Used Martin Custom Shop. Unfortunately, due to mild arthritis and tendonitis, I can only play for about 30 min at a time. I tried the Earthwood Ultralight stings. They were easier to play, but they didn’t have the deep warm tone you expect from a Martin. I stumbled across these while looking at other guitar stuff and figured I’d give them a try.
Stringing - Unlike a lot of other folks, I did not break any strings while I was restringing the guitar. I was very careful tightening the strings and I kept an eye on My Fender Clip-on Tuner. I did notice, however, that it seems to be very easy to nick/flatten the wound strings if you’re not careful.
Playing – WOW!!! I can full bar an F chord again!!! Remember how hard it was to master that damn F Bar chord when you first started playing? Well, I was feeling that pain all over again. These strings solved that. And the tone is EXCELLENT. My guitar now has that deep warm sound you expect from a Martin. The volume is a bit lower, but not noticeably. But I figure that’s not a big deal since the players these strings cater to, probably aren’t playing to auditoriums full of people anyway.
In summary, Great strings for beginners and anyone who challenges playing Eathwood”s Line of Light Strings
- Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2022Style: Extra-Soft (10-50)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: Single PackVerified PurchaseI've been playing guitar since I was a kid, and then moved on to bass guitar for a while and played in a folk band. Now I'm getting back into guitar in my retirement so I wanted something that would save my fingers until I could build up some callouses. Actually I didn't know these sort of strings even existed until I started looking around on Amazon for a set of a strings for a second hand guitar I bought (Washburn, love it).
Each string is nicely packed and tells you which string, and the gauge of each string. Nice touch! Strings went on easy enough, no drama there. I used to 10-50 extra light.
Having played with them a bit, the lower four wound strings feel like classical guitar strings. They are definitely softer and easier on the hands. The highest two strings are unwound, and feel softer too, but maybe because my hand isn't recoiling from the strings as much?
Playing the guitar both unplugged and through an amp, the strings are definitely more mellow and laid back. They don't ring out like other strings. They also seem to be slightly lower tension than my other strings, so the neck bends a little straighter with these, so I can get fret buzz off them if I play too hard. So if I replace these strings I might go up to the .11 gauge strings. Washburn recommends .12-.52 but these strings jump from .10 to .11 to .13 (no .12 on the first string). Certainly not a deal breaker but strange they don't offer a .12 gauge version.
These strings are definitely noisier than the coated strings I took off the guitar. You can definitely hear your fingers squeaking around.
So my overall thoughts are, these are very good strings for someone who is a beginner or coming back to guitar and want a softer version until they build up calluses. Others might just like the classical guitar feel of them and willing to give up a bit of the top end "ring", or the quietness of a coated string, to have the features of this string.
Am I glad I made the purchase? Yes, absolutely, I can play longer now while I build up calluses. Would I buy them again? Well, I think I would! I'm willing to give up some sonic details for a softer string. I'll probably try to the next gauge up, getting the best of both worlds, a higher gauge and a softer string! Plus, these strings are fairly inexpensive, which seals the deal!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025Style: Extra-Soft (10-50)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: Single PackVerified PurchaseThese are not what I would call silk and steel strings. They’re more like a soft 80/20 phosphor bronze. They’ve got a bright sunny tone, although the A string is a little more on the mellow side. Overall, if you’re looking for a traditional acoustic string that’s softer than most, these are pretty serviceable. If you’re looking for a silver-plated string that’s closer to classical guitar, I’d look at the D’Addario Silk & Steels instead.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2024Style: Extra-Soft (10-50)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: Single PackVerified PurchaseThese r perfect for any acoustic guitar, they have a great tone and sustain beautifully. Very durable, and play perfectly
- Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024Style: Extra-Soft (10-50)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: Single PackVerified PurchaseI have no idea yet how long these strings will last - I'm given to using elixir coated strings normally, and those have quite a lifespan. But I used Earthwoods quite a lot when I was younger and they tended to last me 3 or 4 weeks, so perhaps I'll get as much out of these. They're about 2/3rds of the price, at any rate.
But I bought these to get me back up and running after a carpal tunnel release surgery on my fretting hand - those medium Elixirs were pretty harsh. And these extra-soft strings are so much gentler. They're the first silk-wound strings I've used, and they have a very elastic, snappy feel and sound. They pluck with a strong attack and a gentle warm tone. The strings are lower tension than any I've used, but they don't buzz where other light-gauge strings I've used have.
They've got a very dynamic, expressive quality to them. I play a small Alvarez parlor guitar and they feel pretty perfectly suited to the guitar. The treble strings play really crisp, clear notes, great for melodies, and the bass strings are warm and snappy. These strings are much more comfortable to strum and pick fingerstyle too, which is nice. They feel more yielding.
Anyway, I'll probably be using silk and steel strings going forward, even after my hand is all healed, just because they're pleasant to use.
Top reviews from other countries
- Eric LundgrenReviewed in Canada on January 5, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Bring life back to an old classic
Style: Extra-Soft (10-50)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: Single PackVerified PurchaseSilky smooth feel twangy sound is just right for what I need baby
Eric LundgrenBring life back to an old classic
Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2025
Images in this review
- Mark FisherReviewed in Canada on October 6, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Good value
Style: Extra-Soft (10-50)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: 3-PackVerified PurchaseWorked as expected.
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Alejandro ChabReviewed in Mexico on September 9, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Guitarras Folk o 3/4
Style: Extra-Soft (10-50)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: Single PackVerified PurchaseSon una excelente opción, se las puse a mi Fender Malibu para que pueda tener un sonido más cálido y más acústico, el recubrimiento de seda que tienen definitivamente pone al nivel de Folk los instrumentos.
Nota: al ser cuerdas dirigidas para guitarras Folk y 3/4, no estoy seguro que puedan servir para las Dreadnought o Jumbo ya que son más cortas de lo que comúnmente son, para que consideren si realmente les puede servir.
- RicjamesReviewed in Canada on October 29, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars TONE AND FEEL
Style: Soft (11-52)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: Single PackVerified PurchaseGuitar players are a finicky group when it comes to strings.........no point to argue which ones are the best. Always depends on the guitar, player, body, gage etc. etc. To my hand and ear, on my guitar...a 6 string Tanglewood accoustic, they play and sound fine. Good tone, soft on the fingers. Expect this kind of performance in most cases.
- Peter WinnettReviewed in Germany on March 24, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Ernie Ball Earthwood Silk & Steel Extra Soft
Style: Extra-Soft (10-50)Pattern Name: Guitar StringsSize: 3-PackVerified PurchaseGreat strings. Always use these strings