What would be the downside of putting these strings on an old classical guitar I bought for $25. Would it cause the neck to bow?

Your guitar will be damaged on a classical with steel strings. Classical guitars necks are not built for steel they are built for nylon strings. Your neck will bow and warp

Are the first 3 strings nylon?

No, they are plain steel as in other acoustic sets. Nylon would only be found on classical sets.

What would be the best string size to use on a used acoustic guitar to be played by a 9 year old boy?

The lighter the guage...the easier to bend. The easier to bend...the harder to control. Since its an acoustic guitar, i would start with 10's ...try .10 to .46. Thats a pretty standard guage. He should be able to tell if he would like a smaller guage in which case go to 9's. Better yet....take him to a guitar shop and let him try some different guage strings. If hes just strumming, he may like the 10's. When hes ready for more sophisticated play, and until his hands get larger and stronger, he may need the 9's. Happy playing!

Can I put nylon strings on a guitar that use to have metal?

You can. You will need to do a neck adjustment to makeup for the lower tension. These strings are metal that the question was asked under.

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R425

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Sold byAmazon South AfricaDelivered byDesertcartCustomer service byDesertcartReturns14 days · 30 with PRO

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Description

🎶 Elevate your acoustic game with strings that sing and stay fresh!

FRESHNESS GUARANTEED - Element Shield packaging locks in the factory-fresh tone until you’re ready to play.
TRUSTED BY THOUSANDS - 4.7-star rating from over 34,000 musicians proves these strings are a studio and stage favorite.
PERFECT MEDIUM LIGHT GAUGE - Versatile 12-54 gauge set balances playability and projection for both fingerstyle and strumming pros.
RICH WARM TONE WITH CLARITY - Phosphor bronze wrap delivers vibrant, balanced sound that stands out in any jam session.
HEX SHAPED HIGH CARBON STEEL CORE - Ensures durability and consistent tension for reliable tuning stability.

Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium Light Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings (12-54 gauge) feature a hex-shaped high-carbon steel core wrapped in phosphor bronze for a warm, rich tone with excellent clarity. Crafted in the USA and sealed in Element Shield packaging, these strings maintain their fresh sound longer, making them a top choice for acoustic guitarists seeking reliable performance and vibrant projection.

Specifications

ASIN	B0002DUQ04
Body Material Type	Bronze
Brand Name	Ernie Ball
Coating Description	uncoated
Color	Medium Light
Customer Reviews	4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (34,453)
Finish Type	Bronze Plated
Global Trade Identification Number	00749699121466
Hand Orientation	both
Included Components	Strings only
Instrument	Acoustic Guitar
Item Type Name	Acoustic Strings
Item Weight	0.01 Pounds
Manufacturer	Ernie Ball
Manufacturer Part Number	P02146
Material Type	Bronze
Model Name	Medium Light (12-54)
Model Number	P02146
Recommended Uses For Product	Acoustic Guitar
Set Name	Medium Light 6-String Acoustic Guitar Strings
String Gauge	Medium
String Material Type	Bronze
UPC	749699121466
Unit Count	1 Count

Reviews

M**N

Good sounding strings

Original

9.12.2023

R**.

Great

Awesome

19.04.2023

K**.

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Good thing I bought 2 of this coz one string got snapped.

26.08.2024

A**R

Warm sound from these phosphor bronze strings, highly recommended.

11.02.2026

L**S

Buen sonido, duracion y afinación correctisimo

22.01.2026

C**T

Bought it to replace the old strings on my beginner’s guitar and now it sounds awesome.

7.12.2025

E**N

Mooi vol geluid

19.03.2025

F**.

Tutta la vita ernie ball, corde di ottima fattura, qualità del suono eccellente. Perfette con chitarra pearlor o cassa piccola e magari in drop di mezzo tono. Blues vecchia scuola e bending furiosi!

10.02.2022

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TrustScore 4.5 | 7,300+ reviews

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