Changing strings
No One Special
On average, how often should a beginner change strings? Specifically, I
play/practive no more than 20 hours/week. It's an acoustic (Yamaha
F-310).
How will I know when it's a good idea to change them? I'm still learning
to distinguish between different kinds of tone, so I'm not real sure
what's "good" and "bad".
Also, any recommendations on a timeline to progress up to heavier guage
strings? Is it more a matter of preference or will the sound be
dramatically different? I've heard thatlighter guage strings tend to
buzz more, but I'm still having trouble getting clean tones on some of
the lower fret barre chords!!!
Thanks
Lvjmusic
the answer is going to vary but expect to get about 8 to 12 weeks out of them.
if you notice any indentations on the under side of the string (where it comes
in contact with the fret) or if it has become corroded along any of it's
length, time to install new wires. the reason for the corrosion is simple,
your hands natural sweat and oils will cause even the most expensive strings to
wear out with regular use.
as far as light guage strings verses string buzz have a local guitar tech.
check out your truss rod and/or bridge height. light guage are easier on the
fingers but will tend to break more frequently so it's a trade off. email me if
you need any more help. good luck!
Patrick F. Coleman
>Hello,
>On average, how often should a beginner change strings? Specifically, I
>play/practive no more than 20 hours/week. It's an acoustic (Yamaha
>F-310).
It depends on how they hold up. this varies with brand, material,
guage and user.
Wipe then down after playing.. run the rag beneath the strings, not
just on top.
Keep an eye out for indentations where the strings touch the frets,
and keep an ear on the intonation.
The reasons for changing strings are normally just questions of how
well they tune.. with dirt on them, they don't perform like they
should, with severe indentations they again suffer.
Usually they get pretty dead sounding before they begin to be
untuneable.. and how long you use them this way depends mostly on
whether it bothers you or not.
>How will I know when it's a good idea to change them? I'm still learning
>to distinguish between different kinds of tone, so I'm not real sure
>what's "good" and "bad".
It depends on you, again. some folks like a brighter tone, some not,
and that's the primary difference between string brands in my opinion.
80 hours is a good time to change them if you're just doing home
practice, I think.. once a month or close to it.
>Also, any recommendations on a timeline to progress up to heavier guage
>strings? Is it more a matter of preference or will the sound be
>dramatically different? I've heard thatlighter guage strings tend to
>buzz more, but I'm still having trouble getting clean tones on some of
>the lower fret barre chords!!!
I prefer lighter guages, so my progression was from heavier to lighter
guage strings, not the other way around.
Heavier strings, more tone and volume.. the trade off is more
difficult fretting, harder bends and overall stiffer action.
A well set up guitar shouldn't rattle or buzz no matter the string
guage.
But you can't expect to set a guitar up the same for one guage as the
other.
How low the action is should really depend on your playing style, your
touch.
Barre chords take some fingering practice, if you can play each note
of the chord by itself with no buzzing, yet it buzzes when you play a
chord.. it's you, not the string or set up.
I think you're better off with light guage strings, they can help
develop a softer touch, they're easier on the fingers, they're easier
on the guitar.
I always had great luck with Guild L-350s, and used them exclusively
for years.
Twang!
>Thanks
/-)
Tony Meloche
>
> Hello,
>
> On average, how often should a beginner change strings? Specifically, I
> play/practive no more than 20 hours/week. It's an acoustic (Yamaha
> F-310).
>
> to distinguish between different kinds of tone, so I'm not real sure
> what's "good" and "bad".
A good basic set of rules are these:
1) If *any* string starts to sound "dead" all the time CHANGE YOUR
STRINGS!
2) If you notice a "flat" spot on the underside of any string, or
anywhere on a wound string that looks broken or dented, CHANGE YOUR
STRINGS!
3) If you find yourself suddenly having to retune slightly after every
song, CHANGE YOUR STRINGS!
4) The slightest evidence of rust, corrosion or simply a "dark spot" on
a string, wound or otherwise, CHANGE YOUR STRINGS!
If they look fine, sound good (to you) and are staying in tune well,
they're probably fine - the above being said, I do believe that most
people change strings before it's really neccesary in many cases.
Nothing wrong with that - new strings sound great - but it does get
expensive.
>
> Also, any recommendations on a timeline to progress up to heavier guage
> strings? Is it more a matter of preference or will the sound be
> dramatically different? I've heard thatlighter guage strings tend to
> buzz more, but I'm still having trouble getting clean tones on some of
> the lower fret barre chords!!!
On almost any acoustic, the best sound you will ever get out of
that instrument is with "medium" (.013 - .056) strings. It is also a
help to become so used to mediums that playing on them is second nature
to you - you can pick up anyone's guitar and play well. If their guitar
has "lights" on it, you'll be able to play faster than you ever have -
but you'll notice the tone isn't the same. I bless the fact that when I
started, "mediums" was about all there was (and Black Diamond mediums at
that - they were like crane cable). But I have a Martin HD-28 now, and
to go from mediums to medium-lights on that guitar makes an obvious
difference in sound. Regular "lights" are an insult to the instruments
tone-producing capabilities. One man's opinion.
The Old Guy
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Tony Meloche
>
> i got my first guitar (an acoustic) 6 months ago for a birthday present to
> myself, and it was a second hand £100 westfield guitar. i am guessing the
> strings were already pretty old then, but i havent changed them ever, but it
> still sounds nice and holds its tune really well. should i change the
> strings anyway ?
>
> james
Yeah, I would. If you play a lot, 6 months is a good long lifetime
for strings, and you know yours are older than that. With new ones,
you'll hear the instrument at it's very best - a good point of reference
for future changes.