Guitar Help

[cyfan964]

I've had my guitar for about a year and I'm positive it is time to put new strings on it. I've got the old ones taken off, but now i'm unsure of what i need to purchase. I have an electric/acoustic Takamine. Anybody know?

[HILLCYD]

I use Elixir's for my acoustics : Elixir 11050 Light from zZounds.com!

They are a little pricey, but well worth it. They sound great and are very durable.

[guitarchitect7]

I've had my guitar for about a year and I'm positive it is time to put new strings on it. I've got the old ones taken off, but now i'm unsure of what i need to purchase. I have an electric/acoustic Takamine. Anybody know?

Well your going to buy brass acoustic strings. Thickness is a preference.

There is a brand out there thats escaping me, but they have a silk cover over them that make them a little more comfortable to play. Come in a purple box with a name starting with a P i think.

P.S. Don't wait a year to change your strings. Also take this time to check the setup of your guitar. Check neck straightness, action height, and tunning tightness.

[guitarchitect7]

I use Elixir's for my acoustics : Elixir 11050 Light from zZounds.com!

They are a little pricey, but well worth it. They sound great and are very durable.

Those were the ones I was talking about. So much for starting with a P though. Man those are nice strings.

[cyfan964]

Yeah I haven't hardly played it at all since moving so the strings haven't been played a ton. I've heard the heavier the gauge the better the tone, but the harder to play. Is this true?

[HILLCYD]

Most guitar players dont' change strings nearly enough. If you are a very casual player it may not be a big deal, but old strings sound like crap and can take all the fun out of playing. I change my strings at least once every two weeks, depending on how many gigs we are playing.

As for getting it setup, I would agree with that too. Sounds like you have a nice guitar, I would take it in and have someone check it out for you to make sure it is all straight and build for speed.

[HILLCYD]

Yeah I haven't hardly played it at all since moving so the strings haven't been played a ton. I've heard the heavier the gauge the better the tone, but the harder to play. Is this true?

I wouldn't necessarily say "better" tone, but just different. It all depends on what type of music and style you play. I am a lead player so when we do acoustic gigs I am playing that type of stuff. Hence, I use mediums on my acoustics.

[cyfan964]

I've read different places that it is better to replace one string at a time and other articles show replacing all at once.... any recommendation?

[guitarchitect7]

Yeah I haven't hardly played it at all since moving so the strings haven't been played a ton. I've heard the heavier the gauge the better the tone, but the harder to play. Is this true?

Depends on the style your playing, but overall yes the heavier the harder. I quote Stevie Ray Vaughn

"I use heavy strings, tune low, play hard and floor it. Floor it, thats technical talk!"

Changing your strings is also better for your guitar. Over time, depending on humidity, the guitar will expand and contract changing the tone of the sound. The neck will also move changing the tuning of the strings. By keeping fresh strings one, you are making sure the neck dosen't move as much keeping the guitar in better shape.

I've read different places that it is better to replace one string at a time and other articles show replacing all at once.... any recommendation?

All at once, always all at once. That makes no sense to just change one, unless of course only one breaks, then you just replace that one.

[HILLCYD]

I've read different places that it is better to replace one string at a time and other articles show replacing all at once.... any recommendation?

When doing the actual replacement I always start by putting on the low E first. Then the high E. Then the A. Then the B. Then the D, then the G.

That way you aren't tweaking the neck in one direction or another by going from top to bottom or bottom to top.

[cyfan964]

Depends on the style your playing, but overall yes the heavier the harder. I quote Stevie Ray Vaughn

"I use heavy strings, tune low, play hard and floor it. Floor it, thats technical talk!"

Changing your strings is also better for your guitar. Over time, depending on humidity, the guitar will expand and contract changing the tone of the sound. The neck will also move changing the tuning of the strings. By keeping fresh strings one, you are making sure the neck dosen't move as much keeping the guitar in better shape.




All at once, always all at once. That makes no sense to just change one, unless of course only one breaks, then you just replace that one.

I think you misunderstood me. I meant when replacing all the strings i've read it is better to take one string off, replace it, take one string off, replace it....etc. Other places say to remove all the strings and then replace them all together.

[Cyclonepride]

What are these "strings" that you speak of? My guitar has yellow, green, orange, blue and red buttons.

[cmoneyr]

What are these "strings" that you speak of? My guitar has yellow, green, orange, blue and red buttons.

I was just about to say, I thought Guitar Hero was just make believe, but apparently there is such a thing as a "guitar" in real life. Who knew?

[guitarchitect7]

I think you misunderstood me. I meant when replacing all the strings i've read it is better to take one string off, replace it, take one string off, replace it....etc. Other places say to remove all the strings and then replace them all together.

Yup,I misunderstood. I take all mine off at once, to replace them. It gives me chance to wipe down the neck, put treatment on it if I want, and adjust things as needed.

What are these "strings" that you speak of? My guitar has yellow, green, orange, blue and red buttons.

I seem to recall having one of those two, but suck just as bad at it.

[SlyCy]

I think you misunderstood me. I meant when replacing all the strings i've read it is better to take one string off, replace it, take one string off, replace it....etc. Other places say to remove all the strings and then replace them all together.

Yes, do this one at a time. Remove, replace, move the next string remove, replace, move to the next string...

If you were to remove all strings at once and then replace them all at once it takes all the tension off of the guitar neck which could do a lot of damage.

As stated above Elixirs are probably the best but I've also had good luck with D'Addarios (sp.) if a cheaper route is needed.

Acoustic/Electric Tock, I'm jealous...