Flexible material that provides vibrations in string instruments
16
votes
10answers
11k views
Why shouldn't I put electric guitar strings on my acoustic guitar?
I've always found even the lightest acoustic (bronze) guitar strings to be a bit too heavy to play comfortably. Electric (nickel) guitar strings tend to be lighter. But nobody uses electric strings on ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I effectively secure guitar strings to the tuning pegs?
One of the bigger problems I face when restringing my guitars is properly securing the strings to the pegs.
How should I wind the strings around the pegs before tightening them to prevent the string ...
1
vote
1answer
49 views
New Guitar Strings Buzzing
I bought new D'Addario 12 gauge Strings got my Fender CD 100 Acoustic Guitar.
The E,A,D Strings seem to be buzzing a lot. Is that normal for new strings?
10
votes
2answers
469 views
Tapewound strings on an electric bass
Recently tried Veillette and Rob Allen basses, both incredible instruments. Unfortunately, they're also incredibly expensive. Part of what I loved was the feel of the tapewound strings. What would ...
3
votes
1answer
30 views
Thicker or thinner gauge for frequently snapping harp strings?
I have a kora (West-African harp) on which the highest two strings only seem to last about a week before snapping.
The two strings are tuned to A (880Hz) and G (784Hz) respectively and are stretched ...
20
votes
6answers
2k views
Do guitar strings wear when not used?
Do strings wear because of the pressure applied to them or any other factor, or do they stay in quite the same shape as long as you don't use them?
3
votes
5answers
4k views
Can I use nylon with steel string guitar?
I was wondering if it possible to put nylon strings on a steel string guitar.
Is it possible? If not why?
27
votes
15answers
5k views
Changing the strings: one by one, or by taking all strings off at one time?
The title says it all. Should I change strings one by one, or take them all at once? Does this matter at all?
If I take all strings off, will it damage my neck in any way, because the pressure is ...
5
votes
4answers
3k views
Why does my Stratocaster guitar sound worse with new strings?
My 4-month-old strings sounded much better than the new set that I just put on. I am using the same brand of strings that I used before. My guitar sounds like crap now. What's wrong? Should I stretch ...
4
votes
1answer
793 views
How do I change the strings on a double bass?
I have seen my double bass teacher change strings a few times, but I have a set of solo strings that I would like to learn how to put on by myself. I haven't been able to find much clear advice on the ...
0
votes
3answers
43 views
String ball end sizes, specifically “Size Gold E String Ball End”? - Violin
What are the the different string ball end sizes for a violin? Specifically, what does "Size Gold E String Ball End" mean?
I have come across this description here and am trying to figure out why ...
4
votes
5answers
451 views
Violin strings breaking in fingerboard area
My violin's strings have been breaking every 3 to 4 weeks. I only practice about 10 hours a week.
It is not normal for strings to be breaking constantly and though the problem could be an incorrect ...
4
votes
1answer
67 views
Why does my violin's A-string show signs of damage after only a week?
I changed my A-string on my violin due to accumulated damage (over 1 year of playing) about a week ago. Now the new A-string has tiny dings and what looks like slight unraveling. The damage seems to ...
0
votes
1answer
58 views
What gauge strings should I use for A# tuning on an electric guitar [duplicate]
I play heavy metal songs from bands such as Parkway Drive, Bring me the Horizon, Northlane etc. which play in A# guitar tuning.
What gauge strings are appropriate for that?
3
votes
1answer
58 views
How long can I store shrink-wrapped strings?
While cleaning up, I recently found a box (still had 6 packs in it) of shrink-wrapped strings for my electric guitar: D'Addario EXL120 Nickel Wound 9-42. I guess they have been sitting around in my ...
3
votes
2answers
113 views
How do Tape-Wound strings compare to metal Flatwounds?
I recently discovered that the nylon-coated Tape Flatwound strings, which have long been available for Bass, are available now in guitar sets (with plain b and e). How do these compare in tone, scrape ...
3
votes
1answer
78 views
Tuning new strings on an acoustic guitar
Okay, so a while back I broke one of my guitar strings, so I bought a new set. The problem is with my new strings my guitar sounds awful. Like it doesn't sound new awful it sounds like its completely ...
4
votes
7answers
1k views
What electric guitar strings are the most rust-resistant?
I constantly have to return to the music store with the same problem: My strings keep rusting within a day of playing.
I used Ernie Ball and the first four strings rusted on me, then I tried ...
10
votes
7answers
647 views
How do I properly stretch my newly strung strings?
I came across this string stretcher device. It claims to properly and evenly stretch new strings and maintain tuning.
I never really made a point to properly stretch newly strung strings. Can anyone ...
3
votes
6answers
1k views
Incessant Buzzing on Third String (Classical Guitar)
I've had an ongoing issue with my classical guitar. The third string (nylon) always buzzes on first, second, and third fret. While we're at it, the sixth string (wound metal over nylon core) buzzes on ...
8
votes
2answers
136 views
Is it acceptable to play the same note sumultaneously on different strings on Cello?
For a piece I am performing with a local school orchestra, a final open A is to undergo an "insane" crescendo to a Fortissississimo, which our conductor interprets as "as loud as possible."
A fellow ...
3
votes
3answers
157 views
Which electric guitar strings have the least (pitch) bend
When playing my electric guitar, the pitch of notes varies depending upon how exactly the strings are fretted; this is particularly a problem with strings that are barred by the first finger, since ...
18
votes
5answers
1k views
Recycling guitar strings
This one goes out to all my eco-friendly shredder pals. Does anyone know of an organization that takes guitar strings and recycles them? I run through quite a few packs per month on a heavy gigging ...
4
votes
4answers
680 views
What are the optimal string gauges for drop C tuning on electric guitar?
What are the optimal gauges of strings for Drop C tuning (C G C F A D) for electric guitar? Since this involves lowering the pitch of all the strings, heavier string gauges would be helpful; I need to ...
5
votes
1answer
66 views
what's the difference between light rosin and dark rosin?
I see two basic kinds of rosin available, light rosin and dark rosin. What's the difference between these?
15
votes
10answers
2k views
How often is it recommended to change bass strings?
With the risk of being a duplicate question of How often should I replace the strings on my guitar? I'd like to ask the same thing for bass guitar.
Bass strings are pricier than guitar strings, so I ...
7
votes
6answers
3k views
Is it good/bad to play guitar with low tension string?
When I started playing my acoustic(at an early age) I tuned the guitar just by matching notes. Like, matching the note of 5th fret of 6th string to open fret of 5th string and so on.
I didn't used ...
7
votes
1answer
134 views
How do I use string gauge tables?
I have seen that string manufacturers publish tables of string gauges and tensions.
For example, this one.
How can I use these to choose a set of strings for my instrument?
4
votes
3answers
176 views
Are there any (experimental) guitar strings whose cross-section is not a circle?
The answers to this question have led me to wonder: if you string a guitar with a differently-shaped string, would it have interestingly different sonic properties? And of course, since I can't just ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
My high E string broke after one week of replacing my guitar strings. Could that be an installation issue?
I'm not sure if it's even possible for the string to break based on how it was installed. The only reason I can think of is that it was installed on a loose tuning peg, which it wasn't (I made sure to ...
8
votes
2answers
729 views
Restringing a 12-string guitar with heavier strings - is it possible?
I'm considering using a 12-string guitar I don't play all that much as a testbed: Is it possible to restring an acoustic guitar as a baritone guitar, or even just string it so I can tune it down a few ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
right handed bass into left handed bass
I can't easily find a left handed bass guitar. Can I restring the bass to be for a leftie (reverse the ordering of the strings)?
I think that you can do this with an electric guitar, for sure with ...
12
votes
5answers
2k views
Why does the D string in a guitar breaks so often?
Well... that's about it. D strings (on acoustic nylon guitars at least) break way more often than the others.
I guess there's a physical explanation but I wasn't able to found anything on the ...
3
votes
3answers
378 views
How to keep guitar strings from breaking so quickly?
I have a takamine g350 acoustic-electric guitar (not that it really matters for this quesiton), and my strings tend to break every two or three weeks. I do like to experiment with different tunings, ...
6
votes
2answers
281 views
Alternate violin strings for gypsy music?
I will be playing traditional/gypsy music on my classical violin, and would like to have a sound that is stylistically appropriate (deep/rich/warm/old/woody as opposed to brilliant/sweet/ringy).
Can ...
2
votes
4answers
944 views
Strings too stiff on a recently purchased acoustic guitar | Cort AD880CE
I have been playing acoustic guitar for almost 5 years and I wanted to upgrade to a better guitar. After some research and hands-on testing I purchased a Cort AD880CE.
But after 2-3 days practice I ...
1
vote
1answer
148 views
Why do the quality of the sound of guitar strings decay over time?
Particularly, on classical guitars, strings 4, 5 and 6.
At the beginning, the sound is very metallic. After a few weeks, it's like playing on coton.
2
votes
1answer
281 views
What strings can I use to get a high-quality sound out of a travelling guitar?
I've just purchased a Washburn Travel Guitar. I know I'll never get full guitar sound out of it, but I was wondering what strings I could / should get to (perhaps) maximise this little guy.
1
vote
2answers
190 views
What is the correct way to modify a bass bridge to accept thicker guage strings?
Recently, I tried to restring one of my 5-strings and found out that the low B string wouldn't fit through the bridge. The bass is an LTD B55
I was thinking of drilling/boring the hole to be wider, ...
6
votes
4answers
4k views
Does anyone make nylon strings for a standard acoustic guitar (non-classical)?
This may seem crazy, but I really love the sound of nylon strings, and I DO NOT want to buy a classical guitar though.
I was wondering if any manufacturer makes nylon strings for a "normal" acoustic ...
2
votes
3answers
205 views
Is there some type of classical guitar strings that have uniform tone across all six?
Whenever I try to adapt music for classical guitar I actively try to avoid transposing any note to the first string (High E) because it sounds so much more twangy than the other five. I understand ...
3
votes
1answer
202 views
How can I prevent loss of tuning when changing strings set from 0.11 to 0.12?
I have an Epiphone Les Paul Custom and it's tuned in standard C and my playing style is mostly Desert Rock. I'm using a set of 0.12 strings and considering changing to a 0.11 set to have less tension ...
5
votes
3answers
924 views
Which strings should I use for DADGAD tuning on my acoustic guitar?
I have recently switched to DADGAD tuning, before that I was using light tension strings ( 12 16 24 32 42 53 ).
But because of DADGAD, to compensate for the lack of tension on the neck, I wanted to ...
4
votes
4answers
5k views
Which steel strings are more suitable for fingerpicking on acoustic guitar?
I want to ask acoustic guitar experts, what strings can be suitable for fingerstyle playing on steel string acoustic if I play with my fingers - no nails or fingerpicks. Currently I'm using GHS ...
7
votes
1answer
221 views
What interval should frets be placed for the Tar (Persian Lute)?
I have recently come into possession of a Tar.
But I have no idea how to place the frets on this instrument, which are made of gut (feels a bit like twine) tied around the neck. How do I determine ...
29
votes
15answers
1k views
How often should I replace the strings on my guitar?
When and why should you replace your guitar strings?
3
votes
1answer
108 views
Should I take the weather into account when I replace guitar strings?
I have been told that the strings in a guitar should be replaced at least every six months (I know this can be subjective).
I have a classical guitar which has been several years with the same ...
3
votes
3answers
523 views
Acoustic Guitar | How to adjust the gap between the strings and the fret board
I have a 2 year old acoustic guitar . Over the period of time there's a huge gap that has appeared between the higher frets and the strings.
What has caused this gap? and How do i fix this.
4
votes
1answer
96 views
The details behind proper string slack for new strings
So this question covers string instruments with tuning pegs (eg. guitars, bass guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, etc). When you are installing a new string and you pull it tight for the first time, you ...
3
votes
2answers
193 views
Should I choose strings differently depending of type of guitar?
I own both a dreadnought and a parlor acoustic guitar. On the dreadnought I use extra light elixirs. On the parlor I still have the original phosphor bronze light that came with it.
Is there ...
