Questions tagged [strings]
Flexible material that provides vibrations in string instruments
382
questions
2
votes
1answer
31 views
Are intonation issues in a cheap acoustic guitar fixable?
so I am a beginner guitarist, and I have one quite good guitar, and a cheap one.
I`ve tuned it to standard tuning, and when I play the 5th fret on the E string on the cheap one, it goes like 1/4 of a ...
2
votes
1answer
46 views
How does the action (distance between fret and string) of a guitar affect the tone / sound / timbre?
When talking with or reading / watching about professionals and their setups (acoustic instruments in particular), I found that there's a heavy tendency for using higher actions, in contrast with non-...
0
votes
2answers
60 views
Are hard tension strings (around 85 lbs total tension) generally safe for classical guitars without truss rod?
I know some classical guitars absolutely definitely can't handle extra-hard tension strings because they can cause the bridge to break or the neck to bend, so only guitars specifically designed for ...
6
votes
2answers
94 views
What's the difference between regular guitar and banjo strings?
My father's got an old banjo that he needs re-stringed for him and I've got a set of guitar strings that I think would do the trick...But I'm not sure if these are appropriate for the instrument. I'm ...
2
votes
2answers
66 views
In which ways does plucking a string at different locations affect/change the sound?
In both guitar and bass lessons, it's common that some techniques require you to pluck/strike/excite the string at specific locations. For example, it's very common to see bass players plucking the ...
4
votes
2answers
71 views
Metalic sound on cello G string
I am new to the cello and have been experiencing a sound on the G string that I can't quite pinpoint the cause of. Everywhere I have looked online appears to be specific to wolf tones or rattles, and ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
What's the difference between bronze-wound and silver-wound bass strings?
The most common materials to wound bass strings are bronze and silver. Most string makers offer options with either. Seems that bronze strings last shorter or can go bad easier, so there must be a ...
2
votes
2answers
61 views
Sound issues following restringing electric guitar
A couple of questions regarding changing strings / getting rid of fret buzz.
I changed my strings a few days ago for the first time after getting my guitar earlier this year. I swapped from 9s to 10s ...
4
votes
1answer
74 views
When was “Nashville Tuning” invented?
Answering a question about alternate tuning today got me thinking about Nashville Tuning and that this is basically the exact same concept used by Stanley Clarke (and apparently Ron Carter) to "invent"...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
Why do flamenco guitar players use different tensions (gauges) for the bass and treble strings, “colored” treble strings, and a “special” 3rd string?
Looking close to flamenco strings sets, I've noticed that they use different tensions for the bass and treble strings. The bass strings are higher tension than the treble strings. Bass strings are ...
20
votes
2answers
3k views
Does the horse hair in a bow all go in the same direction?
As the title says, I want to know if the horse hairs in a bow all go in the same direction? I know that human hair has a direction which it is smooth and a direction which it is rough. I assume its ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
AKG C411 phantom power/preamp/ noise issue
I use the AKG c411 contact mic on a small harp that I play. When I plug into my interface I get a low frequency hum, which goes away when I touch the computer or interface and hold the instrument, ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Is there a way to safely polish guitar strings, without affecting intonation too much?
String manufacturers offer polished strings that reduce the finger noise and are great for recording. Sometimes strings that don't have polished versions are polished "by hand" by string distributors, ...
3
votes
3answers
89 views
Can I put nylon strings on my steel string acoustic guitar?
Can I put the D'addario EJ32 Folk Nylon Strings on my Steel String Acoustic Guitar? If not, what can be my alternative? I haven't tried doing so and i'm scared since I might be wasting a pack of ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
What are the common instrument blends in classical/romantic symphonies? [closed]
The motivation of my question "What are the common instrument blends in classical/romantic symphonies?" is to learn which instrument combinations (e.g. clarinet + violin, horn + oboe + bassoon etc..), ...
1
vote
2answers
39 views
Is there a way to know what is the tension range a specific classical guitar is designed for?
I have two old classical guitars with no way of knowing who made them, or finding a specification sheet, or something similar. I normally play with high or ultra high tension strings, but I don't know ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
How to find the the guitar notes in the staff notation if it starts from other than key of C
I can identify the open string in the key of C, but i don't know how to identify the open string if it starts from other than key of C,Can someone help me, I have shown below the music sheets
Where ...
1
vote
2answers
83 views
Major differences composing for strings as opposed to piano
I have been been composing for piano for some time (with Sibelius), and now I have the interest to try strings (solo instrument for the beginning, e.g. violin). Obviously I cannot take piano scores ...
5
votes
1answer
40 views
Can I put cavaquinho strings on a ukulele?
I have currently a concert ukulele that I'm not using and I would like to put on it steel cavaquinho strings in order to use it as a cavaquinho. Is it a bad idea ? Are there risks for my instrument ?
4
votes
2answers
58 views
Floyd Rose in Standard Tuning with .011 gauge strings
I have always played with medium to heavy gauge strings in standard tuning. I got used to that feel while in school for Jazz Studies and have stuck with it ever since.
I'm interested in learning ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views
Which are the differences between the typical nylon strings, and the newer fluorocarbon (or “carbon”) strings?
We all know the traditional nylon strings for the classical guitar, which in turn replaced the even more traditional gut strings.
Lately, more and more string manufacturers are introducing products ...
11
votes
3answers
4k views
My Guitar came with both metal and nylon strings, what replacement strings should I buy?
I have the Katoh MCG20 Classical Guitar. As you can see, the guitar came with 3 metal strings and 3 nylon strings.
I understand that this is a classical guitar and should be replaced with nylon ...
1
vote
1answer
74 views
Bought strings before checking factory string gauge
Would this require a re-set? Yamaha APX600 factory strings to Martin MA550's
(from 12-16-24-32-42-53 to 13-17-26-35-45-56).
0
votes
0answers
39 views
Nut + tuning instrument
So I changed my strings for the first time on my electric and I accidentally wound my low E string the opposite way. I don't really want to get more strings and have leftovers. Will this hurt the nut ...
4
votes
1answer
109 views
Is it normal for oud strings to touch other pegs on the head?
Recently I bought a cheap old oud without strings. I am an irish bouzouki player, so the wooden tuning pegs and the curved, angled head of the instrument is all new to me. The is noone near my place ...
2
votes
0answers
55 views
3
votes
1answer
109 views
Which type of guitar string is most durable?
I just broke another guitar string while tuning. I realize there are many different types of strings to choose from and for this reason wished to ask: which type of steel strings for an acoustic ...
4
votes
1answer
57 views
Flamenco guitar strings
Before the invention of nylon, from what material were strings made for use by flamenco players? I have tried different search engines and forae but found no answer or similar question.
5
votes
2answers
95 views
Tuning G3 string to A3 guitar
I have been playing along with a couple of Pavement songs which are in DADABE tuning, so that the G string has to be tuned one tone higher to an A. It has happened to me in the past to do something ...
4
votes
1answer
108 views
What does a small slash through a line on the staff mean?
The slash mark is shown multiple times in the piece, and it’s not just shown on the top line. The slash goes between notes and on any of the staff lines. I just want to know what it signifies.
1
vote
1answer
89 views
Is a ball-end the default end for a violin string?
When buying violin strings I am often confused about what end the string has. For the E string it usually says ball-end or loop end, but often the other strings do not mention the end explicitely. Can ...
5
votes
1answer
151 views
Can you mix brands?
Can you mix string brands if they’re in the same gauge? I have Ernie Ball strings and the ‘A’ string broke. Was wondering if i could Replace with a fender string of the same gauge?
11
votes
2answers
229 views
Do pegs for stringed instruments require holes?
We bought some new pegs for a cello but they came without holes. As a result, it seems impossible to tighten the strings as they keep slipping. But there must be some use for pegs without holes, ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views
What's the difference between these two sets of nylon strings (Folk vs non-folk)?
I was looking for nylon strings and noticed that Ernie Ball has two different sets available that are both gauge 28 to 42 and have ball ends.
One is sold as "Ernesto Palla" Nylon, the other as "...
3
votes
1answer
73 views
Does Edge Picking Break Strings Faster?
I started learning to play acoustic guitar several months ago, and have been mainly using Fender medium picks. I have noticed that the picks very quickly develop a sort of bevel on one side because I ...
-3
votes
1answer
101 views
In one note played on a piano, say C4, what can we say about the phases of the different frequencies heard?
Say C4 is played. There are the harmonics, and then other frequencies of lesser amplitude. Based on how a string vibrates, can we describe a pattern to the phases of these frequencies?
1
vote
1answer
168 views
Tips on how to transcribe string parts from a song by ear
I am a huge fan of ballad type music and want to get better at writing for strings but have not been able to find some scores or transcriptions of songs that I like so I have decided to try ...
1
vote
3answers
438 views
Can you tune one string on a Floyd Rose bridge without having to retune them all?
Like if you want to go from EADGBE to DADGBE, can you just tune the 6th string down and be done with it, or will that offset the bridge and throw the other strings out of whack?
4
votes
3answers
287 views
G string not staying in tune
I have an Epiphone ES-339. When I tune it, the strings sound fine, then when begin to play a song, the G string sounds out of tune. I only have an issue with that one string and all of them are brand ...
5
votes
3answers
412 views
Blending or harmonizing
What other kind of chords can a guitarist play as an accompaniment for the keyboardist instead of playing the same progression,that is ensuring they don't get in each others way by playing a ...
1
vote
1answer
289 views
Can you move the strings on 3/4 size electric guitar to get better tuning?
I’m currently working with a ¾ size electric guitar for my daughter. The problem I have is putting the right strings on it to get a stable standard E tuning (EADGBE). The person I bought it off said ...
0
votes
1answer
351 views
Violin - How to keep fingers from touching other string when playing double stops
I am new to double stops. When I play a double stop where a finger is on a string while playing an open string (1st finger on the D string and open A string), my finger touches the open string, in ...
15
votes
8answers
2k views
Violin - Can double stops be played when the strings are not next to each other?
Suppose I wanted to play a double stop on the violin. The double stop played the G string and the A string simultaneously. Is this possible? Can you play a double stop on two non-adjacent strings?
0
votes
2answers
292 views
What is the “standard” length of a guitar string from ball to tip? [closed]
I've recently built a guitar with a 30" scale length, and I want to play around with different string gauges - the problem I'm running into is that I can't seem to determine the full length of any ...
7
votes
2answers
353 views
Drawbacks to using fine tuners on all violin strings?
I almost never see violins with a fine-tuner on any but the E string.
Is there any drawback to placing and using fine tuners on lower strings? (Other than the need to use strings with loop ends.)
2
votes
2answers
368 views
Can I use a violin G string for D?
I have ended up with some extra Pirastro violin G strings. What would the consequences be of using an aluminum-on-gut G string for D?
5
votes
1answer
617 views
Playing a 7-string guitar song on a 6-string guitar
In this video
John Petrucci tries to explain how a guy is doing a cover of one of his 7-string songs using a 6-string guitar, but I don't really understand what he is ...
1
vote
1answer
364 views
Electric guitar out of tune on 12th fret(intonation)
I just bought an electric guitar (stratocaster), and I'm a beginner, so setting it up is a welcome and annoying challenge.
The issue I have is with the intonation. The high E is fine on the open ...
0
votes
0answers
71 views
Dominant Violin Strings which is better 135, 135b or 135bms [duplicate]
I've used dominant violin strings 135, and the set I just bought is 135B. Reading previous posts, I understand they are different compositions of the E string ball, but which one sounds better? ...
2
votes
1answer
97 views
Having issues with guitar percussion
I have started learning percussive techniques on the guitar. While I can reproduce these on my teacher's guitar without issues, I can't do the same on my own guitar. My teacher recommended that I ...
