Questions tagged [strings]

Flexible material that provides vibrations in string instruments

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
0 votes
1 answer
939 views

Low E-string sounds out of tune [duplicate]

I have an issue with the low E string on my Acoustic Seagull S6 Original. Ever since I changed the strings, the E string seems to be out of tune in a weird way. When the open E is right on the spot (...
Alex Krivoruk's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
230 views

Is it accurate to tune with harmonics higher than the third harmonic on the double bass?

I typically play an A4 with my tuner when I am tuning because that is the note that the violin would be playing. On the bass, I would be playing the A harmonic on the D-string in fourth position. If ...
awe lotta's user avatar
  • 1,731
1 vote
1 answer
394 views

Tension/gauge less prone to buzzing

Is there a type of string (high tension or low tension) that is less prone to generate buzzing on the acoustic guitar ? I've mainly heard these few arguments so far : high tension strings are larger,...
021's user avatar
  • 645
5 votes
2 answers
429 views

Restringing a pinless guitar

My little brother bought a charity shop guitar but I’ve never seen this before. It doesn’t have the pins so I’m worried if I take the strings off I won’t get them back on... are there any videos or ...
Ellie Stronach's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
110 views

Where can I find a strings soundfont without vibrato for Musescore? [closed]

I want a vibrato-less soundfont for violoncell and contrabass to use in musescore.Anyone knows where can I find one?
Parsa Mousavi's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
120 views

Why are some strings wound instead of solid?

Why are lower-frequency strings usually made by winding wire around a core? On a violin, for instance, we usually find that the highest string (E) is solid but the lower strings (G and D) are wound. ...
feetwet's user avatar
  • 1,130
4 votes
1 answer
203 views

Open E String is in Tune but fingered pitches are sharp

My last e string broke so I got a new one. My e string is in tune when I play it together with the open A (i.e. the violin is in tune), but the higher fingered pitches are all sharp. I know this is ...
Mason's user avatar
  • 141
3 votes
4 answers
1k views

Is it ok to use D string for broken A string in a guitar temporarily?

Yesterday the A string of my classical guitar was broken. I have an extra D string and an E string, unfortunately my other A string was broken too. Is it ok to use the D string as the A string ...
sedergine's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why do violin bridges support the lower strings at a greater height from the fingerboard?

It appears that violin bridges are typically designed asymmetrically to support the lower strings at a greater height from the fingerboard, as shown in this photo: At the end of the fingerboard the G ...
feetwet's user avatar
  • 1,130
0 votes
2 answers
60 views

Help me pick the perfect string!

I busted my strings while trying to tune by ear. This is my guitar. As for the type of music I am looking to learn, I'd say it would be rock and blues. I also love Tommy Emmanuels which is to say ...
chirag's user avatar
  • 1
2 votes
1 answer
115 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 ...
Yolle's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
1 answer
131 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-...
NPN328's user avatar
  • 16.2k
0 votes
2 answers
874 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 ...
NPN328's user avatar
  • 16.2k
7 votes
2 answers
3k 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 ...
SomethingSomething's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
2k 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 ...
NPN328's user avatar
  • 16.2k
4 votes
2 answers
1k 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 ...
T James's user avatar
  • 143
2 votes
1 answer
2k 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 ...
NPN328's user avatar
  • 16.2k
2 votes
2 answers
1k 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 ...
Pawel's user avatar
  • 23
5 votes
2 answers
244 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"...
Tim Burnett - Bassist's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
1k 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 ...
NPN328's user avatar
  • 16.2k
19 votes
2 answers
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 ...
Sam Holder's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
564 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, ...
Miguel Merino's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
115 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, ...
NPN328's user avatar
  • 16.2k
3 votes
3 answers
437 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 ...
Louise's user avatar
  • 31
1 vote
1 answer
131 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..), ...
NickQuant's user avatar
  • 1,151
1 vote
2 answers
94 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 ...
NPN328's user avatar
  • 16.2k
0 votes
1 answer
767 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 ...
Biki Teron's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
372 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 ...
NickQuant's user avatar
  • 1,151
5 votes
1 answer
344 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 ?
ThR37's user avatar
  • 295
4 votes
2 answers
3k 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 ...
Joe Cannatti's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
657 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 ...
NPN328's user avatar
  • 16.2k
12 votes
3 answers
12k 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 ...
guitarhe40's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
512 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).
Derrick's user avatar
  • 11
0 votes
0 answers
40 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 ...
Jinxed's user avatar
  • 287
4 votes
1 answer
452 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 ...
Topper Harley's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
121 views

My bridge is out of place

My bridge keeps tilting and causing buzz. Is there some way to fix this?
Blackwolf060506's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
390 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 ...
aitía's user avatar
  • 183
4 votes
1 answer
75 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.
Pete Thorogood's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
427 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 ...
Seven.Hops's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
965 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.
Eve's user avatar
  • 41
1 vote
1 answer
184 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 ...
Rikke Bendlin Gammelmark's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
1k 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?
Cherie's user avatar
  • 51
11 votes
2 answers
1k 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, ...
Michael's user avatar
  • 213
4 votes
2 answers
725 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 "...
Bort's user avatar
  • 143
3 votes
1 answer
183 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 ...
NULL's user avatar
  • 185
-3 votes
1 answer
260 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?
Artemmm's user avatar
  • 111
1 vote
1 answer
500 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 ...
ASilverCloud's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
2k 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?
コナーゲティ's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
880 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 ...
Karlo Hine's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
860 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 ...
Cicinho's user avatar
  • 61

1 2
3
4 5
10