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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Acoustic → STRINGS!!!!
i am a self taught guitarist so i dont know what anything really is, but i know i need to change my strings. what brand of strings should i buy? should i send my guitar in to get them changed or can i do it myself? what do the different types (material, thickness, etc.) of strings do? can anyone help?
Hi Lisa Best thing to do is find a friend who is used to changing guitar strings
to show you how to do it .. can be a bit of a handful for the first time...also
mind your eyes..As for kinds of strings again get someone who knows your
type of guitar and advise...you will soon pick it all up....
Good luck and have fun ...its worth it....Mark
I prefer D'Addorio Light gauge strings on my guitar. If I had it set up professional to use Medium strings I would. I think the Medium strings give a fuller tone. But the guitar has to be ready to accept them. In general, I would recommend Light strings.
As far as brand, that's all a matter of preference. Like I said, I like D'Addorio Silk & Steel strings. I like them because they are very bright and I fingerpick mostly. Problem is that I can't keep fingernails well, so my fingerpicking is kind of dull sounding, so using bright strings helps make it sound better. When I'm going to strum a lot, I use D'Addorio Phospher Bronze because I like the warmth of them, and the pick gives enough brightness to keep it interesting.
The professionals I know use GHS strings, but that may be because they're sponsored as much as that's what they prefer. Others like Martin strings for acoustics. I don't, but many, many people do.
I'd recommend that you try a variety of different strings. As you put each set on, take notes. You'll have forgotten what you like about that set by the time they're worn out. So, try some different types over time and keep notes and you'll find what you like best. In the meanwhile, you're playing guitar so it's all good.
There are on-line tutorials on changing strings. Try Googling "How to change guitar strings".
- Zurf
Check out Justin Sandercoe's lesson on changing strings. There is a video as you scroll further down the page.
http://www.justinguitar.com/en/TB-004-C … oustic.php
I bought recently a few boxes of "elixir strings."They don't sound different, but they are real good and they last 5X longer than other strings.
The "gauge" the thicker you take the harder you can strum, but most guitar players, even metal players take 0.9 or 0.10
Well, once when i first broke a string i had to one i knew who could teach me to put on new ones (at the time). So i went to a guitar shop. And at the place i went they do it free on certain days. But now i know some one who can help me. It all depends on your situation and what sorta options you have. But no matter what...its totally worth it!!! Good luck. And welcome to this awesome guitar site. 
Strings are very much a personal preference among guitarists; as far as brand, gauge and style go. If you're just starting out, especially on an acoustic, lighter gauge will be easier on your fingers (muscle-wise and callus-wise). Just about any brand of acoustic lights will do you fine. Once you watch the various instructional videos and struggle through changing them a few times, you ought to consider trying different brands and gauges of strings to see what you like as far as sound and feel.
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Acoustic → STRINGS!!!!
