Frequently Asked Questions
Guitar players have so many questions to ask!
Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or expert, a jazz guitarist, heavy metal electric shred monster, acoustic guitar finger-picker or just interested in guitars, we'll answer your questions here.
Click the question to show the answer...
Sometimes people ask us whether they can change the sound of their classical guitar by changing its nylon classical strings for steel acoustic guitar strings.
The answer is simple: No, don't do it!!
There are several reasons why you should not change nylon strings for steel strings, but the main one is tension - steel strings have considerably more tension that nylon strings and will almost certainly damage your classical guitar, possibly bending the neck. Steel strung acoustic guitars have specially strengthened necks and bodies to cope with the tension of the strings. Also, the fretboard and frets are designed with nylon strings in mind and are not suited to steel strings.
Even if your classical guitar wasn't damaged by the tension of the steel strings, the body shape is designed to give a balanced tone for nylon classical strings and would not give a good sound with steel strings.
People often ask us why some guitars have string trees and some don't.
The reason behind the trees is to increase contact between the string and the nut. They are generally found on Fender Guitars, but not Gibsons. To understand why, you need to look at the angle of the string from the tuner to the nut - Fender headstocks are generally "straighter" with the neck than a Gibson for example which is on more of an angle and therefore gives more downward tension keeping the strings more solidly lying in the nut.
Many bass guitars have string trees for the same reason; it's a way of getting the string to sit firmly in/on the nut, to produce the best possible sound. There are many types and shapes of string tree, from simple bent "w" types, through circular 'button' types to elaborate and expensive ones with anti-friction linings, as pictured here.
Although most guitars would still 'work' with their string trees removed, it is not something we would recommend. It is likely to reduce sustain, cause tuning problems and affect the tone of the guitar. Trust the guitar's designer - he put them there for a reason!
If you have problems tuning the strings that go through string trees, try lubricating them - see http://guitarstringguide.com/drupal/content/why-wont-my-g-string-stay-tune
If your guitar has a single string that seems to go out of tune but the other strings hold their tuning OK, there is one common likeley reason. Assuming that you gave checked that the string is not slipping on the tuning peg (which usually gives a big drop in pitch), then the most likely problem is that the string is sticking in the guitar's nut.
Your guitar's nut has a slot cut in it for each string and these slots obviously vary in width to cope with the different size of each string. If the strings you have fitted are slightly thicker (heaver gauge) than were fitted to the guitar from new, then the string is held in the slot and cannot move freely as you stratch the string when tuning. The tension in the string is not even, and often once you start playing your guitar the string tension will even out, leading to an out-of tune string. This problem is particularly common on the G string as guitarists have the choice of a plain or wound string.
So, what can I do to fix it?
The good news is that this is an easy problem to fix. there are several tricks to this, listed in order of ease...
1) Loosen the string in question and apply some pencil lead to the string at the point where it passes through the nut. The graphite in the pencil will lubricate the slot and allow the string to move more easily when tuning. A soft pencil (B) is best, but almost any pencil will do. Be carefull not to overdo it and make a mess all over your guitar's neck... be sure to wipe of the surplus graphite dust.
2) As 1), but use a proprietry product such as "Big Bends Nut Sauce". http://www.bigbends.com/ This is particularly good if you use a lot of string bending in your guitar playing style. It basically does the same as the pencil lead (graphite), but better and cleaner.
3) Very carefully file out the slot in the nut to allow teh string to move easily. This requires a great deal of care and, although not difficult if you have the correct needle files, is probably best left to a guitar technician or luthier - Ask at your local guitar shop; they should be able to do it for very little cost. This will also need doing if you have put significanly heavier strings on your guitar.
That's it - job done! You should now have a G string that you can tune and stays in tune.
Modern guitar strings should be fine for at least 3-4 years if kept in good conditions. If using strings in traditional packaging, keep then in an air-tight container and away from cold and damp - high humidity is the enemy of guitar strings! If in any doubt about the condition of older guitar strings, check the top E string first, as rust or other corrosion tends to attack the thinnest plain strings before wound strings.
Modern sealed guitar string packaging such as D'Addario corrosion resistant sealed packs and new Ernie Ball foil packs are a big help in extending shelf life of guitar strings.
So if you see a bargain, go for it! That bulk pack of ten set sof strings or eBay "wholesale lot" could keep you playing for years...
The steel string acoustic guitar was invented by Guitar maker Christian Fredrich Martin. Martin moved from Germany to America in 1833 and worked as a guitar maker, or luthier. American guitarists wanted a louder and brighter sounding guitar, to play in bands with banjos and other instruments that produced a louder and brasher sound.
In the early 20th century, Martin experimented with steel strings on his guitars. Due to the increased tension on the guitar he needed the body to be stronger, so he designed a more robust internal bracing system to compensate for the increased tension the steel strings put on the guitar's body. Most modern steel string acoustic guitars are based on Martin's original bracing concept.
Martin guitars continues to be one of the top acoustic guitar makers and their guitars are used by musicians worldwide, playing all sorts of guitar styles.
There are three main types of guitar strings: Electric, Acoustic and Classical..
Electric guitar strings
Usually Nickel-plated steel wound onto carbon steel, but sometimes stainless steel. Because the electric guitar pickup directly senses the vibration of the string magnetically, the strings must be made of ferrous metals - i.e. they must contain iron, which is magnetic.
Acoustic guitar strings (steel)
Most steel guitar strings are known as Bronze or Phosphor Bronze. Because the guitar does not rely on magnetic pick-ups non-ferrous metals may be used. The core wire is still made of steel (hence 'steel string' guitars), but the outer winding on the 'wound' strings is made of bronze.
Nylon guitar strings (classical or Spanish guitar)
Guitar strings were originally made from animal gut, but in 1969 Augustine created the world's first synthetic guitar strings, made from Nylon. All classical guitar strings are now made from nylon. The bass strings are wound with metal wire however, the same as other types of strings. These fine wire wrappings are made from bronze, silver or other metals.
Standard tuning for guitar is E A D G B E
This goes from the 6th string (the thickest string) to the 1st string (the thinnest string)...
E - 6th string - Thickest string - Lowest note
A - 5th string
D - 4th string
G - 3rd string
B - 2nd string
E - 1st string - Thinnest string - Highest note
Standard tuning for 4 string bass guitar is E A D G - the same as the lowest-sounding strings of a six-string guitar, but an octave lower.
This goes from the 4th string (the thickest string) to the 1st string (the thinnest string)...
E - 4th string - Thickest string - Lowest note
A - 3th string
D - 2nd string
G - 1st string - Thinnest string - Highest note
Extra Light guitar strings are normally 8 gauge for electric guitar and are available from most major string makers. Beginners are often tempted use extra light strings because they are easier to hold down and aren't so hard on the new guitarist's fingers - all guitarists have experienced grooves in their fingertips and the pain that goes with it! However, there are a number of problems with using very light strings on your guitar...
1) Light guitar strings snap easily!
Light strings need more skillful playing and even in the hands of experts are more likely to break sooner.
2) Light guitar strings are difficult to tune accurately.
Tuning is often difficult for the beginner, and very light strings can be even more difficult to tune - and easier to snap during the tuning process.
3) Light guitar strings are more likely to buzz.
Because they have less tension, the string moves when picked or strummed and can be more prone to buzzing
4) Light guitar strings move out of pitch more easily.
One of the great things about very light gauge guitar string is that they are easy to bend, allowing the lead guitar player to put lots of expression into his playing by bending the pitch. Unfortunately this ease of bending can be a big problem for the beginner, especially when struggling to play chords. If the fingers aren't used to accurately holding the chord there is a tendency to bend the strings, taking the notes of the chord off-pitch even if the correct notes are being fretted.
5) The thinner the string, the thinner the tone! (A generalization... but generally true)
So for all of those reasons and more, we would recommend that electric guitar beginners start with 9 or 10 gauge strings. With a little practice you should find that both of these gauges are suitable for the beginner, can be tuned and played easily and don't snap too often.
According to a Guitar String Guide poll, stopping buzzing is the most difficult thing for beginners learning to play the guitar. There are two main causes of string buzzing (commonly known as fret buzz) - player technique and guitar setup.
To check which is causing the problem for you, first check your guitar setup.
Guitar setup problems
First play each string in turn "open" - that is, with no left-hand fingers fretting notes. If some or all of your strings buzz against the frets when played open, then you probably need to adjust your guitar's bridge or neck. Both of these are easy to do on an electric guitar, but a little more tricky on an acoustic guitar. We'll add some detailed guidance on guitar setup soon, but in the meantime try searching for "setup" in our custom search engine at the top right of this page.
Guitar playing problems
Most beginner guitarists have problems fretting chords when they are new to playing the guitar. This is quite usual, so with a little practice and perseverance you can soon cure the dreaded fret buzz.
To get a good idea of what is causing the buzz, first try playing a single note - for example, fret the fifth (A) string at the fifth fret, giving a D note.
- Experiment with picking (plucking) the string both gently and harder... you'll find that the harder you pick the string, the more likely it is to buzz. For beginners at least, gentle is better!
- Experiment fretting closer to, and further back from, the fret. You'll find that if your finger is too far behind the fret it will buzz, but if too close (or on top of) the fret it will sound dull and won't ring or sustain.
Now the tricky bit... holding down chords. Firstly, try to RELAX! Easier said than done, as we all put too much effort in when we are struggling with something new. When playing guitar chords this often results in a 'death grip', where you press far too hard in an effort to hold down the chord. There are no easy answers, except practice, practice, practice, checking the fret position against what you learnt above. But be reassured that all guitarists go through this and it's only a matter of time... you WILL overcome the fret buzz in time.
It is common for guitar strings to squeak when sliding the fingers up and down the fretboard. There are several ways you can prevent - or at least reduce - this squeaking noise.
1) Clean/lubricate your strings with Fast Fret guitar string cleaner
2) Regularly use "The Swipe" - a suede-like cleaning product
3) Change your strings! Old strings tend to squeak more than new strings
4) Change from roundwound to halfwound, flatwound or tapewound strings. These are more expensive than regular roundwound strings but are much smoother and are popular with Jazz guitarists.
5) Try coated strings - again they are more expensive, but are smoother, tarnish less and last longer. Some guitarists rave about them, some don't. Try them and decide for yourself!
Guitar strings age in several ways - they stretch, tarnish and get contaminated with sweat and dirt. Professional players change strings before each gig. For general light home use we would recommend you change your strings every 6 months as a minimum. If you play a lot then every few weeks would be more appropriate.
Changing strings can seem like a chore, but you will always be rewarded with a brighter, fresher cleaner sound from your guitar - whether it is electric, acoustic or classical.
For beginners we recommend Phosphor Bronze strings, light or extra light gauge.
e.g. Rotosound JK11 - Jumbo Kings are Rotosound's best selling acoustic string. Phosphor Bronze wound Acoustic Guitar strings with superb warm tone, clarity and sustain. Favoured by such artists as John Renbourn, Bob Geldof and Gordon Giltrap.
JK11 have string gauges of: .011 .015 .022w .030 .042 .052
Lighter strings are easier to fret for beginners, but are more susceptible to fret buzz and have a thinner sound.
For beginners we usually recommend:
9s (9 gauge) for playing rhythm and lead guitar - e.g. Ernie Ball Super Slinky or Rotosound Roto Pink
10s (10 gauge) for playing mostly rhythm guitar - e.g. Ernie Ball Regular Slinky or Rotosound Roto Yellow
Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings 6 Pack
D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Regular Light Electric Guitar Strings 3-Pack
You need phosphor-bronze acoustic strings for any electro-acoustic guitar, as they use piezo-electric under-bridge pickups, not magnetic pickups used on electric guitars. Ovation fit D'Addario EXP16 (.012-.053) 12's as standard, but you can use lighter strings if you prefer (easier to play, but tone not quite so strong and less sustain). I'd also recommend Rotosound Jumbo Kings - JK12 or JK11. Rotosounds are available here (UK delivery only): http://www.marsguitars.co.uk/acoustic-guitar-strings-2-c.asp
Drop D Tuning is used by many grunge, metal and heavy rock bands, as it makes it really easy to get a heavy rock sound using only one finger to barre the chords! Drop D Tuning is probably the easiest alternative tuning for guitar as it involves retuning only one string - the sixth string. It simply changes the 6th string from and 'E' note to a 'D' note.
To tune your guitar to "Drop D Tuning", start of with standard tuning (E A D G B E) and simply tune the sixth string down a tone to D. It should sound the same as the fourth (D) string. If you fret the 6th string at the 12th fret (or play the harmonic if you know how) then it should sound exactly the same as the 4th string played open (D). Your whole guitar tuning is now D A D G B E - you are tuned to "dropped d".
Now you can sound like Nirvana!!
