dentalbrace

Hey guys....I thought I'd clarify a few things on here. Changing strings can be and is often one of the most frustrating facets of maintaining your guitar's health.

First of all, a lot of people ask me how often you should change them, and what strings to use, etc. There are many factors that go into this and I'll briefly explain them. These are in no particular order.

1) This is only an approximation, but if you play daily for 1-2 hours, I would change the strings at least twice a month. For those who play less, monthly or every 6 weeks should be good. For those who barely play at all, strings can last a very long time, especially for those who play acoustic. Acoustic strings are usually made from bronze, and the material is much more resilient than nickel, which comprises most electric strings. Acoustic strings are also much thicker, and are less susceptible to string erosion as electrics are.

2) Wash your hands before you play! You wouldn't believe what oil and dirt from your skin can do to your string life. Always wash your hands with basic soap and water and you'll be shocked at how much longer the strings will last.

3) Buy strings that accommodate your style. I personally play alternative/modern rock. A lot of the songs that I play are tuned in very low keys, so I buy strings that accent the added slack from tuning lower.

My personal recommendation? For standard tuning, dropped-D and 1/2 step down, check out the Ernie Ball Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom set. I use these on a Gibson SG, and in my opinion, they are the best strings money can buy. They have a terrific tone and they last FOREVER. The gauges (from low E to high E) are: 52, 42, 30, 17, 13, and 10. I have used these strings for a very long time now and I haven't found one other brand/type of set that I've been more satisfied with than these.

For tuning really low (Db or lower), check out Ernie Ball's Beefy Slinky set. They are THICK! They just started selling these pretty recently, and I have been very happy with not only the lifespan, but the tone improvement! I utilize these on a Gibson Les Paul tuned down a 1/2 step and dropped-D (so the low E is Db) and the tone is remarkable. The gauges for these are (from low to high again): 54, 42, 30, 22p (meaning plain, not wound), 15, and 11.

4) As mentioned already in the initial post, you should only change one string at a time. Not only is this more convenient, but the neck on your guitar will love you for it. The strings put a tremendous amount of tension on the wood of the neck, and removing all of that tension at once is very harmful for the truss rod and the action. Changing one string at a time is much easier for the guitar, and you will find that it will adjust much easier to different string gauges, if you try different sizes.

5) Tune your guitar PRIOR to changing the strings. This makes it easier to tune the new strings when you wind them up. If you change only one at a time, you can use the traditional tuning method to tune whatever string you changed to the one either above or below it, and then use an electronic tuner to get it exact.

6) Stretch your strings! This is a tad difficult for beginners, as often you will stretch too hard and break your newly wound string. The key of stretching is removing slack from not only the tuning heads, but also the bridge. Slowly grasp the string between the 3rd and 12th fret and gently (GENTLY) tug the string in both directions (toward you and away). Tune back up to the correct pitch and then let your guitar sit for about 20 - 30 minutes. After letting it sit, stretch them again, tune back up appropriately and play! Stretch them often--you will notice instantly that they last longer and retain tone.

7) Winding them correctly around the tuning pegs is key. If you have a headstock that has all of the keys on the top of your neck, you need to wind them so that they rise in pitch in a counterclockwise fashion. If your keys are located on the bottom of the headstock, you need to tune clockwise. For Gibson style necks (Paul Reed Smith, Hamer, etc.), you need to tune the E, A and D counterclockwise and the G, B and high E clockwise.

I hope this helps! E-mail me at tbird@exosonicmusic.com if you want some individual help!

-TBird