Strings Tips
Read these 7 Strings Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Guitar tips and hundreds of other topics.
Light or heavy gauge?
"Heavier" string gauges - i.e. those that have thicker strings, give more sustain, and enhance a guitar's natural tone. They often hold their tuning better than lighter gauges.
"Lighter" string gauges are easier to "bend" notes with, but have a much thinner sound. However it is also easy to accidentally bend a note out of tune with light string gauges.
Change Your Strings Often
Change your strings regularly, depending on how often you play. If you see signs of corrosion or rust, or your guitar is losing its resonance and sounding tinny, it's time to change the strings.
Rectified Nylon
Rectified Nylon: Nylon strings that have been ground to precise tolerances. Deliver a mellow sound preferred by many professional classical guitarists.
Find One You Like
Experimenting with different brands is great, but once you a find a brand and gauge you like, stick with it. Your guitar will thank you for it. Constantly changing string gauges usually involves adjustments to the neck, which can be a time-consuming pain, and wouldn't you rather be playing?
Roundwound or Flatwound?
There are two main flavors of bass strings: roundwound and flatwound. All wound strings are made by wrapping layers of wire around a core wire. Roundwound strings use a round wire as the wrap, flatwound strings use a flat ribbon wire.
Roundwound strings deliver brighter sounds, but can emphasize squeaks. Flatwound strings have a duller sound, with less extra noise, and tend to keep a more consistent tone longer.
Stainless Steel Wound
Stainless Steel Wound: Preferred by many acoustic electric guitarists. Strings wound with stainless steel are excellent for magnetic pickup amplification and are noted for brightness and durability.
Tune as You Go
When you change your strings, remove, replace, and tune up one string at a time - constantly keeping the guitar in tune as you go. This prevents uneven strain on the neck, which could eventually cause warping.
