hello community!

I am not a guitarist at all whatsoever, but I’ve been task at the school studio to take care of the instruments inside of the studio, and that includes guitars. I’ve only ever change the strings on any guitar, maybe five or six times so never really got to practice it, but I have several different types of guitars in this scenario and realize that I’m not quite sure how to approach changing the strings for each of the kinds.

I was wondering if any guitar enthusiast here could help me figure out how to best approach changing all the strings (As they haven’t been in a long time) And helping me see what tools, resources, and maintenance expectations I should have as I begin to learn a bit more about this concept.

Here's the names to most of these guitars:

4 string bass - gio ibanez sound gear

4 string bass - fender jazz bass

acoustic guitar - fender CN140S NAT

acoustic guitar - WD10CE

ELECTRIC GUIT. - squire bullet strat

ELECTRIC GUIT - Fender stratocaster

ELECTRIC GUIT - prs se tremonti

ELECTRIC GUIT - BCP (this is a student guitar. I'm not really familiar with this brand... i think it's a starter guitar but I'm not 100% sure)

strings in stock:

D’addario Classic Nylon - 5 full sets

D’addario EJ16-3D - 8 full sets, 3 incomplete ones

D’addario EJ16 - 8 full sets

D’addario XL - 0 sets

Martin & Co. Strings SP 80/20 Bronze - 0 full sets, only has 6th-2nd String

Elixir Nickel Plated Steel Polyweb Coating Light - 0 full sets, only 46 & 36

Elixir Nickel Plated Steel Optiweb Coating Medium - 0 full sets

question one: What kind of strings do you recommend for the type of guitars that I have?

Question two: is it possible to use the particular sets that I have? I should be keeping these just in case a singular string pops off, and I can replace them, correct?

question three: how do you go about learning how to set the appropriate action, tension, and strength type, gauge type and material depending on the guitar and the player, genre or a bit all three? Is this something that you learn overtime or is there a specific resource that I can tap into to get a better understanding?

question four: What tools do I need to efficiently and quickly change the strings on a guitar and set the appropriate action?

Question five: are there any other items I should get so that I can take care of the guitars on a consistent basis such as the string cleaner and conditioner that I have?

Question six: After the strings are changed, should I expect? a change into Tonality? Is there a wear in period? should players take caution with anything in specific after guitars strings are changed?

Question seven: How do I know if a guitar string is slipping or if the tuning pegs are appropriately working?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
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Cuantas Cuerdas
Sep 10, 14:53
I would surely get some benefit from attending that school...😮
Sorry, I can't help you at all (I can't even play guitar yet), but I'll be glad to read what other members can share about the subject!
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Benjamin Jack
Sep 10, 19:02
I personally use D'Addario strings any time I buy new strings. I personally have not tried out all of the string/guitar combinations you listed but this is a useful tool to find what strings you want: https://www.daddario.com/find-your-gear/string-finder/

Gauge and tension mostly are a matter of preference and that string finder will help you find what you want.

As to installing them and when, you can replace strings only when strings break/damaged, or most people replace them 1-2 times a year or so. (more often than that for recording/touring musicians) I try to keep at least one set of each kind of string I use on hand in case one breaks. When replacing strings do not remove more than one string at once to keep the tension on the neck. Here is a good resource that will show you how: https://support.daddario.com/hc/en-us/articles/17274368505236-How-do-I-install-strings-on-my-guitar

Changing strings will lead to a quicker response, more even tones, and more consistent feel. The instrument will tend to go out of tune for 1-2 weeks, but with high quality strings, this tends to be less noticeable.

You can use a string winder to speed up the changing of strings, I personally do not have one, but I have heard good thing of this one (it also comes with a wire cutters built in)
https://www.daddario.com/products/accessories/care-maintenance-tools/restring-tools/pro-winder/

Washing hands before picking up your instrument will keep it cleaner; storing it in its case, especially if the case is humidified, will keep a happier instrument and keep off dust; if you need to wipe off fingerprints/dust/etc., use a microfiber cloth.

If you have one string always losing its tune there and the string is wrapped a few times around the tuning post, there is a slippage/mechanical problem and should be taken to a professional/knowledgeable friend.

I hope this helps!😀
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Benjamin Jack
Sep 10, 19:05
Also this is how to intonate an electric guitar:
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GuitarGym
Sep 10, 10:56 in GuitarGym Official
Congrats @Francesco Minotti for winning the Jade Pick Award!
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Cuantas Cuerdas
Sep 10, 14:53
Congrats!
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GuitarGym
Sep 10, 10:56 in vGuitars Hub
Congrats @Francesco Minotti for winning the Expert collector badge!
Congrats @T. Tinari for winning the Crystal Pick Award!
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Benjamin Jack
Sep 09
Great work!!!
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T. Tinari
Sep 09
I'm just trying to be like you 🙏
Congrats @Trevor Bright for winning the Crystal Pick Award!
Where Scale Driller ??
It was the best tool here...
Congrats @Benedek Kiss for winning the Crystal Pick Award!
Congrats @Cuantas Cuerdas for winning the Immortal collector badge!
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Benjamin Jack
Sep 03
Super!!!
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Noam Gingold
Sep 07
Congrats @Jonny Levin for winning the Diamond Pick Award!
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Benjamin Jack
Sep 05
Super job!!!
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Great achievement! Congrats!
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Noam Gingold
Sep 06
Wow!
Congrats @Pierre Ohlmann for winning the Golden Pick Award!
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Benjamin Jack
Sep 04
Super job!!! That was fast!
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Amazing! Congratulations!!
Congrats @Thomas Folks for winning the Silver Pick Award!
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Benjamin Jack
Sep 04
Congrats! Great work!!
Congrats @T. Tinari for winning the Jade Pick Award!
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Great job! Congrats!
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Benjamin Jack
Sep 02
Great work! Gaining your pre-reset picks I see...
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T. Tinari
Sep 03
@Benjamin Jack exactly! Not sure if I'm trying to get to your level though 😂
Congrats @Giulyo Barbosa for winning the Mythic collector badge!
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Benjamin Jack
Sep 02
Great job!
In the hands-on section, in the scale driller, the sound have change, it have way to much sustain, it blur everything after one pass... Am I the only one who experience this??
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@W Steele how do i change that? thanks
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i see the guitar is broken...
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Benjamin Jack
Sep 02
It costs 12 coins to fix. This just seems to happen randomly, though it is less likely to happen the higher the durability rating of the guitar.
Congrats @Igor Ishchenko for winning the Golden Pick Award!
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Petr Hartmann
Aug 30
Congrats Igor! My daylies are also accompanied by espressos 😅