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Json Mondesir
Sep 10

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!

2 props

Cuantas Cuerdas
Sep 10

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!

1 props

Benjamin Jack
Sep 10

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!😀

3 props

Benjamin Jack
Sep 10

Also this is how to intonate an electric guitar:

1 props

Json Mondesir
Sep 11

@Benjamin Jack So many gems in this one, thank you so much! I asked many people about how to take care of these guitars and none of them mentioned changing the strings one at a time.

Thanks for all of the direct resources as well. There's just so much information and opinions on guitars, playing style, etc. it's just hard to sift through it all and know what is the fundamentals to build off of.

Seriously appreciate you!

1 props

Json Mondesir
Sep 11

@Cuantas Cuerdas @Benjamin Jack is dropping gems!!

2 props

Miles Walker
Sep 11

I don't necessarily agree with doing 1 string at a time... I guess you can do this if you don't need/want to clean the fretboard.

Winding technique will be different for the classical guitar. I'd look it up and also pay attention when you're removing the ones that are on there - it can be pretty fiddly on both ends. The bridge pins for the acoustic are different, but generally winding technique is the same for acoustic as electric guitars.

For electrics/acoustics, after threading at the bridge end, I always start with a couple of winds before threading the string through the post at the nut end. I pre-tension a bit when doing this (not completely slack) - then pull the string high off the fretboard after it's threaded while tightening the peg. This keeps the string neat around the post (I don't like the string overlapping around the post). In total about 3-4 winds is fine for thinner strings (once tensioned and ready to play), 2-3 for thicker strings.

You'll find people use different techniques, and there are different parameters to be aware of when using those... So I'd just pick the clearest instructions you can find and try it out. Good luck!

1 props

Benjamin Jack
Sep 11

You are right @Miles Walker changing the string one at a time is not strictly necessary, it is more of a habit I picked up because you need to do this for violin and harp/lyre.

There are few benefits of changing one string at a time on the guitar. For me it is just what I do on all of stringed instruments that I play because this is imperative for some instruments. It also does as I said keep the tension on the neck closer to the same, leading to possibly less stress/flexing of the neck, and you are less likely to break the strings next to the one you are changing.

And if you want to clean the fretboard, that is easy enough by slipping a microfiber cloth underneath the strings. I know a few players with very nice Taylor guitars who do this every time they play to remove finger grease. (I only do this a few times a year or if I notice grime.

0 props

Json Mondesir
Sep 13

@Miles Walker thanks Miles! to be honest, had to read this a few times just for it to make sense. I want to jump in and try this out step by step because I think the steps are a bit unclear due to not having been in the moment enough. But I'm making a list of things that people mention to me about this guitar stringing journey and looking for the items to pay the most attention to the first go-round. thanks again!

0 props

Json Mondesir
Sep 13

@Benjamin Jack when you're cleaning the guitar with the microfiber cloth, do you use some sort of lubricant or cleaner? Or do you use a dry one?

0 props

Benjamin Jack
Sep 13

@Json Mondesir I use a dry cloth.

1 props

Json Mondesir
Sep 13

@Benjamin Jack got it, big thanks!

0 props

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