| Strings are often overlooked when diagnosing | | | | dirt, causing them to lose much of their brightness. Also, |
| problems with a guitar, but modern strings are actually | | | | as the strings age and stretch, their tension lowers, |
| quite high tech and precision made. Simply put, they | | | | which also affects their brightness. |
| are the tonal source - where the sound starts on your | | | | Playability problems |
| guitar, and - as with hi-fi or PA - the sound source is | | | | Let's face it - a guitar with old strings is usually not nice |
| the most important factor in sound quality. So it is not | | | | to play. Corrosion can give strings the feel of having a |
| surprising that many setup procedures begin with a | | | | sharp, serrated edge while dirt and grime both dull the |
| fresh set of strings and changing them regularly is | | | | attack and tone as well as feeling grimy and dragging |
| essential to ensure top performance from your | | | | on the fingertips while playing. |
| instrument. | | | | General info |
| String problems | | | | String change frequency |
| String which are dirty, worn, corroded or just plain | | | | The durability of a string depends on its type, how it is |
| cheap and nasty are more often than not the cause | | | | played, atmospherics and how it is maintained. But as a |
| of tuning, intonation tonal or playability problems and | | | | ballpark figure, someone who plays once a day should |
| caring for your strings. | | | | be changing once a month. If you play frequently or for |
| Tuning problems | | | | lengthy periods, you should change more often. An |
| Strings stretch as they age, the metal they are made | | | | important point is that even unplayed strings age once |
| from changes over a period of time, and their elasticity | | | | they are on a guitar, thanks to high tensions and |
| (ability to return to their original shape) is impaired. | | | | corrosion. So even an unused guitar should have its |
| Intonation problems | | | | strings changed if they are older than three months. |
| If there is an excessive amount of dirt on the strings, | | | | What type/brand of strings? |
| the build-up can cause artificial node points, which can | | | | The type of string is dependant on the type of guitar |
| produce odd notes in alongside the note which is being | | | | and is fairly obvious: nylon guitars such as classical or |
| sounded, causing dissonance. Node points are also | | | | flamenco instruments use nylon strings, Steel guitars |
| often created by flat spots under the string where it | | | | use steel strings and electric guitars use steel strings. |
| has worn on the surface of the frets. The gradual | | | | Further than that, the most important thing is personal |
| stretching of the strings as they age also makes their | | | | taste in sound and feel. There is way more information |
| thickness inconsistent, so the intonation changes from | | | | to go into depth here, but if you are not sure, stick to |
| length to length along the string. | | | | reputable brands like Ernie Ball, Martin or D'Addario, |
| Tonal problems | | | | which generally assure you of a consistent and reliable |
| Approximately 80-90% of a guitar's basic tone comes | | | | level of quality. |
| from the stings, with the guitar itself only colouring this | | | | Making strings last |
| basic tone. The grooves in a round-wound string | | | | String maintenance is easy - simply clean them after |
| provide most of the upper order (higher pitched) | | | | each playing session with a soft, lint free cloth. This |
| harmonics and partials, which form the brilliance | | | | wipes of excess dirt and corrosive sweat which age |
| brightness of the sound and in turn this affects the | | | | the strings prematurely and ensures that they sound |
| attack notes (which is why flatwound string sound | | | | better for longer. A string cleaning product designed |
| relatively dull and bassy with a smoother attack | | | | specifically for the purpose can also lengthen the life of |
| compared to roundwound strings). When strings are | | | | strings by removing more of the corrosive elements |
| played, these grooves gradually fill in with corrosion or | | | | and dirt (but sadly can do nothing for the stretching). |