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Re: how do i change my guitar strings

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Posted by Jim Walczak (from: ) on January 08, 2003 at 07:45:14:

In Reply to: Re: how do i change my guitar strings posted by someone on December 31, 2002 at 21:51:29:

: Go with nine's...remove the original strings...put the new ones in with the opposite procedure

Something that I've found that helps, that most new players aren't aware of when changing strings. I try to get as many wind's around the tuning peg as I can, without over lapping them. This will help your tuning stability, especially if you have a tremelo/whammy. Also, changing your strings is also a great time to clean, polish and check the guitar itself! You can purchase stuff like "Martin Guitar Polish" or other brands, but I've found over the years that "Old English" funature polish works the best. If your guitar has a rosewood or ebony fretboard, its also a good time to oil your fretboard a little (depending on how often you change your strings, you may not want to do this -every- time, but its a good time to inspect). You may also want to check out www.Fender.com and look under the "Mr Gearhead" stuff...there's allot of other helpful DIY info there, you should find very useful.

For string sizes themselves, there is no right or wrong size...its all a matter of personal taist. If your new to playing, you may want to stick with 8's or 9's as they are -allot- easier on new fingers with little or new calluses :-) However, if your looking for better tone, then 10's or 11's may be in order...the thicker the string, the better the sound usually. One thing to keep in mind if you do change sizes...you will probably also need to check/reset the intonation. This is done by adjusting the saddles under the strings at the bridge...you can find more info about this also at the Fender/Mr. Gearhead website. Fender bullets are pretty good strings if you have a Strat or strat copy, however personally, I am a long time fan of GHS "Boomers"...they seem to have a nice balance between tone and durability. Anytime I've ever tried some other brand of strings, I always have come back to the boomers...but this is a personal taist thing as well.

Good luck and gentle breezes towards the future!
Jim

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: : Go with nine's...remove the original strings...put the new ones in with the opposite procedure : Something that I've found that helps, that most new players aren't aware of when changing strings. I try to get as many wind's around the tuning peg as I can, without over lapping them. This will help your tuning stability, especially if you have a tremelo/whammy. Also, changing your strings is also a great time to clean, polish and check the guitar itself! You can purchase stuff like "Martin Guitar Polish" or other brands, but I've found over the years that "Old English" funature polish works the best. If your guitar has a rosewood or ebony fretboard, its also a good time to oil your fretboard a little (depending on how often you change your strings, you may not want to do this -every- time, but its a good time to inspect). You may also want to check out www.Fender.com and look under the "Mr Gearhead" stuff...there's allot of other helpful DIY info there, you should find very useful. : For string sizes themselves, there is no right or wrong size...its all a matter of personal taist. If your new to playing, you may want to stick with 8's or 9's as they are -allot- easier on new fingers with little or new calluses :-) However, if your looking for better tone, then 10's or 11's may be in order...the thicker the string, the better the sound usually. One thing to keep in mind if you do change sizes...you will probably also need to check/reset the intonation. This is done by adjusting the saddles under the strings at the bridge...you can find more info about this also at the Fender/Mr. Gearhead website. Fender bullets are pretty good strings if you have a Strat or strat copy, however personally, I am a long time fan of GHS "Boomers"...they seem to have a nice balance between tone and durability. Anytime I've ever tried some other brand of strings, I always have come back to the boomers...but this is a personal taist thing as well. : Good luck and gentle breezes towards the future! : Jim

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