changing guitar strings??? stupid question, but please help??

Question

i know how to change them...but i just broke one, and i'm wondering if i should replace all of my guitar strings right now. i mean, i just bought a new package of them and the strings i have on now have been on since march. i'm just wondering because people always say "don't change your guitar strings all at the same time" or "dont change them all at once"...i don't know....

Answer 1

There are a few factors to consider here: Most importantly, the kind of guitar you're playing. An electric guitar is much more "forgiving" --- if you break a string and replace just that string, you probably won't notice a huge difference. Since an electric guitar has to be "processed", or at least plugged in, to get any kind of substantial tone, one new string will not make a huge difference. The exception would be if the strings are REALLY old, or if you play a lot and your sweat erodes all the strings so much that you should just change them at that point anyway.

If you're playing a nice acoustic guitar -- or especially, a classical guitar --- you HAVE to change the strings one at a time. If you're changing the entire set, replace the broken one first. Then remove one string and replace that, then another string and replace that, and so on. The tension on the neck of those guitars needs to remain consistent; you can really throw things out of whack if you take off all the strings and replace them in one fell swoop. Again, this isn't nearly as critical on an electric guitar.

Something else to consider is, who's going to hear you? Do you perform live? Sit by yourself and play? One of my electric guitars gets used in live performance a LOT. I change the strings at least every two or three weeks, so they rarely even get a chance to break. But I want to sound my absolute best in a stage situation, so the time and expense is worth it to me.

Another guitar is just a back-up. I sit and pluck around the house, but don't get too concerned if it's not maintained as well as the other one. If I break a string, I'll replace just that string, because nobody's going to hear it except me. The exception to this is if those strings are already old, in which case breaking a string gives me a chance to change the whole set.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

If your set of strings are two weeks old or older at the time a string breaks I recommend changing them all. Two arguments exist about the method of changing.

1. Changing one string at a time allows you to tune up as you go. Most guitarists own a tuner or can tune by another instrument or tuning forks.

2. By removing all the strings at once the player can clean the fretboard and apply fresh oil, rubbing it in--if it is made of rosewood. Even ebony fretboards need to be cleaned and you cannot do that if five other strings are still attached.

The only time I change one string is when the complete set is fresh and I pop one of them.

Answer 3

I teach guitar for a living.... and I change my strings at the minimum every two weeks. But then I am playing my guitar 30 hours a week, sometimes.
If you replace only one string, then that string will sound very bright compared to the other older strings... so if a string breaks... replace them all!
paige

Answer 4

it is as much as you. you are able to replace the single string which will sound brighter than the older strings yet while the strings have been put in recently, changing the single string won't make a huge difference. If the strings have been on the tool for a on an identical time as, it is in all possibility a reliable theory to positioned on a sparkling set.

Answer 5

yes if you break one string change the whole set. keeps the same tone

what i meant was when changing the strings, go one at a time. do not remove all the strings and then put them back on, just go one at a time.

Answer 6

Different strings wear at different rates so it's not likely they are all as worn as the one that broke. I would just change the one. I'm not sure why some people say not to chane them all at once.

Answer 7

Change them all at once. I play ukulele and its really really noticeable the difference in tones. Change them all