Which acoustic guitar string should i pick ..factor to consider?

Question

i want to change my guitar string and i have i play with my guitar since last year and nowadays the soundof the guitar is getting duller. Furthermore when i play wif a pick it sounded crap!. i think its time to change dont u think ?

what factors to consider when choosing guitar strings??
i'm a beginner and i hope u could help me

Answer 1

I'm assuming that you have a nylon string acoustic guitar. If this is so, avoid steel strings altogether. They will pull off your bridge and put too much strain on your neck. If your strings are more than six months old and they are starting to sound the way you describe, changing them would be a great idea. If your guitar has nylon strings, replace them with the same. If it has steel strings, consider a nice set of phosphor Bronze strings. Yamaha, Martin, GHS, and D'Addario all make good strings.

Make sure you have a peg winder, wire cutters, and a decent pitch source or tuner when you do this, and if you are not sure, ask somebody to show you haw. It could be someone at the shop that sold you the guitar or strings, or it could be a friend, but there are a couple of tricks that make changing strings a lot easier so don't be afraid to ask.

You should probably lean towards light gauge strings (or extra light) if you are a beginner. Take the guitar with you if you are not sure what you have now. It also helps to keep the strings clean once you replace them.

Answer 2

Go to this site:
http://www.guitar.about.com/
try this one first, it seems to be the best, the other sites you have to search around for changing strings.
http://www.stringingyourguitar.com/
http://www.stringitup.com/
On the one above type in changing strings.
If you play a lot I would change them every three months, if there over a year old I would definitely change them. As for what strings ask someone at the Guitar Center, It depends on what kind of guitar you have, and if you want ball end or otherwise, there are so many types of strings, they have nylon for classical guitar, bass, acoustic, there are all types of gauges, the clerk at the Center will advise you as to what type you should have for your type of playing and your type of guitar. The price range varies also, you can go as low as $8.00 - $50.00 dollars, the average is from $12.00 - $20.00. check out those site that I gave you, they show you everything from how to change your strings to how to clean your guitar, hope this helps you, bye ! P.S. the guitarpicker 56 had some good advice also, it's always good if you don't know what your doing to take it to someone who does !

Answer 3

I am going to assume that you have a steel string acoustic guitar, as opposed to a nylon strung guitar (classical or flamenco).

That said, I would buy .11s gauge strings (which are not to heavy/hard to fret). Just go in a music store and as for gauge 11s for acoustic.
However, if you have not restrung a guitar before, you might want to buy a general guitar book that gives tips on how to do it right. Or get the music store to do it.

Answer 4

Choosing guitar strings is really a matter of trial and error. When you find something you like, you stick with it. For me, I use only D'Addario phosphor-bronze strings on my acoustic because I like the way they sound and feel. I use medium gauge strings because that's the gauge I'm most comfortable with. Now, you may try these strings on my recommendation and find out you don't like them. That's why it's so hard to give someone good advice as to what strings to buy.

P.S.: Check out the following website for some of the best prices on guitars and gear.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

Answer 5

You've had some good responses thus far. Regardless the type guitar you have--classical or conventional flat-top--take it to a reputable music store and ask for guidelines on which set of strings to choose.

After making your selection, have the guitar technician at the store install them as you watch.

Contrary to some replies, I started using heavy gauge strings when I began to play because I wanted to accentuate the bass and build up my calluses as fast as possible. Currently, I use medium gauge strings on all my guitars.

Thumbs-downer: ? Would you care to elaborate in a message to me?

Answer 6

Dude, sounds like you are WAY overdue to change those strings! But if you have never done this before, it might be worth it to you to bring your guitar to your local music store and let them show you how to do it, and help you chose the right strings for you. After that you can do it yourself, and do try to change them more often!