There are lots of videos out there. You'll need a couple of tools. You can also go to your nearest guitar store and get them to do it and show you how. Should be around $20.
Personal preference...
If you are playing acoustic
Use fingers...pick will limit
You..why play rythm when you
Can play melody bass and
Rythm at once and wont
Break strings...
Unless you're a big Nick Drake fan, you want to change them relatively often. I usually change my acoustic sets out once every few months. Makes a marked difference in tone.
In terms of tools, I don't know how you'd do it without a wire cutter
For my acoustic, I use a kitchen spoon to pry the pegs out.
It's a simple process, very satisfying and somewhat meditative.
Make SURE you pick up all the strings! Nothing worse than getting stabbed by a .13 gauge end hidden in a rug!
For brands and types - I always liked nickel phosphorus... never loyal to a particular brand, I like mediums cause they project more - heavier strings always play worse and sound better. You have to find what you like best through trial and error.
Lastly - don't buy Elixir's. 30 years of playing, only brand I've ever had break while playing. 2 times.
True, but I guess I just always cut them with my linesmen pliers and never actually really thought about it being a special tool. When I was teaching it and playing more I just pried out the pegs with a hard pick, but maybe my guitar was easier.
By the way, you replace all six at once, but don't take them all off at once. It's not good for the neck to release all of the tension.
I change my strings when they break. If you use NAPTHA it keeps the strings in good shape. And I play and gig a LOT.
I like the Elixir Phosphor Bronze. Pretty good sounding and last a while. After the coating wears off, use NAPTHA to keep them lively.
Oh and I do a LOT of flat picking. I don't find it limiting at all. It's a different style. There's lots of things I can do with a flat-pick stylistically that I couldn't do with just fingers.
As far as changing them, simple. There are 80 billion youtube videos that you can watch that will give you decent info.
It's a great resource for all maintenance issues regarding acoustics.
I change strings every two weeks unless I'm using Elixirs at the time.
All non-coated strings start to lose their "chime" after a couple of weeks or so.
If you haven't changed strings in 2 years, you'll hear a remarkable difference in your guitar after you change them.
You've forgotten how good it can sound, but after changing them, it will be noticeable.
about cutting the strings all at once as you will telling you it will cause a problem. Cutting them all at once I only notice that I need to tune more at first. Perhaps it depends on the guitar.
There are lots of videos out there. You'll need a couple of tools. You can also go to your nearest guitar store and get them to do it and show you how. Should be around $20.
And you really should be changing them more frequently.
If you are playing acoustic
Use fingers...pick will limit
You..why play rythm when you
Can play melody bass and
Rythm at once and wont
Break strings...
More often they will rust
And ruin frets. .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xxeRFEP1Y4 - ( New Window )
For my acoustic, I use a kitchen spoon to pry the pegs out.
It's a simple process, very satisfying and somewhat meditative.
Make SURE you pick up all the strings! Nothing worse than getting stabbed by a .13 gauge end hidden in a rug!
For brands and types - I always liked nickel phosphorus... never loyal to a particular brand, I like mediums cause they project more - heavier strings always play worse and sound better. You have to find what you like best through trial and error.
Lastly - don't buy Elixir's. 30 years of playing, only brand I've ever had break while playing. 2 times.
By the way, you replace all six at once, but don't take them all off at once. It's not good for the neck to release all of the tension.
I like the Elixir Phosphor Bronze. Pretty good sounding and last a while. After the coating wears off, use NAPTHA to keep them lively.
Oh and I do a LOT of flat picking. I don't find it limiting at all. It's a different style. There's lots of things I can do with a flat-pick stylistically that I couldn't do with just fingers.
As far as changing them, simple. There are 80 billion youtube videos that you can watch that will give you decent info.
It's a great resource for all maintenance issues regarding acoustics.
I change strings every two weeks unless I'm using Elixirs at the time.
All non-coated strings start to lose their "chime" after a couple of weeks or so.
If you haven't changed strings in 2 years, you'll hear a remarkable difference in your guitar after you change them.
You've forgotten how good it can sound, but after changing them, it will be noticeable.
Link - ( New Window )