Strings are one of the most important components of a guitar. Acoustic guitars commonly come with metal strings (made from steel alloy core). However, it’s not necessarily unusual to find acoustic guitars with nylon strings attached. Are nylon or steel strings better for acoustic guitars? Though acoustic and classical guitar are technically both acoustic (they…

The market provides a healthy variety of musical instruments and accessories, including a vast range of guitar string styles. When choosing a new set of strings, you may be wondering whether to opt for coated or uncoated strings. What are the differences between coated and uncoated strings? Coated strings are coated with a polymer layer…

A guitar is never truly complete without strings. While it’s obvious that an unstrung guitar cannot be played properly, a more nuanced question is in relation to storing guitars without strings. Can I store my guitar safely without strings? Guitars can be safely stored with or without strings as long as they are kept safe…

Guitar-strings gauge has been a discussion topic for guitar players since they were invented. They indeed change the instrument’s sound drastically, but do they make you sound better? Do heavier/thicker gauge guitar strings sound better? Heavier gauge strings produce darker, more sustained tones. More vibrating metal in front of the pickup’s magnetic field generates more…

It’s always recommended that you change your guitar strings every 3 months (or after 100 hours of playing time) and bass guitar strings whenever they start losing their optimal tone. These norms are not always followed consistently, though. In fact, some guitarists may feel unsure about changing their strings out of fear that the new…

Guitar strings tend to detune frequently upon first set up. The reason for this is because they are mostly made from a highly resilient material. By applying tension, the strings will try to revert to their previous position. However, as they are attached to the bridge and tuning peg of the guitar, being pushed in…

The odds of a guitar string breaking while performing are largely dependent on your instrument, playing style, and the quality/age of the strings. Breaking a string is a real possibility in live, studio and practice environments, and it’s important to know how to handle these kinds of situations. What should I do if I break…

The string gauge you choose to put in your bass will change your experience with the instrument. Moreover, it might be a game-changer for your tone and music, so what is the right gauge for you? Should you use light or heavy gauge bass guitar strings? Though lighter gauge bass strings don’t produce as much…

Guitar action is an incredibly important aspect of a guitar setup. First and foremost, it affects comfort and playability but also plays a role in potential string gauge options and may even affect the guitar’s overall tone. Does guitar action/string height affect tone? Guitar action (the height between the frets and the strings) affects tone…

Playing classical guitar with a pick could be considered almost the equivalent of a sacrilege for some instrumentalists. In recent decades, we have witnessed a good number of renowned guitarists using picks on classical guitars, to wit: Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, and Willie Nelson have all played classical nylon strings with a pick, to…

Strings don’t last forever. If they did, they wouldn’t still be sold nowadays to replace old or damaged ones. This has allowed manufacturers such as E.& O. Mari, D’Addario, or Martin to continue producing and selling string for a very long time (centuries, in some cases). How long do guitar and bass strings last in their packaging? Vacuum-sealed packaging keeps…