Making The Most Out Of Your Guitar Strings

Is that new set of strings strings you bought just 2 weeks ago rusting already? Do you snap your strings every other time you play? Feel the pinch everytime you have to stock up your guitar strings?

Well, here are some tips to help you make the most out of your beloved strings.

Tip #1: Wipe 'Em

The best thing you can ever do for your strings is to wipe them with a cloth everytime (yes, everytime) after you play, just before you put your guitar in the casing. This is especially important if you have sweaty palms or acidic fingers, to prevent your strings from rusting prematurely. Remember to wipe underneath the strings too.

Tip #2: Buy Coated

Coated strings like the DR Extra Life last much longer (about 3 times) than normal uncoated strings. Sure, they cost much more than normal strings, but the tone they give plus the life the coated strings give are totally worth it.

Tip #3: Switch to Nylon

When choosing a pick, choose a medium (0.80mm to 1mm thickness - if it is too thin, it gives too much flapping sound) nylon pick. The material is very important because if you use the hard plastic type, these tend to be much harsher on your strings and your guitar. You'll be surprised how much less often your strings snap by simply changing from using a hard plastic pick to a nylon pick. My personal recommendation is the green color (0.96mm) Jim Dunlop RIFFS series.
 

Tip #4: Try a Heavier Gauge

Frankly, I'm surprised at how many people will buy and fit .10s or even .09s (the number indicates the thickness of the thinnest string - the 1st string - measured in inches) strings on their acoustic guitar. Not only does this affect your tone (makes your playing sound trashy - a lot of noise), but it also makes your strings more susceptible to snapping. Thinner strings break more easily. Its as simple as that. My personal opinion is that you should never put anything thinner than .11s on an acoustic guitar. my favorite gauge is .12s.

Some people may think that thicker strings means it is more difficult to press, but this may not necessarily be true. Sometimes the reason you find it difficult to press your chords are because of the action of your guitar. Bring your guitar down to a local luthier (you can go to Luthermusic or Sinamex Guitar Hospital) and have it adjusted. You'll be amazed at what they can do to your guitar.

Note: make sure your guitar is properly set up for that particular gauge.

Tip #5: DR Stringlife

I've used this product and love it. Can't live without it. Its actually a basic applicator on the bottle that you can use to apply directly on the strings. Its supposed to be able to transform your normal strings into a quality similar to coated strings. I believe it will significantly extend the life of your strings. Another great product from DR.

Tip #6: Keep it in the Bag

The climate conditions in Singapore are very humid, and this is very bad for your strings, and can accelerate the oxidation (rusting) of your strings. So in order to prevent this, always keep your guitar in the bag or casing whenever you're not using it. Leaving your guitar overnight on a guitar stand at home is like committing murder to your strings and your guitar. The only exception when this is okay is if your room is air-conditioned and humidity levels are kept around 50%.

Tip #7: Use pencil to draw in the groove of the nut

Leave pencil lead mark in the groove of the nut next time you change string. This might sound weird, but I've try it and it works. It work on the theory of lessening the friction in the groove when the strings is being tune, therefor less wear and tear.

Tip #8: Time for a Checkup?

Sometimes the reasaon why your strings snap so often is because of the set up of your guitar, or maybe the neck of your guitar has warped due to the climate conditions, thus increasing the tension exerted on your strings more than they can bear. The best thing to do is to bring your guitar down to a local guitar technician and have them adjust it for you. Who knows how many sets of strings you could have saved if you had just bothered to bring your guitar down for a checkup?

To Conclude...

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Thats all I have to say in a nutshell.  If you've learned something or you have further clarifications, feel free to drop us an email. We'll love to hear from you! Till then, have a great day and keep on practicing!

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Regards,

Jansen
Planet Of Rock Admin
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