I think that when to cut strings is a matter of personal preference, but for me I like to cut them after winding. It also takes some practice to become good at restringing. Expect to make some mistakes, ruin a few strings, and get a few of them wound unevenly on the peg. Try to get a nice even coil of string that coils toward the headstock or bottom of the peg, not toward the outer edge of the peg. This involves holding the string fairly tightly down with one finger while you wind it. After awhile you will be able to get them on perfectly and when you do they will also hold tune better.

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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...

100 watt Marshall Stack.

Thanks. I'm a little scared to do this if I have to, but it'll be good practice I think for me. I know I want more strings (I might go with the Ernie Ball pack) and a cutter along with a neck workbench.

How often do you change strings? I practice about a half hour every day or every other day.

EDIT: Also, I was thinking of getting a wall poster with chords. I've been looking at a Hal Leonard one and one that's like a whiteboard.

Has anyone ever used this type of Guitar "poster"? It's a whiteboard from what it sounds like. Is it any good?
http://books-videos-music.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alfred-Shredhed-Chord-Board-for-Guitar-Poster?sku=501724

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

How often you change strings depends on alot of things: Like how much you play, keeping your hands clean before playing, even humidity in the air can make a difference. When you start to lose some of the clear sparkily tone for a more dull tone it will be time to re-string. It varies for me between 1 month to 3 months max. I dont gig or play alot outside of the house. I do alot of string bends when I play, so they do get a workout. Wipe the strings down after each time you play and they will last longer. I also have a chord poster in my guitar room and it comes in handy for practicing different chords.

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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...

World Peace?


Ask for new strings...I like to keep some extra sets around

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Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Sorry to keep asking so many questions. When I went to the support guide, they mentioned a 'feeler gauge'. What is that? Is that some sort of tool to put under the strings to measure the space between the strings and the fret? I've tried to see if GC or MF had this but came up empty. If it is an important tool, where would I get it? Thanks.

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

LadyVendettaAngel,

Some things to ask for for Christmas for the guitarist just starting out:

1. Beginners guitar book with instructional DVD
2. Guitar tuner (if you do not already have one)
3. Strings (your choice of brand and gauge) I use 9's and 10's
4. String winder or wire cutters to change strings
5. If you do not already have an amp---an amp.

As far as when to change strings, I change the strings on my guitars every month. I play at least an hour a day (but I rotate between 2 guitars). I sweat a lot, and even wiping the guitar and strings after every use I still have to change them once a month.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

LadyVendettaAngel
Changing your strings ain't no big thing.
1. One string at a time
2. Remove old string run new string thru body
3. Wrap string around post 3 times then run thru hole and pull tight
4. tug on the string gently while you wind the tuner key to keep the wrap even until it is close to pitch
5. Repeat these steps except on high e and b strings run the string thru the hole again after a half wrap to prevent slippage.
6. expect to tune it a few times at first as the strings stretch out I usally tug on the strings while I do this to help get the slack out of the wraps
7. You WILL break a string or two so don't freak out. Get used to changing them then when it does happens at the worst time You'll be right back in action. I still save my old set of strings just in case I'm run out of new ones

Changing strings can be tough when you're just starting out. You'll break them, cut them too short, wind them too many times and it'll just drive you crazy. But it's an extremely important skill to learn, and you'll get better every time you do it.

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Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
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I change mine when they get sounding dead and won't stay in tune, when they break (rarely actually), or when they just get grungy.

As for cutting them before or after changing them--with slotted machine heads you cut them before if you put the string into the hole, or either if you just bend it horizontally in the slot.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

Here is a set of feeler guages of various thicknesses.


Feeler guages can be found at hardware or automotive stores. In the guitar world feeler guages can be used to measure relief (how straight or bowed a guitar neck is).
It takes a certain amount of skill to adjust relief because it involves adjusting the truss rod in the neck, and too extreme adjustments can cause the neck to become back-bowed or up-bowed. It's best left to a professional to do. Chances are your guitar is OK for now, so keep on rockin'. Maybe down the road some time have your guitar "setup" by a pro.

I got my Bro In Law a black Fender T-Shirt for his birthday. He was ecstatic, loved it.

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Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is like calling a drug dealer an undocumented pharmicist.

I just ordered the Fender pinup western style shirt. Looks to be $@!&.


If you are super nervous about stringing, you can order some locking tuners for about $70.

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Uhhh...that $70 would be much better spent elsewhere, in my opnion. And whoever is going to install them is certainly not going to do it for free! The main purpose of locking tuners is to increase tuning stability during extreme string bending or whammy bar use. Locking tuners are not to be used as an excuse to avoid learning how to change strings the old fashioned way. Besides, changing strings on locking tuners is not much different than doing it with regular tuners except there are a few less turns of the tuner shaft.

EVERY guitarist should know how to properly change strings. It's easy

I asked my instructor when ido you need to change strings. His response: "it's like sex, if you don't remember the last time you did it, you need to change them."

He showed me how to string the low E. I did the rest. Got down to high E and BOING. Broke it. the owner gave me another one, and I replaced it later. The Elixer site has a good video on restringing. That guy did all 6 in around 3 minutes!!!!

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2015 Epiphone Casino Goldtop
2011 Taylor 814ce
2009 EC Custom Shop Merc Blue
2008 Schecter ATX
1964 Epi Granada E444T
Fender Super Champ XD