Hey don't worry about it,everybody starts somewhere and you might even get poked in the finger...maybe not,but I've been changing strings for 40 years and still draw blood from time to time.
One thing is to get some extra strings,sometimes you might break a 1st or 2nd string tuning back up,and really the tricky part for people the first few times is holding tension on the string until you get it wound on the post...they're slippery little devils.

http://www.curtmangan.com/about_us/ try these is a 9.5 pure nickel-awesome

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

lady V, u tube has some great vids on string changing. give it a look if you get time. i try differnt' strings alot cause i change them alot. ernie ball and GHS have been good for me. i also got a bulk thing from carvin but the shipping kinda figures in to the overall cost of course. maybe just buy one set at a time till you find your favorite. me, i'm not picky at all. you however might find some that you prefer as others have. it's all up to you.
p.s. get a peg winder

Thanks everybody. I got a peg winder/cutter combo and a rest for the neck. Now I just have to suck it up and change those strings because they need it.

There's this string sampler online that looks interesting...six sets of different brands of strings for about 30 dollars. Maybe I'll just get some single packs and then use some trial and error. I got some free ones when I got my guitar (fender ones).

Again, thanks for the input. You all rock!

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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)

Just a question, can a guitar get seriously out of tune if you change your own strings? I've read some horror stories about how people who have changed their own strings got their guitar out of tune (for example, chords are off or the first fret won't play right)

_________________
"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)

Okay, thanks.

sorry for the barrage of questions that sound boring but I've never done this before. How often should you change strings? I play about 30min-1hr a day approximately.

_________________
"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)

LadyV, be sure to change one string at a time and tune the new string up to pitch. Stretch it out by pulling up on the string at the 12th fret. Pull it about twice (don't break it, be reasonable with your pull) and retune the string. It will go way flat after the pull. Repeat the process with the other strings. after you finish, you will need to touch up the tuning.

Don't you have a tuner? I have a stage tuner that can be used to tune the guitar without even hearing it.

Tip: After you detune the big e string, cut it in two at the 12th fret. Practice winding it around the post. You will learn something with out messing up your new string. You can cut the ball end off the other end of the string and practice with it too.

I put about three winds on the post for the wound strings and more for the unwound strings. each wind should be below the one that came before, getting closer to the peghead as you go.

Good luck.

+1 on the stretch caution. I'm a fairly big guy and often don't know my own strength so... my first try at stretching a high "E" and >POP<... I'm opening a fresh pack of strings because I was too heavy handed.

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

i honestly don't know what brand of strings i have. a dude at guitar center told me which kind he prefers. I'm pretty sure they were DR, but that was a while ago (i should probably change them again...). Also, depending on the tuning that your guitar is in, you might need heavier strings. If you play a lot of songs in like drop c or d or whatnot, you might want to get heavier strings because of the lower tuning. if you are playing in like standard, drop d, or half step, i would get lighter strings. it also depends on preference.... so yeah....

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randomness is always the answer!

Some people seem to think that there are only about 6 shops/factories in the world that make all of the strings to the individual specs required.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

If you think your strings are special, look at the list of companies that buy Mapes wire to manufacture guitar strings. Click Here

I think they're all pretty much the same. YMMV

_________________
You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

Okay, I don't know what a 'drop down' d or e or anything like that (I'm not advanced by any nature) . I'm just learning right now and I don't think I do any of those things yet. The Low E keeps buzzing right now and the upper strings have a kind of 'ping' sound so I'm thinking a change of strings?

I have a tuner, one that directly plugs into the jack and one that plugs through a cord to the amp. I'll have to look up some stage tuners.

Thanks for all the help. I've been youtubing last night and saw how to change the strings on my squier. It looks cut and dry with the stretching of strings and stuff. I'm just afraid of ruining my guitar (I'm a chicken you know what).

_________________
"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)

+1

I like Ernie Ball's Reg Slinky. I'd break pink.
the tension of the Green Slinky is slightly more than my classical which
I just so happen to use Ernesto Palla that also hold up well to my playing.

I didn't hear anything. I noticed that there's repacking online of the Fender strings and the old packaging is on clearance now. I noticed that at musiciansfriend.com I'm not sure if it's the exact same strings but they are Fender brand.

_________________
"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)