Two hours and two strings later

[Rosemary]

I've just changed the strings to my acoustic guitar for the first time but am not really happy with the result. I have a feeling some might be too tight but if I loosen them and start again I'm worried they'll break and I've already gone through a few. I'm half inclined to take it to a guitar shop tomorrow and pay someone to do it or at least check whether it's ok. The chords sound brighter but the action seems different. I treat this guitar like gold - keeping it in its case when not in use etc. so am a bit concerned about doing anything to it but changing strings seems something everyone does so thought I'd better give it a try.
Any hints on string changing would be welcome (I've looked it up on books and on the web and watched numerous instructional Youtube videos but couldn't really see what they were doing when it came to the winding bits). My main concern is whether winding them too tightly might damage the guitar itself but then I'm not really sure if they're too tight either. They just feel different.
Thanks
Best wishes
Rosemary

[noelford]

Rosemary, I have to say I'm not sure what you mean by 'too tight'. I assume you ARE using a standard guitar tuning of EADGBE?, correctly pitched? If so, the amount of 'tightness' is not an option.

[Rosemary]

Hi Noel
Thanks for your reply.
I had a re-think about what I wrote. A string has to be a certain tension for the correct pitch so being too tight doesn't make a lot of sense, does it.

I thought the distance between the strings and the fretboard towards the bridge was higher than it used to be - as though the bridge had lifted - but it hasn't.

I'm using standard tuning and D'Addario phosphor bronze EJ16 Light .012 - .053

The guitar is a Tanglewood solid top acoustic and this is the first time the strings have been changed and also the first time I've ever changed strings as I'm a beginner.
It's all a bit daunting - especially when the strings snapped when I was winding them.

Bets wishes
Rosemary

[ecca]

Got any pitch pipes Rosemary ?

Try here....

http://www.tunemybass.com/

Go to '6 string guitar' and then 'Standard'

[Rosemary]

Hi Eric
Thanks for the link. That's a nice little app so I've bookmarked it. I have a tuning fork, a Technics keyboard, an iPhone pocket guitar and a tuner in the guitar so it's spot on in tune at least. I think I'm getting used to playing it again now. It just felt a bit different with new strings and at my stage I get easily thrown by anything different especially when I'm the cause of the difference.
all the best
Rosemary

[Bill Bowley]

Rosemary,

This is not a 'classical' guitar by some chance is it? I ask that because what you are describing is how one of those reacts if you incorrectly fit steel strings instead of nylon. Just a thought.................

[Rosemary]

Hi Bill
Thanks. It's an acoustic guitar but I only learnt the difference between acoustics and classicals a few months ago actually.
The new strings seem fine now so it was probably just a case of lack of confidence and imagination.
It's not a particularly neat job but it's in tune and that's the main thing.
Best wishes
Rosemary

[noelford]

Rosemary, a classical guitar IS an acoustic guitar. Acoustic simply means that the guitar has no electric pick-up. Classical guitars are strung with nylon strings. There are also electro acoustics which are acoustic guitars which also have an acoustic pick-up (which is internal).

[Nick Allan]

Rosemary,

It is difficult to advise without seeing the guitar, but you may get problems with some guitars if you wind on to the capstan the entire length of the available string, instead of only winding on what is needed to make it fast and cutting off the excess length.

Don't know if this might be the problem, but it is worth getting someone who knows about guitars to show you how it should be done. After that, it will be easy.

All the best,

Nick

[roger bayliss]

Another tip Rosemary is change one string at a time not take all off and then replace.. maintains some of the tension in the neck that way. I always change from fat to thin as well might be obvious but worth saying.. If the strings are a different make to what came off they will sound a little different and should generally sound brighter than those you fetch off. I personally like Martin strings for my accoustics 80/20 bronze as I do not get along so well with the phosphor bronze 92/8 variety (personal preference) When you buy Martin strings they generally pack them two together and suggest changing bottom E then G then A then B then D then top E and thats what works for me

HTH Roger