Guitar Strings for Dummies

[lw216316]

Have you ever read any of those "..(some subject) For Dummies " books ?

I'd like to find a " Guitar Strings for Dummies " book 

I would look for answers to questions I have about strings.

1. Could a right-handed guitar be turned into a left-handed guitar by simply
putting the strings in reverse order - this would put the bass strings on top for the lefty and the trebles on the bottom.

2. How is it that a range of guages can work for one string positon ?
For example, I see guages for the low E that may be in the 50-56 range.

- what is the practical limit for the range of guages that can be used on any particular string position ?

3. Is there a practical limit to how close in guage one string postition can be to another ?
For example- if you have a 56 guage low E string - then how much lower in guage must the A string be in order to work ?
I assume they cannot be the same guage. It is common to see 46 and 56 next to each other but could you have a 50 & 56 ?

4. On my classical guitar I've always used normal tension strings.
I don't understand how high tension strings can be used.
I would think the tone (frequency) of a high tension string would be a higher note.

5. One time I put a new string in the wrong position when I changed the set.
I could not get the guitar to tune - then noticed and fixed my mistake and it tuned ok.
I don't understand why a different guage string could not be made to work by just tuning it tighter or looser as needed.

6. why can't an affordable set of strings be made of a metal that does not rust or corode ?
Even if you had to pay $100 for a set that had some precious metal in it - you would save money in the long run because the strings might last for years. Wonder what aluminum strings would sound like ? Or strings with a thin coat of silver, gold or platinum ?

If you have read " Guitar Strings for Dummies " and know some answers (or just know the answers)
please share them with a guitar string dummy       

- Larry

[ronmac]

I'll give this a go...

1. Could a right-handed guitar be turned into a left-handed guitar by simply
putting the strings in reverse order - this would put the bass strings on top for the lefty and the trebles on the bottom.

Yes, with some modification. Larrivee guitars are especially easy as they have a symmetrical bracing pattern. You will need to remove the saddle, fill the slot and reroute it for the correct  offset angle to insure the guitar intonates properly

2. How is it that a range of guages can work for one string positon ?
For example, I see guages for the low E that may be in the 50-56 range.

- what is the practical limit for the range of guages that can be used on any particular string position ?

12 string and high strung guitars often use a 10~12 on the low E. Smaller than that and it would likely be uncomfortable; larger than 56 would put too much tension for most modern guitars, and you would risk either the bridge lifting or the top distorting, over time.

3. Is there a practical limit to how close in guage one string postition can be to another ?
For example- if you have a 56 guage low E string - then how much lower in guage must the A string be in order to work ?
I assume they cannot be the same guage. It is common to see 46 and 56 next to each other but could you have a 50 & 56 ?

Most sets have selected gauges that offer a fairly even feel when tuned to tension. That is why some like to use a mixed set when using alternate tunings.

4. On my classical guitar I've always used normal tension strings.
I don't understand how high tension strings can be used.
I would think the tone (frequency) of a high tension string would be a higher note.

High tension strings use a heavier gauge for the wire string core. This requires slightly more tension to tune to the same frequency.

5. One time I put a new string in the wrong position when I changed the set.
I could not get the guitar to tune - then noticed and fixed my mistake and it tuned ok.
I don't understand why a different guage string could not be made to work by just tuning it tighter or looser as needed.

You can get the guitar to tune to the right note, but it would be higher (or lower) pitch relative to the adjacent strings.

6. why can't an affordable set of strings be made of a metal that does not rust or corode ?
Even if you had to pay $100 for a set that had some precious metal in it - you would save money in the long run because the strings might last for years. Wonder what aluminum strings would sound like ? Or strings with a thin coat of silver, gold or platinum ?

Because the guy that makes the strings is a cousin to the guy that has hidden the secrets to getting more mpg out of our automobiles. It's a gosh darn conspiracy, I tell ya...

[timcw4]

Also...if you paid $100 for a set of strings and one broke,  you'd be out...let's see...carry the two...knot + knot is knot...like a lotta $ 

[lw216316]

thanks roncon     

I'm glad I found someone who has read "Guitar Strings for Dummies " and has a good memory

or if you did not read the book ...maybe you should write one !

High tension strings use a heavier gauge for the wire string core. This requires slightly more tension to tune to the same frequency.   

this makes sense to me

You can get the guitar to tune to the right note, but it would be higher (or lower) pitch relative to the adjacent strings.

I'm not sure I understand this -   I thought the note and the pitch were the same thing - (same frequency).


- Larry

[ronmac]

thanks roncon     

I'm glad I found someone who has read "Guitar Strings for Dummies " and has a good memory

I have never read the book, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn.

I'm not sure I understand this -   I thought the note and the pitch were the same thing - (same frequency).


- Larry

Assuming the guitar is tuned to standard EADGBE, we expect that each string is tuned in the normal fashion of notes low E to high E, with each string being a smaller diameter and a higher relative frequency than the previous one. If you mix up two of the strings it is still possible to have each of them tuned to the correct note in the scale, but in order to do so you must put more tension on the heavier string and less on the lighter one. This will change the relative frequency relationship to the adjacent strings.

Put another way, perhaps simpler to visualize,  think of a piano with its linear scale of notes. If you switched the strings of two positions using the same note, but different octave, you would experience the same relationship as the guitar string scenario. You will hear the right note, it just wouldn't be in the right octave.

[lw216316]

I need to find me a good Holida Inn express 

aaaahhhh, octives -  that I understand 

I remember that happening the time I put two strings in the wrong positions.
As I tried to tune I would feel like I was an octive too high or low....now I understand.

I just love it when I get good , straight answers to my questions by someone who has read the Dummy books or has stayed at a holiday Inn and know what they are talking about..
and does not get off subject and answer questions I did not ask.

You da (Holiday Inn) man 

- Larry