Most Problematic String

[JohnM2001]

Maybe it's my imagination, but over the years, when trying different acoustic flattop guitars, the one string that consistently seems to have unpleasant tones to my ear (even with brand new strings) is almost always the open G string.  IMO, that string most often sounds woofy, or hollow, and not as full and present as the others.  Am I way off here?  If not, why is that?  I'm thinking maybe because it is the smallest wound string, whose peg is furthest away from the nut, and what I'm hearing stems from the same reason that string trees are used on electric guitars?

[honkytone]

Maybe it's my imagination, but over the years, when trying different acoustic flattop guitars, the one string that consistently seems to have unpleasant tones to my ear is almost always the open G string.  IMO, that string most often sounds woofy, or hollow, and not as full and present as the others.  Am I way off here?  If not, why is that?  I'm thinking maybe because it is the smallest wound string, whose peg is furthest away from the nut, and what I'm hearing stems from the same reason that string trees are used on electric guitars?

It does seem to be the least consistent or predictable string.  All the reasons you proffer seem relevant.  I'd add that the compensated bridge saddles everyone uses these days--where the G string is set back on a little ridge--might be a factor.  That ridge creates a differently contoured surface from the other strings.  Maybe leaving more windings on the tuner post of the G string--so that the string is down as close to the peghead as possible, maximizing the angle of the string as it comes out of the nut--might help.  I suspect, though, it mostly has to do with it being the smallest wound string and the physical/sonic limitations that implies.

[Imapickn]

"D" string.... yep, "D" strings on most guitars sound so imbalanced to my ear. ..  
and of course.... there is the problamatic "B"...  :blink:
Don

[jwieties]

The "g" string certainly is the one that breaks the most often.  As I understand it, the quality of classical guitars is often judged by the tone of the "g" string.  In lessor quality classical guitars the "g" string often sound much more quiet and has less sustain then the other strings.
-josh

uh hu hu hu... I said g-string

[TaylorFishin']

The "G" string is usually the one that breaks after repetitive tuning up and down but the "B" string is always the one that sounds slightly out of tune to my ear.

I usually must touch up the "b" string tuning depending on the Key I'm playing in. It drives me crazy at times and other times I never notice it.  :blink:

Scott

[mazareth]

The "B" string is the one I always seen to have problems with...

[onewiley3]

One of you guys mentioned that the G string is the first to break...i agree...therefore must it follow that if it breaks first, it is the one that wears first, thus also being the one that loses its clarity first. It seems to me that the poor tone of the G string is not obvious on new strings, but as the strings wear, the difference seems to be multiplied. So could the "poor tone" of the G string be a result of it just wearing out faster?

[unclrob]

I was going to say something stupid but....NAH sorry. B)  

[TaylorFishin']

One of you guys mentioned that the G string is the first to break...i agree...therefore must it follow that if it breaks first, it is the one that wears first, thus also being the one that loses its clarity first. It seems to me that the poor tone of the G string is not obvious on new strings, but as the strings wear, the difference seems to be multiplied. So could the "poor tone" of the G string be a result of it just wearing out faster?

Not neccesarily Wiley. When I break a string it has nothing to do with player wear (between the nut and bridge). Its weakend only because of repetitious tuning up and down. (Similiar to bending a paper clip back and forth many times). I may change tunings of my guitar 3 or 4 times in an hours playing. They always break right at the tuner peg, not where they are producing sound between the nut and bridge. There is no loss of clarity, they just pop right at the peg from this stress. They never break because of player wear.
I play 100% Fingerstyle, no picks and a relative soft touch.  Oddly enough, they almost always break when tuning down. :o

I never notice "poor tone" of the G string of any of my guitars. It's only that pesky B string that always seems just out of tune.

Scott

[jimmyd]

I'm thinking maybe because it is the smallest wound string, whose peg is furthest away from the nut, and what I'm hearing stems from the same reason that string trees are used on electric guitars?

I think string trees started off on Fenders because their very slight headstock angle. I find that the G string needs to be tuned most noticably sharp to get all chords and scales in acceptable relative tuning. Don't know if that has any bearing on what you are hearing.  

[kwakatak]

Without a doubt it would be the high E string followed by the B and the G.  I always seem to mess up stringing the high E string only to have it break at the peg AFTER I've snipped the extra length off! I can't begin to count how many times I've had to go back with the old E or sometimes even the old B string!

As for the B and G strings, they both seem to go out of tune more easiliy than the rest, earning them an honorable mention in my hall of shame!  

[naboz]

I'll have to chime in on the-- "B" string, put your lips together and pronunciate  :D
I am especially noticing this on my OM in DADGAD.  Even to the point of thinking of taking it in for a new saddle!
...And then there is getting the 2-B's to match the D octave on the 12 when fretted at the 2nd--but lets not go there...!  :P  

[prof_stack]

The B string used to be the worst for me.  But since I got the Intellitouch tuner I haven't had those kind of problems.  

[size=8]And for those brave enough to try the lute, ALL the strings present problems.  I guess that's why lute tunes are pretty short.  Gotta re-tune after each one!   :blink: [/size]

[Playme]

It does seem to be the least consistent or predictable string.  All the reasons you proffer seem relevant.  I'd add that the compensated bridge saddles everyone uses these days--where the G string is set back on a little ridge--might be a factor.  That ridge creates a differently contoured surface from the other strings.  Maybe leaving more windings on the tuner post of the G string--so that the string is down as close to the peghead as possible, maximizing the angle of the string as it comes out of the nut--might help.  I suspect, though, it mostly has to do with it being the smallest wound string and the physical/sonic limitations that implies.

What did he say?  lol.

What scares me is tuning up the 1st G string on a 12ver to the step up octave.   You keep winding that thin .009 to the brink of breakage.   :o

[Calvin]

I was going to say something stupid but....NAH sorry. B)

I am right there with ya, too much talk about G-string breaking.

[Brad166]

Id have to say the C string....yep.....the C