Quote:
Originally Posted by wasted_dreams
I have a classical guitar and an electric guitar (as shown in my avatar), both were recently tuned by my uncle as I can't do it yet.
I don't play the classical guitar and it has sat for about 5 years ...
... a different chord it doesn't sound much different... just flat and dull.
I haven't changed strings before. I assume all strings are the same, and if they have a circular bit at the bottom and you don't need it, you just chop it off. Is this correct?
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Hi Wasted_Dreams,
First: just a positive note, the only wasted dream is the one you never try to for. It sounds like you're giving a little of everything a try...congrats on that.
Second: It's definitely time to change the strings and what you thought about the strings being "just flat and dull" is absolutely correct. Many people who have classical guitars around but not used, or inherit them, think that if they can get them to sound relatively in tune that they're going to be fine. The problem is that classical guitar strings are all nylon (even the base strings with a metal casing - called the winding - are wound around a nylon core inside). Unlike steel strings on your other guitar, nylon strings need changing MUCH more often. While steel strings are effected by weather, nylon strings just soak it up or react to it almost instantly. If it's humid, the nylon classical strings (regardless of the price) will soak up the humidity and even the newest strings will change sound (the moisture they absorb makes them sound more dull). If the weather is dry enough the strings can actually become brittle which also effects the sound.
Third, if you are not familiar with how to string a classical, it is nothing like a steel string guitar (solid or hollow body). It is an art all its own. If there is no one who can show you how to do it, here is a link with one method that isn't exactly the way I was taught or have done for the past 30 years but it works well. I tried it with a classical I had around to make sure I wasn't sending you a way that wouldn't give a nice, clean sound:
Guitar String - Is Stringing A Guitar Easy To Do?
I have no connection to this site but just recommend it because it is really well explained, has written instructions and a video that shows you how to do it. There are other sites as well if you Google "stringing a classical guitar", I only recommended this one because 1 video is always worth a 1000 words.
Many people think that if you don't play a guitar, even if the strings were changed just before it was "put to sleep" in its case for a long time that the strings will be good and just need tuning when you take it out. Like I said though, weather will effect strings, played or not over time.
As far as the brand goes, I was a concert guitarist and taught so I used to go for the best strings I could find. However, all I do now is play for my own enjoyment (I'm disabled now and my hands don't works like they used to). That being said, I still would say get the best strings you can afford but don't think that expensive always means "the best".
There is a whole art to matching strings to the right guitar and it would take 5 posts longer than this to explain the science behind it. My suggestion for an occasional to moderate player would be - no nasty comments from anyone else reading this please
- go to eBay and search for "classical guitar strings" and look for either Dean Markley Classical Concert Series Strings (really inexpensive for a couple sets) or the old stand by, D'ADDARIO EJ45 PRO-ARTE CLASSICAL GUITAR STRINGS. In either case, or if you go with one of the brands that you mentioned, always go for the Concert Series strings and read the listing carefully. Since I won't go in to the science of matching strings to the guitar it's safest to always buy either "standard" or "normal" tension strings.
Whether you purchase your strings in a music store or on eBay, a lot of dealers will automatically try to give you "high" or "hard" tension strings. Some will even say it doesn't make a difference. Unless you have a very expensive classical guitar, most student and medium priced classical guitars don't have the additional steel rods or truss rod down the neck to strengthen it that a steel string guitar does and high/hard tension strings can cause a low to middle priced guitar's neck to bend (bow) over a short period of time because the guitar isn't made to handle that much tension from the strings.
One last note about the sound. Even with new strings don't ever expect a classical or steel string (solid or hollow body steel string guitar) to sound the same as a classical. They are designed to sound different on purpose. While you can play any piece of music on a classical that was written on a steel string or the other way around each has its distinct sound. For example, the old song House of the Rising Sun was written around the time steel strings were becoming popular (and I don't mean the version from the 1960's; that song was taken, word or word and note for note from an early American folk song. They didn't even change the name). But play it on a steel string and then a nylon sting guitar. Like most pieces of music, it was written to sound best on the instrument it was written for. Steel string guitars produce a much more booming base which is where the melody is primarily written. Most (not all of course) classical music for the 400 or 500 years before was written for guitars, lutes and other stringed instruments where the melody is easier to hear when played on higher notes. Try playing House of the Rising Sun on a classical and as good as it might sound, unless you run it through an amp and kick up the bass end it just won't feel the same. And at that point all you're trying to do is make it sound like a steel string anyway!
So keep fresh strings on any guitar you use and don't expect (even after putting fresh strings on both) for them to sound the same. Enjoy each for the type of sound it produces; the classical for its sweet sound and the electric for its loudness and power.
