[jbeckton]

I have an electric and an accoustic guitar. I have noticed that the strings on the accoustic are much harder to depress and hold down and get good sounds out of. I have a hard time getting clean barre chords on the accoustic but can hit them on the electric with relative ease.

Is there a difference in string strength for accoustic and electric? Are different metals used?

Thanks

[starsailor]

Hi jbeckton, It might be worth getting the Action checked on the Acoustic, sounds like it's a bit high. What gauge strings are you using on the Acoustic?

[jbeckton]

Originally Posted by starsailor

Hi jbeckton, It might be worth getting the Action checked on the Acoustic, sounds like it's a bit high. What gauge strings are you using on the Acoustic?

I really don't know, I bought it used.

Forgive my ignorance but what do you mean by Action?

[starsailor]

Hi jbeckton, The action dictates how playable the guitar is if the strings are too far away from the fretboard it takes more effort to get chords and is frustrating, heres a more detailed explanation which tells you the height the strings should be from the guitar and gives a more in depth description of the term Action

Collopy Guitars, Acoustic Guitar Action

It might not be this but it's worth seeing if the guitar is set up properly especially that the neck is straight, you can also switch to a lighter set of strings which might make life a bit easier.

Please accept my apologies for being a bit vague in my previous post.

Best Wishes

Chris

[jbeckton]

Thanks, just to clarify, there is no difference between the type of strings used for acoustic and electric guitars?

[eXperiment63]

Yes there is.

Acoustic strings are generally Bronze or Bronze Phosphor.

Electric strings are generally nickel or steel.

The different materials will change the voicing of the instrument immensely.

[jbeckton]

Originally Posted by eXperiment63

Yes there is.

Acoustic strings are generally Bronze or Bronze Phosphor.

Electric strings are generally nickel or steel.

The different materials will change the voicing of the instrument immensely.

Ok, so are the acoustic strings harder to depress than the electric? Mise seem really hard but the action doesn't see to far off. Should I get new strings and how do i know what gague to get?

Thanks

[eXperiment63]

Acoustic strings are generally thicker, with a thicker core wire too. Don't go to a lighter gauge. You will thank yourself in the long run. Just keep practicing. The better you can play on thick strings, the easier it will be to play thinner strings.

The only way to get a good ringing barre chord is to practice a whole lot. It is more about technique than it is finger-strength.

[jbeckton]

Thanks, somehow I knew the anwser was to suck it up but I was hoping for a easy way out!

[Aunt Doty]

Yeah, we'd all like for it to be easier!!!!! Barre chords have not been easy for me, but I'm determined to get it!
There is a thread in the guitar tech area that tells you how to check the action of your guitar. Type in on the search bar top right corner of the page and check it out.

Also if you take your guitar into the store the guys are usually real helpful with info regarding strings etc. and could also tell you if the action is too high and adjust it for a small fee if necessary.

[allthumbs]

Yup. That's the thing with starting with electric and then going to acoustic. Acoustics tend to be a heavier gauge string so it take more technique and hand strength the be able to do what can be done with the lighter electric strings.

[Dewy]

Quality guitars will "play" easier, Cheaper guitars generally the opposite.

Thicker strings tuned to the same note will generally be harder to "fret" than thinner stings, and acoustic "lights" are generally thicker than electric "light" gauge.

Also worthy of mention on the topic... to get a note to ring on an acoustic "like" it would on an electric generally takes more effort or attack.

Now with that said its not uncommon for an electric to play "easier" than an acoustic. There are exceptions (high quality acoustic vs. low quality electric) and setup modifications and adjustments like string gauge that could help even the playing field.

But I personally take the opposite approach and use my acoustic with medium gauge strings as a training tool. when I jump onto the electric after practicing on the acoustic... its much easier to play the same piece.