Guitar game is not only a beautiful sound, but also a positive effect on mental and physical health. Stimulation of memory, concentration, ability to multitasking and mathematics. In addition, the game on the guitar takes off the alarming symptoms, stress, stress, releases destructive energy, pumps the muscles of wrists, brushes, hands ... both for professional and novice musician It is important to learn not only to play the instrument, but also choose the right strings for the guitar .
What are there?
The modern market offers guitar strings of several types, and on the packages are indicated - MEDIUM, LIGHT, EXTRA LIGHT. At the same time, such texts do not carry information about the common caliber. This suggests that kits designed for the electric guitar will have already than for an acoustic instrument of the same type. No less means the company manufacturer, because each has its own standard of caliber, so the best reference is the diameter indicated on the package. Strings with the smallest caliber are considered to be products with marking "E", where smaller diameter is 0.005 inches and 0.56 inches the largest. Other types of strings:
- Light - 0.10 first and 0.46 pole;
- Medium. - 0.11 first and 0.50 sixth;
- Extra Light - 0.09 first and 0.42 sixth.
Usually musicians when buying take into account the smallest diameter and thus simplify the choice. For example, when the diameter is 0.11 inches, the kit is called "11", etc. As for the species of strings, they are quite a lot, and they are divided by winding and material: color, gold, black, glowing, etc. .
By type of winding
The winding is made of silver, copper, phosphorous bronze, brass. Each of these materials has a characteristic effect on the quality of the string or its sound, and not less than the material for the manufacture of the core.
- Copper Gives velvety sound, but leaves footprints on the fingers.
- Silver It is distinguished by practicality and comfort in the game. Silver strings always look beautifully, do not affect the sound quality and more durable than copper.
- Strings out Phosphorous bronze or brass Have the highest price gradation, the greatest service life.
- Strings With winding Made from brass or phosphorous bronze - The most durable products.
Materials for the production of strings are quite varied, which makes the range of their quality and sound quite diverse for a wide consumer. To simplify the choice, you need to know the features of the types of windings.
Almost in all sets of guitar strings, the first 3 numbers do not have winding, but 4, 5, 6th already go with additions. This technique allows you to add power, density, sound quality, moreover, it protects the fingers of the musician from cuts, which are no longer strings.
- Round - The most common. In the context, such a string has an ideal spherical shape and is not processed by grinding. It is strings with a circular winding that have the richest sound.
- Flat - Winding with the most careful grinding. It is important to remember the features of strings of this type - a long service life and the absence of a specific sound during the movement of the fingers. Unfortunately, the sound of such strings is not at the height.
- Half-plane - Something secondary, intermediate option between the first two species. The technology of performing a flat winding string is similar to a round, but after unsaluing wire on the core string give an oval section by grinding or pressing. This species enjoys the smallest popularity, they are usually acquired by bass guitarists for infant bass.
Hexagonal - the core of this string has a hex section, and the winding is made of round wire . At the cost of the hexagonal braid is round, and the string makes expressive sound. Products of this type are well and for a long time, however, due to the characteristic acute, the ribs can significantly reduce the life of the "life" of the lads.
Perhaps the use of such strings will deliver some discomfort to the musician. A successful selection of strings can make the "voice" of the guitar special and unique.
By material
The range of materials for the manufacture of the string core is much wider, since the strings do not only from the metal, but also from plastic substances. Such products are softer than iron, have a slightly other sound. Some species, for example, neon are intended only for the show.Bronze
Bronze strings have Balanced value-quality ratio, and juicy sound, so the demand for them is quite large . As a disadvantage, their ability to rapid oxidation can be called and the need to constantly purify the surface with alcohol solution.
Phosphorous bronze strings
Products from this alloy are somewhat different from pure bronze strings - The sound is not as bright and expressive, but they have much higher service life.
Copper strings
Copper strings refer to a budget option, they can be attributed to middling. Copper sets are suitable to lovers - those who rarely take into hand tools, novice students in a music school.
Silver strings
This species has an attractive appearance, since the steel core with a silver shell has almost a snowy white. Silver plated strings have ringing, soft and melodic sound. The disadvantage is only one parameter - briefness. In this, they are significantly inferior to phosphorist-bronze models.
Strings from brass
Brass strings do not differ in high strength, but they are quite popular in the guitarist environment. The brass gives the strings of the power in obverseons, volume and density, such strings are especially in demand in segments of heavy rock, metal, etc.
Nylon
As you know, nylon is a synthetic. As part of Strings, iron is missing, which negatively affects the sound, However, their softness and flexibility are ideal for the initial stages of the instrument. Working with them is much easier and painless.
Copper-tin
These are combined models made of alloy of two metals. Such strings possess Rally warm timbre.
From polymeric materials
This spectrum includes elastic plastic, vinyl, silicone strings. . However, this does not mean that they are fully made of polymers. By no means - the core in these products is made of metals, and on top they are covered with special substances. Such technologies make it possible to reduce the characteristic sounds from the movement of the fingers, wear of the lands, improve the quality of the system. In addition, it becomes possible to make strings with color. When choosing such strings, several factors must be taken into account:
- spike with core;
- core coating thickness;
- friction when contacting fingers and strings.
The structure of the string is not less important for the musician - exactly as the polymer is applied (on top of the winding go under it, directly on the core).
From silk thread
The technology of manufacturing the string with the addition of silk yarns between the core and the winding gives the sound softness, and the game is silent.
Sintalic
Sytal strings have bright, like metal models, sound and softness, like nylon. They keep the system well and reduce wear wear. Syntalic strings are easily tensioned, the timbre is perfectly kept and able to serve up to several months.
Neon
Neon strings are made of metal, have a luminescent coating that provides a spectacular glow in the light of ultraviolet lamps. Do not confuse them with a phosphorescent effect when the substance itself is glowing in the dark. With normal lighting, the product simply looks colored, for example, orange or green. The coating is short-lived, especially quickly begins to crumble under the mediator.
Popular brands
Strings are crucial in exactly how the guitar sounds.Ernie Ball
The brand offers a fairly wide range of calibers that are not inferior in the quality of most competitive products, and is quite high price. Line Slinky. It uses the greatest demand, but the coated line provides products with increased oxidation protection. Since 2019, the product line has been expanded to several positions - these are string sets for electric guitars, tens of calibers.
Elixir.
Products, popular due to duration of life, reliability and polymer protection against corrosion and contamination. The brand prefers professional musicians - the high cost is justified by the long-lasting freshness of the sound. Series Nanoweb. It offers models with the highest protection against wear and oxidation, but at the same time it has pleasant tactile sensations when the pillows interact with the string.
D'addario.
Kits of this brand enjoy the greatest demand among guitarists of amateurs and professional-level masters. Products are available at any music store. The range offers various calibers made of different materials.
The D'Addario Series of Nickel Wound (ExL) uses the greatest demand.
Dunlop.
This brand is more famous for accompanying guitar accessories, However, the strings are presented in a decent assortment, quality, durability and sound. The product has its own audience of buyers.
Thomastik.
Initially, the company produced accessories for other string instruments (violin, piano, etc.), but now the range was diversified by guitar sets. The brand offers kits of any type - for classic, acoustic, electric guitar. Products are made of various materials and find their buyer in all levels of mastery of the tool.
The modern market offers strings of many world-class companies. The rating presented is the most popular top brands that use high authority in the musical environment. Music outdoor, online stores contain in catalogs as Chinese products, the level of simpler and cheaper and the most expensive, in demand exclusively at professional musicians.
What better to choose?
The choice of models is quite complicated, especially for the beginner, besides individual. Much depends on the tool and goals, because the same string kit has a different sound on different guitars. In the same way, every guitarist has its own skill, a vision of performance and sound requirements. Therefore, the most popular brands for certain tools are given below. For acoustic guitar:
- Rockdale;
- D'addario bronze;
- Elixir Phosphor Bronze;
- Ernie Ball Earthwood Bronze.
These are high-quality ringing bronze strings with a surround sound, which has saturation and depth, diverse caliber.
For electric guitar - nickel, steel, and nickel-steel products:
- Elixir nanoweb;
- D'Addario Nice Sound;
- Ernie Ball Heavy Bottom.
In the assortment you can find combined models with excellent surround sound.
For bass guitar, the same strings are most suitable as for electricity:
- Pirastro;
- D'addario nickel bass;
- Elixir Nano Web Bass.
The listed list includes a different price category, as well as quality, materials, manufacturing technologies, as well as sound. All companies mentioned produce guitar strings for both beginners and professionals. Compan catalogs contain a large selection of thickness, sizes, as well as diameter. You can buy a piece or full set, the sound laid in them allows you to choose a model for high and low overtones.
Each of the companies offers a wide range, including threads for playing on the usual classic and folk guitar, for baritone guitar, tool type SELMER, as well as for ukulele and other string musical instruments.
The listed and other companies produce products with a large range, where you can always find models with the required length, softness and rigidity. All characteristics are indicated on the package.
How to change?
The replacement technique is quite simple, it is necessary only to observe the sequence of stages. Initially, the old, worn, worn, and for this it is necessary:
- Loosen the flasks As much as possible and free them from the strings, you should not use the way lazy and just cut them - pull the new on top of the old, then it will be almost impossible, as well as configure the tool;
- Then the narrow tip of the knife or other tool is needed. Gently pick up the ush strings and take it out of the stand , trying not to damage the hull and varnish.
To install a set of new threads, you will have to go through the entire algorithm in the reverse order.
- The thread is inserted into the stand, spend through the neck, and they have been tracked into the hole of the ring.
- Similar procedures are done with all strings.
- After the strings are installed and fixed in the rods, it remains to pull them out and configure the guitar.
Customize the sound by pulling the thread, and for this turn the slices clockwise, seeking the desired tension and tonality. If there is no experience, then you can achieve the most high-quality attitude with a guitar tuner.
In addition, there are online tuner and many online programs with tools - for this you will need a good microphone, otherwise the program is not able to catch a tonality.
How to find out which strings are on the guitar?
To understand and determine which strings are on the guitar, or rather, their numbers and the designation, you need to know how they are considered. Rooms strings are considered from the thinnest string to the fattest. That is, the thinnest is the first room, and so on, until the latter, depending on how many strings on the guitar.
For example, if the guitar is a six-string, then the last number will be 6. The names of the strings are distributed similarly: mi, s, salt, re, la, mi. The first and last strings are called the same. The international notation of the notes used among guitarists in world practice is the letter marking: E, B, G, D, A, E.
Tips for care
In order for the guitar to serve the owner of the "faith and truth" and remained in perfect condition after many years, it is necessary to carefully follow and care for it. The threads must be kept clean - this is one of the main conditions, because each game is skin fat, dust and dirt. After the use of the strings you need to wipe a special lobby napkin
Keep the tool clean - an important duty of the musician. Each time the game is completed, it is necessary to wipe each thread with a special soft napkin, carefully removing moisture and other contaminants. It is more correct before the start of the game wash your hands and dry them well, because moisture is the main enemy of metal strings. From water may appear oxided, which will cause a deterioration in sound quality.
Dust and dirt are not the only string pollutants. In the threads with winding, particles of dead epidermis from the tips of the finger remain, gradually scoring the space between the turns . For cleaning are available Special funds presented in a rather wide range - We enjoy about once a week, provided that the guitar is continuous. If, as a degreaser, use the alcohol solution, it is important to ensure that its drops do not fall on the lacquer surface of the deck.
Concerning lubrication This is a very good option for the simultaneous departure of strings and fingers. Tools are made on the basis of mineral oils. After applying a substance to the thread, it is covered with the finest protective film, protecting them and alleviating the slip of the fingers.
It is necessary to use aerosol funds, protecting the wooden surface from lubricant.
TONE GEAR - a special cleaning device will help quickly and without much effort to clean all the threads simultaneously . The invention is calculated on all types of guitars and with constant use significantly extends the life of strings. Experienced musicians advise beginners not to drag threads or relax them often. Such techniques lead to deformation of the clutch of the braid and core, which negatively affects the timbre of sound.
Strings that are not installed on the tool must be stored in hermetic packaging and in a dry place. Humidity does not affect poorly on metal, but also for nylon and polymer threads. Careful care for a guitar will help save the tool and its sound in perfect condition and enjoy the game and beauty of the sound for many years.
