How can you tell when you need new guitar strings?
912881
You should change strings after every 50 hours of playing or every 2 months, whichever comes first.\n\nIf you break a string I always recommend that you replace the whole set...they cost less than $10.
203695
tenniswarehouse.com is where I used to buy my strings. I'm not sure if it's good holesale prices, because I just bought for myself and some friends. \nBut it's a good site. You should check it out.
48184
get a good one that is comfortable to hold while sitting or standing not bulky or awkward.there are plenty of comparable makes and models to choose from so dont worry too much about brand names. nylon strings produce a nice mellow  tone , so maybe something in a ' classic guitar'. be sure your hands and body fit around the guitar comfortably. it should have a sort of crisp and clean sound with no string buzz. as for the appearance, personally I think a guitar should be pleasant to look at whether it is being played or not.
832629
just like any other electric guitar.\nsee some guitars, follow the link\n:>peace
1081920
Most racquets will have a recommended string listed on the frame, generally on the inside of the throat....the recommended tension should be listed as well.  If there's not one listed there, you could start with Wilson sensation or Gamma zo life. These are both good, all around strings.  For more control, string with a little more tension.  For more power, string with a little less tension.  Experiment until you find the combination you like best!
251594
schecter makes a good 5 or 6 string, but if you are just starting out 4 string would be much more practical. In that instance, I recommend getting a Fender J bass.
1000972
For strings, I do not believe any cleaners are recommended to keep guitar strings "like new". Many accomplished players are very finicky about their strings, so much so that they will put new ones on before each gig... because they sound the brightest then or the action is the best. There are cleaning products for the neck, etc. that work good... like certain oils. Check with a reputable tech first.
914699
Since your husband already plays, the best idea might be for you to take him shopping!!! He can get some "hands on" with several different guitars, and save the hassle of not being comfortable with something you bought on "advice". This will be cheaper in the long run, and will guarantee that he loves the gift. After all, he's the one that chose it, so no worries he will return it. Hope this gives you some help!
340291
go to your local music store and pick them all up, even ones out of your price range.  when you find some that feel comfortable, then play them on your amp and find the one that feels good and sounds good.
404983
If you want really great acoustic tone, you should go with heavier gauge strings like .012 to .52. The natural mid-range tones of acoustic playing really come out with the heavier strings although the are a little harder to play on than light gauges. I also own a Washburn and I use Elixer strings that are coated with a special chemical to enhance the sound and cut down on wear. They are .012 to .52 gauge and they sound great. Although Washburn is an American company, not all their guitars are made in the USA, only the high end models. Mine was made in Korea, but that doesn't really matter as long as it's got a good tone and easy action. For the price, I think Washburns are really good guitars.
784171
An acoustic would be a good place to start partly because you can play them anywhere(no need for an amplifier). Also because they sound so sweet. Since you haven't developed any finger callouses yet, a classical would be easier on the fingers, but since your musical tastes trend towards rock and rockish then i would suggest a steel string acoustic. Excellent brands are Yamaha, Takamine, Fender. Yamaha has a few lower priced models that are really very good. If you want to spend more you might consider a Taylor or a Martin. \n\nElectrics can often be easier to play for beginners because they can use lighter gauge strings which are easier to fret. A good old Fender Squier Strat would be where i would start if i was a beginner. There are a lot of package deals with a guitar, amp, picks, polishing cloth, etc. Especially this time of year. Guitar Center is a great place to look because they have nearly everything and they always have sales.\n\nGood Luck with your music career. And remember, just because you have no musical knowledge now doesnt mean you cant be great. Everybody has to start somewhere.
191143
Any guitar with the right electronics and pickups. For the best out-of-the-box sound I love my SRV-edition Fender Stratocaster. My well-worn 73 Telecaster with Texas Special pickups is a close second.
601489
A guitar needs to be tuned every time you play it. Strings stretch and distort the sound.
568831
1) Take the old string off.  Sometimes there is a peg that holds the string in on the body of the guitar.  If this is the case, you may need to find something to pull the peg out.  Be careful not to use something that will scratch the wood.  Unwind the rest of the string from the capstan on the neck.\n2) I assume you have a new string to replace it with.  Put the string in the slot in the body first.  Slip the other end of the string through the hole in the capstan.  Be sure to leave enough string so that the capstan will have enough to grab when you wind it.  In other words, don't pull the string tight before you wind it. Leave some slack.\n3)Hold the string in place above the capstan and start winding.  It helps to have one of those winders as it makes the job so much faster.  If you don't keep winding.\n4)Don't let the string slip over the top of the capstan.\n5)As the string tightens pull up on it to make it seat better.\n6)Don't over tighten.  I've broken a few strings this way.  As the string starts to get tight pluck it to see if it is getting close to where it needs to be.\n7)You may want to clip off the excess after you are finished.  It makes the guitar look neater.\n8)Be prepared for the string to stretch after a minute or two. You will have to keep tuning it until it gets fully stretched.  It may keep doing this to a lesser degree over a matter of days.\n\nLet me know if you need more specific details.
627902
changing a stratacoustic's strings:\n\n1- unwind old strings so that they're loose. cut them in the middle if you want to make them shorter/easier to deal with while throwing them away.\n\n2- pop out pins from bridge, and take out the strings.\n\n3-put new string balls in line with the holes, and use the pegs to guide them into the bridge. make sure the groove in the pin is pointing toward the neck of the guitar.\n\n4- put the strings up through the tuning pegs.\n\n5- put your hand on the neck, UNDER the strings. turn your hand so that its in the position you'd use to "karate chop" the guitar. now, spread your fingers apart (this step ensures you'll have enough extra string to wrap around the tuners, different ppl use different amounts. i like to not have too much extra.).\n\n6- tune guitar to pitch.\n\n7 - you'll probably notice that your guitar will go out of tune as you're tuning, or for the first 20 minutes or so as you play. thats the strings stretching. if you just lightly tug the strings before you start and retune them, that will go away faster. you may need to repeat that step a few times.
293445
I think the Epiphone is a quality guitar.  Yes, it's a poor mans Gibson, but it still has a great sound and you can have just as much fun playing it.  If you gut it and replace the pickups with Humbuckers, you probably won't be able to tell the difference.
656757
Well, you need to play with whatever is the most comftorable for you. This is going to be a learning process, as you may find different strings over time that suit your needs. \n\nWhat I suggest doing is going with a medium gauge of strings first. If you are playing electric, this would bee something where your high E string is about .010. As you progress you may want to go lighter or heavier depending on what style of music you play. \n\nPersonally I like using Fender or Ernie Ball strings on my Stratocaster. Dean Markley and Martin both make excellent strings for acoustics. D' Addario is also a good brand.