How to String an Acoustic Electric Guitar
You must be wondering what the difference is between a traditional acoustic guitar and an acoustic-electric guitar. Well, to put it simply, an acoustic-electric guitar is exactly like a conventional acoustic guitar, but it has a built-in pickup system and a port for an amplifier.
The pickup system is equipped with a transducer or microphone that detects the sound of the guitar’s strings and turns it into an electrical signal that is then transferred to a preamp or sound control unit. With the exception of this, it is a regular acoustic guitar with the same body and tone.
With this device, which has EQ settings and effects like reverb and chorus, the player can alter the sound and volume of the guitar sound.
The guitar can be played with either acoustic strings or electric strings; however, acoustic guitar strings are more commonly used on this instrument. Electric guitar strings will work just fine, but they will have a different feel and sound.
As you are aware, a guitar is incomplete without its strings because they are essential for maintaining both the instrument’s performance and playability as well as the sounds it produces. Consequently, it should be clear why we should be concerned with the string’s condition.
Strings that have stretched out of tune or worn over time can cause guitars to sound flat and lose their tone. Worn strings can also damage the guitar’s bridge and other components, which can also affect intonation.
By routinely switching the strings, the player of an acoustic-electric guitar may maintain a constant tone and make sure the instrument stays in tune. Live performances require new strings because they provide a sound that is more vibrant and energetic. So, let’s find out how we can string an acoustic-electric guitar properly.
Things You Need
Well, before we get into the steps of how to string an acoustic-electric guitar, let’s discuss the things we would need for it.
- Guitar String Set
A new set of strings: The set of strings comes in a set that has about six strings present, and they are made up of various materials such as bronze, steel, and phosphor bronze. Zager has developed easy-to-play “no sore fingers” guitar strings on an acoustic guitar.
These guitar strings by Zager take away the pain and allow you to play longer and move faster with less fatigue and soreness. Seventy years of research have created what pros are calling the best guitar string on the market today. The patented soft metal core of this guitar accessory is designed to reduce the amount of pressure required to form chords by up to 50%. This results in less finger pain, extended playtime, and improved speed and accuracy while playing. In fact, it can make playing any guitar an easier and more enjoyable experience.
They come with a pillow touch and are made up of a patented soft metal core, which requires 50% less pressure to form chords.
- String Winder
A string winder is an essential tool for any guitar player, as it facilitates the process of winding strings around the tuning pegs. While there are several types of string winders available in the market, the D’Addario Pro-Winder stands out as one of the top options.
This tool makes the task of restringing your guitar a breeze, allowing you to easily and quickly wind the strings around the pegs with precision and efficiency. Overall, investing in a quality string winder like the D’Addario Pro-Winder can greatly enhance your guitar-playing experience.
- Wire Cutters
Once you put the strings in your acoustic guitar, you will need to cut the excess string, and this is where the wire cutters come in handy. Guitar wire cutters are an essential tool for any guitar player who wants to maintain their instrument’s optimal playability and sound quality. These cutters are specifically designed to accurately cut guitar strings, which can be difficult to do with regular wire cutters or scissors.
You can get the MusicNomad Grip cutter, as it is considered a decent wire cutter in the market.
- Tuner
The tuner is another essential tool you need to ensure that each string is tuned to the correct pitch.
Zager offers a High-Accuracy Sonic Guitar Tuner. It has easy to read LED green and red light display that is compact and easy to take with you or put in your case compartment. Regardless of the job at hand, it’s the best-value compact tuner.
- Bridge Pins
The bridge pins are inserted into the bridge of the guitar to secure the strings.
- Clean Cloth
A clean cloth is an indispensable item for guitar players, as it is necessary to wipe down the guitar strings both before and after the process of stringing the guitar.
Source: Walmart String Scrubber
Optional Tools
There might be other tools or things you might need when you decide to change strings on your guitar.
- Needle-nose pliers – could be used to pull out the old strings in your guitar bridge or the tuning pegs.
- Capo – it can hold down the strings while you’re tuning your guitar.
Characteristics That Matter
So, there are a couple of factors that affect the quality of sound a guitar string produces. Other than that, these variables also have an impact on the strings’ endurance, usability, and other aspects.
The Material of the Strings
The kind of strings that are used on an instrument can have a big impact on how it sounds and how easy it is to play. The guitar’s sound, playability, and durability are all impacted by the material, in addition to how pleasant the guitar string feels. There may be different materials that are more suitable for certain playing styles, musical genres, and individual preferences.
For instance, you can play classical, flamenco, and other fingerstyle genres on an acoustic guitar by using nylon strings, which produce a warm, mellow tone. Contrarily, steel strings will generate a tone that is more sharp and bright, making it ideal for musical styles like rock, pop, country, and blues.
The Thickness of the Strings
A guitar string’s gauge, or thickness, can have a range of effects on its sound and playability, as well as the tension of the strings and their durability.
The string’s gauge may impact the tone of the instrument. Compared to thinner strings, the tone generated by thicker strings is often louder and more pronounced. The choice of string gauge may have an effect on the harmony of the instrument’s overall tone.
For beginner guitarists with weaker fingers, thick strings are easier to play since they require less finger pressure to fret them. Some players could benefit from greater sustain and a more enjoyable playing experience from thicker strings.
Acoustic Guitar String or Electric Guitar String
Brass, bronze, or phosphor bronze are usually employed for creating the strings for an acoustic guitar, while stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, or pure nickel are usually used to make the strings for an electric guitar. Acoustic strings are often thicker than electric guitar strings. Acoustic guitars require more tension so they can produce a louder sound.
Acoustic and electric guitars employ different methods for winding the strings. Often, acoustic strings are round-coiled, with the outer wire securely around the inner core. Both flat-wound and round-wound electric strings have the outside wire flattened against the inner core.
Source: e home recording studio
Another significant difference between the two strings is the sound they produce. While the sound produced by the strings of an electric guitar is brighter and more metallic, that of an acoustic guitar is brighter and more natural.
This is due to the fact that an electric guitar’s soundboard and body interact differently with the pickups and electronics than an acoustic guitar’s soundboard and body do.
How to String an Acoustic Guitar?
If you’re a guitarist, you know that restringing your instrument is a necessary part of maintaining its optimal sound and playability. However, the process of putting strings on a guitar can be daunting, especially for those who are new to the task. Luckily, with the right tools and a step-by-step guide, restringing your guitar can be a relatively simple process.
The old strings that were previously used on an acoustic guitar must be taken off before stringing the instrument. Then, there are a few things that you need to think about before you put the new strings in the acoustic guitar.
Replacing guitar strings can be a straightforward process if you follow these steps:
- Remove the Old Strings:
Begin by turning the tuning pegs to loosen the tension of the strings until they become slack. It is very important to change guitar strings for sound maintenance. Cut the strings at the bridge pins using wire cutters and carefully unwind them from the tuning pegs.
- Clean the Guitar:
Once the strings are removed, it is easier to clean the guitar’s body, neck, and fretboard with a soft, dry cloth.
- Insert New Strings:
Insert the ball ends of the new strings into the bridge pins and push the pins into the bridge until they click into place.
- Thread the Strings:
Thread the other end of the strings through the appropriate tuning pegs, making sure they are correctly seated in the nut slots.
- Begin Winding the Strings:
Tighten the strings by turning the pegs until there is a small amount of tension on the strings to ensure they are securely in place.
- Stretch the Strings:
Gently pull on each string to stretch it once all strings are tightened. This step helps the strings settle into their proper tension and improve their tuning stability.
- Tune the Guitar:
Use a tuner to get each string to its proper pitch, starting with the low E string and working your way up to the high E string.
- Trim the Excess Strings:
Once all strings are in tune, trim the excess string sticking out of the tuning pegs using wire cutters.
- Play and Retune:
Play the guitar for a while and then retune it as new strings tend to stretch. This step will help the strings settle into their final tension.
By following these steps, you can replace your guitar strings and enjoy a fresh, vibrant sound from your instrument..
About Zager
The best thing for beginners is that Zager offers a deal where when you buy any guitar from Zager, it comes with an accessory pack that includes all the essential accessories one needs when buying a guitar.
The Zagars accessory pack includes the following:
- Free Zager pro-ABS digital humidified case $199
- Free lifetime membership to Mr. Zager’s Guitar Lesson Library for $295
- Free years’ worth of Zager custom EZ-Play pillow touch strings for $89
- Free years’ worth of Zager carbon guitar picks for $39
- Free Zager leather padded strap $48
- Free Zager pro stainless capo $39
- Free expedited shipping for $79
Zagar has the best guitars in the market, as they are super easy to play because they are made with a custom bracing system and custom string spacing. The bracing gives in the face slightly, so you barely have to press form chords, and the custom spacing makes it easier to play the guitar as there are no accidental buzzing and rattles.
FAQS
Do Electric Guitars Use the Same Guitar Strings as Acoustic?
Acoustic and electric guitars both use different types of strings. Though technically possible, it is not recommended to put acoustic strings on an electric guitar or vice versa because doing so could affect the instrument’s playability, tone, and overall performance.
Acoustic strings are thicker than electric guitar strings and are often coiled to produce a brighter and more realistic tone. Since electric guitar strings are usually thinner than acoustic guitar strings, they can be bent and plucked more quickly.
It is essential to choose the proper type of strings for your guitar in order to have optimum performance and sound quality.
How Often Should I Change my Electric Guitar Strings?
Electric guitar strings should normally be changed every two to three months, depending on how frequently you play, how much you perspire, and if you have oily fingers or not. The dulling and lifelessness of old strings, which lessen their brightness, might affect your guitar’s tone and playability.
