Guitar string questions?

Question

Hi! Today I broke two guitar strings (I'm a horrible tuner) for my acoustic guitar. So my dad got a set but its of a different string brand. Should I mix the strings? I was originally using Elixer but now I got a set of D'Addario.

Also I was watching a video and i saw that the guitarist had a bunch of extra string instead of cutting it short. What is that about and should I do it too?

Answer 1

Hi Eric

Change all the strings while you are at it. And don't cut them until you have wound it 2 or 3 times around the post.

Once in tune, cut the slack off. Never got it before because it affects the winding on the string. You might think is doesn't but it doesn.

Answer 2

If it's your B, and high E strings it will be fine. Elixir strings have a nanocoat that they put on the wound strings that give them a smoother feel so if you replace those the D'Addario strings may feel a little different. But the B and E are ordinary steel strings just make sure their the same gauge as the elixir ones. Personally I wouldn't mix strings but I'm pretty sure that just a pet peeve I need to get over lol. Also cut the strings it will probably only end up scratching your guitar head.

Hope it helps!

Answer 3

Its ok to mix the strings and that extra string thing...just laziness.

Answer 4

You should change all the strings on your guitar simply because the strings you have on there are probably old. If two strings have already broken than I'm just assuming the strings were pretty old. In which case it would be best to change all of them. Plus having all one brand of string will make it so each string doesn't sound dramatically different from the other ones.

Oh and definitly cut the strings short after you restring it. some people think its cool to leave them long but it's not good for it.

Answer 5

Mixing the strings is not bad for the guitar. The tone might be slightly different but it wouldn't make it sound bad in anyway. As for the extra sting on the guitar, it's mainly a preference thing. I usually cut my short when I re-string (as do most). The extra string that gets left on is usually the result of needing your guitar shortly after you string it so you don't have a chance to get rid of it yet. If you want to leave the excess on go for it but I'm sure you'll find that it gets in the way and will cut it off anyway (plus it just looks sloppy). Good choice on the strings by the way from both you and your dad. I use Elixr's myself but I also use D'addario sometimes.