Antony 🇮🇪 🇪🇺Question about changing guitar strings.. is there any point in changing the 3 nylons on a classical guitar, or will they be just fine if I need to change the metal bass strings?
woe2you@antony If you're fussy you can change them every 2 or 3 sets of bass strings, but fresh nylons are a pain to wear in so I wouldn't change them every time.
@woe2you This I did not know, thanks for the helpful reply! I'm not very familiar with classical yet, first string change 🙂
vxo@antony
That's a good question. I know the failure modes that make the bass strings sound dead but the only reason I can think of for the nylons is to avoid them eventually deciding they're done and to snap when you're trying to play
That's a good question. I know the failure modes that make the bass strings sound dead but the only reason I can think of for the nylons is to avoid them eventually deciding they're done and to snap when you're trying to play
@vxo Is this one of those "if it sounds ok keep rocking" kind of things? I'm all for leaving them alone but it seemed wiser to ask folk who know more than I. If only half-sets were easier for me to get, or maybe that's just the UK and I'm looking in the wrong places
Wolfram Rösler@antony The bass strings are also nylon, just wrapped in wire. All strings need to be replaced once in a while (like every couple of months, depending on how much you play).
@wolfram_roesler I've barely played it to be honest, but will be able to soon. The A string has come unravelled, it's weird and didn't expect it to happen. I didn't realise they were nylon inside, so it must have snapped. All I see is metal.
@antony In this case it may be enough to replace just the broken string. But you may as well buy a complete set to have some spares ready in case you need them.
@wolfram_roesler Good idea, I should keep some spares in the house, maybe look if I can get multipacks cheaply. This time I plan to do the wound basses, next time maybe just single string 🙂
Competitive Mall@antony new nylon strings can sound a little brighter, as old strings tend to get a bit dead sounding. If it's not something you would notice, not worth worrying about.
If you're changing the metal strings because they're so old they tarnished, it's probably time to clean and condition the fretboard, which is easier to do by taking off all the strings.
@CompetitiveMall Thanks for the answer, I think I'll be ok changing only the bass strings. They look ok except for the A string, it's unravelled from the tuning peg and is useless. I've only changed steel strings so it's a first time for me, and if they don't need it I'm fine with a bit of a deadened sound for practice