[Darkwing Duck]

Recently took up the guitar with a an acoustic my girlfriend "donated" to me, but there were a couple of strings missing. Got a new set in Waltons, no problems, but the piece of crap string broke the minute I tried to put it on!!

So my question is, for a learner who knows absolutley jack all about guitars, is there anything in particular I should look for in a set of strings?

[Doctor J]

Read this

Sometimes you'll just get unlucky and get a pack with a defect on one of the strings and the bastard breaks before you even get it up to pitch.

[Kenny_D]

You can buy single strings so you dont have to buy a whole new set of strings just to replace the one that broke

[Rustar]

Also check where the string contacts the nut, bridge, and tuning machine and make sure there are no burrs

[Darkwing Duck]

Thanks for that lads, are there any brands/gauges I should be particularly looking for?

[Rustar]

I've used Ernie Ball, GHS, and DR strings on my acoustic. My preference is DR (for bass and electrics as well).

Guage is personal preference, but if you like to fingerpick or do a lot of strumming (especially open string chords), I'd recommend heavier; better tone and they last longer.

[Darkwing Duck]

Cool cheers Rusta, at least I wont look a total spoon next time (hopefully)

[feylya]

Originally Posted by GStormcrow

You can buy single strings so you dont have to buy a whole new set of strings just to replace the one that broke

I think that's a really bad idea. You get people just buying one brand new string at a time, putting it on a guitar with 5 other really old strings and it both looks and sounds really out of place. Just get a new pack every time and live in happy shimmeriness.

[-=al=-]

wen i buy a pack of strings i usually buy a spare string jus incase something breaks before the strings have had a good life! once theyre dead ill replace them,

me + rusty dead strings =