New strings on an acoustic question

ironictoaster

Hi all,

Right this may sound stupid but, I decided to buy a set of strings for my acoustic (martins light) as the strings that came with the guitar originally wore never replaced. I put them on and now my guitar is abnormally bassy or resonates for a long time everytime I strum, it's very annoying.

Is this meant to happen, or do I have to break them in or something?

Thanks!

Dublin Guitar

Strings do need a bedding in time to dull down. Some people love the zing of new bronze strings, others like the worn in sound. If the strings on your guitar hadn't been changed in a few months then it will sound a lot livelier, particularly with 80/20 bronze strings. Next time round you could try phosphor bronze if the brightness is still annoying you in a week or so.

Ravelleman

Strings will naturally need some time to settle in and stretch out when tuned to pitch.

What you're describing here is the joy of changing your guitar's string! Everything should sound more alive - bass strings more bassy, treble strings more trebly. New strings will definitely ring out more than older ones, that's just how it is. Embrace it!

Ideally you should be changing your strings at least a couple of times a year, more if you're gigging.

After a couple of days you really start to appreciate the difference.

Patricide

Ravelleman wrote: »

Strings will naturally need some time to settle in and stretch out when tuned to pitch.

What you're describing here is the joy of changing your guitar's string! Everything should sound more alive - bass strings more bassy, treble strings more trebly. New strings will definitely ring out more than older ones, that's just how it is. Embrace it!

Ideally you should be changing your strings at least a couple of times a year, more if you're gigging.

After a couple of days you really start to appreciate the difference.

A couple of times a year? :O.

Once a month, or two at the very most. Every gig if your gigging.

Ravelleman

Yup, hence the words "at least" and "more".

Patricide

Ravelleman wrote: »

Yup, hence the words "at least" and "more".

My bad, it was just the initial shock of the thought of strings so gunky.

Dublin Guitar

OP, and general reference for some that don't know. Some people have a higher PH level in their hands than others, which greatly contributes to string corrosion. Ladies tend to have a much lower level, which is one reason why so many women work in the string manufacturing business. If you find that strings are corroding quickly, it may be worth your while investing in a coated string like Elixir, D'addario EXP or the new Martin Lifespan.

According to a recent interview with Eric Clapton's one time guitar tech, should you have the time, you should lightly rub new strings with a cloth sprayed with a small amount of WD40, then rub this off with a dry cloth, just in case any residue remains from the manufacturing process as this may lead to corrosion. Hmm, seems a bit much, but there you go.

DGC