Newbie Guitar String Question

JokerD

Hi, I'm starting to learn Guitar and I got one of these
http://www.fender.com/en-IE/products/search.php/?partno=0961536206

Now I stupidly broke the low E string while tuning. I thought I needed it tighter but the thing snapped. Now all I know is that the strings are Nickel, I'm looking to get a replacement. Does it matter what type of Nickel it is or would I be better off getting a new set altogether? I've no clue what the string specifications on the Guitar were. Thanks for any help.

Demeyes

You might as well get a new set if you haven't restrung it all yet. The strings that come on it could have been on it for a while before you got it and it's a good idea to restring every now and again anyway so you're not using strings that are too dull. BTW the specs say that it came with 12's from the factory.
Also, do you have a tuner? If you tuned it be ear or feel that might explain why you tuned too high. A tuner is a must until you develop an ear for it.

Oh_Noes

Get a whole new set and buy a spare one while you're at it. Just go into the shop and ask the guy which strings he'd recommend for it, tell him what kind of guitar it is.

You can get tuner free apps now for iphones/android so I wouldn't advise buying a stand-alone tuner. It's a must though, the high E string breaking from time to time is understandable but tuning the low E string too tight could damage the guitar.

Im Only 71Kg

this is very helpful for tuning..maybe save it in your favourites!!

http://www.get-tuned.com/online_guitar_tuner.php

JokerD

Oh_Noes wrote: »

Get a whole new set and buy a spare one while you're at it. Just go into the shop and ask the guy which strings he'd recommend for it, tell him what kind of guitar it is.

You can get tuner free apps now for iphones/android so I wouldn't advise buying a stand-alone tuner. It's a must though, the high E string breaking from time to time is understandable but tuning the low E string too tight could damage the guitar.

Thanks for the replies....just to pick up on that point there about the possibility of damaging the Guitar. I had barely used it and can't see any noticable damage. Could I have damaged it with one break or would I need to do it a few times before anything bad happened it? Also would it be best to get an experienced person to change them for me as I haven't done it before?

For the other people asking about the tuner, the Guitar is electro-acoustic and has a tuner built in.

Im Only 71Kg

just buy a new set of light gauge martin guitar strings €5. take the old ones off. and look at youtube (how to string a acoustic guitar).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlIVEWi3kZs

Oh_Noes

JokerD wrote: »

Thanks for the replies....just to pick up on that point there about the possibility of damaging the Guitar. I had barely used it and can't see any noticable damage. Could I have damaged it with one break or would I need to do it a few times before anything bad happened it? Also would it be best to get an experienced person to change them for me as I haven't done it before?

For the other people asking about the tuner, the Guitar is electro-acoustic and has a tuner built in.

No, don't worry about it. I really just meant that if there's an extreme amount of tension in the heavier strings for a lot of the time it could gradually twist/bend the neck. Doing it once won't have harmed it. Just get into the habit of using your tuner every single time rather than doing the old fifth fret method.

As for changing them, find a helpful instructional video on youtube or something and follow it all through step-by-step and take your time. Make sure to wind them into the corresponding tuning heads and right direction like in the picture you linked. You'll be doing it in your sleep in no time