What to do if a guitar string breaks?
Breaking strings is an unpleasant moment for a guitarist, but it happens quite often. Consider options for how to act in an unforeseen situation, find out the reasons for the breakage and what to do to avoid such a malfunction.
Common causes of string breaks
Guitar strings can break for a variety of reasons. Let's highlight the most common ones.
- If strings are cheap, they can break quickly due to poor quality.
- Possibility of overtightening during setup. This happens when the process takes place without a special tuner.
- It often happens that the string has burst from old age and intensive use. In this case, it quickly loses its elasticity and is no longer as strong.
- The strings also break as a result of strong and sharp strikes on them.
Ideally, it is better to replace a damaged guitar line with a new one immediately, so you need to remember the kit number or call on the tactile memory for help. However, you can find a way out of any situation, and in an emergency you can try to somehow restore the guitar.
How to tie?
If a string breaks on the guitar, you can simply tie it. True, the knot in the middle will not give the same effect on the sound of the musical instrument, in any case it will distort the sound. It is much easier to do this when breaking in places where the line does not need to be constantly clamped.
Usually, the repair takes place in two ways - twisting or tying. In any case, it is more convenient to use pliers. Take one end and fold the string into a loop, then push the other end into it and twist it around the rod.
This method can be used when the break occurs at the base of the neck. It should be noted that after these manipulations the string has already become shorter. In this case, it is appropriate to rearrange it on the peg closest to the neck. It will not look so aesthetically pleasing, but this option will help out before buying a new string, it will not particularly interfere with the game.
How else can you restore an old string?
If the guitar strap is metal, it can be repaired with a soldering iron. But this must be done as carefully as possible, otherwise a coarse knot or bump that forms during the soldering process will interfere with the game.
What is needed here is, as they say, a master's work of jewelry, and it is applicable only when it comes to strings made of metal.
What can be replaced?
The first step when replacing is the thickness. If the strings are different, it will not only be felt when playing the guitar, but the sounds will also be different. Finding the right caliber is not easy by eye. Perhaps the following tips will help when choosing the best option:
- if the sound of the strings is higher, they are easy to clamp - they are thin (set 010);
- if hardness is felt when pressed and they emit a resonating sound, they are thick (set 012);
- when it is difficult to decide what you are dealing with (you cannot understand what thickness we are talking about), it is reasonable to take the middle gauge of strings (set 011) - a universal option.
An important point when replacing: you need to take into account the material from which the string is made. The tensioning technology when replacing depends on this. So, for synthetic nylon strings, use a weaker tension because they are soft.
But the metal ones need a strong stretch - then they will emit a powerful sound. By the way, they are not installed on classical guitars, because the saddle may not withstand such a load.
On the other hand, acoustic ones use a truss rod to protect the neck from damage.
Prevention of malfunction
To minimize losses due to string failure, you need to develop a playing technique (including honing vibrato and bends) in which you feel the attack and load on the instrument and can control your movements.
When choosing the musical instrument itself, pay attention to the state of the frets and frets on it - this is very important for the further operation of the guitar. When caring for her, do not forget to wipe the strings.
It is advisable to do this as often as possible, since dirt, skin particles and sweat accumulate on them, which leads to a decrease in elasticity. Take a regular cotton cloth or other dry rag and simply wipe down the strings after each performance.
This will extend the life of the main elements of your guitar sound. Among other recommendations for preventing string malfunctions, it is also advised to use a tremolo machine less often. In general, it is important to know that guitar strings will break sooner or later when exposed to stress.
That's why Replace regularly depending on how often you pick up your guitar. As a rule, this should happen once every 2-3 months, and with intensive use of a musical instrument, it is advisable to update it every month.
See below for how to tie a guitar string.
