Strings

A capo does far more than change the pitch of guitar strings – it also changes the instrument’s tone depending on which fret is selected. Clamping a capo to the guitar fretboard effectively creates a new nut, which shortens the length of the strings and raises the pitch. It’s a simple way to change keys, but research shows it also excites each note’s harmonics (the range of … [Read more...] about Why capos are for more than just changing keys

Inharmonicity is a part of the guitar’s unique sound, but if it becomes too pronounced, it can make a guitar sound harsh and dissonant. String gauge, material, stiffness and damping play key roles in determining the amount of inharmonicity, which describes the slightly ‘off’ overtone frequencies that occur when a fundamental note is played. A new scientific study … [Read more...] about Tests reveal most harmonic guitar strings sets: Ernie Ball, D’Addario and DR Pure Blues

The sound of the guitar was revolutionised when Leo Fender launched his ‘synchronized tremolo’ bar in 1954, allowing guitarists to create subtle or extreme vibrato-based effects. An experimental study has now revealed the huge impact that different types of wound bass strings have on the whammy bar’s sensitivity. The most popular way to set the Stratocaster-style tremolo … [Read more...] about How guitar strings affect the sensitivity of the whammy bar

Coated guitar strings are a simple solution to help stop a guitar's sound becoming dull as sweat, moisture, dirt and even humidity corrode the bass strings' metal alloy. But while the evidence clearly shows they extend the life of strings, does the coating adversely affect their tone and feel? Much research has been done on treble strings made of consistent material such as … [Read more...] about Coated guitar strings: why they work

Musical ideas have been recycled for hundreds of years, so why not the guitar strings that help make that music? String manufacturer D'Addario estimates about 1.5 million pounds of strings end up in US landfill sites every year. However, old strings aren't the only issue - making them can cause more environmental damage than musicians assume. A D'Addario patent … [Read more...] about Should you recycle guitar strings?

Strings mark the starting point of the guitar's sound and help shape its sonic characteristics. Making the right choice of string is no easy decision. Each musician has their own personal preferences and every instrument responds in its own way. This article is not a summary of other website's string reviews or personal preferences. It is based on scientific research and … [Read more...] about The ultimate guide to classical guitar strings

Legendary classical guitarist Andrés Segovia was a fan of Hermann Hauser's guitars. He was less keen on the gut strings he had to use on them. “They were hardly ever perfectly in tune, the gut strings became unravelled and the basses lost their resonance,” he wrote in a 1955 edition of Guitar Review. Animal gut's strength and flexibility (typically from lambs) had been … [Read more...] about Gut guitar strings: the temperamental sounds of history

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts, said Marcus Aurelius. If it's true, then perhaps musical tone can also be changed by the color of an instrument's strings. Black nylon strings appear radically different than typical clear nylon - but are they? The reason isn't explicitly stated by string manufacturers, but black nylon strings are often said to sound … [Read more...] about Black nylon strings versus clear: is there a difference?

Play any guitar for a few minutes and it quickly becomes clear that string tension plays a crucial role determining an instrument's playability or feel. What is sometimes less apparent is how string tension also affects the volume and tone of the guitar. String tension is defined as the amount of force required to bring a string up to its required pitch. This is determined … [Read more...] about High versus normal tension strings: the secret trade-off

The right 'Spanish guitar strings' can help bring flamenco music to life by enabling dazzling rhythmic techniques such as rasgueado, the golpe, and fast picado runs. But it takes a careful selection of string gauge, tension, and material to bring out the unique characteristics of the instrument. While there is no magical quality to Spanish guitar strings, the right choice … [Read more...] about How to choose the best flamenco guitar strings