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Oil Change Analogy
I’ve been putting it off for way too long. I know it’s crucial, just like an oil change for my car. I don’t trust auto mechanics, but I don’t have a place to change my oil. Just like I’ve been putting off getting my strings changed on my guitar. I can either hand my beloved guitar off to a stranger and maybe leave it there *tear* or try and do it myself and risk God knows what. The difference is my brother has a fantastic garage, and push comes to shove. I can change my oil. In addition, it gives me an excuse to see my brother. Not so with the string change. I can’t believe I’ve put it off so long. I’m not usually a procrastinator. I’m not sure what I’m afraid of.
I think some of it is fear of music store judgment/elitism. My guitar was a gift. /shrug
Thanks for letting me vent.
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5 Replies
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I remember when I first started changing strings the thing that bothered me most was not knowing if I had the ball ends of the strings properly seated on the bridge plate. I went out and bought an inspection mirror at AutoZone that had lights so I could see inside the guitar to make sure I had those ball ends lined up and snug. Then I learned the best trick of all (and this works to if your bridge pin get stuck) I could reach inside the guitar through the sound hole and feel exactly how they were seated. Tony has a demo on how to change strings too in case you need a refresher, which I did every time about the first hundred changes I performed. Not too much else to go wrong.
This is his video found on acoustic life TV, Tony’s youtube channel.
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Andy–
My two bits–
Do some research on what kind– or brand– of stings you may want. Plenty of folks “in here” have GREAT info on strings- (and changing them!!!).
Personally— for years, I was always “scared” to go into a REAL guitar store for that ol’ fear of being “judged”- (because I didn’t know what the hell I was even talking about- and was kind of afraid to ask for something because I really didn’t even know what I was asking for). Boy, was I wrong!!!
Once you have mustered the courage to actually TO GO IN— if you have any question– at all— I have personally NEVER- NOT ONCE had anybody from a guitar store make me feel somehow “judged”. Not once. Ever.———– actually—— the opposite.
Anyway– go buy your strings, no prob, get the best info on different kinds, etc- from your best friends here in TAC- change them yourself- (easy-peasy really)- and move on…………..
(I know- dumb cliche–)- “You got this”.
— coach
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This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by the-old-coach.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by
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@andysmith22gmail-com , take it one string at a time. I downloaded an free app for the IPhone called insTuner. Copy and Paste into your browser to take a look at it, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/instuner-free-chromatic-tuner/id603425027
I also have a tuner that clips to the guitar. I like the clip on so I can daily fine tune. But, the IPhone app takes me around the clock so when I start with fresh strings I can visually see where I am. Give it a try, if you can’t do it, then take it in. -
First, if you want to change your strings, do it yourself. The first many times it will be scary, but it turns out it’s easy and there’s not much to mess up. The worst you can do is break brand new strings and have to buy more. If you are going to get comfortable enough with your guitar to be a guitar geek, you need to face this task.
Second, what makes you think you need new strings in the first place? Some people keep their strings on for years, I mean, a lot of years. Whatever.
I change strings to experiment with different sounds and different feels. Once I find strings I like, they will stay there for a very long time. I don’t go multiple years anymore, but a year or more, no problem. Each to his or her own.
MG 😀
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Well said MG👍
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