how do I string an electric guitar?

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bball_1523

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I put new strings on my 6-string ibanez electric guitar and the high e, 1st string became loose. It would tighten anymore but I think I cut the string to a smaller size at the end of the string where you tune it.

what is the correct way to string an electric guitar? I tried but it seems like the strings arent cut correctly or something.

Any pictures that show how to string?


-Also what size and type of strings should I use? I have a 6-string Ibanez GAX70 black color electric guitar. I don't know what size strings to get, but I have a set of strings that are called Boomers size 009/9-42 SET GBXL; Is that the correct type of strings I need?

I also got Ernie Ball Custom Gauge nickel wood guitar strings 9-11-15-24-32-42 Is this correct?
 
http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/stringing.htm

there is a link with pictures to help stringing a guitar. Personally I like to tie a knot in the the first 4 strings-make a 90< bend, wrap the loose end around once and tuck the string back under itself--if that makes any sense....

As far as string gauge-you get better tone with heavier strings-but bending will be harder so depends....the strings you're using are fine-you might want to try going up to a 10 gauge next and see if you notice a difference. But once you settle on what you like-you should setup your guitar for those strings and keep using the same ones..
 
Why am I responding to this? What the hell.

One string at a time. If you have a whammy set up - DO NOT - remove all the strings in one fell swoop and then throw new ones on.

Change 'em every 10 hours of playing time. You'll figure it out soon enough.

.10 (tens) are a good gauge to start with. Sound comes from playing.


lou
 
GHS Boomers are pretty good. I choose them because they rust less than the other ones I've tried and living in such a humid country as Costa Rica, guitar strings rust very quickly. .09-.42 is a good gauge. .10's-.46's sound "heavier" sort of like doing the A5 chord on the open A string and then the E5 on the open E string and the E5 will sound heavier. Does that make sense? If your guitar has a floating bridge (meaning, if it has a whammy bar that you can pull both ways...meaning, can you make the note's tone go lower AND HIGHER with the whammy bar?) then you MUST use the same gauge of stings you had before, or if in doubt what gauge of strings you have, take the guitar and the new set of strings to the local guitar shop and have some tech restring it and recalibrate it for that gauge. Now, knowing the gauge that the guitar's set up for, keep using the same one. You'll notice that the bridge is or should be paralell to the neck... you want to keep it that way! ;) For restringing, take one old string out and replace with the new one... now tune the guitar. Repeat for the next string up... or down (makes no difference). Making sure you tune the guitar after changing each string makes your life easier... trust me. Good luck, and always, when in doubt, ASK!!!

Carlos
 
I just take the strings off one at a time. and shove the end in the tuner hole thingy and start turning. i dont bother clipping them. is that bad? i dont think i could "tie" them, since they are a whole lot thicker. I use GHS boomers, 55-115 gauge, GHS have a really good over all sound. Just play around with different strings, but, Ive found that D'Adarros (even my lead guitar playing friends agree) just suck. they are really thin, sound bad, and snap, but thats just our thoughts. Not to get off topic, but, are there any better tuners out there that would work on a P-Bass?

freak
 
There are like 3 wire factories that do EVERYBODYS brands of strings,so brand isn't that big a deal.13s = LIGHT guage for acoustics,so 9s on an electric is just wimpy-slinky.Sounds like you have a Floyd Rose or other locking nut.If you dive bomb the whammy bar,thicker strings will break less often in addition to better tone.10s should be the minimum.Famously,SRV played 13s and was known for tone.
 
woop, another ghs boomers fan, I am an 11s man myself. for re-stringing, I normally pull the string about half way through, so its really slack, and will knot better at the end, having about 3-4 coils around I find is better than havening less, 'cause then it has more support with all the streching thats going on, then I bend the string at the end, and with some yoga-like move, where I pull the string out just before the bridge to make it tight with my foot, whilst I'm tighterning it at the head. Although, does your ibanez have a tremlo locking system, when u lock the string in at the bridge? if so, u want to cut the string, but leave about 1 inch room, thred the string through the machine head, and lock in the cut end to the bidge, then just tighten, the bearing at the end should help lock it with the machine head.

this post probably makes no sense, but oh well....
 
Bass Freak said:
I use GHS boomers, 55-115 gauge, GHS have a really good over all sound. Just play around with different strings, but, Ive found that D'Adarros (even my lead guitar playing friends agree) just suck. they are really thin, sound bad, and snap, but thats just our thoughts.
Click to expand...

Hehehe. I hate GHS and love D'Addarios. I've had absolutely no problem with excessive string breakage (and I beat the living crap out of those strings), especially since I put graphtech saddles on my guitar.
 
LoL that just proves my point that its all up whos playing. but for bass, they are funky, they like, go from thick to not-thick....its wierd...but thats what i think....funny to think my fav's are another persons non-fav

freak
 
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