Why Do I Snap Guitar Strings When I Re-String?
Re-stringing your guitar does not have to take very long--15 minutes to an hour--but it should be a deliberate process. There are a few things you can do to protect your eyes from flying strings.
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The Right Equipment
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Strings for your old classical are nylon, but still sound great. The first thing to try is changing strings--brand or type. Strings are designed specifically for electric, acoustic and classical guitars. Run a finger over the bridge and tuning pegs to feel for burrs.
Slow Down
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The most common cause of snapping strings is winding too fast. After your string is installed, wind until it holds firmly in its grooves and wait one minute. Move on to the next string if applicable. Gently tug and give the tuning peg a few more turns. Your strings are stretching out and getting settled. Continue playing and tuning.
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Protect Your Guitar
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It's a delicate instrument. Give it a good bed. Don't keep your guitar in the garage. Cold, brittle strings break easier. If it is warm, a wooden guitar might warp, putting tension on the strings. Keep your instrument in a moderate climate.
Place the Strings Correctly
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The top of a guitar with pegs on both ends will look like this. A string running in the wrong direction up your guitar will probably break. Make sure the string is in the right spot at the bridge, the correct grooves on the saddle and nut and in the corresponding peg. It should run in a straight line up the guitar, bending slightly after the nut to reach the tuning peg.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Classical acoustic guitar, isolated on white background image by Nikolai Sorokin from Fotolia.com guitar tuning head image by PeteG from Fotolia.com Acoustic guitar, close-up, isolated on white background image by Nikolai Sorokin from Fotolia.com
