Loose guitar strings?

Subject: Tech: Loose guitar strings?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 04:33 PM

I mentioned to someone the ther day that she should loosen her guitar strings as she won't be playing it for awhile. She said that she had never heard that. Is loosening the strings just an old wive's tale? I'd always heard that they should be loosened to remove any undue tension on the instrument.

Subject: RE: Tech: Loose guitar strings?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 04:39 PM

The instrument is BUILT to take string tension... if anything, loosening the stings when not useing them for a while will perserve the strigns more than it affects the neck...

So I understand anyway...

Subject: RE: Tech: Loose guitar strings?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 04:41 PM

I would think it depends on:

* nylon strings. Don't bother

* Light steel on a good quality instrument. Probably don't bother.

* medium steel on a good quality instrument. Probably wouldn't hurt.

* Any steel strings on a mediocre instrument. Probably wouldn't hurt.

I have heard of this, but don't support it unconditionally.

Subject: RE: Tech: Loose guitar strings?
From: Bert
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 04:48 PM

It's the 'not playing it a while' that will hurt.

Subject: RE: Loose guitar strings?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 04:52 PM

Good point Bert...

:-)

Subject: RE: Loose guitar strings?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 07:56 PM

Thanks. I think I'll still loosen the strings on my dulcimers as I don't play all of them regularly.

Subject: RE: Loose guitar strings?
From: Mudlark
Date: 31 Jul 03 - 08:21 PM

I've had a McSpadden dulcimer for nearly 30 years, only play it sporadically and leave it hanging on the wall...and have never loosened the strings. It seems as sound as ever. On the other hand, my handmade classical guitar, which I rarely play any more, has a very thin spruce top. When it's in it's case for months at a time, I loosen the nylon strings, not to protect the neck but to keep the bridge from warping the top. The thin top gives this instrument a beautiful tone, especially in the low ranges, but it does seem fragile.

Subject: RE: Loose guitar strings?
From: mooman
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 03:50 AM

From a luthiery point of view I would say it's not a good idea.

Best regards,

moo

Subject: RE: Loose guitar strings?
From: Louie Roy
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 09:59 AM

I've been playing a guitar for over 70 years and I've never loosened the strings.I still plunk away 5 to 10 minutes every day and I want my guitar as nearly in tune when I pick it up as when I put it away.So I personally would say absolutely not.Louie Roy