|
31 Jul 03 - 04:33 PM (#994465) Subject: Tech: Loose guitar strings? From: Walking Eagle 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. |
|
31 Jul 03 - 04:39 PM (#994467) Subject: RE: Tech: Loose guitar strings? From: Clinton Hammond 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... |
|
31 Jul 03 - 04:41 PM (#994470) Subject: RE: Tech: Loose guitar strings? From: GUEST,Martin Gibson 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. |
|
31 Jul 03 - 04:48 PM (#994471) Subject: RE: Tech: Loose guitar strings? From: Bert It's the 'not playing it a while' that will hurt. |
|
31 Jul 03 - 04:52 PM (#994474) Subject: RE: Loose guitar strings? From: Clinton Hammond Good point Bert... :-) |
|
31 Jul 03 - 07:56 PM (#994624) Subject: RE: Loose guitar strings? From: Walking Eagle Thanks. I think I'll still loosen the strings on my dulcimers as I don't play all of them regularly. |
|
31 Jul 03 - 08:21 PM (#994646) Subject: RE: Loose guitar strings? From: Mudlark 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. |
|
01 Aug 03 - 03:50 AM (#994808) Subject: RE: Loose guitar strings? From: mooman From a luthiery point of view I would say it's not a good idea. Best regards, moo |
|
01 Aug 03 - 09:59 AM (#994994) Subject: RE: Loose guitar strings? From: Louie Roy 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 |