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How can I avoid snapping strings on my acoustic guitar when tuning?
Okay, so I'm a COMPLETE beginner at guitar. However, I bought my Fender at Sam Ash and got recommendations from my guitar teacher. So, I believe my strings and guitar are of fine quality. My only problem is that in the past two weeks that I've had my guitar, I've managed to break my strings multiple times.
When I first got the guitar, I broke my high e string. And then two days ago I broke my b string. (Both were repaired.)
And now I have managed to break my high e string again! I'm getting frustrated. I will ask my guitar teacher the same question when I see her later this week, but I want to hear your opinions as well:
How can I avoid snapping the strings on my acoustic guitar whilst tuning?
Every time I've snapped these strings, it was while I was trying to tune. And I don't go crazy when it's too flat or too sharp; I'm very careful about it. Do I just need to tune a wee bit, and then stop, so as to stretch out the strings? Or what are the best methods for being careful when tuning? I'm afraid I'm going to snap another string...
*Note: I've gotten my strings repaired at Sam Ash.
*Note: I have a tuner. And I've been using it.
7 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Have the guitar checked out. If it is breaking strings that often then you may be tuning the string an octave higher than it should be or there could be a problem with the bridge. Take notice of where exactly the strings are breaking and that might give a clue. Hope this helps you, Chile
- ?Lv 45 years ago
Well. I've been using Elixir strings, Medium/ .013-.056, polyweb original coating with anti rust plain steels. Had to read the package haha. I am also constantly tuning my guitar to all sorts of different tunings, and since I changed to these strings I haven't had any issues. I play my guitar daily, havent had to change my strings since the D string that came with my guitar snapped. Changed them to Elixir. No issues since then. Which would have been August sometime. They've definitly got some life in them haha. Good luck!!
- 1 decade ago
Stretch the strings so they don't go flat so quickly. Prior to finding the perfect pitch pull the string up an inch around the twelfth fret. Tune your low E with the tuner and go by ear for the rest (fifth fret; fifth fret; fifth fret; fourth fret; fifth fret) and test your ear with the tuner. Tiny slow turns are all that's needed to get it up. Patience is a virtue and valuable to your pocketbook.
- 1 decade ago
You have this problem either because you put the string on incorrectly, or because you're tightening the string too much when tuning.
When the string is slightly flat, don't tighten it too much; do it gradually until you get the right pitch.
If you want to see the correct way to put on strings, check out YouTube.
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- Chasing CarsLv 41 decade ago
I had this problem when i first started too, this was from turning the tuners too quickly. Slow down and slowly tune your guitar, take your time. A quick jerk or turn of the tuner will snap your string. Turn slowly!
- Anonymous1 decade ago
You BUY A FUC**NG TUNER... they are CHEAP and AMATEURS NEED THEM because they ALWAYS BREAK STRINGS since they are usually so cheap they don't buy a TUNER.
