Noobee Guitar questions

[foxtrot]

I just changed the string on my guitar to Pro Arte classical guitar normal tension strings and the info that came with these strings states they last between 2 and 3 times longer than other strings. My noobee question is how do you know when your strings (regardless of brand) are worn out and need to be changed?

I'm also looking at buying a better classical guitar in the future somewhere in the $600 - $1000 range. I'd like to hear some comments and opinions on what makes of guitars are worth considering in this price range?
Thanks foxtrot

[keith]

if they are the regular d'addario, unfortunatley they probably will not last 2-3 times longer than any quality string. if they are the coated bass strings, there is a significant difference of opinion out there--both in longevity and tone quality.

with all strings, the bass strings definitely die before the trebles. as to a general rule of how many sets of basses to trebles--there probably is none. i personally use about 3 bass sets to each treble set. probably could go more, but the trebles do get nicked.

for a really great source for information, type: stringsbymail into your search engine. we cannot post anything with .com into this forum so you will have to go the route described above. richard, who runs the operation, has a really great article on strings, and you will learn alot navigating in this website. have fun 8)

[foxtrot]

Thanks for the help Keith...The strings i got are the Addario Pro Arte that cost a bit more then the regular DArddario strings because of their superior material which gives them a longer life span or so they claim.

Regarding string life, what happens when the strings start going bad? Do they start sounding dstorted or can't hold their tune or something like that? or is it that they start to fall appart such as the wound wire breaking? Since i just started playing the guitar i haven't used it enough to wear out the strings but i'd like to know if there are early indicators of the strings wearing out so i can replace them before they really go south.
Thanks again 8)

[keith]

bass strings going dead symptoms: loss of that metallic ring, loss of the winding at the point where string meets fret, dull tone. i have never left them on long enough to break due to old age. a good visual indication to change strings: the points on the string where the string hits the fret behind to change from silver to a brownish color. i use tone: when the string no longer has a nice metallic sound, off they go.

treble strings going dead symptoms: the tone gets flat and eventually because they are nylon, in theory, keeping them in tune will be more difficult. one condition that is difficult to see--they do nick at the frets and where you strike them with your right hand. i usually change them once for every 3 sets of basses. i could go longer in theory, but they only cost about $4 or so.

[guitarz11]

This thing about strings is a matter of opinion, and the opinions vary greatly. For instance, some players love the sound of new strings so much that they change them every few weeks! Personally I would rather shoot myself. Even one string manufacturer says to do so by changing one string every few days. I carry such a note in my case for laughs. This instruction comes from the Ampurias string Co.
Throughout my experience I have found that it is especially time to change the strings when it is difficult to tell if a note/string is in tune, that is the sound that the string is supposed to make is unclear, and I think that this means that it is no longer able to hold a good pitch. This however, is not that easy to do. One has to have a good ear, which simply comes from experience coupled with knowing your instrument. I would not play my instrument in concert unless the strings were on the guitar at least two weeks. This "wonderful sound" of new strings is a trap that will cause you to waste your money. Generally, the more you pay, the better the strings.
*Much also has to do with how you play. I press very hard I play, certainly harder than many classical players, and so tend to thus wear them out longer. Even so, not performing, I will only change them once or twice a year.
As for a guitar, this is simple. The cheeeep classical guitars are noted especially by this; the 3 low strings project more volume than the 3 highest ones. You want one that projects all 6 about the same. Warning; some $600 ones are no better than $200 ones.
I hope this helps.