Custom Search

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The Reliability Of Guitar Strings

By Phil Zertisky

Strings are vibrating elements that produce the sounds in string instruments. There are many types of string instruments including pianos, violins, and guitars. Guitar strings are flexible lengths of material that is kept under tension so that although it may vibrate freely yet controllable.

These strings can come in two different forms. One form is that of plain strings, meaning these strings are made from one type of material. There are also strings that are referred to as "wound". These strings have a core center made up of a single material such as steel, and wound with a second type of material or materials such as nylon or gut.

Modern strings are made up of metals, polymers, or plant and animal product materials. Strings made up of steel are usually made from alloys that incorporate steel, phosphor bronze, or nickel. Some strings that are made for bass guitars are made up of polymer materials like fluorocarbon and nylon materials that are wound instead of mono filament.

There are numerous varieties of wound strings. There are round wound strings, which are the simplest of all strings. These strings are made up of two parts. A round or hex core on the inside with round wire winding tightly in a spiral around the core; make up these round wound strings. These strings are not only easy and simple to make and manufacture, but are also cheap to purchase.

As with anything though, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Although these strings are cheap and easy to replace, the fact of the matter is that these will have to be replaced more often then other types of strings. Round wound strings have a bumpy surface that is known for producing friction on people's finger tips that use them and play them on their guitars. If the core to these round wound strings is round then the winding is not secured to the core. This means that the winding can rotate freely around the core.

The most preferred type of guitar strings used is known as flat wound strings. These strings contain either a round or a hex core, but are more comfortable to use because they do not have bumpy surfaces. Flat wound strings also reduce squeaking noises and distortion when a player slides their fingers across them, which makes the tones and pitches produced by them more clear and rich.

Bronze is the most common element used for the winding of guitar strings. The elements of gold and silver are also used but are generally more expensive. They are used for their resistance to corrosion as well as their hypoallergenic properties, meaning that they have been known to cause fewer allergic reactions or skin irritations then other materials of their category.

Using metal or metal alloys for the production of anything generally leaves the vulnerability of corruption. Any strings made out of metal alloys of any nature will eventually with time, corrode and even break. By being exposed to oils, sweat, and salts produced by the human body in the fingertips, guitar strings will corrode and need replacement. The frequency in which they will need to be replaced is all based on what type of strings you use. In modern times some company's are using a special coating made up of polymer to help protect strings, however even with this there will eventually come a time where one will need to replace their strings.

About the Author: