Q&A for How to Change Guitar Strings

You could, but it's best to replace all the strings, especially if they're old. Mixing old strings with new strings, or different types of strings, would likely sound bad/different.

Pain in your fingers is normal when you first start playing. Over time, your finger pads will develop callouses that will protect them. Just be patient and stop when you need to.

It is a matter of personal experience and preference, but they should be a little bit easier on your fingers.

Grab them by the part near the sound hole and stretch the string as you tighten it.

I change mine every 6 months or so. It all depends on how much you play and whether or not you clean them after use.

No, I wouldn't recommend playing the guitar in the rain since getting your instrument wet can ruin it.

The string knobs just hold the string in place and do not have to be secured in any particular way.

Just use a damp rag.

Different branded strings have different colors, but you can identify them by their thickness. From thickest to thinnest, it will be E A D G B E.

Use acoustic strings for an acoustic guitar and electric strings for an electric guitar--there really are no good substitutes. Check eBay for cheaper string options.

Yes.

No. Steel strings put far more tension on the neck and body of a guitar than do nylon strings. A nylon string guitar typically isn't designed to withstand the amount of tension steel strings would put on it. By putting on steel strings, you run the risk of warping the guitar and rendering it useless.

Take it back to the store you bought it from. If there's no help there, find a luthier who specializes in guitars.

You would need to buy a left-handed neck in order to switch the strings around.

They should generally be changed every two to four weeks. If they start accumulating grit, or sounding dull, they need changed.

Yes. It's also good for highlighting certain aspects of your playing. For example, playing a heavy rhythm could require heavier strings, while playing lead could require lighter strings (for bending and such). You could attempt to mix both to create a unique sound.

Yes, you can, although it might take a while for you to get used to the difference in sound.

Yes, you can.

The nut may need to be replaced, as they are often cut for the largest string to smallest string, and not reversible due to shape, and saddle slots are often angled for intonation; the entire bridge may need to be replaced. It all depends on the specific guitar, but simply re-stringing most guitars results in poor sound.

Make sure that your guitar is tuned correctly. New strings aren't very stretched out, so it is easy for them to get "out of tune".

You could use a piano if you have one. If you have perfect pitch, you can tune by ear.

You can fix this by "stretching" the strings. You do this by grabbing the strings that need to be tuned a lot between two fingers, and gently wiggling back and forth, slowly stretching it out. After a short while, doing this on each string, re-tune and repeat. Keep doing this until your strings do not get out of tune fast.