Picks - Plectrums - what should I use ?

The best plectrum (pick) really depends on your instrument, style, and tone. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose:

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🎶 Thickness (the biggest factor)

• Thin (0.40–0.60 mm)

  • Flexible, bright tone

  • Best for: strumming acoustic, rhythm guitar, folk

• Medium (0.60–0.85 mm)

  • Balance of strumming and picking

  • Best for: acoustic + electric players who mix rhythm and lead

• Heavy (0.85–1.2 mm+)

  • Rigid, full tone, better control

  • Best for: electric lead, solos, riffs, metal, rock

• Extra heavy (1.5 mm–3 mm)

  • Very thick, precise attack, less “click”

  • Best for: shredding, jazz, fast technical playing

Why and how often should I change my strings

 Great question — changing strings is one of the biggest factors in keeping your instrument sounding its best. Here’s the why and how often broken down:

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🎸 Why change strings?

1. Tone – New strings are bright, clear, and resonate better. Old strings sound dull, lifeless, or “muddy.”

2. Tuning stability – Worn strings don’t hold pitch as well and can slip out of tune.

3. Feel – Old strings feel rough, sticky, or stiff. Fresh ones are smoother and easier on the fingers.

4. Breakage – Strings weaken over time; changing them prevents snapping mid-play.

5. Hygiene – Sweat, dirt, and oils corrode strings. This can transfer grime onto the fretboard too.

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🎵 How often should you change them?

It depends on how much you play and the sound you want:

• Daily players / performers → every 2–4 weeks

• Regular hobby players (a few times a week) → every 6–8 weeks

• Occasional players → every 3–4 months (or when tone dies)

• Recording / live shows → ideally fresh set before important sessions or gigs

How should you take care of your guitar

 Great question 🎸 — maintaining your guitar properly will keep it sounding great and extend its life. Here’s a practical guide to guitar care:

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🎸 1. Strings

• Change regularly: every 1–2 months if you play often, or sooner if they sound dull or feel rough.

• Wipe after playing: use a clean cloth to remove sweat and oils (this makes them last longer).

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🎸 2. Cleaning

• Body: wipe with a soft microfiber cloth; for deeper cleaning use a guitar polish (avoid household cleaners).

• Fretboard: if it’s rosewood or ebony, use fretboard conditioner (like lemon oil) sparingly — 1–2 times a year. Maple boards usually just need a dry or lightly damp cloth.

• Hardware: gently clean tuners, bridge, and pickups with a dry cloth to prevent rust/tarnish.

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🎸 3. Storage

• Use a case: a hard case or padded gig bag keeps it safe from bumps and dust.

• Avoid extreme temps/humidity: don’t leave it in a hot car or near heaters/air conditioners.

• Humidity control: ideally 40–60%. Use a room humidifier or an in-case humidifier if your area is very dry.

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🎸 4. Setup & adjustments

• Neck & action: once or twice a year, have a tech check the truss rod, intonation, and action.

• Intonation: if chords sound out of tune higher up the neck, it may need adjustment.

• Electrics: keep pots, switches, and jacks dust-free; contact cleaner helps if they get crackly.

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🎸 5. Handling

• Wash hands before playing.

• Don’t lean it against walls (easy to knock over). Use a guitar stand.

• Be gentle with the tuning pegs and cable jacks.

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🛠️ Quick Maintenance Checklist

✅ Wipe strings and body after every session
✅ Store in a case or stand (not leaning)
✅ Control humidity (40–60%)
✅ Change strings every 1–2 months (or when they sound dead)
✅ Annual setup by a pro if needed

Restringing your guitar

Restringing a guitar can feel tricky the first few times, but once you’ve got the method down it becomes second nature. Here’s a clear step-by-step for the best way to restring a guitar (assuming it’s a standard 6-string acoustic or electric):

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🔧 What you’ll need

• New set of strings

• String winder (optional but speeds things up)

• Wire cutters or pliers

• Tuner

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🎸 Step-by-step process

1. Loosen and remove old strings

   • Turn the tuning pegs to loosen each string until you can easily unwind and remove it.

   • On acoustics: remove bridge pins carefully (a winder usually has a notch for this).

   • On electrics: pull strings out through the bridge or tailpiece.

2. Clean the guitar (optional but recommended)

   • With strings off, wipe down the fretboard and body.

   • For rosewood/ebony fretboards, you can use a little lemon oil or fretboard conditioner.

3. Insert the new strings

   • Acoustic: insert ball end into the bridge pin hole and secure with the pin.

   • Electric: thread strings through the bridge or tailpiece (depends on guitar style).

4. Thread strings through tuning posts

   • Pull the string tight and leave a little slack (about 2–3 inches).

   • Insert the end through the tuner post hole.

   • Bend it and start winding so the wraps go downward on the post (helps tuning stability).

5. Wind strings

   • Use a string winder or your hand to tighten.

   • Keep tension with your other hand so the wraps are neat and don’t overlap.

   • Bass strings (E, A, D): 2–3 wraps around the post.

   • Treble strings (G, B, high E): 3–5 wraps for extra grip.

6. Stretch and tune

   • Once all strings are on, tune roughly to pitch.

   • Gently tug each string along its length to stretch it, then retune. Repeat until stable.

7. Clip excess string ends

   • Use wire cutters to snip off the sharp ends near the tuner posts.

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⚡ Tips for best results

• Always change the whole set, not just one string (unless it’s an emergency).

• Change strings one at a time if you’re worried about neck tension or setup shifting.

• If you play a lot, change them every 1–2 months; less if you play occasionally.

• Wash your hands before playing — it makes strings last longer.