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 are kept under tension so that although they may vibrate freely, they remain controllable.
Strings come in two different types. There are plain strings and then there are wound strings. Plain strings are usually made up of only one type of material, where as wound strings have a core made from a single material and are then wound with a second type of material.
The strings that are manufactured in this day and age are made up of animal and plant products, metals, and polymers. Steel strings are made from phosphor bronze, nickel, and other alloys which incorporate steel. Bass guitars require a particular type of strings that are made up of polymer materials that are wound. They also come in bigger gauges then acoustic and electric guitars.
Strings come in all different varieties. One of the most common types of strings are round wound strings. These types of strings consist of 2 parts, the hex or core and the round wire which wraps tightly around the core. Because these strings are both simple as well as easy to make, they are not as costly as other types of strings that are available.
Unfortunately due to the fact that these strings do not cost much to manufacture or to purchase, they are also not manufactured as soundly as other strings. Round wound strings usually have bumps on their surface that causes friction with the player's fingertips and produce squeaking sounds when the player runs their fingers across them. These strings have a round core and also round winding, which leads to the slipping of the winding because it is not secured to the core. This looseness allows the winding to rotate freely around the core and can produce off tune pitches when played.
Much like round wound strings, flat wound strings also have either a round or a hex core. Most guitar players prefer flat wound strings over any other type of strings because they are more comfortable on their fingers then any other type and they also reduce distortion and squeaking caused by the guitar players fingers. These particular tend to cost more then round wound strings because of the way they are made.
Keep in mind that not all guitars are the same. This means that not all guitars take the same type of strings. All strings do however share some of the same type of materials needed in order to make them. Bronze for instance is one of the most commonly used elements for the winding of strings. In some instances silver and gold are used as well, but tend to be more costly. These types of materials are both hypoallergenic and also are resistant to corrosion.
As do most things that are metal or made with metal, guitar strings offer a unique problem because they are susceptible to corrosion and oxidation. Wound strings of any metallic type will eventually corrode due to exposure of moisture and salts from players fingers. Unfortunately due to this exposure, metallic made strings not only will loose their shine but will eventually break as well. Recently in order to combat corrosion, manufacturing companies have began applying a metal plating or polymer coating in order to better protect the strings from normal wear and tear and corrosion.
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The Various Types of Guitar Strings
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