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Guitar Tip from Learn & Master's Steve Krenz
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 You can spend thousands of $'s on a new guitar... and chances are you'll love it! But there's a way to make ANY guitar sound better (LOTS better) that won't cost much at all.
So whether you have a new or an old guitar, this pertains to you. It takes little time and effort, and it only costs a few bucks! Introducing...
The $6 Guitar Tune-up
One thing I have found as a professional player that NEVER fails to improve a guitar's sound is... that's right... put on a new set of strings.
Nothing puts the sparkle and punch back into your sound like a fresh set of strings. I'll never forget when I found out how often studio players changed their strings! I thought, "How do they afford that?"
Well, it's their gig! They either show up sounding great or they don't get called back!
**By the way, speaking of strings, my friend Greg Voros (luthier at the famous Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, TN) has come out with the amazing, Learn & Master Guitar Setup and Maintenance course, which teaches you a whole lot more than just how to change your strings! If interested, check it out here.
Now, here are a few hints about guitar strings:
1. The brand of strings isn't as important as the fact that they sound great when brand new!
Strings come in two kinds - coated and uncoated. Coated strings (like Elixir brand) are 'slicker' feeling when you play them because they have a coating that keeps dirt and oils from tarnishing the strings (and keeps their tone sounding bright.) Coated strings sound "new" longer.
From my experience, individual brands don't demonstrate as much real-world playing difference as the marketing would imply. I prefer 'Elixir Polywebs' because I like the feel of the coating. But there are other brands that offer coated strings too.
2. The gauge of strings is important. Lighter strings are going to be easier to push down though they sound a little 'smaller' in tone. If you're just beginning, I recommend a lighter guage string set.
Heavier strings will increase your sustain and volume but they're also harder to push down. Experiment the next couple times you buy new strings to see what works best for you.
3. Your strings have a "life-cycle." Most strings (coated or not) will sound 'fantastic' for about the first 4 hours of playing time; then 'really good' for about 3 days; after that, you'll notice the tone beginning to 'dull' a bit (depending on how you observe #4 below.)
Coated strings will last a bit longer (and sound 'new' longer) because they stay untarnished. They cost more, but it's worth it to me.
4. Wash your hands before you play. Your hands have oils that you don't even notice...so strings get 'gunked up' and corroded...losing that clear 'ring.' Washing your hands before you play minimizes this oil transfer so your strings last longer.
5. Steve's Rule of Thumb...If you can't remember the last time you changed your strings, then it's time.
Do yourself (and your listeners) a favor and put a new set of strings on your guitar. You'll stay inspired when your tone is clear and ringy.
I hope this is helpful. Go get you some new coated strings. It's like getting a new guitar... almost.
August's Featured Student Profile
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 Name: Dennis Cutshall
Gender: Male
My city: Bethel, Ohio
My instruments/gear: Paul Reed Smith CE22 electric, 1970 Martin D35 acoustic, Godin Freeway EMG electric, Fender Squier electric, Godin xTSA electric (synth ready), Ibanez AEF18E acoustic-electric, Line 6 Spider III amp, Roland GI-20, Roland Cube 30X amp
Favorite Artists/Bands: Joe Satriani, too many others to mention
Favorite style(s) to play: I suppose my favorite styles to play are (not necessarily in this order) rock, hard rock, blues, gypsy/swing jazz, a little bit o' blues, funk, and fingerstyle acoustic (i.e. Emmanuel, Rafferty). So many styles, so little time.
What made me want to play music?: I began the trumpet in the 8th grade. My first choice was flute, but the director said "ever thought about the trumpet"? Rather weird, because I was joining the army to be in the Army Band, and my recruiter said, "ever thought about Military Intelligence" and MI I went. Anyway, after a few years of studying the trumpet, I found I really enjoyed music and theater and wanted to learn the awesome instrument called the guitar . So at 16, I got a job and saved up for my first guitar: a black Fender Strat.
Previous music experience: I started playing when I was just about 17 and played ALL the time. I got to be a fairly decent tab-reading player, but really didn't get far at all. I traded my Strat in for an Ibanez Roadstar when I was 18, loved that guitar, but ended up pawning it in my early 20's while I was in the military. Time passed, got out of the Army and I wanted to play guitar again. So, I bought a 40 dollar pawn shop acoustic special around the year 2000 (I had to super-glue the neck back on). I became a single parent about 2 years later and my playing decreased even more (I got about an hour every few months. You know, playing the only 4 chords I remembered). Then after a couple more years, getting nowhere, in February 2007, I decided to seek out some knowledge and found Learn and Master Guitar! I've learned more now than all the books and lessons I previously had combined!
If your house was on fire, which one piece of gear would you grab and why?: If I had two hands free I would grab my PRS CE22 and my 1970 Martin D35. If I could only choose one (with copious crying), I would choose my PRS. Primarily, I just love the way it feels. It sits just right with me when I play it, and the tone is awesome! Both guitars are worth about the same, money-wise, but the PRS is my first choice. (but don't tell the Martin, I certainly don't want any rivalry).
My favorite place to be when I'm playing music: My favorite place is my living room I suppose. I haven't really played in any other room regularly since I end up gravitating toward the living room. Could be because that's where all my gear is.
My highest musical moment: My most delightful music experience would have to be playing on stage at the gathering (Guitar Gathering 2010). Nerve wracking as all get out (don't know why), but it's something I would definitely do again.
Hobbies: Well, actually writing/recording/playing music is my hobby, since I don't actually make money at it.
Current Job: I work for the government...very classified. If I say what it is I really do, I have to kill you.
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Get Great Deals on Strings at Musician's Friend!
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 There's only one thing better than new strings... it's new strings at a substantial discount. Musician's Friend is known for great deals, but this is a special deal on Elixir strings, the coated strings used by professionals everywhere, (including Steve Krenz of Learn & Master Guitar fame).
Click here to check out Elixir Nanowebs!
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