Electric guitar strings after 8:00 on a Sunday?

meatflower

Time may be of the essence here so I'll keep this short.

A buddy of mine gave me a cheap electric guitar that I wanted to mess around on. It's missing the E string though and I need a new one. Tried stringing it up with the spare set that came with this thing but that one snapped before I even got it in range.

It's 8:00 here on the Pacific coast and Guitar Center is closed, anywhere else I can go tonight that will sell strings? Wal-Mart even? They don't need to be very good (I'm not even sure I'd know what good strings are) but they just need to work.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Pheezer

You pretty much need to visit a store that sells instruments for this. Maybe a pawn shop that specializes in instruments, but it's hard to say.

meatflower

Here's a question, as a makeshift solution could I use the spare B string (second string) for the A string?

AgentBryant

I suppose you could try, but it would be hella loose and probably just buzz being tuned to the proper A octave

edit: now that I really think of it, that probably wouldn't work at all.

meatflower

Meant B for E...still, what you said probably applies anyway.

I suppose I'll try, doesn't look like I'm getting a new E string tonight.

AgentBryant

Yeah, I was going to ask.. B to A seemed pretty ridiculous.

Potentially, yes. Assuming its not really shitty like the actual E string you had.

Pheezer

If you're like one gauge off it won't matter much, but it's not ideal.

racyrefinedraj

The wal mart near me has guitar strings (GHS boomers, actually. not too shabby). They are up front next to a giant stack of $100 guitars. If any near you sell instruments you should be good to go.

meatflower

You know I called a Wal Mart and I got transfered to Electronics after asking for Instruments....asked if they had electric guitar strings and she said no. They probably have them though.

I used the B string for the high E and it seems to have worked quite well for the time being. I'll probably get a whole replacement set tomorrow.

Maybe this is the guitar, I'm kind of new to this, but a couple of the strings kind of "rattle" on the second fret when I hold down a note on the first fret. I don't know if that's a string or guitar problem or if it's something I can adjust. There are two little screws on each of the string "holders" at the bottom of the guitar, it seems like they could be adjusted to raise the string a little bit higher which looks like it would eliminate the problem.

Pheezer

Fine tuning the guitar and checking the tension on the neck will likely solve the string rattling. The guitar might even be slightly warped or the neck could be slightly bowed, these aren't uncommon issues on used guitars that haven't been well maintained. Get someone who knows what they're doing to check it out and show you how to deal with it.

meatflower

Well let me clarify, when I said "cheap" I really meant it. This guitar is made by First Act...they look nice but they're half plastic and made in China. The neck is wood, and the fretboard is wood though. I think they actually sell these things in Wal-Mart with an amp and soft case for less than $100.

So two issues if I take it in somewhere

A) I'll be laughed out of the store when I bring it in. I'm having flash backs to that MadTV skit with the music store.
I'll end up spending more than the thing is worth to fix it.

Still, I have zero dollars invested in it thus far so it might not be bad...I was just hoping to not have to put any money into it.

edit: And I doubt it's physically damaged. I think my friend took it out once or twice, and it's been stored in the box wrapped in plastic for the last year or so.

cooljammer00

well, considering you just said it is made of shoddy wood, being kept in a box doesnt prevent heat warping.

still, dont be afraid to bring it to a shop. I mean, who the fuck cares what the shopkeepers think? They'd probably laugh at a customer anyway if they dont have the latest/greatest guitar.

since it is old, are the frets just worn down? you might just need to press harder on the strings to decrease the buzz. or change the pickups.

Pheezer

cooljammer00 wrote: »

still, dont be afraid to bring it to a shop. I mean, who the fuck cares what the shopkeepers think? They'd probably laugh at a customer anyway if they dont have the latest/greatest guitar.

I've never ever had that problem.

since it is old, are the frets just worn down? you might just need to press harder on the strings to decrease the buzz. or change the pickups.

What would changing the pickups have to do with anything? And how is that a good suggestion for someone intent on not sinking any money into the instrument? New pickups would cost as much as the instrument itself did. And pushing harder on the strings is highly unlikely to DECREASE buzz. Being a great deal more accurate about pressing at the fret MIGHT be the problem, but most likely the guitar just needs to be set up correctly, and being able to string and set up a guitar is a pretty basic skill that you're going to need if you're going to play.

You can look up adjusting the truss rod and using the fine tuners online, but you're much better off getting someone you know to show you how it's done, or paying for a quick lesson. Seriously, just take it to a shop and describe the problem and ask the guy what can be done and he'll probably just show you how to adjust it quickly. It shouldn't cost more than $20 or take more than ten minutes.

meatflower

Alright...I guess I'll load it in the car and take it to the Guitar Center in between classes tomorrow. That or a local place. $20 works, I'm not dirt poor right now but I also don't have money for a new guitar or expensive parts.

Pheezer

There's nothing expensive to be replaced, it's a series of minor adjustments you're looking to have done. If it can't be fixed and it's a matter of ignoring it or getting a new guitar, well then you're not exactly any further behind than you are today, right? Only if you hit a shop you can also grab some strings while you're at it :P

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