increasing playability question - can't hold down strings!

bleedingfingerz · Newbie Alert Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 1

Hi-

Brand new to guitar - got a really cheap used one off of Craigslist.

It seems nearly impossible for me to hold down strings firmly at the first fret, and same with the 2nd fret but a little less so.

My fingers are blistering/peeling. I tried covering my fingertips with many layers of vinyl tape, but it still really hurts to just hold down an E chord.

I searched online and figured out that the grooves at the nut were a little tall, so I took a steak-knife to those. That lowered the strings a bit, but probably helped only about 25%.

While I understand my fingers will continue to toughen up, I can't imagine they will ever be so calloused that I will be able to play this thing, since right now it feels like pressing down on knives. Any ideas? Should I buy some softer strings?

PunkStar · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:49 am Post subject:

What sort of guitar have you got? We can give you a bit more help on fixing the problem once we know that.

The strings probably shouldn't be hurting that much. Buying it used from Craigslist means you've got someone's old guitar that may not be in the best condition, and certainly not in the best condition for a new player. Your best option at the point would be to take the guitar to a local music store and ask if they can set the guitar up properly so it's a bit nicer for you. Also, buy a good learn to play guitar book. That will have some useful tips to help you get through this stage in your playing.

Oh, and welcome to the board. Very Happy

KY Ratshooter · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:38 am Post subject:

A trip to the shop will probably cost more than the guitar!

I have one student that refused to spend more than $35 for a Wall-mart guitar and then went to GC and spent $45 for a tuner and gig-bag.

For $20 more he could have had a combo pack with a half decient guitar and the tuner and gig bag!

Go figure!

Those strings should not be more than 1/8" from the frets at the nut and no more than 3/16 at the 12th fret.

this will probably require more work than you can do with a steak knife!

Get a couple of hacksaw blades and tape them together at one end. Very slowly lower the grooves at the nut.

If the saddle needs adjustment remove the bridgepiece (the white plastic thingy) and use sandpaper on the bottom surface to reduce the height. Keep the sandpaper on a flat surface like a table top.

Then go down to the guitar shop and spring $5 for a set of 9 gauge strings. They will save you much grief.

some of the cheap guitars are hopeless. Clapton would only make noise on them.

markm2553 · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:05 am Post subject:

Check out this sit, take a look around it, there is a lot more info than this one page. You might be able to make your bargin guitar play a little better yourself.

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Guitar/Setup/LowerAction/loweraction01.html

Look for anything related to "setup".

Putting on ultra light strings will help while your learning.

Good luck and welcome!