Acoustic Guitar feels tight ):

[Keitake]

Greetings!

I have an acoustic guitar and it feels tight, to the extent that you have to press very hard on it to let it ring properly and full bending seems close to impossible and whenever I try to do it, they snap without last warning ): I feel like crying, because all of my friends who owns an acoustic guitar have very smooth feel to it and I must say that it's effortless to fret a note. As an added bonus, they are easier to press than my electric guitar. So my conclusion is that maybe it is the method that I use to restring that led the string to be tight? Or is it something else? Will sending my guitars for setup resolve the problem? Thank you for your attention!

-Kei

 

[kdash]

A few possibilities: it can be that the guitar needs some adjustment/setup to the neck, the frets may not be even, nut or bridge too high causing the action to be high. How much do you bend the strings, and at which fret/which string? The strings of acoustic guitars are generally harder to bend than electric, but if it snaps too easily, either you are bending too much or there may be something wrong with the nut/bridge. Method of restringing should not affect the tightness too much, unless the guitar is tuned too high.

Can get a more experienced friend to check out your guitar before sending it for setup. The problem may be something small! Anyway it's good training for your fingers to fret harder when you play! Just kidding...

 

[gjkung]

what gauge strings did you restring it with and what tuning are you in?

The higher your gauge the tighter the strings will be at the same tuning.

 

[Keitake]

I'm using 12 gauge string and tune it to C# Standard. When I meant by bending I usually mean something generally at about 12 fret on the e string. Anyway does string brands also affect this?

 

[kdash]

hmm 12 gauge is a bit thick for bending, but the lower C# tuning should compensate for it... what string brand are you using?

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Strings do matter, I think, but it's not obvious. So far I've felt good with D'addarios, Ernie Balls, Dean Markleys and Everlys. Only string brand I hate is GHS and it's not because they were tight, more like they just kept snapping.

You could try lubricating the nut holes with lead as well. Look and see if the strings seem to be getting pinched in the nut. I heard that the strings can get pinched within the nut slots especially if you're using a thicker gauge than the guitar originally came with, without doing any filing at the nut.

 

[ShredAddict]

for beginners, gauge 10 would be great but even for me gauge 11 is good enough.

I suspect your action is high. either the nut or the saddle. in other cases, sometimes even the bridge is too thick and needs to be trimmed down.

for any acoustic repairs, I recommend guitar connection. they did a refret and cut a new bone nut for me before. I'm a happy customer.

 

[VENGEANCE]

First of all, "that's what she said" to your title. But basically, like everyone else said you definitely have to set up your guitar. New guitars dont usually come with good set up and the fact is the cheaper your guitar the more likely the worse the set up. Various points to note, your neck may be warped, nut may be too high, action too high, and the right gauge and tension of strings. My recommendation is Darco strings by Martin. They are soft tension strings and are a lot more comfortable to press as compared to most other brands out there. Ultimately, to makes things simple, spend a little money, send it over to a guitar repair shop, I usually go to Guitar Connection or Sound Alchemy and get your guitar to be the best of it's potential.