Western guitar with pickup
A steel-string western guitar is a must-have for any self-respecting acoustic rock band. See our wide range of western guitars here.
A western guitar is especially characterized by a clear and voluminous sound. This characteristic has made the western guitar popular in acoustic rock. But it's also the stringed instrument of choice in country and blues, among other genres.
The easiest way to maintain your western guitar is to make sure you change strings on it at regular intervals.
The guitar will keep its crisp sound when you change the strings. If you neglect to change strings, the guitar's ability to tune will suffer. That's why it's worth your time.
How do you change strings on a western guitar?
You can easily do it yourself, but you can also ask your local music store to help you. If you change the strings yourself, there are a few things you need to be aware of.
You'll need a stable place to put the guitar while you change the strings on it. Clear a table and lay out a towel. This is to avoid scratching - both the table and the guitar.
Find a set of strings that fit your guitar. They come in different brands and thicknesses. If in doubt, ask your local music retailer. If you tell them what kind of guitar you have, they can definitely tell you which strings you need.
Finally, make sure you have a pair of pliers nearby. Strings are always too long to begin with because they need to fit several different types of guitars with different neck lengths. That's why you need to use a pair of pliers to cut the strings once they're attached.
If you want to take extra care of your guitar, you can spend some time maintaining it now that the strings are off. It's not a must, but it makes a difference to the look and durability of your guitar - and a guitar without strings is by far the easiest to access with care products.
For example, use cleaner and a fiber cloth. Make sure the cloth is not too coarse, as this can cause small scratches on the surface of the guitar. Fingerboard oil is also a good idea. The fretboard can easily become dry and worn, but a coat of fretboard oil - every time you change the strings - can remedy this.
What is the difference between Western guitar and Spanish guitar?
Western guitars come in many different shapes, but are typically larger than the Spanish model and have steel strings. This means that the sound is brighter and sharper, but also that it's a little harder on the fingers.
This is the western guitar you see on most popular music stages.
A Spanish guitar - also called a classical guitar - is mostly acoustic. This means that it can function without an amplifier. But there are also several semi-acoustic models.
The Spanish guitar isn't called classical for nothing. It's the guitar that comes closest to the original shape. Its relatively small body and soft nylon strings make it an ideal guitar for beginners. However, it is also used by professionals - especially in the classical genre.