String break-in
The short period after a restring during which a new string stretches, brightens and then settles into its final sound and tuning.
Fresh strings are noticeably brighter and slightly livelier than they will be an hour later, because the windings bed down and the metal surface settles. Players who record or gig usually allow for this by fitting strings a day early, or by deliberately playing them in for a while before a critical session. The effect is also why a guitar that sounds thin with brand new strings often sounds right once it has been played for a set.
Example: A guitar restringed the night before a recording session and played in before it, rather than being used straight from the pack, has benefited from string break-in.
See also
Related
- PagePlayed in
- PageSeasoning
- PageString stretching
- PageAction gauge
- PageAged finish
- PageBack bow
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley