Do I need to replace very old strings of my guitar if I just start learning?
I found an old acoustic guitar and am thinking of starting to learn it (as a complete beginner). The guitar still has steel strings on it. These must be very old, I think, twelve years at least if not more. The guitar was not in use. However seems to me I have managed to tune this guitar and the strings produce sound.
I heard that professional players replace the strings quite often, but how much does this matter for a beginner? Should I start by replacing the strings, or no need to bother as long as they still hold?
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Guitarists change their strings fairly often because of the tone that newer strings give versus very old. I'd say to have them changed once by a qualified local guitar shop and you'll see/hear the difference immediately. How often you change them after that is dependent on your tastes and the type of strings you get. There are varieties of strings (Elixer, et. al.) that are coated with a very thin layer of material that greatly increase the lifetime of the strings, but perhaps at the cost of a slightly different tone and somewhat greater purchase expense.
In my own case, I change my strings very often on both electric and acoustics, and I use coated strings on my acoustics.
As others have said, you may find it easier with new, clean strings instead of old, rusty ones. But another point to consider is that with new strings you get to pick the gauge.
To start with you can try a light gauge which will be in tune at a lower tension, and therefore be easier to press down and probably hurt your fingers less. The "disadvantage" of light strings is that they are quieter, and easier to pitch-bend (as a beginner you might bend them accidentally and go out of tune, I suppose.)
Learning the guitar as a beginner is quite daunting and challenging. You must endure the pain of un-calloused fingers pressing against steel strings, and work tirelessly to train your fingers to contort in un-natural ways and put your hand in strange positions which you must develop muscle memory for.
Because of the many challenges inherent in learning guitar, it is important to create and foster an environment that will facilitate and contribute to as much of a rewarding experience as possible.
Old corroded dead strings will not sound nearly as pleasant as new strings. When you finally get that chord you have been tirelessly practicing - to ring out clearly, you want it to sound as pleasing as possible to offer a reward for your efforts. This is only one reason you will want to use new strings.
I recommend that as a beginner, you choose a set of strings that will be easier to play and minimize the pain as you develop finger strength and calluses.
To learn more about how to create your own finger friendly custom string set for beginning guitarist read this Easy to play custom string set for beginning guitarist
Good luck on your journey.
The guitar must sound in tune
In my opinion, a beginner instrument must have a single property - it must sound in tune when properly played; and must have the proper 'touch-feel' when being played. If the strings are old/dirty/etc enough to harm that (which may be the case for 12 year old strings), then they must be changed, if not, they can stay.
A pleasant tone is not neccessary, but if you want to learn that doing X will produce a proper sound and doing not-X is wrong, then the instrument needs to function appropriately - a good player can compensate for various defects in the instrument, but for a beginner player it will hurt learning.
"seems to me I have managed to tune this guitar and the strings produce sound" is not enough - at the very least you want to [have someone?] check if the guitar is really in tune everywhere, i.e., does it have the proper intonation also at higher frets.
I would take the guitar to a shop or repair tech and ask for a setup with new strings (no one will do a setup without new strings, but just in case). They will make sure it is as playable as possible and that way you won't be struggling more than you have to as you learn. You'll also have the most pleasant learning experience.
Playing on old strings is yucky in so many ways, especially 12 year old strings. Strings corrode (basically rust) over time so I can't imagine those strings are very nice. Strings should have a silver or coppery shine along their whole length. I bet those strings have a lot of black crusty areas. Get new ones.
I like old strings, the bright sound of new strings is not for me. Have you heard of Bert Jansch? He played a Yamaha LL11, and did not like the sound of new strings. I was told he did not change the strings for 9 years. I leave strings on for years, and when i change them i often wonder why. The most important things for a beginner is getting a guitar that is easy to play. If its isn't get the action sorted, at the saddle and most important the nut (a common problem). Professionals do not use hard to play guitars, so why should a beginner. If you have a cheap guitar you can set up a guitar yourself there are plenty of videos on youtube explaining how to do it. The parts that need adjusting are easily replaced if you mess up.
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