Can Guitar Strings Cut Your Fingers? (Explained for Beginners)


Guitar players have been cutting their fingers ever since the first stringed instruments were invented. But can it happen today? The answer is yes, guitar strings can cut your fingers, and it can happen to anyone. Whether you’re an expert guitarist or just starting out, you need to know the most common reasons why guitar strings can cut your fingers and how to avoid them.

Now, let us discuss in detail guitar strings and how to avoid cuts.

Can guitar strings cut your fingers

Which Guitar Strings Are The Sharpest?

The guitar string, which is the sharpest, would be the high E. This is because it is the highest-pitched string, and on a six-string guitar, it is closest to the ground. The low E would be next, followed by G, A, B, and finally D. 

This means that the high E strings, also known as the 1st or number one string, are the thinnest and are more likely to cut your fingers than the other strings. 

There are many strings companies, and some company’s strings are much sharper than the others.

How To Prevent Guitar Strings From Cutting Your Fingers

To prevent your fingers from being cut by the guitar strings, there are some things you can do.

1) Before you string your guitar, you can put on string savers. String savers are small rubber cones that fit over the strings. They prevent the string from scratching your skin or leaving a mark as you play.

2) Stop using heavy gauge strings – Strings that are too thick can also be heavy, which is a type of tension. The heavier the tension on your guitar strings, the tighter they will be, and more likely they will cut into your fingers when you play a chord or a string. 

3) Find a way to use lighter gauge strings – If you have an electric or acoustic guitar with thicker strings (fretted), then it might be time to invest in some lighter gauge tuned light gauge tuned-strings that come with their own string winder and clip-

How To Treat Guitar String Cuts

A guitar string can be a very sharp material that can cause cuts and other fingers’ injuries. When blood is released from the cut, sometimes it becomes difficult to see where the cut is. Also, there may not be any bleeding when you have a deep cut.

It’s best to clean the wound with water immediately and cover it with any sterile dressing or bandage available before getting medical attention if possible. If you don’t have a sterile dressing handy, you should use cloths that are made of cotton or gauze as they are easily sterilized by boiling in water for at least 15 minutes before using them on a wound. It would help if you also keep your fingers straight after cutting them so that pressure does not slow down blood.

Strings are thinner and harder than your skin, so they’re likely to cut your fingers as you play. Damage to the strings can also cause them to break more easily, leading to more cuts. To avoid infection or other complications, keep cuts on your fingers clean and dry for a day or until the bleeding stops.

It is also very common to prick your fingers while stringing your guitar. 

Final Thought on Can Guitar Strings Cut Your Fingers?

Strings can indeed cut your fingers, but it’s still possible to avoid most of these injuries. Consider the tips discussed in this article if you want to set yourself up for a successful and unhurt playing career. After all, you want to keep your fingers in good shape while you play and enjoy your time on the guitar.

Jacob Miller

Hi, I'm Jacob Miller, and welcome to AudioOver, a platform designed to help aspiring music producers create music from home. With a musical background inspired by my award-winning father, I've been passionate about music since I was young.

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