Change Strings How Often?

Michael Murray · Post by **Michael Murray** » 26 Jan 2012 4:43 pm

I'm just a closet player, so not fussing about tone too much (although I am seeking to get out and play with folks). It's been a year since I changed the strings. I'm wondering how often folks tend to change, and how long the 'new' tone might last.

Thanks,
michael

George Macdonald · Post by **George Macdonald** » 26 Jan 2012 4:57 pm

Michael, I'm sure answers to your question will vary greatly depending on how many hours per week or month a guitar is played, and whether it is played at home, on the road, or recording studio. I play mostly at home now, but occasionaly at Church or Seniors homes. I still like the guitar to sound good and change strings about every 3 months. By the way, where are you in BC?

Carl Kilmer · Post by **Carl Kilmer** » 26 Jan 2012 5:10 pm

I don't play out, but I try to practice 20-30 hours each week.
When they lose sustain, or tone, or 1 breaks, I change them.
I usually change them in about 3 months, sometimes sooner.

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 27 Jan 2012 5:15 am

I change mine when the wound strings start to 'thunk' rather than ringing clearly and cleanly. And I guess three months would be about average. My seat time would be about an hour a day.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 27 Jan 2012 5:35 am

At one point, they start reacting differently to the changer,or th sound will degrade. That's when you change them
How long they sound new will vary with how much you play, how often you wash your hands and how acidic or oily your hands sweat

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 27 Jan 2012 6:59 am

It all varies, no set in stone time. When I was doing road work, it was every 10 shows, mainly to keep the strings fresh and help eliminate breakage during a show.

I'm now playing two shows a week (occasionally a third or forth show in a week) and I change once a month. I don't have "sweaty palms" etc, but I do have to put up with the Florida humidity. I just like to have fresh sounding strings and also try to keep from breaking a string on a job.

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 27 Jan 2012 9:18 am

and how acidic or oily your hands sweat

That is so true. body chemistry can be a huge factor. I knew a guy who could play my six string for a couple of songs and the next day the strings would be totally shot. It was just like his hands were secreting battery acid. On his own acoustic he started using the Elixir coated strings...not sure how those worked out for him.

Jerry Humphries · Post by **Jerry Humphries** » 27 Jan 2012 12:26 pm

My hands are highly acidic. Ate the gold plating off of the PU's and bridge of my custom Les Paul. Anyone know of a place to get them replated?

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 27 Jan 2012 11:15 pm

The now-defunct Emmons Guitar Co. Inc. used to include a 2 page fact sheet with their guitars....
on the question of when to change strings, the answer was: "when you start having to tune the guitar".

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 28 Jan 2012 1:37 am

not once a year...!

I believe the above comments are accurate...

Although I change 3 and 5 every other week, that is independent of the whole set which is more like every 12 weeks.

Even if your are just at home, you have a multi-thousand dollar Instrument, to get the best possible sound, tone, sustain and enjoyment , break down and spend $10 a few times each year, keep the Instrument in top shape all the way around.

Yeah I know, some haven't broke a 3rd string in 2 years...I know the drill..

Well I haven't either but for a different reason...

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 28 Jan 2012 1:56 am

OK, Im guilty of getting too much mileage out of them and I really should change them all more often. Honestly? I usually change one after it breaks when I am on break between sets at a show. Thats why I have a huge surplus of heavy wound strings, less plain ones and a shortage of .011s.

There, I feel better now. I'll change them all tomorrow, promise!

Clete

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 28 Jan 2012 2:34 am

i change strings when i have gigs
otherwise i just leave 'em on until i think they don't sound good or i'm havin' tuning deficiencies

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 28 Jan 2012 4:41 am

I change my 3rd string more often than the whole set.
I change the whole set about 4 times a year or when I have gig I can't afford to break a string.
I may change my C6 neck about 2 times a year as I'm mainly an E9th player. I don't have acidic hands so that helps.
Don

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 28 Jan 2012 5:43 am

I change pedal steel strings and Dobro strings when they lose their bright.
A month or two, except the 3rd and 4th strings of my Dobro, which die after two hours of playing. I'll have six strings ringing and two that thud. I buy three pairs of them plus every set.

Allen Peterson · Post by **Allen Peterson** » 28 Jan 2012 7:17 am

Now that it is difficult to get Jagwire strings from b0b, I wait until one breaks before changing them.

Allen Peterson

Allen Peterson · Post by **Allen Peterson** » 28 Jan 2012 7:18 am

Now that it is difficult to get Jagwire strings from b0b, I wait until one breaks before changing them.

Allen Peterson

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 28 Jan 2012 7:37 am

You can't change them,they have to want to change.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 29 Jan 2012 9:12 am

Mike Cass wrote:The now-defunct Emmons Guitar Co. Inc. used to include a 2 page fact sheet with their guitars....
on the question of when to change strings, the answer was: "when you start having to tune the guitar".

That has always worked for me.

"The now-defunct Emmons Guitar Co. Inc."? Did I miss something about them going out of business?

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 29 Jan 2012 10:05 am

On my gigging steel, about every 30 playing hours which is about once a month or when they lose tone.
They still sound ok but need tuning more often and they don't break on the job.
On my house steel, every 2 months.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 29 Jan 2012 1:10 pm

I suspect that's an editorial comment upon the degree of customer service provided by Lashley Jr.

If they ain't whut they wuz, they ain't the same...