15 replies to this topic

[GeoNjules]

Are there some signs to tell that its time for new strings?
Iv'e started a month ago and practice 2-6 hours a day (some days I just can't put it down).It still sounds good, but I have to tune it every day. I read on the Ibenez board, that alot of Ibenez Gax models go out of tune pretty easy.
Also when I do replace the stock strings, is there a set I can get thats more "user friendly", meaning easier to play, not tune, and not have to change the set-up of the guitar (could someone please explain this set-up-thing).
Thanks for your help.

[scotty_b]

Tuning is a constant thing - check out concert footage of Tommy Emmanuel, he tunes throughout his performances. It is a good habit to tune your guitar every time you play, and to constantly check your tuning.
You can tell it is time to change strings when you lose tone, intonation is inconsistent along the length of a string, or the string keeps 'slipping' as you play.
Setting up the guitar involves optimizing the instrument for a particular gauge of strings. On an electric this may mean an adjustment of the bridge to compensate for heavier of lighter strings, which will affect the tremolo, or an adjustment of the action to compensate for string height deviation that may occur if the string gauge is changed.

[allthumbs]

Some people think lighter strings are easier to play because of ease of bends and less tension. If you change your string gauge, that effects the tension on the neck. That means a heavier gauge will tend to move the strings higher while a lighter gauge will move the strings closer to the fretboard. You compensate for this movement by adjusting the truss rod. Read about that in the Guitar tech Forum.
When the strings sound dull and look dull. Change them. If there are nicks in the strings where they have rubbed along the fret wire change them. The average is 6 weeks or so depending on your body chemistry and how important crisp tone is to you.

[Justapicker]

If you think they might need changing they probably do! I change mine after 12-16 hours of playing time but I have corrosive fingers and I'm a fanatic about "new string" tone.

[MC.exe]

Personally, I get new strings when one breaks.

[scotty_b]

Justapicker said:

If you think they might need changing they probably do! I change mine after 12-16 hours of playing time but I have corrosive fingers and I'm a fanatic about "new string" tone.

I used to have two students that would affect new strings so badly that after a week the strings would be covered in rust. I think that I could leave strings on forever and my fingers would have no effect like that. I change regularly because the strings lose their intonation and tone, but really don't tarnish in any noticeable way from my fingers.

[Justapicker]

scotty_b said:

I used to have two students that would affect new strings so badly that after a week the strings would be covered in rust. I think that I could leave strings on forever and my fingers would have no effect like that. I change regularly because the strings lose their intonation and tone, but really don't tarnish in any noticeable way from my fingers.

My just kinda die! They don't get rusty or goopy and I'm careful to wipe them down regularly. They just get that "not so fresh" sound and they gotta go.....

[garydavis]

I try to change them at least once every mounth, and how can you tell is that if you start to get a little slopy on your playing, its useally not you, its the stings. I have light gage, but it depends on what type of stuff you play, a bottle neck player would have havey stings, a finger picker light, and if your a guy whos sort of in the middle of strummen, picking and slide and only has one guitar, a medain.

[medicq]

My accoustic has a great mellow tone normally, but the last time I changed the strings they lost it for at least a week. I actually put it down and played one of my electric. I think I bought Martin or Fender Strings the last time. Any one know of a brand that I won't have to wait for the good tone to come back?

[D-Dawn]

I usually change mine around the one month time..if I've been playing alot, which is usually the case. After a month they start to not sound so good and are harder to fine tune.
I love the crisp sound of new strings! I just make sure I give them a bit of a stretch (after they are on of course) so they stay in tune better right away...I prefer Martin Marquis Mediums. They were hard on my fingers when I first started using the meds, but the tone is oh so sweet compared to the lights! (had to get a bit of an adjustment after switching as well)

[wjp01908]

I don`t actually like the tone of brand new strings very much - I find them much nicer after a few days / a week of playing. They also feel much nicer to my fingers and don`t seem so squeaky That said I usually change them at about 6 weeks. I must admit that I`ve never bothered with wiping them down after playing unless I`ve been really sweating (which doesn`t happen very often in the UK!)

Will

[Spurius Furius]

medicq said:

My accoustic has a great mellow tone normally, but the last time I changed the strings they lost it for at least a week. I actually put it down and played one of my electric. I think I bought Martin or Fender Strings the last time. Any one know of a brand that I won't have to wait for the good tone to come back?

Martins used to be my favorite, but I've been using Elixirs for a while now. Not only do they sound good, but they last about twice as long as any other brand I've ever used.

[fkarcha]

medicq said:

. Any one know of a brand that I won't have to wait for the good tone to come back?

Tone is a combination of your guitar, your strings and your fingers. Every guitar string combination is different for every player. Experiment!

[John Burr]

I change my strings about every two or three weeks, I play the Dadd's, the coated XLRs or whatever. The really don't have a coated feel to them and they really sound just about like the uncoated PBs. On an acoustic the strings are way more of the total sound picture than on an electric I think. I can hear when the strings are starting to die and they don't stay in tune very well. I usually don't have to adjust the tuning on my Martin much at all from the seconds day of new strings until about the end of the second week. then it gets worse until the next weekend and i am sick of retuning so I change them.

BSR

[BobGamacho]

From my limited experience, I change strings about every month to six weeks. But, I think I'm bordeline OCD when it comes to washing my hands prior to playing as I rarely touch my guitar without washing my hands first. My feeling is this: Since I don't really enjoy the process of changing strings, I want to do it as little as possible. By keeping my fingers clean, it prolongs the life of the strings and means I can play more and not change strings as often as someone who plays the same amount as I do and doesn't wash their hands.

But, as to the original question of when to change strings, I have two benchmarks:

1) When the strings are no longer a single color, I change strings, i.e. when the section of strings where my picking and fretting hands operate are darker than the rest of the strings.

2) When the strings get crusty, I change strings. Example: If I'm learning a new song that uses parts of the strings that I don't normally use and I can *feel* resistance (crustiness) when my fingers slide over the strings, it's time for me to put on an episode of The Simpsons and change the strings. It takes me about 30 minutes to change strings as I have to take a break from sitting and bending over the guitar.

Rob

[WernHalen]

Our bass guitarist does not touch my guitar... He plays on it once for two minutes and I have to replace strings. He has the worst body chemistry I have ever come accross. I use Dunlop 65 which is supposed to protect the strings but to no avail... He plays coated stainless steel strings on his bass to try and get some life out of his strings...

I replace my accoustic strings about every three months, but i dont play it very much. My other guitars get replaced when the tone dies... it just sort of goes flat, and this time can vary considerably... form one week to 8 weeks... I must also add that I wipe Dunlop 65 on the strings before and after playing, it helps to prevent corrosion. And it makes playing fast much easier.