Strings...How often do you change them?

[TexMexMike]

I have been using D'Addario EJ16's for the last few months. I tend to change strings every 2 weeks. I am a bit anal about them and probably could get several more weeks out of a set. But for less than 4 dollars a pack, I say "What the heck!."

I have tried Elixir nano webs. They just didn't have the sound that I like. Also, I just don't like the feel of coated strings. Martin PB strings were nice, but not as easy to find at the corner music store. Guess it was the 12 pack of EJ16's I got that has kept me from trying many others.

What strings do you use? How long do they last you? Do you play um until they're dead?

[nothin but the blues]

I use Martin PB's Light's on all my acoustics. Although I have been test driving they're new FingerStyle Bronze Lights, and they're Marquis PB's. I'm enjoying both (especially the FingerStyle).

I change them out about once a week. I can't stand playing on dead strings (call me spoiled). Once you find "your brand" best thing to do is buy in bulk, you can get good deals if you buy them a box/boxes at a time.

[vintage_brat]

I change mine weekly. and on 5 main guitars plus all the others buying in bulk pays off. I cant stand dead strings . Nothing pisses me off faster than picking up a guitar with dead nasty strings. I know guys that dont change till they break. For most people its only 1 or 2 guitars so its only about 10 bucks a week. Less than ya spend on sodas or a trip to mickey d's

[TexMexMike]

Erik, how do you find the feel of the new Martin Finger Style strings? Less tension than regular Martin PB's? Or is the difference mostly in their sound?

I agree Keith. I can't believe how long some guys keep strings on their guitar. I went to my cousins over the 4th of July weekend and was forced to play on a set of rusty, ugly strings. On my next visit I brang 3 new sets for him.

I will be making a trip to GC this weekend and will try out some of the suggestions posted here. So, keep them coming! :thumbsup:

[aaronl]

i tend to change them about once every 2 weeks or so.
i only have the one guitar so it is no biggie.
these daddrios seemed to not last as long, i got a set of ghs boomers cheap and am going to try them next.

i agree that picking up a guitar with rusty dagon strings just isnt cool...

[Doctor Reggae]

I'm kind of a slacker when it comes to getting my strings changed...I have it done about once a month, when I take both my Strats in for maintenance checks...I just simply ask my tech to restring them while he's looking them over.

As for my acoustic...let's just say that it's been a while. I haven't even played it in a couple of months.

[frpax]

I think you guys are just plain sick. Once a week...pshaaw.

On the other end of the rainbow is ME. I change them when one of two things happens. Either I break a string (seldom) or they start feeling rough. A 3-pack of strings is like a YEARS supply for me!!!

[Ernie Ball 1988]

i change em about every 2 months

[Old Tele man]

electrics ~ one a year
acoustic ~ twice a year

[frpax]

electrics ~ one a year
acoustic ~ twice a year
MY MAN!!!!

Maybe it's something to do w/ our dry climate... :thumbsup:

[vintage_brat]

i tend to change them about once every 2 weeks or so.
i only have the one guitar so it is no biggie.
these daddrios seemed to not last as long, i got a set of ghs boomers cheap and am going to try them next.

i agree that picking up a guitar with rusty dagon strings just isnt cool...From first hand knowledge of a guitar tech (me ) . dont put boomers on fenders. they will leave grooves in your frets. Unless you want a fret job every 6 months and new frets every year skip the boomers. They have such a high steel content they will literally file your frets down, Especially if you use the trememo.
After about 3 sets of BOOMERS you will find grooves in your frets. Trust me on this. I do more guitars in a month than most play in a lifetime. I can always tell when Boomers have been on a guitar.

If you simply wipe down your strings after you play. and ALWAYS WASH WITH SOAP AND WATER before playing you will enhance string life by about 100%.

Think of it this way. Not wiping your strings after you play is like leaving the bathroom with the same amount of toilet paper on the roll when you sat down..

[nothin but the blues]

Think of it this way. Not wiping your strings after you play is like leaving the bathroom with the same amount of toilet paper on the roll when you sat down..
So are you saying I should be weary about using the hand towels in your bathroom? :Loco:

[frpax]

Think of it this way. Not wiping your strings after you play is like leaving the bathroom with the same amount of toilet paper on the roll when you sat down..
Thanks for that mental picture....

[vintage_brat]

So are you saying I should be weary about using the hand towels in your bathroom? :Loco:Lmao Erik.:Loco: :laughing-

[Jossy]

After the comic relief (no pun intended), i must say that i change my strings every 15 days...depeding on the weather...

Saludos.

[Old Tele man]

...the BEST answer I ever heard for "...when to change strings?" was:

"...like UNDERWEAR; when NECESSARY."

[aaronl]

From first hand knowledge of a guitar tech (me ) . dont put boomers on fenders. they will leave grooves in your frets. Unless you want a fret job every 6 months and new frets every year skip the boomers. They have such a high steel content they will literally file your frets down, Especially if you use the trememo.
After about 3 sets of BOOMERS you will find grooves in your frets. Trust me on this. I do more guitars in a month than most play in a lifetime. I can always tell when Boomers have been on a guitar.

If you simply wipe down your strings after you play. and ALWAYS WASH WITH SOAP AND WATER before playing you will enhance string life by about 100%.

Think of it this way. Not wiping your strings after you play is like leaving the bathroom with the same amount of toilet paper on the roll when you sat down..

WOW thanks, this is the first time i have used these, i wont use them anymore! :bow:

i will stick to fenders or ernie balls from now on :thumbsup:
I can't tell enough of a difference to keep using them!

[vintage_brat]

no problem.

[Sharky]

On electric, if I dont change after every night, they'll snap like cotten the next night right in the middle of a song no matter what brand they are.(0.10 > 0.46. )On nights off obviously I''ll leave the old set on to practise with.
On acoustic, I like martin SP strings, 0.12 > 0.54. They last well.
String wear is measured in hours played , not days or weeks.
Brighten your acoustic strings with lemon oil. Pour some on a rag and wrap the rag around each string and rub out all the grime. They'll ring again for ya.:thumbsup:

[TexMexMike]

I agree. Lemon oil or products such as Dunlop 65 string cleaner help. I even did a test with a quality chromatic tuner. I compared the time a dirty "wound" string vs the same string plucked after cleaning would stay at perfect pitch. The newly cleaned string stayed at perfect pitch significantly longer than it did before cleaning . The tonal curve was much less erratic. It does make sense. Less dirt between the windings, better the harmonics.

But, I do find the strings that I typically use, D'Adddario EJ16's, go dead after about 6 hours of use. No matter what. The difference between new and old dead strings is not only audible, but displayed by the tuner.

See Honey! I really did need that tuner!

Note: Isopropyl alcohol is a good alternative to clean your strings with. Unlike many string cleaners, conditioners and especially lemon oil, it does not leave an oily residue. Gives your fingers a firm, non slipperly surface to work with. But does not have the extended benifit of protecting the strings from future contaminants. ....People...go ahead....DISCUSS

[Justpickin]

I change mine when they go dead, it could be a month, it could be 6 months. I switch between two electrics and two acoustics, so that spreads it out a bit I suppose. But there are times when I've played the same guitar for two weeks straight and I've never felt I had to change them in two weeks. I do wipe mine down after each session, especially during the warm months when your hands sweat. Looking at some of the posts here, I'm thinking about investing in some shares in D'Addario Inc. !!

[Sharky]

Hey Tex,

I did the tuner thing too.

I found that the older a string gets, the tighter it has to be to reach its pitch.

Metal fatigue also contributes to string wear.


Also, worn strings will affect your intonation.

[romdos]

I change them when they need it... on three of them it is more often than the others... I use elixers on the guitars that do not get as much play, and they do last a long time... Been a big far of DR's for years, but I am liking the D'Adderio's my luthier recommended, well actually used on the 65 when it was recently setup...