How often do you change guitar strings?

brianlux

I had a guitar teacher back in high school tell me I should change my guitar strings frequently- I don't remember exactly but it was like every week or so.  Any more, I only change mine once in a while- I'm guessing a good 100 hours of playing total on a set of strings.  Of course, there are several factors for how long strings last- clean or dirty hands, lots of bending or none, type of strings, etc.   Also, a lot depends on the sound a player wants- new strings are more bright, older ones mellower.  I guess I'm getting soft in my old age.  I kind of like them worn and mellow. 

Once they get too difficult to tune though, off they go!

dudeman

I use coated strings on my acoustic guitars and I change them sometime between 9 and 12 months. If I'm playing somewhere or recording with anyone, I'll put fresh strings on.

The electric guitars get new strings every couple weeks. 

The basses go several months between string changes. I have one bass with flats and I don't plan on ever changing them unless one breaks. 

Short answer?  It depends. 

gimmesometruth27

depends on how often i am playing. i will normally change before a gig and then play that gig, and then maybe 3 or 4 more practices and then change again. if we are busy i will maybe change them every 6 weeks or so. if we are in a lull then every few months. we play 3 one hour sets in the cover band, so i like to have fresh strings for that. the original band will be doing 45 minute shows initially, probably won't be too inclined to change them for something like that. just take a backup guitar.

i just don't like playing strings that feel like barbed wire. i use a string cleaner and keep the next oiled and that seems to prolong string life.

mccreadyisgod

I've been using coated strings lately also. And, seeing as how I don't spend as much quality time with them (no band, no gigs), I can go more than a year on a set of strings. If I ever find any hint of corrosion, they get replaced immediately.

dudeman

Coated strings were a revelation when I moved to Florida. I played outdoors a lot and the combination of heat, humidity, sweat and skin was brutal on strings. 

brianlux

Coated strings?  Tell me about coated strings.  Never used them.

dudeman

They have a very thin layer on them that inhibits corrosion and prevents anything from getting between the windings. 

The Elixir Nanoweb strings that I've been using feel nice, sound good and last a long time. 

Most manufacturers offer some type of coated strings. I have had great service from DR, too.

Gtilley8

dudeman said:

They have a very thin layer on them that inhibits corrosion and prevents anything from getting between the windings. 

The Elixir Nanoweb strings that I've been using feel nice, sound good and last a long time. 

Most manufacturers offer some type of coated strings. I have had great service from DR, too.

Elixers are, to me, the best in the realm of coated strings.  Once I tried them, I couldn't go back.  

rustneversleeps

Gtilley8 said:

dudeman said:

They have a very thin layer on them that inhibits corrosion and prevents anything from getting between the windings. 

The Elixir Nanoweb strings that I've been using feel nice, sound good and last a long time. 

Most manufacturers offer some type of coated strings. I have had great service from DR, too.

Elixers are, to me, the best in the realm of coated strings.  Once I tried them, I couldn't go back.  

+1

dudeman

The first coated strings I tried were DR Extra Life. They are superb. They were pretty hard to find locally in the town I moved to, though. I tried the Elixir Nanowebs due to availability and haven't used up the sets I bought years ago. 

ledvedderman

I swear to God, changing strings is the most frustrating part of it all. I'm sure you guys are all pros by now, but I still suck at changing them after nearly 18 years of playing. 

brianlux

ledvedderman said:

I swear to God, changing strings is the most frustrating part of it all. I'm sure you guys are all pros by now, but I still suck at changing them after nearly 18 years of playing. 

OMG, I hate changing strings.  I bleed every freakin' time I change a set! 

brianlux

Thanks for info on coated strings all.  I might have to give them a try.  And bleed while putting them on. 

rgambs

ledvedderman said:

I swear to God, changing strings is the most frustrating part of it all. I'm sure you guys are all pros by now, but I still suck at changing them after nearly 18 years of playing. 

It's a pain in the ass.
I play for about a half hour every day and I change strings about once a year.  I usually play the 12 string so I'm never eager to tackle that task.
Worn and rusty strings don't bother me, I'm a worn and rusty kind of guy lol

mccreadyisgod

I love changing strings, I find it theraputic. I'm that way about fixing anything, really.

I use D'Addario EXP coated strings, I find that they don't feel "plasticy" in the same way that Elixirs feel to me.

brianlux

Thanks for info on coated strings all.  I might have to give them a try.  And bleed while putting them on. 

rgambs said:

ledvedderman said:

I swear to God, changing strings is the most frustrating part of it all. I'm sure you guys are all pros by now, but I still suck at changing them after nearly 18 years of playing. 

It's a pain in the ass.
I play for about a half hour every day and I change strings about once a year.  I usually play the 12 string so I'm never eager to tackle that task.
Worn and rusty strings don't bother me, I'm a worn and rusty kind of guy lol

Same here, Gambs, but we have to be careful- rust never sleeps, haha!

mccreadyisgod said:

I love changing strings, I find it theraputic. I'm that way about fixing anything, really.

I use D'Addario EXP coated strings, I find that they don't feel "plasticy" in the same way that Elixirs feel to me.

I have three guitars that all could use a string change.  Come on over any time, lol!

dudeman

mccreadyisgod said:

I love changing strings, I find it theraputic. I'm that way about fixing anything, really.

I use D'Addario EXP coated strings, I find that they don't feel "plasticy" in the same way that Elixirs feel to me.

Maintenance is part of the deal like it or not. I happen to like that part of playing instruments too. In another life, I could have been a guitar tech. 

mfc2006

mccreadyisgod said:

I love changing strings, I find it theraputic. I'm that way about fixing anything, really.

I use D'Addario EXP coated strings, I find that they don't feel "plasticy" in the same way that Elixirs feel to me.

I use those as well & really like them.

ledvedderman

rgambs said:

ledvedderman said:

I swear to God, changing strings is the most frustrating part of it all. I'm sure you guys are all pros by now, but I still suck at changing them after nearly 18 years of playing. 

It's a pain in the ass.
I play for about a half hour every day and I change strings about once a year.  I usually play the 12 string so I'm never eager to tackle that task.
Worn and rusty strings don't bother me, I'm a worn and rusty kind of guy lol

I love everything about 12 strings...except the idea of changing the strings. That's literally the only reason I don't buy one. If I need one in the studio, I know a guy with a good 12 string I can use and all it costs me is a 12 pack of beer or something. That's a steal in my eyes!

mfc2006

ledvedderman said:

rgambs said:

ledvedderman said:

I swear to God, changing strings is the most frustrating part of it all. I'm sure you guys are all pros by now, but I still suck at changing them after nearly 18 years of playing. 

It's a pain in the ass.
I play for about a half hour every day and I change strings about once a year.  I usually play the 12 string so I'm never eager to tackle that task.
Worn and rusty strings don't bother me, I'm a worn and rusty kind of guy lol

I love everything about 12 strings...except the idea of changing the strings. That's literally the only reason I don't buy one. If I need one in the studio, I know a guy with a good 12 string I can use and all it costs me is a 12 pack of beer or something. That's a steal in my eyes!

Agreed!

brianlux

Same here!  Changing strings on a 12 string?  Oh man!

But I think even more vexing would be tuning a 12 string.  Six strings are hard enough.  If the combined vibrations of all 6 aren't just so, they grind my gears unmercifully.