How often do you change your strings?

moster78

Just curious. I changed mine at the beginning of the month on my acoustic and when I was playing last night it just sounded off. Can't explain it. I was thinking maybe its time to change them. I play for a good 30 minutes to an hour every night for practice. I use Martin M150 Mediums. Thanks in advance!

DaytimeDilemma

Yes, I change my strings eveyr 2-3 weeks or before a gig.

House53

With regular playing, strings do wear down in about a month. However, some people like strings with a broken in feel. It depends on the way you want the strings to sound and the guitar.

It is not uncommon to need to change strings after a month, but it can get costly. Have you tried cleaning the strings... that can remove some of the buildup that can muffle the brightness you might be missing.

Also, some days my guitars just sound different. I don't know if it is my ears, the weather, or what.

enjoy

Pat H

I usually just change them when I notice that they are sounding like shit. No real regular timing

moster78

How and with what would I go about cleaning them?

I'm not too worried about cost as I got a ten pack of strings for like $25 or $30 from musiciansfriend.com.

The really weird thing is when I first started playing last night everything sounded fine. As the time wore on it just sounded worse and worse. Maybe it was just me and not the guitar.

Pat H

yeah, I'd suggest restringing it.

JofZ

Cleaning strings should be done with lighter fluid and a clean cloth.
For more info then you will know what to do with and the best strings ever check out Dean Farley's website:
sobstrings.net

I used GHS Boomers for a long time and usually had to change strings every week or couple days because I was breaking them so often on my strat. I swapped out the bridge for Callaham parts and I was still breaking the high E. Dean hooked me up with his vintage nickel's and my problem was solved, my strings last for months now, no tone degradation and a lot less frustration. He has acoustic sets, rock sets and the only real deal nickels available, plus he is just one great guy. There are about 25 articles on his site which I think everyone can benefit from, so check them out.

DaytimeDilemma

I use GHS boomers, too. I clean my wipe my guitar down everyday before and after I play it. I can't stand the feel of dirty strings though.


JofZ, where on that site can you order strings? I read the website about the rock formula one, and I must admit, I am interested.

JofZ

DaytimeDilemma wrote:

I use GHS boomers, too. I clean my wipe my guitar down everyday before and after I play it. I can't stand the feel of dirty strings though.


JofZ, where on that site can you order strings? I read the website about the rock formula one, and I must admit, I am interested.

you can order directly from the site, or contact Dean at leomuser@aol.com, this is his AIM as well and he is online now.

kigcat

thanks for reminding me that i gotta change the strings on my tele this weekend! my new bands got its first gig this monday night at a local battle of the bands contest. (feels like bill and teds bogus journey : first gig, battle of the bands etc) Its all original material kinda psychedelic indy stoner rock kinda thing.... if you imagine the smiths meets screaming trees, the cure and queens of the stone age then you`ll probably be rather close in a kinda nowhere near it way haha.

Pearl Jam and toast

unless i have some gig where i need to sound great i don't worry much about it.. every couple months.. if you want to keep sounding great though, every 3-4 weeks maybe.

desandrews

I try to swap out once every month or two. Definitely wipe down with the terry(sp?) cloth after each session and my girlfriend bought me some string restoration liquid stuff. She probably got it from Guitar Center but it looked like pretty typical stuff that you could find about anywhere.

JofZ

desandrews wrote:

I try to swap out once every month or two. Definitely wipe down with the terry(sp?) cloth after each session and my girlfriend bought me some string restoration liquid stuff. She probably got it from Guitar Center but it looked like pretty typical stuff that you could find about anywhere.

Don't use that stuff seriously, good old light fluid is by far the best.

WhiteMaleRat

I've go an old beat up acoustic that I learned over a year ago. It has nylon strings. Never changed them or cleaned them! sounds OK still but maybe I should try to change them.

CaptainSpaz91

moster78 wrote:

Just curious. I changed mine at the beginning of the month on my acoustic and when I was playing last night it just sounded off. Can't explain it. I was thinking maybe its time to change them. I play for a good 30 minutes to an hour every night for practice. I use Martin M150 Mediums. Thanks in advance!

I get about a good month out of the Martin MSP4100 Lights on my Acoustic's. They have a great feel and keep the sound longer than other strings I've used, I could probably stretch it into 6 maybe 8 weeks out of the strings but usually 4-5 I just do it anyway. What can I say, I like changing the strings, gives me good practice.

moster78

So I went home tonight to play for awhile, a good half hour and everything sounded better. So I guess it was just me last night, and not the guitars fault. Although sometimes it is easier to blame the guitar and not me. So I can save myself the hassle of changing my strings for another day!

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I can't wait to ask everyone their opinion when I get ready to buy my first electric, which should be by year's end.

brain of c

i change 'em when they break.


or rust...

Squidge

I didn't change my stringds for ages and i broke the 'D' string last night. It was great, i am looking to snap an 'A' pretty soon. Then, there is only one left......and then i move on the bass guitar

When i have cash, i change them every month. Sounds shweet when you change them though.

sj_2150

when they sound blunt against the frets