How often do you change guitar strings?

24

Comments

  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,162
    For those of you who don't like changing strings, have you tried locking tuners?

    I bought Sperzel locking tuners for my Strat and it really simplified string changes. I just have to slide the string through the hole in the post, tighten the thumbscrew and tune to pitch. 

    They work great and are very stable, provided I stretch the strings properly. 
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    edited May 2017
    dudeman said:
    For those of you who don't like changing strings, have you tried locking tuners?

    I bought Sperzel locking tuners for my Strat and it really simplified string changes. I just have to slide the string through the hole in the post, tighten the thumbscrew and tune to pitch. 

    They work great and are very stable, provided I stretch the strings properly. 
    Wow!  I checked out a few short videos on YouTube.  This looks PROMISING!  Anyone had any bad experiences with locking tuners?  If not, I might just have to try a set on one of my guitars!

    Thanks, dudeman!

    Added questions:
    1.  What about locking tuners for acoustic guitars?  Good idea or no?
    2.  What about added weight?  Noticeable?  (Especially concerned again re. acoustic guitars).

    Thanks!
    Post edited by brianlux on
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    dudeman said:
    For those of you who don't like changing strings, have you tried locking tuners?

    I bought Sperzel locking tuners for my Strat and it really simplified string changes. I just have to slide the string through the hole in the post, tighten the thumbscrew and tune to pitch. 

    They work great and are very stable, provided I stretch the strings properly. 
    I will have to look into that, I could stand to play on fresher strings, it wouldn't make me cry lol
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    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!
    I love a 12 string for many strum and picking applications, but not all.  I think it really shines with a strum more than picking, which is the opposite of what most people think, or at least assume until they play more. 
    The tones don't come together to enhance single notes all that well IMO, but they really boost the sound for chords and make such a full and warm timbre.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    brianlux said:
    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.
    I use an app (da tuner lite) and it's super easy.  It's also nice because it tunes anything, so I can do the uke as well.
    Fortunately, my Alvarez 12 string stays tuned much better than any of my other guitars.  It only needs tuned in spring and fall when the temperature fluctuates wildly.  Maybe twice per summer and twice per winter.  Wonderful guitar!
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    rgambs said:
    brianlux said:
    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.
    I use an app (da tuner lite) and it's super easy.  It's also nice because it tunes anything, so I can do the uke as well.
    Fortunately, my Alvarez 12 string stays tuned much better than any of my other guitars.  It only needs tuned in spring and fall when the temperature fluctuates wildly.  Maybe twice per summer and twice per winter.  Wonderful guitar!
    I've tried all kinds of  electronic tuners with little or no luck.  I think it has something to do with Hz.  I may be more a 432 Hz guy than a 440.

    Or maybe I'm just a little flat, haha!

    For those who don't know what the heck I'm talking about, read here:

    https://ask.audio/articles/music-theory-432-hz-tuning-separating-fact-from-fiction

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    brianlux said:
    rgambs said:
    brianlux said:
    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.
    I use an app (da tuner lite) and it's super easy.  It's also nice because it tunes anything, so I can do the uke as well.
    Fortunately, my Alvarez 12 string stays tuned much better than any of my other guitars.  It only needs tuned in spring and fall when the temperature fluctuates wildly.  Maybe twice per summer and twice per winter.  Wonderful guitar!
    I've tried all kinds of  electronic tuners with little or no luck.  I think it has something to do with Hz.  I may be more a 432 Hz guy than a 440.

    Or maybe I'm just a little flat, haha!

    For those who don't know what the heck I'm talking about, read here:

    https://ask.audio/articles/music-theory-432-hz-tuning-separating-fact-from-fiction

    Da tuner allows you to set the A reference frequency at whatever Hz you choose!  It also displays the note you are playing accurately so you know to go up or down, and how many semitones you need to go to reach the correct note.
    It has a pitch pipe and adjustable volume control on the input so you can tune with background noise being ignored. 
    I love it, it tunes any instrument and works without screwing with it at all. 
    It's only on Android though I think.  My only problem with it is that Simon deletes it and I have to keep downloading it again and again lol
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,162
    Does anyone use a strobe tuner? I bought a couple pedal tuners from Sonic Research a number of years ago. They are extremely accurate and built solid with a small footprint. 

    At the time, they cost about  $120.00. 
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    rgambs said:
    brianlux said:
    rgambs said:
    brianlux said:
    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.
    I use an app (da tuner lite) and it's super easy.  It's also nice because it tunes anything, so I can do the uke as well.
    Fortunately, my Alvarez 12 string stays tuned much better than any of my other guitars.  It only needs tuned in spring and fall when the temperature fluctuates wildly.  Maybe twice per summer and twice per winter.  Wonderful guitar!
    I've tried all kinds of  electronic tuners with little or no luck.  I think it has something to do with Hz.  I may be more a 432 Hz guy than a 440.

    Or maybe I'm just a little flat, haha!

    For those who don't know what the heck I'm talking about, read here:

    https://ask.audio/articles/music-theory-432-hz-tuning-separating-fact-from-fiction

    Da tuner allows you to set the A reference frequency at whatever Hz you choose!  It also displays the note you are playing accurately so you know to go up or down, and how many semitones you need to go to reach the correct note.
    It has a pitch pipe and adjustable volume control on the input so you can tune with background noise being ignored. 
    I love it, it tunes any instrument and works without screwing with it at all. 
    It's only on Android though I think.  My only problem with it is that Simon deletes it and I have to keep downloading it again and again lol
    That's pretty cool!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    Finally got around to changing the strings on my two Martins and, personal record: two complete sets change and NO BLEEDING! :lol:

    I'm thinking again about those locking tuners.  On one of the high E strings I didn't catch the loop right to secure the string and as I was winding it up it went POP! and slipped such that the end of the string is just showing through the tuning machine hole.  I don't know what the heck is holding it in place but I'd better get a spare E because I've got a feeling that sucker's gonna fly off there any time now!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,162
    I've only used Sperzel locking tuners on my Strat and I recommend them highly. String changes are pretty quick and they seem to stay put once the strings are stretched and settled. 

    I imagine that just about any manufacturer of tuners makes a locking variety. 

    Also, congrats on the bloodless string change! 
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    dudeman said:
    I've only used Sperzel locking tuners on my Strat and I recommend them highly. String changes are pretty quick and they seem to stay put once the strings are stretched and settled. 

    I imagine that just about any manufacturer of tuners makes a locking variety. 

    Also, congrats on the bloodless string change! 
    Thank you!  I'm still a bit amazed  :lol:
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,162
    I changed the strings on my Strat yesterday. It took about 7 minutes. No blood, no swearing. 


    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • bootlegger10
    bootlegger10 Posts: 16,260
    dudeman said:
    I changed the strings on my Strat yesterday. It took about 7 minutes. No blood, no swearing. 



    Then you aren't doing it right.
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,162
    How about this: I harpooned an eyeball with the high E but it didn't bleed and I just screamed, but didn't swear.

    Better?
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    dudeman said:
    I changed the strings on my Strat yesterday. It took about 7 minutes. No blood, no swearing. 


      :bow:  I've definitely got to look into those locking tuners!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    dudeman said:
    How about this: I harpooned an eyeball with the high E but it didn't bleed and I just screamed, but didn't swear.

    Better?
    :rofl:
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • DewieCox
    DewieCox Posts: 11,432
    dudeman said:
    Does anyone use a strobe tuner? I bought a couple pedal tuners from Sonic Research a number of years ago. They are extremely accurate and built solid with a small footprint. 

    At the time, they cost about  $120.00. 

    Thats what I use too, the stompbox version. Love it. Always used to use a separate, more accurate tuner for setups, but TurboTuner is plenty accurate.
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,162
    DR Strings man. I just can't say enough good things about them. 
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,162
    DewieCox said:
     I9dudeman said:
    Does anyone use a strobe tuner? I bought a couple pedal tuners from Sonic Research a number of years ago. They are extremely accurate and built solid with a small footprint. 

    At the time, they cost about  $120.00. 

    Thats what I use too, the stompbox version. Love it. Always used to use a separate, more accurate tuner for setups, but TurboTuner is plenty accurate.
    That's what I found too. I set intonation on my guitars with the Sonic Research. Perfect every time. 
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV

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