Members Floyd Rosenbomb Posted May 23, 2012 Members Share Posted May 23, 2012 If they are breaking at the saddle it means that there is a sharp edge on that saddle and it is wearing though the string. A light metal file can smooth it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J-E-M Posted May 23, 2012 Members Share Posted May 23, 2012 I like the sound of old, rubbery strings? Tames the highs. You're not the only one. New strings sound too brash with distortion. I like them after a couple of weeks of play-in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted May 23, 2012 Members Share Posted May 23, 2012 I really don't change strings until they look physically deformed to me. When I start seeing visible pitting on the strings, it's time to change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Willyguitar Posted May 23, 2012 Members Share Posted May 23, 2012 Every month to month and a half. Ideally, every three weeks. It's not rust - dirt and skin get in between the winds and literally choke out the string from fully vibrating. To me, old strings make the guitar feel dead. Besides the brightness, the string energy, sustain, and "pop" just aren't there with old stings. I agree - definitely prefer reasonably new strings. Whenever a restring my guitars, I am always struck with how much more I prefer them over the week that follows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Roberts Posted May 23, 2012 Members Share Posted May 23, 2012 About once a month. Strings are cheap. Tone and intonation - priceless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BydoEmpire Posted May 23, 2012 Members Share Posted May 23, 2012 With Elixer Nanowebs, 3-6 months depending how much I'm playing. Non-coated strings would be dead in a week if I was playing a lot. If I didn't have a gig coming up I'd probably put up with rusty, dead strings for another week or two to save some money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted May 23, 2012 Members Share Posted May 23, 2012 About every 20 hours of playing or every second gig if I'm gigging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members waxbytes Posted May 23, 2012 Members Share Posted May 23, 2012 Back when I was young I had to change my strings as often as every week because I was sweaty and played a lot.Now that I'm older and all dried up I change my strings on my main guitar every month or two. I need to change them every month but I get lazy and so that's why it's sometimes two months.I use pure nickelwound nowadays and they seem to last longer. PS Sometimes a set of strings will go dead quick, I just figure they were old in the package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Doctor49 Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 +1I also make sure I wash my hands before I play, and use Fast Fret both before and after to clean and lubricate. this will take care of it. Except I usually wipe the fretting hand with iso alcohol before playing, just to take the grease off without softening the tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kuz929 Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 WOW! I'm surprised how long most of you keep your strings on! I change mine once every 10-14 days depending on how many gigs/rehearsals we have in any given week. After 2 practices and a show or two I find my strings basically rusted over. But, I have been using GHS Fast Fret on them recently and that definitely extends their life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Flintc Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 In the first place, string longevity must be measured in playing hours. Not weeks or months. In the second place, different strings lose their mojo at different rates. Skinny roundwounds might give you 12 hours of play, 12 gauge flatwounds might last a year, bass strings might last a decade. Acoustic strings, you might get two good sessions from, though coated strings last longer. So what the hell are "strings" anyway? Is it really useful to say I change strings every week to every decade depending? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members twofoolsaminute Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 Seldom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kuz929 Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 In the first place, string longevity must be measured in playing hours. Not weeks or months. I think that pretty much sums it up right there. I guess i would say I change 'em every 15-20 playing hours then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Presc Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 I agree - definitely prefer reasonably new strings. Whenever a restring my guitars, I am always struck with how much more I prefer them over the week that follows. Exactly - if it's been awhile since I last restrung, I usually have one of those moments where I go, "whoa, I forgot this guitar sounded so good!" after restringing. Likewise, if I'm struggling with my tone, the first thing I'll turn to will be fresh strings. Usually solves the problem. For my purposes, it is the one of THE most important aspects of getting a good sound. New strings vs old strings can be as big of a difference as changing pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grantus Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 One a year whether they need it or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Morphious Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 Whenever they break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Roberts Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 Damn, some of you guys really get your money's worth outta' strings! I'm curious why so seldom - is it the aggravation of changing them, the cost, do you prefer them, or do you really not notice the difference in old strings? I've heard some people claim they actually prefer them, but it's usually bass players. I know someone who plays in a band that tours internationally who just broke a bass string on a set that was nearly 20 years old... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lz4005 Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 I'm curious why so seldom - is it the aggravation of changing them, the cost, do you prefer them, or do you really not notice the difference in old strings? Mine last longer because I spread my playing time over 4 guitars. I'd change lots more often if I was playing one all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members waxbytes Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 Damn, some of you guys really get your money's worth outta' strings! I'm curious why so seldom - is it the aggravation of changing them, the cost, do you prefer them, or do you really not notice the difference in old strings? I've heard some people claim they actually prefer them, but it's usually bass players. I know someone who plays in a band that tours internationally who just broke a bass string on a set that was nearly 20 years old... For me it's mostly I just don't like changing strings, tedious compared to just picking up the guitar and playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 In the first place, string longevity must be measured in playing hours. Not weeks or months. disagree to a certain extent...... I could put brand new strings on my guitar, put it untouched on a stand and they would start to show corrosion in 1 to 2 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wayne2 Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 1-6 months. It's tedious but I'm always glad after I've done it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members butterguitar Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 Usually about every 3 months or so. If its a guitar I have plated nickel strings I can get away with 6 months, pure nickel tend to only last me 3 months, but the tone is sooo goood!!! I have some flatwounds on my Epiphone Les Paul that I use for school (jazz) and they are close to 2 years old and sound great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChrisGansz Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 As little as possible. This has had the same set for the past 5 years. Nice guitar - Esquire limited edition from '03? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Roberts Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 About every 20 hours of playing or every second gig if I'm gigging.So, if you play fast, do you get to 20 hrs sooner than someone who plays slow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ovid9 Posted May 24, 2012 Members Share Posted May 24, 2012 Not as often as I should probably. I hate changing strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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