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Topic: How often do you change strings? |
Richard Keller
From:
Deer Creek, Illinois, USA
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Posted 1 May 2011 9:55 am |
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| I would like to know how often you are supposed to change strings. How do you know when it is time to change them? |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 1 May 2011 10:13 am
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Well, you're going to get a ton of opinions on this one. As a weekend warrior, practicing a few hours a week and playing occasionally, I change the entire set about every 6 mos. or so. Plain strings on both necks more often between changes and particularly before important gigs and shows.
Otherwise, when they start to sound dead or won't stay in
tune. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 1 May 2011 11:20 am
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yeah...what jerry said! anymore often is a waste of money unless they require you to do so since you're playing on hit songs all day long.
after opening for poco once, i looked at rusty's steel and the strings were all oxidized and corroded and sounded great! |
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Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
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Posted 1 May 2011 11:30 am
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Since I started using stainless steel (wound) strings I change them about every 12 months. It's amazing how long the wound strings hold up. I have to admit that after a few weeks though, they don't have bell clear harmonics like new strings do. Other than that they are great for a long time.
greg |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 1 May 2011 11:32 am
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| In the winter when I'm busy (Winter is the busy season in Florida), I change about once a month. When I was on the road I changed about every 7 shows. |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 1 May 2011 1:16 pm
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Strings nowadays can take one heck of a lot of punishment and still sound decent.
I'll tell you my example, just as a means to convey the long life of modern strings. I know you won't do this when gigging etc. 
As a builder and pickup maker I have to economize. So I loosen off the strings - way off, til I can slide an old pickup out and a new one in. Sometimes I even take the strings right off the posts in order to do what I need to do. This on/off procedure can repeat 5 or six times before strings finally start breaking.
Also, it is amazing how, after 5 or 6 cycles, how clean and new the strings still sound.
I have done this with 2 brands: SIT and Jagwire and have found no difference in string life.
I think a good habit for prolonging string life is to wipe them down good after every set, to get the sweat and dirt from hands wiped off.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Keith Davidson
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted 1 May 2011 2:09 pm
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| Good stuff Bent, what do you use to wipe down the strings? |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Keith Davidson
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted 1 May 2011 4:18 pm
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| Thanks Bent |
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Carson Leighton
From:
N.B. Canada
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Posted 1 May 2011 4:44 pm
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I think this has a lot to do with the player...Some people have a real problem with hand perspiration..In a case like this the strings won't last very long...Personally,,I don't have that problem,,so I change my strings about every 6 months or so, unless I am going to do some studio work or they start to sound a little flat in the upper register...If you have to keep adjusting your travel at the end-plate, it is usually a good sign that your strings are beat..
If I am going out to do a live show, and I have time,,I will put on a new third and stretch it a bit before I go..Usually though, I'm in a hurry and don't want to bother with it...A lot of this has to do with how much you play your guitar too..I don't practice that much anymore,,but I know I should..Regards,,,Carson |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 1 May 2011 11:42 pm Re: How often do you change strings?
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| Richard Keller wrote: |
| I would like to know how often you are supposed to change strings. How do you know when it is time to change them? |
Obviously when one breaks, it gets changed. 
A not so obvious sign is when the string starts losing its tone and its ability to stay in tune.
Pros may change whole sets every few songs in the studio.
Some change all regularly, others change singles as they break, replacing certain guages more frequently. The third is often the first to pop.
The frequency and manner in which you replace your strings will ultimately be whenever you want to, provided you have new strings.
Its a good idea to use the same guage set to avoid having to retune pedals and levers, though after a new set is stretched out properly is a great time to check the fine tuning.
Clete |
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Brendan Mitchell
From:
Melbourne Australia
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Posted 2 May 2011 11:30 pm
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| Every couple of years weather they need it or not . |
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Bob Moore
From:
N. Rose, New York
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Posted 3 May 2011 2:04 pm string change
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| Are stainless steel the best way? My strings don't stay in tune and I want to get new ones. Thought about a set of Jagwires. I have a SD10 Fessy. Thanks for your help. Bob |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 3 May 2011 2:26 pm
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All these things mentioned are factors, particularly hand chemistry... I've had guys sit in on my tele and the strings start rusting within minutes. No kidding.
But also great differences in guitars, whether it's changer radius or design.
I've had a few guitars that would absolutely not break strings, I would change them when they started losing response and tone. Other guitars they broke them fairly often and with little warning. When the string itself is losing life, if you use a tuner, you can often see the string come right up to pitch and then sag a little bit flat, as if it's getting tired, which it is!
For studio work I change strings when I can hear a lack of sustain or diminished response, particularly compared to other strings. On many guitars the 3rd, 5th and 6th strings will start to go south ahead of the others, or the 10th if you rest your arm on it a lot while playing. If it's an important session or showcase gig, I'll often change 3 and 5 at least. |
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Elton Smith
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 5 May 2011 12:47 pm
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Most string makers suggest change after 40 hrs of play.That may take a long time.Or some players every week.
_________________
Gibson Les Paul
Reverend Avenger
Paul Reed Smith
Fender Telecaster
MSA S10 Classic
ShoBud
Old Peavy Amps |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 5 May 2011 1:12 pm Re: string change
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| Bob Moore wrote: |
| Are stainless steel the best way? My strings don't stay in tune and I want to get new ones. Thought about a set of Jagwires. I have a SD10 Fessy. Thanks for your help. Bob |
Bob, many of the guys here swear by Jagwires. You help the forum by buying them from b0b too. Having said that, I'd check with Jerry Fessenden to see what he recommends on his guitars.
I'm a stainless guy, but some folks say nickel strings are smoother sounding. They are somewhat softer than stainless and possibly not as hard on the aluminum fingers. Of course you probably already know that the stainless or nickel only applies to the wound strings.
Any known brand of strings packaged for steel guitar should not go out of tune like you mention though.
There may be a mechanical reason for that. Of the major brands, SIT, GHS, George L's, have always served me well in either compound. |
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Jack Ritter
From:
Enid, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 5 May 2011 1:15 pm
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every 6 months.
_________________
Zum D10 8x5,rev pre-amp, TC M300, Split 12, n-112, IZZY, Hilton vp, Geo L, BJS Hughey, Live Steel |
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Gary Shepherd
From:
Fox, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 5 May 2011 7:07 pm
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I changed mine a couple of years ago. But I haven't played in a band since then.
_________________
Gary Shepherd
Carter D-10 & Peavey Nashville 1000
www.16tracks.com |
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Jim Robbins
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 5 May 2011 7:16 pm
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Not very.
If you are having problems tuning you have to change them. Otherwise, it's a matter of taste, how much your hands sweat, and how much you wipe them down. I tried stainless because they are supposed to be more durable but didn't like the sound and for my money old nickel is better than new stainless as long as you can tune it. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 6 May 2011 4:56 am
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ahh the strings debate comes back..My favorite threads.. everything from waste of money to never..
Well , my take, here's my position..
I have a $4000 Instrument so a $10 set of strings every 8 to 12 weeks is not out of the question.
If your ears can hear or detect a difference in brightness, brilliance or sustain, guess what...it's time...
you are out on the gig and you had pretty good tone a couple of weeks back and now you are chasing the sound you want, guess what , it's time...
Changing strings regularly , in my opinion is about two things..
one is obviously reliability
the second is to MAINTAIN consistent sound
regarding my Steel, I change 3 and 5 every week or every 4th gig...
I change the E9th set every 8 to 12 weeks MAX, and yes I keep track of the date of change , I jot it down inside the seat lid. I don't play much C6th so that set goes longer. Lets see, every 12 weeks, that's 4 sets a year, $40. Ten years, that's $400.
I have a $4000 Instrument where TONE starts with strings ( and pickup of course) ...Brightness and presences doesn't start with the amp, it starts at the Steel.
I change strings on the working Telecaster every week if gigging...I have been doing this for 30 years.
Buy strings when they are on sale, when stores offer coupons etc, free shipping..all that stuff. I never use hi priced over scammed strings on the Telecaster, Fender 150's or 250's for the past 30 years or more. Sure I may be taking a set that still has life off the guitar but I am guaranteed putting a set with 100% tonal characteristics on the guitar. You cannot make a dead stringed Telecaster sound like it has life..same goes for the Steel.
Of course this is all just my opinion...but I do know this, even a lawn mower with dull blades can cut the grass, but did you ever look at the grass it just cut ? 
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 6 May 2011 7:09 am
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On a 12 string.
3rd string every 12 hours of use or 3-4 gigs.
Low B, 6th, 4th and 3rd string in another 12 hours.
Then a new set.
I have a practice guitar set up at home that I don't change until they break and can last up to a year.
I buy SIT strings in bulk by the Doz.
New strings sound good and Stay In Tune better.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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John Turbeville
From:
Carlsbad, ca
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Posted 6 May 2011 5:02 pm
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| It might sound like blasphemy but I wipe my strings down with a cloth and WD-40 every few weeks (6 strings and PSG), it gets the gunk off of them and brings back the clarity and brightness. Im not sure how often you really need to change them if you do this. My 2 cents. |
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Adair Torres
From:
Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Posted 6 May 2011 7:49 pm
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I don't have any problem with hand perspiration but, I like to hear that bell clear harmonics from new strings. I change the entire set about every 15/20 days.
I don't play much C6th so that set goes longer than E9th.
_________________
Adair Torres - Boss at TowerS Steel Guitars
__________________
Zum D10 8X7 Wineberry 2010.
Emmons SD10 3X8 Black 1994.
Derby D10 8X8 Rosewood 2008.
TowerS SD10 3X5 Imbuia Mica Finish 2018 |
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Elton Smith
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 7 May 2011 9:29 am
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Hey Chris,maybe thats why they call him Rusty.Sorry couldn't help it.lol Elbo
_________________
Gibson Les Paul
Reverend Avenger
Paul Reed Smith
Fender Telecaster
MSA S10 Classic
ShoBud
Old Peavy Amps |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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