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Topic: Change Strings How Often? |
Michael Murray
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 26 Jan 2012 4:43 pm |
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I'm just a closet player, so not fussing about tone too much (although I am seeking to get out and play with folks). It's been a year since I changed the strings. I'm wondering how often folks tend to change, and how long the 'new' tone might last.
Thanks,
michael |
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George Macdonald
From:
Vancouver Island BC Canada
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Posted 26 Jan 2012 4:57 pm String
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| Michael, I'm sure answers to your question will vary greatly depending on how many hours per week or month a guitar is played, and whether it is played at home, on the road, or recording studio. I play mostly at home now, but occasionaly at Church or Seniors homes. I still like the guitar to sound good and change strings about every 3 months. By the way, where are you in BC? |
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Carl Kilmer
From:
East Central, Illinois
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Posted 26 Jan 2012 5:10 pm
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I don't play out, but I try to practice 20-30 hours each week.
When they lose sustain, or tone, or 1 breaks, I change them.
I usually change them in about 3 months, sometimes sooner.
_________________
aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal |
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Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 27 Jan 2012 5:15 am
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| I change mine when the wound strings start to 'thunk' rather than ringing clearly and cleanly. And I guess three months would be about average. My seat time would be about an hour a day. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 27 Jan 2012 5:35 am
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At one point, they start reacting differently to the changer,or th sound will degrade. That's when you change them
How long they sound new will vary with how much you play, how often you wash your hands and how acidic or oily your hands sweat
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 27 Jan 2012 6:59 am
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It all varies, no set in stone time. When I was doing road work, it was every 10 shows, mainly to keep the strings fresh and help eliminate breakage during a show.
I'm now playing two shows a week (occasionally a third or forth show in a week) and I change once a month. I don't have "sweaty palms" etc, but I do have to put up with the Florida humidity. I just like to have fresh sounding strings and also try to keep from breaking a string on a job. |
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Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 27 Jan 2012 9:18 am
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| Quote: |
and how acidic or oily your hands sweat
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That is so true. body chemistry can be a huge factor. I knew a guy who could play my six string for a couple of songs and the next day the strings would be totally shot. It was just like his hands were secreting battery acid. On his own acoustic he started using the Elixir coated strings...not sure how those worked out for him. |
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Jerry Humphries
From:
Jasper, AL.
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Posted 27 Jan 2012 12:26 pm
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| My hands are highly acidic. Ate the gold plating off of the PU's and bridge of my custom Les Paul. Anyone know of a place to get them replated? |
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Mike Cass
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Posted 27 Jan 2012 11:15 pm
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The now-defunct Emmons Guitar Co. Inc. used to include a 2 page fact sheet with their guitars....
on the question of when to change strings, the answer was: "when you start having to tune the guitar".  |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 28 Jan 2012 1:37 am
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not once a year...!
I believe the above comments are accurate...
Although I change 3 and 5 every other week, that is independent of the whole set which is more like every 12 weeks.
Even if your are just at home, you have a multi-thousand dollar Instrument, to get the best possible sound, tone, sustain and enjoyment , break down and spend $10 a few times each year, keep the Instrument in top shape all the way around.
Yeah I know, some haven't broke a 3rd string in 2 years...I know the drill..
Well I haven't either but for a different reason... 
_________________
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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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 28 Jan 2012 1:56 am
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OK, Im guilty of getting too much mileage out of them and I really should change them all more often. Honestly? I usually change one after it breaks when I am on break between sets at a show. Thats why I have a huge surplus of heavy wound strings, less plain ones and a shortage of .011s.
There, I feel better now. I'll change them all tomorrow, promise! 
Clete |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 28 Jan 2012 2:34 am
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i change strings when i have gigs
otherwise i just leave 'em on until i think they don't sound good or i'm havin' tuning deficiencies |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 28 Jan 2012 4:41 am
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I change my 3rd string more often than the whole set.
I change the whole set about 4 times a year or when I have gig I can't afford to break a string.
I may change my C6 neck about 2 times a year as I'm mainly an E9th player. I don't have acidic hands so that helps.
Don
_________________
Private one on one lessons available
Member: FSGC, PSGA, TSGA
Co-founder: Florida Steel Guitar Club
"Steel guitar is like playing chess in the dark with three players". Jeff Newman quote from 1997 seminar |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 28 Jan 2012 5:43 am
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I change pedal steel strings and Dobro strings when they lose their bright.
A month or two, except the 3rd and 4th strings of my Dobro, which die after two hours of playing. I'll have six strings ringing and two that thud. I buy three pairs of them plus every set.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Allen Peterson
From:
Katy, Texas
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Posted 28 Jan 2012 7:17 am
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Now that it is difficult to get Jagwire strings from b0b, I wait until one breaks before changing them.
Allen Peterson
_________________
2008 D10 Rains Pedal Steel, 2000 D10 Carter Pedal Steel, BR-9 Lap Steel, Nashville 400, Nashville 112, '65 Fender Twin Re-issue, MB 200, Telonics Volume Pedal |
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Allen Peterson
From:
Katy, Texas
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Posted 28 Jan 2012 7:18 am
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Now that it is difficult to get Jagwire strings from b0b, I wait until one breaks before changing them.
Allen Peterson
_________________
2008 D10 Rains Pedal Steel, 2000 D10 Carter Pedal Steel, BR-9 Lap Steel, Nashville 400, Nashville 112, '65 Fender Twin Re-issue, MB 200, Telonics Volume Pedal |
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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 28 Jan 2012 7:37 am
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You can't change them,they have to want to change.
_________________
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night. |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 29 Jan 2012 9:12 am
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| Mike Cass wrote: |
The now-defunct Emmons Guitar Co. Inc. used to include a 2 page fact sheet with their guitars....
on the question of when to change strings, the answer was: "when you start having to tune the guitar". |
That has always worked for me.
"The now-defunct Emmons Guitar Co. Inc."? Did I miss something about them going out of business?   |
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 29 Jan 2012 10:05 am
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On my gigging steel, about every 30 playing hours which is about once a month or when they lose tone.
They still sound ok but need tuning more often and they don't break on the job.
On my house steel, every 2 months. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 29 Jan 2012 1:10 pm
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I suspect that's an editorial comment upon the degree of customer service provided by Lashley Jr.
If they ain't whut they wuz, they ain't the same...
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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