How Often Do Non-Pedal players change strings?

Stefan Robertson · From: Hertfordshire, UK

So I have been using the same set of strings for 6 months

Pros:
The sound is getting so warm and awesome for Jazz I love it.

Cons:
I am afraid it may snap in a live gig.
Also as it gets older the sustain becomes shorter.

How often do you change strings?
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Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
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Dave Thier · From: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

I think this interval is quite different for electric and acoustic instruments due to the differences is playing technique. I change the strings on my acoustic square neck resonators (dobros if you will) every 6-8 hours of playing time.

Tony Lombardo · From: Alabama, USA

I change the strings on my 8-string electric steel guitar twice a year.

Steven Pearce · From: Port Orchard Washington, USA

For my square neck resonators, I'm with Dave, 6-8 hours of playing and they're shot.
My basic rule is...fresh strings before every gig. I use the same gauges for lap or resonator, both tuned to D...
18P
20P
28
38
48
62
Some say I'm nuts for doing this, I think it's nuts not to.
The guitar player is Tim McGovern, (Motels, Burning Sensations).

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Jay Yuskaitis · From: Massachusetts, USA

I usually replace it when it breaks, or when the National finger picks wear the windings down to the core. this has happened more often on the Dobro than on the Steel. To each his own as far as string replacement goes on any stringed instrument. Jay Y.

Garry Vanderlinde · From: CA

Once a year...or two...on the electrics. Couple times a year with the acoustics.
Embarassed

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Same here... about once every year or two on the lap steels. On the pedal steel, about three times a year because I play PSG more on gigs. A couple of my console steels have had the same strings for many years. They still sound good.
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Roman Sonnleitner · From: Vienna, Austria

Haven't changed the strings on my lap steel in two or three years - I really hate the sound of new strings on lap steel, way to ice-picky (unlike my Teles, where I need to change strings at least every 1-2 months).
Oh, and I have NEVER broken a string on my lap steel.

Stefan Robertson · From: Hertfordshire, UK

I gave mine a good clean yesterday and I must say they brightened right back up.

GHS Fast Fret. I need to use it I guess before and after overtime I play and it will give me that Western Swing bright sparkle but have the consistent smooth sound when I roll off the tone.

Great advice all.

Any other people?
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Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com

"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Bill Sinclair · From: Waynesboro, PA, USA

Miles Lang · From: Venturaloha

When they break.

The frequency seems to increase when I change tunings more often. Right now, I retune my Champ at least 2x during a gig (different tuning for each set on a 3 set gig). Looking forward to using my D8 this weekend to avoid that.

G Strout · From: Carabelle, Florida

Generally once a month so. Like Jay I have problems on the right end where the picks tend to wear on the windings. (I use a wound 22 for the A on C6 and I also do behind the bar pulls)) I like the sound of fresher strings although when I do use a "fresh set" I tend to compensate with EQ to take the edge off of the brightness. On the steel with the Dusenberg....evey 2 weeks depending on wear.
Gary

Jay Yuskaitis · From: Massachusetts, USA

Hi Doug, The same used to go with pedal steels, I'd change one when it broke or the winding wore down to the core. I've broken a few strings on every guitar I've played over the years. The only lap steel I have, is my Fathers Gibson I believe is an EH 500. I've broken more strings on that guitar than any other. When trying to move a bit fast, seems the belt buckle was not too happy and helped things along the way.
Take care, Jay Y.

David DeLoach · From: Tennessee, USA

When I become a zillionaire I'm going to hire someone to change strings on all my instruments. It's my least favorite part of playing.

I change the strings on my lap steels when I change the tuning.

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I think it depends on two things: the tone you're after and how many strings you have to change.

My eight string guitars wear their strings much longer than my six stringers. I find that I lose the tone I want on my resophonic guitar quicker than on my electric lap steel.

If that "new" sound of fresh strings doesn't appeal to you, or if it doesn't matter, then keep the strings you have.
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Joe Elk · From: Ohio, USA

Brad
[My eight string guitars wear their strings much longer than my six stringers]

Just a thought Di you 8 stringers have longer strings (for the most part) that your 6 sting instruments.

Joe Elk

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

With my guitars, I change strings only when they no longer vibrate due to build-up and/or rust. They gain character
and provide fine tone. Never had any complaints.

I recently purchased $127.00 worth of Gibson Spanish
Guitar strings from way down in Texas for my Ric's but after realizing what a huge chore it will be to install them, I got depressed and they're still in the package.

As a side note, my 1956 Bigsy quad still has the 'original'
strings one of the four necks. They've served me well.

Kay Das · From: Los Angeles CA

Depends on what genre you are playing. For a classic Hawaiian sound, older strings sound more mellow. For pop, recommend changing strings every six months.

But there are also exceptions...

Garry Vanderlinde · From: CA

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Stefan Robertson · From: Hertfordshire, UK

Chris Scruggs · From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Very rarely. Sometimes after six months, sometimes once a year. fresh strings have too much "zing" on the wound strings and the plain strings don't pull as accurately when I tug them behind the bar.

Stefan Robertson · From: Hertfordshire, UK

Anyone tried D'addario Pedal steel strings set?

Any good?
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Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com

"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

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