16 gigs , 1 set of strings

Craig Schwartz · From: McHenry IL

Over a period of 3 months i played 16 to 20 gigs and I Broke 1 .011 midway is it time for a new set ?
this is kinda average for the amount time on my steels before I change them.
Question is : is 16 to 20 gigs average for most or should I be changing them sooner ?
oh yeah im using GHS strings

Your input is very valuable to me please let me know
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SO MANY LURES, SO LITTLE TIME....

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Twenty jobs in three months (assuming that they average four hours each) could equal roughly 54 hours of playing time (allowing for a twenty minute break each hour). I personally would not leave strings unchanged for that length of time. In fact, I normally replace my third string after three jobs, $.65 is not a high price to pay for piece of mind...FYI: If some of your gigs are outside in humid weather the strings should be replaced much sooner, they deteriorate quicker under those types of conditions.

Craig Schwartz · From: McHenry IL

David thank you

Breakdowns are no fun in the middle of the greatest song of the night,

I like your idea of the .011 being changed after 10 hours

Thanks
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SO MANY LURES, SO LITTLE TIME....

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Typically for me, I change the entire set maybe every three months but the 3rd and 5th get changed every few weeks which could be 4 to 6 gigs max.

Although you can never guarantee a 3rd string from breaking, I don't recall in recent history breaking a 3rd string on a gig or a show. I am talking years, not weeks or months. Like David said above, we are talking less than a buck ! Thats pretty cheap Insurance ! Smile

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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

John Booth · From: Columbus Ohio, USA

Play them suckers till they die Smile

Actually, if I break one I replace the whole set. It's my OCD
JB
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Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

When I was on the road I changed strings (entire set) every 10 shows. It wasn't that the strings were dead, just trying to eliminate possible string breakage on a show.

I think that's basically what Paul Franklin posted one time. It may have been recording sessions for him as that was what he was doing at the time.

I now do about 8 to 10 gigs a month and generally change strings about once a month.

Craig Schwartz · From: McHenry IL

Wow thanks everyone for the input

I am going to make a fish counter w/11 beads,
5,1,5 structure , that way I dont have to guess how long its been, putting a date in a book just is ok but a fish counter would be better for me ,
when I make one I will show you all how cool they are for fishing, now we can use em for our gig count, to be continued...
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SO MANY LURES, SO LITTLE TIME....

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

The thing about changing strings often is, it allows TONE to be very consistent, we are never chasing last weeks tone this week. Strings should be vibrant and fresh which allows bringing out the best of any stringed instrument.

Unless of course we are going for the Guinness Worlds Record !
_________________
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

James Kerr · From: Scotland, UK

We have had all this string changing before, and I wonder now like I did then how often a Pianist or a Harpist changes strings?

We usually get String Sellers recommending at least weekly changes.

For the record I never change mine and they never break, I have a Dobro bought 8 years ago still using the strings it came with.

James.
I am a Scotsman by the way and there are no pockets in a Kilt.

Craig Schwartz · From: McHenry IL

James you have won th Guiness worlds record for oldest strings on a dobro
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SO MANY LURES, SO LITTLE TIME....

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

James Kerr · From: Scotland, UK

You be the Judge Tony, here it is, not electrified so tone and sustain are all its own, and it cost $100 3rd hand, not thousands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0v67c44E3E

James.

Rich Upright · From: Florida, USA

I find that I can get about 8 gigs on my Emmons before the strings are shot, and about 10 or 12 on my Mullen; prolly due to the brighter sound of the Mullen, as string brightness is the first thing that starts to go, then sustain & intonation. I find my strings need changing when I start going to my safe, "go-to" licks, instead of playing my more subtle phrases.

C6 strings last a lot longer, as 6th tuning doesn't sound as bad when the intonation is off.

BTW I haven't broken a string in years, not even a G#. I stopped breaking 'em when I went to a tempered tuning many moons ago. I have never broken a string on my Mullen.
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A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Steve Stallings · From: Houston/Cypress, Texas

Well, to each their own. I'm changing strings on my E9 neck every couple of weeks, roughly 3-6 4 hour gigs. New strings sound better to my ears. My C6 neck can go 2-3 months as I play only two tunes we do on C6.. I ordered five sets of C6 this morning. I'm still working my way thru the 20 sets of SIT BE-E9 Stainless I recently bought.

This is referring to my G2 that I take out. My other G2 gets strings changed after a few weeks unless I am working on a track for someone's project. Strings are cheap and I need all the help I can to sound better. 😀
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Steve Stallings
Emmons Legrande II 8X5

Rich Upright · From: Florida, USA

Something else worth mentioning...I have noticed that it seems that the length of time the strings are on the guitar affects how long they last VS. the number of gigs I play...IOW it seems they go bad more with time than with actual playing. Also, they seem to last longer if I keep the steel in the case VS. setting it up at home.
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A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.

Clyde Mattocks · From: Kinston, North Carolina, USA

I think it depends on your body chemistry and how much your hands sweat. I don't sweat much and I can get a lot of time out of my strings. If someone whose chemistry is different sits in on my steel, they may just rot them and I'll have to change them the next day. Outdoor gigs and humidity shorten string life considerably. If I have a run of outdoor gigs in summer, I'll just tough it out till I've got some jobs coming up with better conditions. As far as .011s go, they are just way better than they used to be.
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro

Craig Schwartz · From: McHenry IL

Heres that gig "fish" counter I told you id make to keep track of my strings health
I would call this a 5,1,5, Right now the counter is at 3 gigs and when I get to the black gig bead I will change the .011 string,
but im only gonna gig 11 three hour sessions and then change all the strings,
im doing this because I forget how many gigs ive done and now theres no exuse.
i will also make one of these for each guitar I own because im like most players,
changing to your other guitar is a fun thing to do.

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SO MANY LURES, SO LITTLE TIME....

Barry Blackwood · Posted 20 Apr 2017 2:27 pm

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