new strings

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

how often do i need to change strings? i have been playing the ones on my Zum for a year now in that time i have only replaced (1) broken 5th string .

as always thanks in advance

calvin

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Calvin-For one thing , it all depends on how much you play.

For me, I dont like to change strings and I wait till they sound a little dead to me.

If you are playing out regularly, probably should change the high G# so it wont break on the job. You Hope.....Merry Christmas...al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

If I'm playing out regularly I change them every week. If I'm doing a session I put on a new set before hand.

Boy if you've had them on your Zum for a whole year they must be just about black by now !!

Treat yourself to a new set - you won't recognise your sound !

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

i pratice about 2-3 hours a day and yea they are black in fact its hard to see them against the fret board

calvin

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ZumSteel

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I see people that only change a string when it breaks. Personally, I can't stand dead strings. I generally change about once a month if I'm only doing one or two gigs a week. If I'm on the "road", then it's once a week or once every two weeks depending on how many shows we've worked.

But, Murphy's Law says if you change the 3rd string so it won't break on a show, it usually will.

Nic du Toit · From: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa

Now I don't feel so bad. Change mine about once per month, or every two weeks when playing regularly. Can you remember what make those strings were......must be a candidate for some sort of record.

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Nic du Toit
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Bob Martin · From: Madison Tn

I've seen some really good players that only change them when they break and some how they still manage to get a good tone. Then there are other really good players that change them every 20 hours or so and they get a great tone as well hee hee so let your ears be the judge.

I would say that the players that don't change their strings are the ones that have a little less brilliant tone but as you know sometimes thats a preferable tone to use especially on ballads.

Personally I like the way new fresh strings sound no matter whos playing the steel.

Bob

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

Depends if you suffer from 'sweaty hand' syndrome. Fortunately I'm lucky in that department, but my friend can kill the tone of a brand new set of strings in 10 minutes. I don't let him anywhere near my ShoBud or Tele

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

the strings that are on the guitar is Buddy Emmons stainless steel SIT strings i would guess by your replys that its time to change them haha

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ZumSteel

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

ok folks i think i got my string schedule figured out. from now on i will faithfully change strings every christmas if they need it or not.. i just put on a new set then i let it sit for about an hour then retuned it and started playing and boy does strings 1-5 sound brighter

calvin

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ZumSteel

[This message was edited by Calvin Walley on 15 December 2005 at 12:05 PM.]

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

I usually change strings about once a month or sometimes every three weeks. Depends on how much I play on them. I like the SIT's for the S-12U. An electric/battery operated screwdriver with a peg winder attachment is a time saver when changing strings also.

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

I change strings everytime I take a bath. Four times a year, like clockwork! When I was out playing 5/6 nights a week, 5/6 sets a night, I used Stainless steel SITs on my Kline. The guages that Joe recommended to me. They would last me 3 or 4 weeks, with a change of the 3rd every week My hands are very dry. Now that I'm just goofin' around, I use nickel, cuz they don't sound so piercing on my guitar. Mileage may vary, but,,,a year! come on!

Larry Hamilton · From: Amarillo,Tx

If they start sounding dead I just turn up the treble.

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Keep pickin', Larry

Ernest Cawby · From: Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

What Billy Carr said, bit I use Jagwire, love ',m
ernie

Roger Francis · From: kokomo,Indiana, USA

About every 8 days or 2 months wich ever comes first and i no breakie strings with JAGWIRE.

Soory, i missread the question, i was only saying when i change mine.

what Tony said is probably more what i listen for when i know its time for a change.

[This message was edited by Roger Francis on 16 December 2005 at 07:52 AM.]

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Calvin, the only way to tell and to formulate your own opinion/experience is to put new strings on, keep track of the date. Then pay attention to your tone..

at some point you will HEAR a difference.

Then it will be time...

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

Way back when a working musician was making $10 to $25 for a job, he couldn't afford to change strings, and he actually thought that they sounded better as they aged...they had less trebel!

When pedals and the E9 tuning came along, it was necessary to change the 3rd and 5th string before any important job.

I still think that the non-pedal C6 tuning sounds better when the strings begin to age.

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www.genejones.com

Mark Lind-Hanson · From: Menlo Park, California, USA

I generally do every month and a half and/or when they break. Keep a larger stock of third strings around since they ALWAYS pop the quickest. A full new set almost ALWAYS soulnds slinkier & silkier- always change before recording is my first rule.

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Gene-I know where you are coming from, and I agree.
For myself,I like a mellow tone and the strings once set seem to hold the tune better at least for a little while. fortunately.

But I don't play out anymore and so it is still up to the individual player on how often to change strings...Merry Christmas...al.

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Don Barnhardt · From: North Carolina, USA

I must really be screwed up. I can't even remember when I changed mine last. I think the strings were un-raveling. I do replace them if they break.

Hank Ruf · From: Little Elm, Texas USA

Calvin: If you don't change your strings on a regular basis according to how often you are playing [using them]you will lose clearity and tonal quality. Just listen to your sound.

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Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

I think my optimum is about 3 weeks. I play almost everyday.

Sometimes I put it off too long.

I have never been sorry I changed them. Biggest difference is the sound of the wound strings.

hope this is helpful

Ron

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