String Change Questions
- Thread starter UTGrad
- Start date
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: String Change Questions
Different schools of thought on this but...
Change them wherever you feel they sound dead or start getting real dirty / rusty or whatnot...totally your call. I don't change mine nearly as much as I should. Also good practices like wiping down after playing helps keep the life of strings. If you use coated then of course they will last longer.
Removing them all allows you to clean / condition the fretboard easier.
Different schools of thought on this but...
Change them wherever you feel they sound dead or start getting real dirty / rusty or whatnot...totally your call. I don't change mine nearly as much as I should. Also good practices like wiping down after playing helps keep the life of strings. If you use coated then of course they will last longer.
Removing them all allows you to clean / condition the fretboard easier.
Silence Kid
New member
Re: String Change Questions
I have an unorthodox opinion; I'd rather deal with a consistent sound from old strings than the (I admit better) tone of new strings (which then changes and fades in some space of time.) I'd rather set one eq and adjustment setting on my guitars based on older dull strings, than have to constantly re-tweak settings as strings age. If I can't get a good sound with dull strings I consider it as not having a good sound at all.
I replace them only when they break or (in theory) develop rust/corrosion, but that latter scenario rarely happens in my climate. When I do change them it's one at a time when possible, but it's not like you'll never run into at least a few scenarios where you need to remove all strings so I don't see doing so as a "danger."
...That said if I was rich or had more time on my hands I'd change them daily.
I have an unorthodox opinion; I'd rather deal with a consistent sound from old strings than the (I admit better) tone of new strings (which then changes and fades in some space of time.) I'd rather set one eq and adjustment setting on my guitars based on older dull strings, than have to constantly re-tweak settings as strings age. If I can't get a good sound with dull strings I consider it as not having a good sound at all.
I replace them only when they break or (in theory) develop rust/corrosion, but that latter scenario rarely happens in my climate. When I do change them it's one at a time when possible, but it's not like you'll never run into at least a few scenarios where you need to remove all strings so I don't see doing so as a "danger."
...That said if I was rich or had more time on my hands I'd change them daily.
Thundermtn
New member
Re: String Change Questions
Changing one at a time is usually better for holding setups. I don't go crazy with board oil, once or maybe twice a year if it's feeling dry. Washing your hands before you play will help them last longer. I'm getting 2 months of near 100% from my NYXL's. Everyone will be different with their personal chemistry and playing style so it's hard to say how long they'll be good. Your ear will let you know.
Changing one at a time is usually better for holding setups. I don't go crazy with board oil, once or maybe twice a year if it's feeling dry. Washing your hands before you play will help them last longer. I'm getting 2 months of near 100% from my NYXL's. Everyone will be different with their personal chemistry and playing style so it's hard to say how long they'll be good. Your ear will let you know.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: String Change Questions
Well, unless you break one, I wouldn't bother changing them until you either notice your tone becoming dull or the strings themselves becoming noticably corroded. If you wipe them down after playing, you can extend their life.
I usually change them one at a time unless I'm going to also clean the fretboard.
Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
Well, unless you break one, I wouldn't bother changing them until you either notice your tone becoming dull or the strings themselves becoming noticably corroded. If you wipe them down after playing, you can extend their life.
I usually change them one at a time unless I'm going to also clean the fretboard.
Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
Slartibartfast
New member
Re: String Change Questions
I'm not to regimented. I use nut sauce on the bridge and nut and wipe the strings off after I play. I change them when the reminder light goes off in my nogin.
I'm not to regimented. I use nut sauce on the bridge and nut and wipe the strings off after I play. I change them when the reminder light goes off in my nogin.
Last edited:
Re: String Change Questions
I take em all off.
But when you run your hand along the E strings and get a bunch of black stuff on them, it is time. Here in Florida, with 100% humidity, strings don't last super long. I change them every show, but if I am not giging that guitar, it might be a month or 2, as I rotate my playing across a few different instruments.
I take em all off.
But when you run your hand along the E strings and get a bunch of black stuff on them, it is time. Here in Florida, with 100% humidity, strings don't last super long. I change them every show, but if I am not giging that guitar, it might be a month or 2, as I rotate my playing across a few different instruments.
6stringerguy
New member
String Change Questions
Depends how much money I’ve got lying around, 3 months with NYXLs , 4 months with elixir (usually break them way before that though)
Either set will last 6 months if I clean after each play
I change one at a time
Depends how much money I’ve got lying around, 3 months with NYXLs , 4 months with elixir (usually break them way before that though)
Either set will last 6 months if I clean after each play
I change one at a time
PS412
Well-known member
Re: String Change Questions
Wake up cut em all off. Replace a couple, have a smoke, replace a couple, go get groceries come back annoyed, have a nap and put the last two on that evening. Tune it, grab all six and pull on them hard re tune and good to go. Wait till they are black and barely vibrate then repeat.
Wake up cut em all off. Replace a couple, have a smoke, replace a couple, go get groceries come back annoyed, have a nap and put the last two on that evening. Tune it, grab all six and pull on them hard re tune and good to go. Wait till they are black and barely vibrate then repeat.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: String Change Questions
Old rusty strings wear out frets more quickly than newer ones. I change mine somewhat frequently, and always take them all off.
Old rusty strings wear out frets more quickly than newer ones. I change mine somewhat frequently, and always take them all off.
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: String Change Questions
I started off playing classical, and was taught that once the bass strings sound dead, it's time to change strings out. I've carried that over to electric. Once the strings on a guitar start sounding muffled, I take them all off, clean the guitar as thoroughly as possible, and throw new ones on. I live in the middle of the desert and have pretty benign sweat, so string changes happen every few months if I' playing a particular guitar a lot. I do change strings on acoustics significantly more often, though. I hate dead bronze wounds.
I started off playing classical, and was taught that once the bass strings sound dead, it's time to change strings out. I've carried that over to electric. Once the strings on a guitar start sounding muffled, I take them all off, clean the guitar as thoroughly as possible, and throw new ones on. I live in the middle of the desert and have pretty benign sweat, so string changes happen every few months if I' playing a particular guitar a lot. I do change strings on acoustics significantly more often, though. I hate dead bronze wounds.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: String Change Questions
How many do you usually go for?
I aim for no more than 3. 1 over the string then 2 under. On the lowest two (that is in pitch) maybe even only 1 1/2 under.
Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
How many do you usually go for?
I aim for no more than 3. 1 over the string then 2 under. On the lowest two (that is in pitch) maybe even only 1 1/2 under.
Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
Silence Kid
New member
Re: String Change Questions
There's no set way to do this though people have prescriptions; some guitars/tuners are fine with minimal wraps, others will slip every time (high strings.) In theory a lower wrap-count reduces the possibility of going out of tune through the strings rubbing each other, but a greater wrap count will secure the end of the string better in the tuner hole and add to your break angle.
Two or three will work most of the time.
There's no set way to do this though people have prescriptions; some guitars/tuners are fine with minimal wraps, others will slip every time (high strings.) In theory a lower wrap-count reduces the possibility of going out of tune through the strings rubbing each other, but a greater wrap count will secure the end of the string better in the tuner hole and add to your break angle.
Two or three will work most of the time.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: String Change Questions
You’ll be fine, and I bet it stays in tune better than before. My Strat has one above and barely one below. I bend strings like crazy and live on the bar.
You’ll be fine, and I bet it stays in tune better than before. My Strat has one above and barely one below. I bend strings like crazy and live on the bar.
