I know this may be a weird question to answer , but how frequently do you change your strings?

I try to change them as much as possible as I love the snappy sound of fresh roundwounds , but I find it to be kind of a hassle changing strings ….

Anyone here pay a guitar tech / luthier to change their strings? How frequently?

I got a power screwdriver with a special rubber socket designed to fit over all machine heads.
I can easily control the speed slowly.
It also is critical for removing and then reinstall the same strings, for when I am working on electronics or other hardware.

I use Ernie Ball Pardigm strings and they last at least 3 times longer than regular strings, for that 'snappy' sound.

I use Elixirs which last much longer than regular Ernie Balls or something. I can go like 3-6 months honestly of every day playing and like monthly shows. With regular strings, sometimes I feel like I need to change them after a weekend because I hate that rusty feeling.

I actually kind of enjoy changing strings though. I find it weirdly therapeutic.

I'm reminded of Nile Rodgers, the bass player from Chic when asked what strings he used. He holds up his old battered bass and looks puzzled, "I dunno - what do they come with?"

I use one of those nifty cutters and string winders. I slacken the tension then cut them near the bridge. The bit round the tuner peg on a Jazzmaster just falls out, then I pull out the other bit through the tremolo. It doesn't take long to change a set. I can't imagine ever paying someone to do it for me.

Normally I get around to changing them when I notice they've gone a bit grey, it depends if I have any gigs or practices coming up. I only use one guitar so it's not particularly onerous. I use Fender 150s.

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Last edited: Oct 03, 2024 17:33:47

It depends upon the strings, the guitar, and how you play. I use Thomastik Jazz Swing flatwounds on some of my guitars, and so long as I keep it tuned and never detune it, they seem to last forever. The ones on my Country Gent sound bright and are fairly old, possibly 10-11 years. I refresh the top three plain strings from time to time, perhaps annually, but that’s it. BTW, Thomastik flats are not prone to sounding dull, they are actually twangy on my Gent. I recently was about to change them, but one strum convinced me otherwise. That may sound crazy, but double bass players routinely measure string life in decades. For one thing, flatwound strings are more resistant to contamination from any dirt on your fingers.

I also use Thomastik Jazz BeBop round wounds on one of my Teneseeans, and likewise, those ar probably about ten years old, without sounding dull. Ok, now I have round wounds that are nearly immortal; what gives?

Before I explain, I’ll mention that I use Pyramid Fusion Flats on a couple of guitars, which feel like round wounds, but actually use the same metal tape as flats, but over would slightly. My Squier has DR Bkues, Pure Blues round wounds on it, and they seem to be long lasting, as well.

What I credit for this longevity, are a number of factors. In every case, these are round core strings, with pure nickel windings, and I clean my strings with a Music Nomad cleaning kit. Before I got the Music Nomad, I used a clean polish cloth. If I touch my guitar, I wipe down the strings, every single time.

I’ve gotten good string life with even inexpensive strings, just by keeping them clean, but the combination of nickel windings and a round steel core seems bulletproof. I buy, and keep in stock, D’Addario plain strings to refresh the top, which wear out more often, which is probably more a matter of corrosion. When they lose tuning stability, it’s time for a change, roughly an annual event. D’Addario packages their single strings in a plastic bag, so I can store them for years without corrosion.

In all fairness, I live in the Sonoran Desert, near Tucson, so I have low humidity most of the year. I’m sure that helps.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

IceratzSurf wrote:

I can easily see why most flatwound strings would last longer because of ability to stay cleaner.
Dirty strings are one reason for frequent string changes.
The dirt stuck between standard wound strings is abrasive to the frets and will help contribute to early fret wear.

It's my understanding that Elixers use a coating to seal off the spaces between the outer wraps for this purpose.

Maybe a good slogan would be:
'It's easier to change strings than replace frets'

That a big part of why I use that Music Nomad tool. I makes it easy to get between the string and the fretboard.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

I can't find it now, but there's a video of Link Wray where he broke a string mid-song and kept playing while a crew member changed it for him!