How long do strings last on an unplayed guitar?

[floatingpickup]

I have a couple of guitars that I generally leave in their cases and only take them out to play at home on occasion. I keep them because of sentimental value, but they are not guitars that I would take out on gigs. I never know when to change the strings on them because, although the strings may be more than a year old, they are also basically unplayed. I like to use Thomastik swing or bebop strings, which are a little expensive to replace on a regular basis on a guitar that isn’t being played much. How long should a set of strings last in a situation like this?
Keith

[Doug B]

How do they sound?

[floatingpickup]

How do they sound?

Sometimes it is hard to tell, since they degrade rather slowly and comparing them to other guitars brings many variables into play. Also, swing series flatwounds can be a little dull sounding even when new. I know that new strings can be kept a long time in their packaging, but I am wondering how fast they change when they are tuned up to tension.
Keith

[Sigmund451]

I put new strings on a couple of guitars almost a year ago that went back in their cases. I took one out and they still sound fresh. I dont know if they will last quite as long once played but in friendly climates they should last.

You could losen them a little...maybe just tune down a step or just half. Ive had strings break in their case from changes in season (at least expansion and contraction is my guess as to why).

[Stringswinger]

My philosophy is that if a string set sounds good and feels good, there is no reason to change them.

I met a guitar collector years ago who had about 40 guitars. He kept a notebook that had entries on each guitar that included a log of string changes in each guitar's page. Along with that book, he had a calendar telling him which guitars were coming up for their annual string changes. I remember reading that Scott Chinery paid a tech to change the strings annually on all of his guitars. I am not that organized (nor do I want to be) and I do not see any benefit to throwing away perfectly serviceable guitar strings.

[joe2758]

At least 1.5 years, beyond that I dunno

I don't want to give a glib or flippant answer, but really if the sound good and stay in tune I wouldn't replace them for another reason such as expected life..just wait til it's dead lol