When to change guitar strings

[Marty Grass]

I just received this video. It is one man's opinion. He makes as much sense as most.

I mostly use flatwounds. The top two strings generally get replaced twice as often as the rest. The wound strings seem to last a very long time.

I'd appreciate any polite comments. Justin has done a huge amount to help people learn guitar. No hating on him, please.

[Bluedawg]

I keep them on until they just don't sound as good as I would like ... or they start having tuning or intonation problems.

If I was playing in a rock or blues band I would change every few weeks or even less.

But for jazz sounds the older the strings the more I like them ... so my archtops have had the same strings on them for years.

I'll have to check the video later when its more convenient for me

[Groooooove]

his advice isin't bad at all.

for beginners this video is fine. anyone whos played more has a decent feel for when strings gotta go.. most often for me? when i feel like trying something new, since i switch between bronze acoustic and nickel electric strings on my loar..

i agree when there's gunk under there, they look corroded and filthy, its best to change them.

[citizenk74]

Sounds like very good advice to me. I might add that once in a while, you get a bum string right out of the pack. Not a big deal, stuff happens. The trick is to find it before it can embarrass you in the middle of a set. A good tuner helps detect those little micro-wobbles in the overtones that indicate an inconsistency in manufacture (I use a Peterson VS-1: best two-hundred bucks I ever borrowed). I also tend to change the whole set when I can't remember when I changed them last. A fresh set once tuned in is usually inspiring. Plus I'm a compulsive string-buyer. They're cheaper than guitars or amps...

[MarkRhodes]

Once a year, whether they need it or not! ;o) (I use flatwounds, of course.)

[gitrman]

When I'm bored and don't have anything else to do. (yes, flats)

[DanielleOM]

Every once in a while I will run my fingers under the 3rd string. When I can feel the grooves or wear in the string, I will change the whole set. In high humidity I will change more frequently generally when I can no longer take they way the strings feel under my hands.

Danielle

[wintermoon]

I only use roundwounds.
before every gig I pinch the string w/ a small cloth w/ a spot of rubbing alcohol and slide up and down to remove the grime.
but before that I'll run my finger under the G and if it's got flat spots from the frets, I'll change the top 3 strings.
then a few gigs later when I feel flat spots under the D, I'll change the whole set.

[s1track3d]

I only use roundwounds.
before every gig I pinch the string w/ a small cloth w/ a spot of rubbing alcohol and slide up and down to remove the grime.

I have positive results using GHS fast fret.

[MaxTwang]

Any other string cleaners people like? I had to blast a recently acquired guitar with an ozone generator which left residue on the strings (should have put the new TIs on after de-stinking the guitar), Martin guitar polish on a cloth, with some effort, cleaned them up. Dr. Ducks Axe Wax and Sting Lube has worked too,

Is there a source for TI singles (B and E)?

Back in the 70's I knew a few bass players who took their stings off and boiled them to clean them - sweat, grime and finger leavin's soup?

[SamBooka]

I used to change my Thomastiks every 3-4 months.. they sounded fine but the intonation would be way out..
I have run Labella nylons for 2 years before changing them because my kids knocked over the guitar and dented the strings.
I have chromes on my 125 that have been on there since June 2014... intonation is fine and they sound ok so why change them?

[Marty Grass]

I've used generic singles as replacements for unwound strings. I don't know a reason to pay more.


[QUOTE=MaxTwang;562250]
Is there a source for TI singles (B and E)?

QUOTE]

[petermelton]

Is there a source for TI singles (B and E)?

Strings by Mail and Just Strings carry TI singles if you need them. But like Marty mentioned, any plain string works fine.

[Jabberwocky]

Strings by Mail and Just Strings carry TI singles if you need them. But like Marty mentioned, any plain string works fine.

Juststrings sells the plain strings for $2.90 a dozen bulk pack! Plain Steel Guitar Bulk Strings

[mr quick]

Juststrings sells the plain strings for $2.90 a dozen bulk pack! Plain Steel Guitar Bulk Strings

$50 to ship

[Jabberwocky]

$50 to ship

$50 flat rate to ship to Norway, makes no sense to buy them. Try Thomann for TI or Pyramid singles. www.stringsdirect.co.uk for Newtone singles.

Eur6,60 for a dozen http://www.thomann.de/gb/pyramid_012.htm . Eur10,00 shipping on orders under Eur199,00.

[mr quick]

Kick-ass! thanks!

[neatomic]

I only use roundwounds.
before every gig I pinch the string w/ a small cloth w/ a spot of rubbing alcohol and slide up and down to remove the grime.

been doing that for years..you can see the grime removed..but even easier is a box of alcohol swabs…you can buy a 100-200 box so that its less than 4¢ a swab..and the swabs are individually packaged..so you can chuck some in your case

any drugstore has'em


cheers

[Sonnyboy]

Whenever they won't stay in tune, I change them.

[Jabberwocky]

As an aside, Caig Deoxit Axewipes: DeoxIT® AxeWipes - String Wipes !! Hardy, ha, ha. Axewipes...

$0.50 per wipe. When your strings cost $25 per pack, it may be worth it.

[Herbie]

Justin is a great guy! I wish that I had had his vids in 1974 when I started playing guitar.
And after 40 years of playing I can still learn from him. He is the best!

[GNAPPI]

You have to "CHANGE" them??? Now I find out after all these years, after all those cans of finger ease on them? Live and learn :-)

[kawa]

Limit of octave tuning.

[blackcat]

Just a quick plug for Newtone Strings. I have no vested interest, but did meet Malcolm when we lived in Derbyshire, UK shortly after he set up Newtone. Interesting story and excellent product: http://www.newtonestrings.com/about.htm.