Home › Forums › Beginner Guitar Discussions › when to change strings
- This topic has 12 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 8 months ago by Billy.
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October 1, 2017 at 6:07 pm #81588
How do I know when it’s time to change the strings on my guitar?
I only play 2-3 times a week and I’ve had my guitar 4 years, the reason I ask is that the sound is getting distorted and i’m kinda wondering if my guitar needs restrung and set up or whether my playing is just deteriorating?
Neil.
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October 1, 2017 at 6:17 pm #81589
What, you have 4 year old strings on your guitar?..I change mine when they feel ragged to my fingertips, they also discolour and the backs of them go green after a few weeks of playing, So I would say that after 4 years your guitar will need a fret board clean along with a string change and the set up checked…
2 months max for me to do a string change depending on which guitar I am using, I do find my electrics need more TLC than my acoustic guitar strings though....Billy..
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October 2, 2017 at 12:45 am #81676
I wait longer than I should, basically until they don’t stay in tune at about the 12th fret. Dead strings make the guitar seem like it has lost its intonation.
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October 2, 2017 at 1:23 am #81688
When they go “thunk” instead of “twang” you should change them.
Sunjamr Steve
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October 2, 2017 at 4:37 am #81703
Since I’m not performing with guitar right now, I change mine only when/if they start breaking. (If I’m performing, I keep them fairly fresh, to avoid breaking a string while playing).
Four years does seem a bit long though. A new pack of strings will set you back 10 bucks, or even less, so it’s worth changing them from time to time. Once a year should be fine for the amount you’re playing.
Some people really really like the sound of new strings, which are a bit brighter. I prefer the sound of strings once they’ve settled in, it’s a bit more homogeneous.
So that part’s a matter of personal preference.
I’ve never been fussy about cleaning the fretboard, but then again, I don’t have sweaty fingers. I’ll rub down the strings with FastFret now and then, but that’s about it.
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October 2, 2017 at 4:40 am #81705
I change mine when they feel ragged to my fingertips, they also discolour and the backs of them go green after a few weeks of playing
My son’s friend borrowed my bass and gave it back to me a few days later with strings like you describe. He must have acid for sweat! I had to explain to him about wiping down the strings after he plays…bass strings get expensive!
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October 2, 2017 at 6:47 am #81722
Ok thats what it is then….
Thanks guys.
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November 2, 2017 at 2:28 am #84057
Guitar strings for many people are normally changed when convenient. This means that when a string breaks they replace the set of strings. There is nothing wrong with this strategy but consider there are other reasons when to change guitar strings besides when they break.
– Strings give your guitar tone.
– Excessive oily build up on the fretsOne tip to increase the life of your strings is to wash your hands before playing and to wipe down the guitar strings and fret board after you are done practicing. This will keep the dirt and oil from setting into the strings as much as possible. Get an additional info by surfing on the internet.
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November 2, 2017 at 2:29 am #84058
Guitar strings for many people are normally changed when convenient. This means that when a string breaks they replace the set of strings. There is nothing wrong with this strategy but consider there are other reasons when to change guitar strings besides when they break.
– Strings give your guitar tone.
– Excessive oily build up on the fretsOne tip to increase the life of your strings is to wash your hands before playing and to wipe down the guitar strings and fret board after you are done practicing. This will keep the dirt and oil from setting into the strings as much as possible. Get an additional info by surfing on the internet.
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November 2, 2017 at 2:32 am #84059
Guitar strings for many people are normally changed when convenient. This means that when a string breaks they replace the set of strings. There is nothing wrong with this strategy but consider there are other reasons when to change guitar strings besides when they break.
– Strings give your guitar tone.
– Excessive oily build up on the fretsOne tip to increase the life of your strings is to wash your hands before playing and to wipe down the guitar strings and fret board after you are done practicing. This will keep the dirt and oil from setting into the strings as much as possible. Get an additional info (plus.google.com/102642981778688407461) by surfing on the internet.
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June 15, 2018 at 7:27 pm #102480
I tend to change mine when they begin to sound dull, or feel grippy under the finger tips.
In general Id say I change mine every few months but I don’t play a huge amount and I don’t sweat much while playing. If you’re one of those people who seems to sweat pure acid then you’ll need to do it far more often 😉
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August 18, 2018 at 2:18 am #107730
Hey
I am a beginner playing guitar and from denmark
I have bought an alvarez ap 66 guitar. The guitar af difficult to play because the strings are so high from the fret.even. when i have adjusted the neck. i hope someone can give me some advice.
Niels -
August 18, 2018 at 7:18 am #107734
Hey
I am a beginner playing guitar and from denmark
I have bought an alvarez ap 66 guitar. The guitar af difficult to play because the strings are so high from the fret.even. when i have adjusted the neck. i hope someone can give me some advice.
NielsThe 66 is styled on the parlor guitars of the 1920’s, it will need some work to lower the string height so I would suggest that you take it to a Luthier and have it set up to your liking.
..Billy..
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