|
|
Post by Mike the marksman on Feb 11, 2020 15:00:49 GMT -5
I don't know what it is, but I was reading string reviews where some claimed that a particular brand went dead on them "within an hour after putting them on", and others rated a set high because "they last the longest before going dead" and it occured to me; I've never had strings go dead on me, any brand, acoustic or electric, no matter how long they were on the guitar. I've had them get dirty, crusty and hard to play, but they always sound good until they either break or I change them because they just won't play in tune anymore. I've played other people's guitars that have dead-sounding strings, but it never happens with mine.
I must have really benign finger oil and sweat.
|
|
sirWheat
Wholenote
For a better future, play Stevie Wonder for your children.
Posts: 318
|
Post by sirWheat on Feb 11, 2020 15:24:14 GMT -5
A lot of players prefer the sound of brand-new strings. I definitely do not but I assume that that's what those folks are talking about; the point at which the "new string" sound goes away. For me, that point is when I start liking them and, like you, I don't change 'em until one breaks or the depressions in the windings from the frets (usually happens to the g string) start getting noticeable.
|
|
|
|
Post by chronicinsomnia on Feb 11, 2020 17:19:57 GMT -5
I have never had strings go dead either. I typically only change strings when I am preparing for a gig or when they cease to tune properly. If I break a string prematurely I will just re-tie the string through the ball end retune and keep going.
Been doing it this way for over 35 years.
|
|
|
|
Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 11, 2020 21:32:47 GMT -5
Mine don't go dead either, but I've always heard you should change them every 3,000 notes, so that's what I have always done.  |
|
|
|
Post by LTB on Feb 12, 2020 0:03:10 GMT -5
Part of it is that a percentage of the players like their strings to sound bright as they were the day they installed them. Another factor is body chemistry. Some have acidic body chemistry that corrodes metal. And last Some like me clean their hands with Alcohol Gel before playing and wipe the strings and fret board after they are through. (Yep, I am OCD about it  ) I also wipe the instrument to remove body oils when through so it doesn't wear the finish down as fast. Before anyone says why bother, unlike many who want their guitars and basses to look like they have been played a long time, I am not one of them. I buy a new instrument and I want to keep it as new looking as possible. |
|
|
|
Post by Riff Twang on Feb 12, 2020 0:37:10 GMT -5
I like the crispness of fresh strings, but still also play mine to death.
I used to change mine regularly, like once a year whether they needed it or not.
|
|
|
|
Post by LM on Feb 12, 2020 11:57:46 GMT -5
Lump me into the benign finger oil and sweat camp. I keep strings for years.
|
|
|
|
Post by Duke on Feb 12, 2020 15:09:27 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by jazzguy on Feb 12, 2020 15:48:04 GMT -5
I usually change the high E and B when they get a little corroded feeling
then I swap out the whole set once the wound G starts getting grooves worn into them by the frets, about once a month.
I can't imagine how you guys leave them on so long
|
|
Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
|
Post by Ayns on Feb 12, 2020 16:07:49 GMT -5
I should really change the strings on my two main gigging guitars more often. I play out most weekends and take my AVRI 62 Hot Rod Strat and CV 62 Tele to all my gigs. I probably restring them every 2-3 months, but I think I'm starting to let it slide. Luckily I don't seem to need to change them more often.
The singer/ guitarist from my previous band had corrosive sweat. The strings on his Tele were literally green with corrosion. I used to hate it when he snapped a string, which happened quite often, as he didn't have a back up, so I would have to lend him one of my guitars. I swear, if he borrowed my guitar for a couple of songs, I would have to completely restring it before the next gig, and I'm fairly easy going when it comes to strings. :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by Mike the marksman on Feb 12, 2020 16:24:52 GMT -5
Mine don't go dead either, but I've always heard you should change them every 3,000 notes, so that's what I have always done. Yeah but with the new synthetic strings you can go 10,000 notes or more between string changes  |
|
Guy LeDouche
Halfnote
Don't Get Eliminated
Posts: 76
Formerly Known As: Uehara Sato
Age: 51
|
Post by Guy LeDouche on Feb 12, 2020 16:30:23 GMT -5
I maintain an Excel spreadsheet on which I list my current string inventory as well as the date I changed the strings on each of the 7 guitars and 1 bass I own. All my instruments are on stands or hanging - cases are not necessary as humidity is not a problem by the bay. When I hit the 'Strings been on for 90 days' date for a given instrument I reference the spreadsheet as to what brand, size, and formula the current strings are. I have a small stock of various gauges and types (pure nickel, nickle wound etc). If I am happy with the last 90 days performance I replace the set with the same or perhaps slightly different. They may or may not *need* replacing after 90 days being played and exposed to environment. But I care not, as they are inexpensive to replace and I know that newer strings will stay in tune better and not break.
|
|
|
|
Post by rickyguitar on Feb 12, 2020 21:48:39 GMT -5
When I was playing 6 or 7 nights a week I would change then weekly. Playing at church 2 rehearsals and 2 services a week I would change monthly. Now, never. Sad.
I just really like the bright snappy sound of new strings.
Used to play with a guy who had really acidic sweat. Killed a new set of my strings in an hour. I did not let him play my guitar after that.
|
|
Ryder
Wholenote
Butterscotch Blues
Posts: 856
|
Post by Ryder on Feb 13, 2020 11:38:27 GMT -5
Mine don't go dead either, but I've always heard you should change them every 3,000 notes, so that's what I have always done. Mine never go out of tune either. It was tuned at the factory, no need to second guess what they did at the factory. Dead strings? Never! I thought you had to change the newer strings every 8500 notes. Guitars are built better now. |
|
|
|
Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 13, 2020 14:21:57 GMT -5
Mine don't go dead either, but I've always heard you should change them every 3,000 notes, so that's what I have always done. Yeah but with the new synthetic strings you can go 10,000 notes or more between string changes I actually thought about switching to them, but I couldn't find specs on the number of notes I would gain. Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 13, 2020 14:24:30 GMT -5
Mine don't go dead either, but I've always heard you should change them every 3,000 notes, so that's what I have always done. Mine never go out of tune either. It was tuned at the factory, no need to second guess what they did at the factory. Dead strings? Never! I thought you had to change the newer strings every 8500 notes. Guitars are built better now. This thread prompted me to change strings on my Martin. I don't play it that often, so I was surprised what a difference it made! And now I've still got about 8,000 notes left! |
|
|
|
Post by zenland on Feb 13, 2020 14:57:17 GMT -5
Walshb-Thanks for reminding me I need to change strings on my Takamine acoustic.
Its been a couple of years lol!
Just changed strings on my Les Paul. yay
I have to change change strings when they get divits from the fret wire because I know I'm going to break
one soon. The D string is usually the one I break first and then E's and B's.
I had a friend (back in B'ham Alabama 30+ years ago) who was a great player and when his band gigged he would change strings between sets!
|
|
|
|
Post by Opie on Feb 13, 2020 16:30:17 GMT -5
I have had strings get to where they will not intonate properly,which makes 'em dead in my book.
|
|
|
|
Post by Seldom Seen on Feb 13, 2020 17:54:51 GMT -5
New strings make a big difference on my acoustic guitars but less on my electrics. Once strings start losing the ability to stay in tune, I replace them.
I remember reading a story about Clapton's tech having to sneak new strings on his guitars because he hated playing new strings.
|
|
JDC
Wholenote
I STILL say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
Posts: 528
|
Post by JDC on Feb 13, 2020 20:21:45 GMT -5
I wash my hands before every show as I can't stand to play with gritty feeling fingers. Likewise, I can't stand to play on strings that feel "gunky". When I was working on cruise ships, I got about three shows out of a set. Some of that was probably due to the exposure to salt air (even though I rarely played on the deck, the humidity was pervasive). The other component of that was a degree of OCD, I suppose lol.
|
|
) I also wipe the instrument to remove body oils when through so it doesn't wear the finish down as fast. Before anyone says why bother, unlike many who want their guitars and basses to look like they have been played a long time, I am not one of them. I buy a new instrument and I want to keep it as new looking as possible.
