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Changing guitar strings
Posted on 5/29/19 at 7:09 pm
Posted on 5/29/19 at 7:09 pm
I know this is an extremely subjective question and depends on a ton of different factors but I was curious how often you guys change strings and what are some of your favorites for various types of guitars.
13
Posted on 5/29/19 at 7:25 pm to joshwj93
quote:
I know this is an extremely subjective question and depends on a ton of different factors but I was curious how often you guys change strings
I change them when they feel dead or can't stay in tune. It is subjective and I don't play as much as I should, so I don't have anything like a rigid schedule.
I really dig the D'addario (expensive) strings for acoustic and Fender for electric.
Posted on 5/30/19 at 4:09 am to Ace Midnight
I normally change mine once a month. I love the nyxl strings for dadario, but usually use the GHS David Gilmour set.
Posted on 5/30/19 at 8:36 am to joshwj93
I don’t change very often, but typically do whenever they get rough to the touch, but more often just when one breaks.
I buy all kinds, but recently got into d’addario and now think they are the best. Used to buy Ernie ball and don’t really love them. Fender makes decent strings.
I buy all kinds, but recently got into d’addario and now think they are the best. Used to buy Ernie ball and don’t really love them. Fender makes decent strings.
Posted on 5/30/19 at 9:12 am to joshwj93
Whenever they lose that “ring”.
Posted on 5/30/19 at 1:45 pm to joshwj93
Being an acoustic guy 95% of the time I like light phosphor bronze.
Not committed to any one particular brand. I like trying different brands.
I do buy made in America and not made in Mexico.
Change strings on 4 guitars about once a month.
Not committed to any one particular brand. I like trying different brands.
I do buy made in America and not made in Mexico.
Change strings on 4 guitars about once a month.
Posted on 5/30/19 at 1:55 pm to joshwj93
Posted on 5/30/19 at 5:18 pm to joshwj93
Just want to add in that if you clean your hands before (not necessarily with water as that will make playing harder and more uncomfortable) with a paper towel or a towel of some kind, and wipe down each string individually with a little care after you finish playing, your strings will last twice as long. The rust comes from all the grease and other oils on your fingers so if you get rid of it before you touch the guitar you're doing yourself a nice bit of preventative maintenance. I use ernie ball skinny top heavy bottoms on my Jazzmaster and change them when a string pops.
Posted on 5/30/19 at 5:30 pm to MrBobDobalina
D'Addario (humbuckers and acoustics) and DR Strings' Pure Blues series (Fender-style single coils and P-90s) for me. Those are the only lines I carry in my shop.
Different players' metabolisms react differently with different alloys from different string manufacturers. Experiment and you may find (insert brand here)'s 80/20 bronze retain liveliness 2x as long as (insert different brand)'s 80/20. Same goes for nickels, steels, all brasses, nylons, etc.
And because there are not only gauge thickness differences but also slight variations in alloys, core wire shapes and thicknesses, etc., different strings are the smartest way to DIY experiment with your tone and feel. You will find certain strings brighter or darker, more tense or more springy, things like that. String experiments are cheap, unobtrusive and easily reversible without modifications. If you try a string type and it sucks for your tastes, you're only out a few bucks. Unlike the rabbit hole of different pickups, or different alloy tremolo blocks for example. Just DON'T jump up or down in gauges too drastically, or you're going to need someone like me to re-set-up your guitar for the increased/decreased string tension/nut slot widths and depths/string action/intonation.
Different players' metabolisms react differently with different alloys from different string manufacturers. Experiment and you may find (insert brand here)'s 80/20 bronze retain liveliness 2x as long as (insert different brand)'s 80/20. Same goes for nickels, steels, all brasses, nylons, etc.
And because there are not only gauge thickness differences but also slight variations in alloys, core wire shapes and thicknesses, etc., different strings are the smartest way to DIY experiment with your tone and feel. You will find certain strings brighter or darker, more tense or more springy, things like that. String experiments are cheap, unobtrusive and easily reversible without modifications. If you try a string type and it sucks for your tastes, you're only out a few bucks. Unlike the rabbit hole of different pickups, or different alloy tremolo blocks for example. Just DON'T jump up or down in gauges too drastically, or you're going to need someone like me to re-set-up your guitar for the increased/decreased string tension/nut slot widths and depths/string action/intonation.
Posted on 5/30/19 at 6:25 pm to joshwj93
Every day if I'm recording and playing
Posted on 5/31/19 at 2:27 am to joshwj93
If you're an acoustic player start playing John Pearse. They only sound better with time. Best acoustic strings out there
Posted on 5/31/19 at 7:43 am to joshwj93
I just changed strings for the 1st time on the Martin D-28 I bought about a year ago.
It had Medium Gauge,which I'm used to playing.
I put Martin Light Gauge on it.
I'm glad I made the change.Seems to ring and sustain longer.
Plus it's a lot easier on my finger tips.
I don't have any set time period for changing strings.
Happy picking.
It had Medium Gauge,which I'm used to playing.
I put Martin Light Gauge on it.
I'm glad I made the change.Seems to ring and sustain longer.
Plus it's a lot easier on my finger tips.
I don't have any set time period for changing strings.
Happy picking.
Posted on 5/31/19 at 11:28 am to MrBobDobalina
quote:
The rust comes from all the grease and other oils on your fingers so if you get rid of it before you touch the guitar you're doing yourself a nice bit of preventative maintenance. I use ernie ball skinny top heavy bottoms on my Jazzmaster and change them when a string pops.
I have a friend who gigs occasionally and practices with his band a few times a week. Their practice spot gets hot and he sweats a lot. Goes through strings like crazy.
I generally play Elixirs, but D'Addario works also. (Electric guitars). I play 10s.
Posted on 5/31/19 at 1:00 pm to joshwj93
I play semi-professionally and change my strings once a week to maybe every ten days. I don't practice as much as I should. When I'm in a good routine of practicing (like I have been since school let out last week), I'll change every 2-3 days. That includes ~2-4 hours of playing per day including a gig about once a week that lasts 2-3 hours.
I can get away with older, worn out strings in a band setting pretty easily, but I like the feel of new strings when gigging.
Back when I was a full time musician, I'd change every day (and always before a gig) but had a sponsorship from D'Addario, so it was cheaper. What I loved about changing every day was that it becomes so fast and routine that you don't think about it.
I can get away with older, worn out strings in a band setting pretty easily, but I like the feel of new strings when gigging.
Back when I was a full time musician, I'd change every day (and always before a gig) but had a sponsorship from D'Addario, so it was cheaper. What I loved about changing every day was that it becomes so fast and routine that you don't think about it.
This post was edited on 5/31/19 at 1:02 pm
Posted on 6/1/19 at 10:50 am to TheFretShack
quote:
DR Strings' Pure Blues series (Fender-style single coils and P-90s) for me. Those are the only lines I carry in my shop
I found my own way to something cool that you use? Wow.
I like their acoustics as well. I have a black Alvarez that I bought DR black strings for just as an impulse buy. I love them. I still have them on it. Just dropped them a half step.
So my Fender Strat got the blues strings.
Gonna try the DR “rare” I believe on my Blueridge when it needs a change.
Posted on 6/1/19 at 10:59 am to StringedInstruments
quote:
can get away with older, worn out strings in a band setting pretty easily, but I like the feel of new strings when gigging.
I assume your post is mainly talking electric?
Do you feel the same with acoustic or do you like a break in period?
I feel like electrics are great out of the package. Only my laziness makes me think they “break in”.
Acoustics I feel definitely mellow after a few days. Some brands being to the point of Taylor “brightness” to almost jangly.
Posted on 6/2/19 at 8:10 am to LSU alum wannabe
quote:
I assume your post is mainly talking electric?
Mostly acoustic. I'm playing through an AER Compact 60, which can add a lot of brightness when needed. I also play a lot of jazz gigs, so mellowness can work with the genre.
Posted on 6/2/19 at 8:36 am to joshwj93
Every 3-6 months or if one breaks ill change the set if its been over a month.
EB Slinky hybrid for electric
Dadarrio 80/20 bronze custom light for parlor
Probably average an hour of playing a day alternating between the two.
EB Slinky hybrid for electric
Dadarrio 80/20 bronze custom light for parlor
Probably average an hour of playing a day alternating between the two.
Posted on 6/2/19 at 12:10 pm to joshwj93
When it's time to put on strings, I go buy another guitar. They always put on new strings (whatever you want) when you buy a guitar.
Didn't yall know that?
That is really kind of the truth.
I let my friend change the strings on 3 or 4 guitars at once, about 1 time each month and he also gives each one a real good cleaning and polish, and I usually end up buying something before the whole deal is finished. That's how you end up with a house full of guitars.
I have 4 guitars that I play pretty regular though and I do change my own strings on those when they get sounding dead. Diaddarios on the acoustics, Super Slinkies on the electrics.
I put some elixirs on a dreadnaught that I play semi regular though and I have been pretty impressed with them. Might start using those more.
Didn't yall know that?
That is really kind of the truth.
I let my friend change the strings on 3 or 4 guitars at once, about 1 time each month and he also gives each one a real good cleaning and polish, and I usually end up buying something before the whole deal is finished. That's how you end up with a house full of guitars.
I have 4 guitars that I play pretty regular though and I do change my own strings on those when they get sounding dead. Diaddarios on the acoustics, Super Slinkies on the electrics.
I put some elixirs on a dreadnaught that I play semi regular though and I have been pretty impressed with them. Might start using those more.
Posted on 6/2/19 at 1:53 pm to StringedInstruments
quote:
Mostly acoustic.
Nice.
Try stringbymail.com
I used them once. Not bad. many types you wont find at a store.
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