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Changing strings
How often should i change my strings?
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9 Replies
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It really depends on the use and if you wiped them down regularly to remove oils and sweat from them they could last for about a year with light use. I have 3 guitars so I do have one with a year old strings on it that I don’t play as much as the other 2. But many people will change them after a few months. Performers probably only do a single gig on a set of strings.
If they show visible signs of wear or have lost their ring and sound dull, change them! After you have some experience with your instrument you will just know it’s time because the guitar just doesn’t sound right.
There is a lot more that could be said about string changes, but there’s a starter. I just learned that a specific set of strings can make your instrument really come to life (as if those strings were manufactured specifically for your guitar).
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It is kind of up to you. I don’t feel like my ear is trained enough to tell when strings “need a change.” I usually do it a few times a year, but now that I’m making an effort to play more, I might change them every month or two. I enjoy the process. Plus, I enjoy trying new strings just to try and help train my ear and fingers about how different strings sound and feel. I went to the guitar store today and since the guitars there get played a lot, I realized how rusty the strings feel and how much harder they are to play. I had an “a-ha” moment and knew I would never let my strings feel like that.
BTW, everyone will have a suggestion on which method they like to change strings, but I truly love watching Rob Magargal from Taylor Guitars explain how he changes strings. He has three videos on YouTube that have been posted throughout the years. He explains it so well and that is how I learned to try for myself.
Cheers!
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This reply was modified 4 months ago by MattTX_24.
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This reply was modified 4 months ago by
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Get a string winder, you’ll be clad you did! I have a bit that goes into a cordless drill but you can buy a crank kind as well.
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Wow, according to the comments I should have changed my strings months ago! My Zager Parlor still has the strings that came on it over a year ago. My Baby Taylor has Martin Lights that were put on about a year ago, but I don’t use that one as much. They feel a little gritty, is that rust?? It gets pretty humid here in the summer. What do you wipe them down with? What kind of strings are best for a casual player? Coated or not, and what does the coating do?
I’m a little nervous about changing strings, though I’ve seen a couple of videos on doing it, and I’ll check out the ones you posted, MattTX24. My main anxieties are losing the little pegs from the bridge, and not wrapping the machine post correctly so the string slips off or something equally disastrous.
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Hi BarbaraM! I would say that if you’ve never changed your guitar strings, you should definitely notice a difference in feel and sound when you put a new set on. There is somewhat of a “wow” factor after that first change…
What you are feeling now is likely rust and grime. A new set of strings will glide under your fingertips much more smoothly and the sound will really shine! As for wiping down your guitar, I believe a lot of people use those microfiber cloths. Admittedly, I don’t do this, but I change my strings enough and clean/polish my guitar a few times year so I feel like that does the trick for me. But wiping down your strings after each session with a microfiber cloth certainly can’t hurt.
The coated strings will generally feel and play like other strings, but have an extra coating on it that is supposed to extend the life of strings by keeping the dirt and grime from affecting the strings as quickly. They might also claim to help them sound “newer” for longer. I couldn’t tell you if that is true or not cause I don’t have the trained ear, but I enjoy playing them just as much as any other guitar string.
I would say that there is generally no right or wrong string to try, except to possibly go with a lighter gauge string (easier on the fingers than a medium gauge string). I’ve seen strings marketed as “light” gauge, “custom light,” “hybrid light,” “light plus,” “extra light…” Any of those should be fine. Have fun and try various brands/sounds until you find out what you enjoy!
And yes, the first time to change them yourself can be daunting, but those videos I suggested earlier in this chat thread really helped me through. Also, the string changing method I reference walks you through how the wraps wind around the post/etc, and how to measure how much string gets winded… he really holds your hand through the process.
In fact… I’ll just post one of the videos below. He has about 3 (he does a new one about every 3-5 years) and I would recommend watching them all. I’m only going to post one, but you can find the rest by searching for “Taylor guitar restring” or “Rob Magargal restring.”
https://youtu.be/80EuGOXgoOo?si=clqbV7tl8PkDeNIz
Hope this helps.
Maybe you could even find a friend (or guitar shop) to help you change your first set.
I would love to hear how this goes for you! Cheers!
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I couldn’t help myself… here’s another one of the videos I referenced…
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Or we stick with Tony ;-). “<yt-formatted-string force-default-style=”” title=”The BEST Way to Change Acoustic Guitar Strings” style=””>The BEST Way to Change Acoustic Guitar Strings” by a very young Tony Polecastro on youtube. I really like that video. And when to change strings? Just do it when you look at your strings and think A) that they show wear AND B) have not been changed a long time (few month to a year) AND C) you have time to play the guitar a few minutes before and a few minutes after changing the strings. Almost allways you will hear a difference and you might feel a difference (fingering). After that estimate price, time played and calendary time passed since the string change before. Than you can decide when you want to change the strings the next time. Earlier, later or at almost the same interval.</yt-formatted-string>
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I have way too many guitars and the next i buy will be the last one I’ll ever buy… maybe. I built 10 acoustic and 10 electrics and sold them back in the mid 90’s, just got tired of the hassle with people always trying to get something for nothing , got discussed and stopped building guitars. i do all of my own simple repairs- changing strings, nut saddles , neck adjustments, replace, and try to repair acoustic pickup systems, repair cracks,etc, etc. I do have a Ernie Ball rechargeable tuner peg tool that helps to make string changes very easy. I buy guitar strings in bulk and cut the cost of strings almost in half. Since I am now retired I’m always looking for things to improve on my guitars. It keeps me off the streets and out of trouble …
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wow, I just found these responses. sorry for the late response thanks so much for getting back to me and the videos are a great help as well. thanks again!!!
Chris
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