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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 103
Location: Townsville, Australia | Hi
I am interested to know how often people change their strings. I have heard different stories or opinions, and imagine I will hear more.
I play on average about 2 hours or more a day.
Some say every week, some months. I know Elixir are meant to be good for a lot longer, but the fraying and dirt build up on the fret area was a problem for me. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I average 2-3 weeks . . . or 2-3 gigs whichever comes first. I unfortunately possess the dreaded Templeman/Alien AcidSweat . . . |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | They're from the same Pod. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . it split in two upon entry into the atmosphere & landed on different sides of th'Pond . . . |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Well, the big time performers have some flunky change their strings for every performance. But for day jobbers like myself, I tend to change them every couple of weeks, depending on how much I play and sweat. I've been using the nano coated strings, they hold their brilliance a bit longer. I also wipe down the neck when I finish playing. That seems to make them last a bit longer. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Well, i'm not an authority on the subject, but my observations tell me it is dependent on a number of factors -- some that have been mentioned:
type of strings
body chemistry
how much you play
hygiene
care taken of the guitar
probably some others
I change mine when they sound just this side of dead. It can be a matter of days or weeks depending on the interplay of the factors above. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Having several guitars, it depends on how much each gets played. On average, I change mine around every 2-3 months. If a particular guitar gets high usage, it might end up being a month.
I stretch the string life of a set a bit sometimes if I've used D'Addario EXPs on a guitar by just changing the unwound strings (they're not coated). They usually lose tone first.
Roger |
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Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 256
Location: chicago | Just recently I tried ghs bright bronze again since the gc in my area stopped carrying elixers(why i dont know) did a gig with them and my low e and a were dead by the middle of the set! so its over to sam ash for the elixer.while they last five times longer I do replace the high e and b twice before changing the other four.This works for me.Why do the cost so much? you only have four coated strings!
www.guitarsoffire.com
Elite 768-x w/gk2 p/u
Ad11-5 1769 |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . Why do the cost so much? . ."
Because people pay it. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | You guys must be playing acoustic guitars. I change my electrics' strings about once a year. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I'm with OLJ, except I play acoustics. I probably play 2 hours a week, tops and some guitars go quite awhile without getting played. |
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Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 331
Location: San Angelo, Texas | I play somewhere around 15-20 hours a week split between three guitars. I find that a set of Elixers last me about 20 hours...Martin SP+ about 25...and most everything else less than 10.
Go figure :) |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 269
Location: Nîmes, south of France | I have some relatively dry fingers, i apply fast frets oil after each use and i play an average 1 to 2 hrs per day (some days zero, some other days 3 to 5hrs), but not always on the same guitar (i have three). In these conditions, i change steel strings 1 to 2 times per year, and nylon strings every one to two years. :) |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | Just wear rubber surgical gloves, and those strings should last a good long time! ;) |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | After I put them on, it takes about 20 mins of playing before I can say the strings have settled in. For nylons, about 2 hours. |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 269
Location: Nîmes, south of France | And the plastic thumbpick lasts longer than the strings, making a flat area on them. For me, it is time to change them when the area is big enough to see the heart of the 3 bass strings. No matter a brilliant or loudy sound ! :p |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4832
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by Arnaud:
loudy sound ! I'm still aging mine to try and get that loudy sound. :cool:
Strings can last for several years if you only change 'em when they break! :D |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 269
Location: Nîmes, south of France | Several years, i never tried! :eek:
I have respect for my guitars.
If a string breaks, that could make dings on the table, not a good plan! :D :D |
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Guitar Strings; how long they last?