Saturday Poll: how often do you change your strings?

[Feral Feline]

That's my brand, @HamishR! I like the Pirastro though Obligatos kept breaking on me, so I switched to Eva Pirazzi. I've got some LaBella SuperNils on one of my basses and they were the cheapest I've tried @ $120 or so.

Previously living in HK with the humidity and aircon/heat/aircon — I didn't bother trying Gut (tuning-stability issues). I'd like to try them now I'm in the GWN with a more stable humidity/temp base, but YOIKS the $$$ for guts!


Great tips on re-stringing a Bigsby guitar, thanks for that! One day I'll get a Bigsby, one day....

 

[HamishR]

The shop I worked in had strings for a ridiculous range of instruments - we had strings for both Greek bouzouki and Irish! Although I had an angry Greek bouzouki player pouring scorn on the bouzouki strings we had and demanding we stock his favourite Greek brand. In the seven years I worked there that was the only time anyone wanted bouzouki strings.

I really don't miss working in that shop.

 

[Chuck D. Bones]

About as often as I change girlfriends.

 

[Alan W]

I use different types of strings on pretty much every guitar, and the lifespan varies both from string type and how much play the instrument gets. Basses definitely last the longest, (and I just recently was relieved to find that I can still get the “bespoke” TI bronze wound bass strings for my Turner Renaissance fretless 5— I had this sudden fear that if I ever need to change them (which I did once, maybe 12 years ago?) they might not be available, but an easy find, and have ordered a backup set…).

I‘ve got good body chemistry (well, at least in terms of non corrosive sweat) but still wash my hands before playing more than a few chords. Have never liked coated strings, (although the expensive Santa Cruz low tension strings may be coated, and I love them on Rosewood guitars). I’ve also noticed that strings seem to last longer on my electrics with stainless frets. (So even though the fret is harder, and possibly dents the underside of the strings more, it must be abrading a lot less due to how smooth they are.)

I typically need to replace strings more due to in ability to get in precise intonation rather than loss of tone. And, even with my “good body chemistry” I still will need to change strings that still sound and intonate well, but have lost that slippery feeling.

I keep a journal, Notes on Strings, that dates when I change them, guitar by guitar, and with any new instrument has my impressions, to help me find the best strings for that particular instrument. Maybe I’m a bit too anal about it, but have found this very useful.

 

[Cybercow]

When they start going "dead" of "soft sounding". When a known recording session is coming up, a week before recording.

 

[Locrian99]

Lately it’s been when I need a truss rod adjustment. Been playing my Mexican strat mostly and for some reason the neck in that thing seems to bow out more than any other guitar I’ve had that I can recall (most all of my regular playing guitars have been set neck) so I don’t know if setups are more needed for Bolt on type. In general though every few months.

 

[NickC]

i only use "vintage strings" you know , for getting that mojo tone

 

[szukalski]

About as often as I change girlfriends.

When they break, or go all funny sounding?

 

[Harry Klippton]

Well I broke the high G on my 12 string last night so I guess it's time to change the strings and do all the other mods and fixes I've been putting off

 

[KR Sound]

I played the same flat wounds on my P-Bass for over ten years in a classic country and honky tonk outfit.

 

[Mentaltossflycoon]

Round wound = Beaujolais
Flat wound = 30 yr single malt

 

[RetiredUnit1]

Recently I opened one of my guitars I don't play often, and was surprised to see the string changing log, which I keep in every guitar, said 2014. I had used EB Cobalt with heavy bottoms. So I played it a bit, put on a new set of the same strings, and there was hardly any difference. EB Cobalts last a long long time.....

On the other side of the coin, I put new Martin strings on my D28 every six weeks......

 

[lcipher3]

Haven't changed mine for awhile but put on a set of D'Addarios "balanced tension" a week or so ago. Liking them a lot.