String life

[Doug Lindhout]

Strings.  They say you should change them now and then.

 

Let me start with what this discussion isn't - favorite brand, model, color, material, coating, weight, or where you buy them.

 

This is about determining when a set of strings is at the end of their life "for you".  As a newbie, I'm at the point where I can tell I left the strings on too long because when I put the new ones on, they sound a lot different (i.e. "good").  This isn't a very good approach because I end up playing on dead strings.  I guess my ears haven't developed the ability to detect the "dead string" syndrome as it is happening. I certainly don't mind changing since I can now perform a string change in under a 1/2 day and the strings are affordable, but I would really like something to tell me it is time.

 

What tells you it is time to change to a new set of strings?  Is it something you hear?  Feel?  Do you have a strum counter?  Do you have a timer to track playtime?

 

Inquiring minds are, well, inquiring.

 

<DJL>

[Hugh Owens]

Obviously grime build up and corrosion are gradual processes. If you're not sensitive enough ear-wise to notice by now, then I'd suggest just looking at the strings. When the shine is gone, the thrill is pretty much gone with it. With non-coated stings I can't go past 7-10 days under the best of circumstances before I change 'em. In time, I suspect, you'll develop an ear and be driven crazy when they're sounding lifeless.
Until then, just use Elixers and change 'em every couple of months or so. And, the bottom line is that if it's not bothering you then it's not really an issue. And you do get that little bonus of having your guitar sound instantly MUCH better when you go a while between sets. Capisce?

[Todd McFarland]

For me it is the sound, grime, broken windings, or just plain wore out! I agree with Hugh on the un-coated strings about 2 weeks or so, however the string noise really bothers me so I stay with the coated strings. The Elixers or Cleartones seem to last the longest of the ones I've tried, but I rarely go beyond 30 to 35 days.

[Huntley Slim]

I prefer the sound of strings after about a week of playing them. I keep my guitar in it's case, so they don't get corroded as quickly. I've never been a fan of fresh strings, and so don't usually change mine right before a show. I can usually tell it's time to change when they won't stay in tune, or chord strums start sounding out of tune, even when I've tuned up with my tuner. That said, if I know I have a gig coming up, I usually change them in advance, so I can get the tone I'm looking for when the gig comes around.

I personally never liked the sound of the Elixirs, but they do last a whole lot longer. If you like the way they play, they might be a good idea for you.

[Willie Hustad]

Almost exactly what I was going to say. New strings sound weird - I hate 'em. I might change them if a recording session was coming up, but a week or so ahead of time.

[Doug Lindhout]

I really appreciate the responses. There isn't just one thing that you key on, but several. This is my summary so far:
- When the look of the string changes from shine to dull, the tone follows.
- Listen for the sound changes. When the wound strings no longer ring like a bell. As an aside, there is an interesting explanation of string life phases here: http://www.professorstring.com/archives/guitar_string_tone_curve.htm
- Change at the 30 hour(ish) point
- They no longer stay in tune.

I think this is all good, and practical information. This thread inspired me, and I changed strings last night. Now that I'm really paying attention, I can share some observations:
- Yes, they shine.
- The tonal qualities are much brighter. The quality of ringing is very pronounced.
- Maybe it is my imagination, but the strings seem easier to depress, whether picking or strumming.
- They are more responsive to tuning. The old strings seemed touchy, the new seemed more forgiving. Maybe there is a brittleness factor on the old strings.
- My issue with intonation disappeared! On my old set, if B was tuned dead on (using a StroboFlip tuner), it would run sharp on the 1st and 3rd frets. Same type of thing on the low E. That is now gone.

Thanks everyone!

[Todd McFarland]

I used to use a tuner on all the open strings but sometimes found that the fretted string was a little sharp. I have turned to using the tempered tuning method found on this link:
http://ryanguitars.com/NewsandEvents/Guitar_tech_tips/Tuning_Terms.htm
It has helped more than any tuner I have ever used, added bonus is that it will train your ear as well. It does take a little to get used to but give it a try, you will be pleasently surprised on your overall sound.

[Doug Lindhout]

What a great page of information! I downloaded the tuning instructions and am going to give this a try.

Thanks Richard.

[Jim Wing]

After looking at the string life curve you pointed to, I like Zone 2.

The way I determine when to change strings is whenever I get the feeling that I don't love the sound of my guitar like I used to, or if the thought of trying out different guitars flashes through my mind. That's when I know the strings are too far into Zone 3.

[Doug Lindhout]

I like that notion...I can avoid buying that new guitar by spending just a few bucks on some strings!!
I think that some strings (coated come to mind) are designed to provide a relatively long "acceptable" zone 2.

[Dieter Stoll]

Incidentally, I posted this a while ago in the acoustic guitar forum:
The other day my company got ahold of this USB microscope gadget. Last night I changed the strings on the Bourgeois, and decided to scrutinize the deplorable state of the EXP17 set (after about 8 weeks of almost daily playing, well the sound wasn't even THAT bad). I expected some grime (which I certainly got) but some other findings were equally interesting.

Here's the imprint the fret wire left on the G string:

Same thing, string rotated a bit so that the full amount of deformation is visible:

Finally, evidence of the coating going south on the low E:

So - it goes to show that there is plain old mechanical wear and tear that goes beyond grime - this type of deterioration can't be avoided by carefully wiping down the strings and what have you.