Why do people always say that you have to change guitar strings every 6 weeks to 2 months?

Question

To me, that is completely ridiculous. Especially for amateurs.
Having played for 45 years, I've have not found that to be even close to necessary.
Even with HEAVY use, with proper care, a set of strings can last at minimum 6 months up to a year.
Maybe with a professional acoustic player..maybe.
But with an electric, I have had strings for 2 years that sound just fine, and have no oxidation issues are still shiny and bright.
Maybe I am naturally "un-acidic" or something, but I don't have problems that make me change strings that often.

Once I learned how to care for them, even when I can afford them, I see, NOR hear, any reason to change strings until they oxidize.
Even when playing 3-4 gigs a week, I didn't change strings more than once a year.
And my guitar sounded just fine.
I think I'm just hearing the parroting of what "experts" say, who have swallowed the corporate line about changing strings.
Meh
Now... drop tuners or those who keep alternate tuning are obviously going to need to change more often because they are challenging the tensile properties of the strings.
But, wiping the strings down and keeping your guitar in it's case will prolong the life of strings well beyond the 2 month time frame, if you keep the guitar in the same tuning setup.

I'm sure I'll be challenged on this, but I'll need a really good reason to change my 45 years of personal experience with strings.
(BTW..I play standard Ernie Ball Super Slinky or Hybrids since 1974)

Answer 1

Most guitarists agree that new strings sound and play better than older strings. You can extend the life of strings by wiping them down after you play. Not everyone does this. Many players do have a higher acidic content in their sweat and body oil, and may also live in an area that is prone to higher humidity and therefore oxidation.

Pros playing several gigs a week on tour need to be able to rely on their strings. Since this is the weakest link in the chain and the easiest and cheapest to replace, it is prudent to replace them as often as possible.

Stylistic differences aside, many players are very aggressive and will literally "wear out" a set of strings much faster than other players. Players using locking tremolos who frequently perform heavy tremolo activities i.e. dive bombs, etc. tend to "burn" through strings much faster than non-tremolo players. That being said the 6 to 8 week guideline is an arbitrary number that does not necessarily apply to all players. Some players find that once every 3 to 5 months is fine while others prefer to change them once a month.

I play in two or more bands and teach so I am playing on a daily basis sometimes several hours a day. I also use a few different guitars for these activities so I may not change the strings as often as if I used only one guitar. We recently finished recording a new album and during the recording process I found that it was beneficial to change the strings on the two main guitars on a WEEKLY basis. This was because the nature of the music required that the instruments be in top sound and intonation. When we are gigging regularly I try to change the strings on the main guitars every 2 to 3 weeks, if not sooner. The other guitars in my studio generally get a string change once every 3 to 6 months or so. There are a few guitars in the collection that I am embarrassed to admit have not had a string change in at least a year (nor have they been played in that time)

The bottom line is that strings are at their best condition within the first 3 months of use. After that the elasticity and tensile strength begins to diminish. I have worked in music stores for decades and have found that most, but not all, players prefer the sound of new strings. However there are some players who prefer the sound and feel of strings that are well "broken in". They site that newer strings have tuning instability problems (stretching them can help this) and they sound "too bright". Which just goes to show that there is no single "right" answer to the string change guideline. One must simply find the maintenance routine that suits them.

Answer 2

It really depends on the care you are giving your strings, the material of your picks, the intensity and frequency of playing, the quality and material of strings and about 12 other factors as well. I prefer to change my strings every month just because of that awesome feeling of new strings. It takes a couple months for the strings to actually show signs of wear or go very bad in terms of sound. There are of course those that just break lol



To me, I am still experimenting with different brands and gauges and reviewing them.

Answer 3

If an acoustic guitar player, young or old, can't hear a difference in sound between ordinary old strings, and fresh new strings, he or she might seriously want to consider a hearing check up. Or Q-tips. But hey, don't take anyone's advice blindly on this, listen for yourself.

For the record, premium 'coated' strings like Elixer Nanoweb's, are the exceptions; they truly retain their fresh sound significantly longer and resist oxidation for many months.

Answer 4

In my opinion old strings sound better than new strings and it happens to me just like you, my strings last a lot of time but maybe 6 months max, not 2 years.

Answer 5

Very interesting question, and some good answers. I'd say it depends on actual hours on the set, playing style, the tone wanted, and, at least in my case, the reliability involved. To expand a bit... Style is a big deal. A fast, smooth jazzy bluesy player with a light touch, perhaps even using "flatwound" strings, maybe a seriously long time. Me, bashing away, digging into a whammy bar a few times a night, lots of bends, not so much. Tone for a guy wanting that big clean Fender BOING bell ring, no substitute for fresh. Me, with (too many) effects, not so much (like stretching out sustain electronically, the opposite of a nice Martin acoustic approach). The actual hours pile up, "compressing" the wear. Whatever. The two things that got my attention while gigging: broken strings (I got really fast on dealing with that), and feeling those little fret notches on the bottom sides of wound strings when wiping down or cleaning the guitar, not a good sign.

So back then, maybe 15-20 hours a week hard playing, a new set once a month was OK, usually from 2-3 complete sets in the case at all times, but always with about an hour or two break-in time before a gig. Now 'days, maybe twice a year. A week-old set before a big gig? Hog heaven, perfect, stabilized, fat, yeah.

Answer 6

I am not a pro but just speaking my mind on this. I am not going to challenge you, someone who plays over 45 years has my respect. I should actually shut the hell up if you speak lol.



No string change for 6 months and still a shiny sound? Damn. I didn't think that it was even possible. I use alternative tuning at times (maximum a whole step down with the exception of the low E string that gets dropped with the tuning like drop D). And let's say, every 1-2 months i change strings. I don't watch at the time, i hear the sound. The sound gets noticeably different after such period. It doesn't sound that fresh and good anymore.



I am not a player who is gently with the guitar strings, i pick the sh*t out of it. I play around 3 days a week, I haven't check exactly the time but i think between 2-6 hours. And my strings hold a nice to fair tone, 1-2 months. Neither do i care what some company's say i HEAR the sound. I can't afford to buy that much strings so i have to play until the strings are sounding not so nice to my ears.



Maybe your standards in the sound is a bit lower than me. Maybe you still find a guitar nice sounding even tho i think it sucks. We all have different standards, Metallica too. That's why they change strings EVERY ******* gig rofl.



At the end i think it's personal preferences, Some want to have that FRESH sound and demand other also to have it. And some just think that the strings sounds better when they are old or they still find it a fair sound to play with. But in your case, your ears are certainly well developed over the years. I don't know, just my take on this.

Answer 7

I'm willing to believe that electric strings will be OK for longer, but most of the beginners we're advising here are playing acoustic. I can get three months out of a set of acoustic strings when I'm playing every day, but I don't produce much skin oils (also, I'm a cheapskate and let them go a bit longer than I should). In my experience, a set of light gauge acoustic strings is pretty far gone after about six months of the guitar just sitting in the case under string tension. I'd consider six weeks to be overkill, but for the average person practicing every day on an acoustic, two months is probably reasonable.



Of course many beginners simply don't hear the difference between fresh strings and dead ones because the change is gradual, and leave them on until they corrode, or until they finally start wondering why the guitar sounds bad, but why shouldn't they be encouraged to maintain their guitars in good playing order?

Answer 8

Its all a fairy tale fabricated by the guitar string industry, If you let the cat out of the bag and everyone figures out its a lie the price of strings is going to double if not more, So keep your mouth shut Russell, Let the Newbs change there strings as much as they want, They probably need the practice anyway,

Answer 9

In my opinion the sound of new guitar strings is AMAZING compared to old.

The quality is amazing, I suppose that's the reason why? It also stops strings from being worn and tempering with your guitars natural action.

Answer 10

using old strings wears out your frets quicker. any one who truly has played professionally for 45 years would know this.