How often should I change strings?

[OrganicZed]

I change them once they sound dead and it bothers me enough to take care of it.

 

[sandmannn69]

I play (collectively) about an hour a day. How often should I change strings? I don't have anything high end as far as strings go - I use an Ernie Ball skinny top heavy bottom strings.

Thanks!

EBs go dead in a couple of hours. If you want your strings to last, use something different like GHS boomers.

 

[sprint]

There are no rules!, as often (or not often) as you like!

 

[Vhalen50]

Ill also add. For Acoustic strings i only buy Daddario XS strings now. And i get MONTHS even with a heavy gig schedule with them.

 

[Sixstring]

I play (collectively) about an hour a day. How often should I change strings? I don't have anything high end as far as strings go - I use an Ernie Ball skinny top heavy bottom strings.

Thanks!

I play D'Addario XL's I wipe them down after each session. I also use a cleaner/conditioner (Dunlop brand) helps get the oil and grime out of the wrapped strings.

I live in an average climate so my strings don't rust very fast nor do they stay on long enough for that to happen. I also don't have acidic sweat which also contributes to strings wearing faster.

On average I change strings roughly every 30 hrs of play time. I could probably go longer but I like the sound of new strings! I used to change strings about every 10-12 hrs but I was also playing a lot more.

 

[dean701]

regular strings: every 2 weeks
Elixir or other coated : 4 months

Although some of my guitars go through seasonal changes and require 9s half of the time and 10s at others.

I wish Elixir made 9.5 gauge.

 

[Roland]

… the best time to change your guitar strings varies from person to person.

When I was gigging several times a month I’d change strings after two gigs. Nowadays, with fewer gigs, I change them when I can feel fret wear of the windings on the D string, or when the tuning seems to wander.

I’ve also switched to strings with a round core. Gauge for gauge the winding wire is thicker than with the equivalent hex cored strings, and the strings last longer.

 

[Tonedeaf]

When I pick up a guitar and say "damn, I need to change these strings".

 

[marsonic]

I change strings either when I get frustrated that they won't take or hold tuning or when I find myself wanting to turn the treble up on my "amp".

 

[scottp]

Run your finger under the D 4th string, from the 21st fret down to the 3rd fret.
Feel that the string is worn from wearing on the frets?
Replace them.
A lot of people are totally unaware of this.

 

[Michael R]

When to change strings is pretty easy to figure out, it's the when to change my underwear that I have an issue with.

 

[henryrobinett]

I'm terrible. If I'm good I change my strings every 6-9 months or so. And I play 3-4 hours a day. Sue me. When the strings start sounding too dark - I like them dark - I have to change them. Then 2 months later I change them! LOL