Martin
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Post by Martin on Aug 29, 2013 9:50:40 GMT
A very subjective question, and one that will vary no doubt not only with the frequency and type of playing, but also personal preference and perception of tone. Nevertheless, how often do you change them? For me, I hate changing strings. I always fear I will scratch the guitar finish with a pesky sharp end, and I invariably stab one or all of my fingers on a cut end while threading others through posts. I also hate the sound of brand new strings and have to thrash them for a bit before the metallic sound mellows enough. I'd say a set of strings lasts around six months unless I'm playing a lot. Of course, the banjo doesn't require string changes
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alig
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Post by alig on Aug 29, 2013 10:05:25 GMT
Once a year - whether they need it or not...
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Aug 29, 2013 11:14:53 GMT
Yes, it depends on playing time and type of strings. Whilst I don't 'enjoy' changing them I don't find it a chore and gives me the chance to give the fretboard, frets, and body a good clean with the strings off (I know that's another subject, do you take them all off at once or one at a time; I take 'em all off). I have used D'addario EXP light 80:20 for a few years now (occasionally try something different but always go back). I reckon I play on average say 10 hours a week and change every 3-4 months or so; so that's about 150-200 odd hours. No doubt they would be still OK for quite a while longer but I love having new strings on (like Martin says, after about an hour or so of bashing them into shape/tune). I reckon with a set of daddys costing around £10, that's about 5p an hour; cheapest entertainment I know! FFJ
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on Aug 29, 2013 11:35:44 GMT
A very subjective question, and one that will vary no doubt not only with the frequency and type of playing, but also personal preference and perception of tone. Nevertheless, how often do you change them? For me, I hate changing strings. I always fear I will scratch the guitar finish with a pesky sharp end, and I invariably stab one or all of my fingers on a cut end while threading others through posts. I also hate the sound of brand new strings and have to thrash them for a bit before the metallic sound mellows enough. I'd say a set of strings lasts around six months unless I'm playing a lot. Of course, the banjo doesn't require string changes Every couple of months or so for me. Earlier if I'm trying do a video and it sounds pants - but more often than not it still sounds pants to me after Phil
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leoroberts
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My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Aug 29, 2013 12:09:11 GMT
I change strings only when I'm doing something that other people will hear live. My last string change was 1982. My next one isn't, as yet, on the horizon
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Post by grayn on Aug 29, 2013 12:12:53 GMT
I change strings only when I'm doing something that other people will hear live. My last string change was 1982. My next one isn't, as yet, on the horizon No Leo, Martin meant strings that go on a musical instrument.
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Post by jugbandman on Aug 29, 2013 12:50:22 GMT
Pretty much on a whim, but it's different with each guitar. Gretsch reso: when I notice the strings just don't seem to be clean. Or just when I feel like it. Framus archtop: too soon to say. Probably as above. Samick 6-string banjo: seldom. It matters little on that thing. Faith jumbo: in the days before a friend comes to stay the weekend, and likes to play it, say every month or two. Clearwater lap steel: hardly ever. I have a 12-string coming. I've owned them before, but can't predict any changing habits. Mind you, if I get back into playing in public frequently again, none of the above will apply. Strings in top condition matter then, even if the audience don't appreciate that. Anyone else noticed how strings stay in tune right from the start, so much better than in years past? There was a time I'd never change them on the day of a gig, but now they're spot-on within the hour. Also it's years since I broke one. Is that me, the guitars, or the strings?
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Post by scripsit on Aug 29, 2013 13:40:45 GMT
I like the sound of strings the day after I change them, although I can live with the brashness of new strings after twenty minutes or so. I'll intensify that, I love the sound of strings after a day, and usually just moon about playing things I already know, the simpler and moodier the better, and sucking up the sound.
They start to go off after about a week, and become unbearable for anything except rote practising after about a month, which is usually when I change them, at least on my two main guitars.
I like changing strings, because it gives me a chance to wipe down the guitar with warm water (in a cotton ball) and then shine everything up with a soft cloth, while listening to a CD. Very sensual stuff.
I don't like the feel of coated strings. And Keith, Newtones are about 3 times the price of D'Addario 13-56s, or at least from all of my available online sources.
When I used to gig on electric guitar, I changed strings before every gig (you can see where all the profits went). I don't think I'd go quite that far on an acoustic, but I'd change them more often if I was depending on the guitar for a living.
Kym
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2013 14:38:38 GMT
It's relative, but never more than a month or so if I'm playing a lot. I suppose I have a fairly toxic body chemistry that kills them quickly. They do last a bit longer since I've taken to using Chrome Frets to refresh them. I don't like condoms coated strings at all, as I think the coatings perceptibly dull the sensation sound.
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Post by redpick on Aug 29, 2013 16:05:18 GMT
Funnily enough I'm just about to quit the computer and change strings on my beater as I'm playing out on Saturday. I don't like the sound of fresh strings , but I'll play them for 3-4 hours in the next couple of days to play them in. Strangely, I quite like the sound of them ATM, although they look dull!! Sound good when thrashing but terrible with fingerpicking. As to frequency of change, about once a month, depends on the number of hours spent playing. That's on my D'Darrio, 2-3 months on Elixir. John Pearse and Newtones are on my try next list, although I tend to buy the first two mentioned in bulk and will have to decide if I want to continue with the Elixir price increase..... Like Martin, I tend to be a nervous wreck when changing strings on higher end guitars.
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Post by jugbandman on Aug 29, 2013 22:56:33 GMT
I used to always use Newtones on my Dobro. You can get them from here: www.eaglemusicshop.com/...and I would buy a custom gauge set direct from the maker. Don't know if he still does that.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2013 23:28:03 GMT
I used to always use Newtones on my Dobro. You can get them from here: www.eaglemusicshop.com/...and I would buy a custom gauge set direct from the maker. Don't know if he still does that. Different folks have different strokes. I pulled the Newtones off my dobro within an hour of putting them on. Dreadful, gutless things, if not as bad as John Pearse. Martins for me.
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Post by scripsit on Aug 30, 2013 1:40:27 GMT
The price from there is AU$13 a set, and doesn't include postage, for Newtone DADGAD sets.
I can get 10 sets of D'Addario mediums delivered from the States for under AU$50.
Very frustrating.
Kym
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Post by jugbandman on Aug 30, 2013 6:19:30 GMT
One day this week I changed the strings on my Faith Jupiter jumbo twice. I use D'Addario American Bronze, 13-56. They are 15/85 formulation. They bring that box alive and make it seriously loud. Since GHS Vintage Bronze are also 85/15s, I gave a set a try. Utterly useless. Weedy and sad. True, the treble strings were showing signs of corrosion, but that doesn't explain how weak the bass was. I binned them & put American Bronze on again. Martin, Rotosound, D'Addario, they're all OK by me, but when you find the string that's just right for your guitar, playing style and ears you're in luck. In this case, doubly so, because American Bronzes are cheap too. Now I'm in the mood, think I'll go and put some on the little Framus 5/50.
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Post by rodders on Aug 30, 2013 9:18:21 GMT
I've changed my strings once in the last year, and I do think they need changing again now. However as I can't find my string winding thingy since moving, I don't know if I can be bothered to do it the old fashioned way....
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