How often do you change strings?

I am learning acoustic guitar with GT, two months in and loving it! My guitar needed new strings when I started, but I only changed them about a month ago. How often should they be changed? Do I wait until they sound dead or harsh? Or stick to a regular timed change regardless? I play every day (several times usually!).

I would be intersted to know what everyone else does!

Thanks :)

Hey

I wouldn't worry about it. I just go until one of them breaks and then I go out and buy a new set. If your playing several times a day then you will need to change them more regularly. I've had the same strings on a guitar for years.

Don't push yourself too hard. You'll screw your wrists, look up carpel tunnel syndrome.

I change mine about every three months.

Thanks! Its intersting to know what more experienced players do. :)

Carpal tunnel syndrome - yuk. I'm no stranger to it, unfortunately! So far, so good...... ;)

I change mine once a month or so if not more, pending on certain situations. I would say if you run your fingers over the non-coated strings (E, B, G), and you feel slight bumps; that's a good indication it's time to change them. The slight bumps are a collection of sweat and dirt that has collected over the strings. If that happens, change them quickly; as they are soon bound to break. I would not however work to make this happen; so it all depends on how much you play. If you are practicing every day, I would advise changing them at the first of the month, if not a bit sooner. When strings are on the guitar too long, it also drastically affects the guitar's tuning and the intonation will become off as well.

Hope this helps!

Yes. I'm waiting til my tuning becomes an issue. My most recent set is lasting a fair amount and still holds very well.

For me it's when my bass strings start to sound dead. Normally that would have been around the 3 - 4 week point, but I have been using the coated "Elixer" strings lately and I've hit and passed that mark.

I had read somewhere that back in the day prior to making it big Eddie Van Halen used to boil his strings to clean them so he could re-use them.

A lot also depends on how much you sweat and the affects your hand have on the guitar neck. An interesting fact; I moved to California from Indiana. I tend to sweat quite a bit unfortunately, and the mild heat of the midwest did not fair well on my guitar. However, once I moved out West, the dryer heat caused my hands not to sweat as much and now my strings last much longer. I also use Elixir strings all the time, and that does help.

Another thing to think about is how you re-string your guitar, how your guitar is set up, and your technique. All of these effect string life as well. If you find you are routinely breaking strings; look into all of these factors with your teacher or professional (i.e. music store employee, fellow musician, etc.)

Thanks everyone! Loads of useful info that I will take note of. I was a bit daunted the first time I changed the strings - but it was much easier than I thought! Happy New Year to you all! :) :)

Change then often, as soon as they sound dull. The sound of new strings is amaing compared to old dull ones, and will give you more confidence. You can buy low price good quality ones off ebay for next to nothing.

I change mine every couple of months or so. I do use FastFret regularly and that does seem to liven up the tone.