I’m supposed to change my strings how often? Usually that’s the question I get right after I answered it the first time. There are so many opinions about every last thing when it comes to the guitar but when it comes to how often one replaces strings here are a couple of points to consider. Let’s address the electric guitar first and I’ll tie it up with acoustic (excuse the pun).
Without getting too technical, the efficiency of the electro-magnetic field generated by your electric guitar pick-up is due in part to the magnetic property of the metal used to make the string. If the strings are corroded from sweat, oxidized by moisture or gunked up and gnarly from dead skin or worse, guess what? You’ve deposited a barrier between the metal and the EM field. The pick-up doesn’t pick up as well and this is why new strings sound brighter, clearer and louder. Since the funkification of strings is usually a gradual process you may not notice it right away but slap some new strings on and you’ll notice a difference.
Now, both the electric and acoustic guitars will suffer from a type of wear that is not typically visible because it’s on the underside of your string. The point of contact between fret and string will result in flat spots. Over time, these flat spots don’t line up with the flat spots on adjacent strings and as each string continues to slightly stretch over time guess what happens? Tuning issues-it seems like you can’t get your guitar in tune because the string is now physically deformed. Each string may tune up and read right with your tuner but as soon as you start playing chords they won’t ring true.
I’ve saved many players time and money by explaining that they don’t need a set-up or that their “intonation needs to be adjusted”. Just put some new strings on!
So, finally how often? Well, a book about guitar set-ups and repairs I read too long ago to remember said 30 days or 30 hours of playing-time. Not very scientific as it doesn’t take into account individual playing style, body chemistry, and local environmental factors but it does roll off the tongue and is easy to remember. Finally, before you think this is ploy to get you to spend money on strings for no good reason consider this: strings are relatively cheap and no one is going to keep the lights on selling them. However check this out:
See that? All that rust? It’s pretty abrasive! Like I said, strings are relatively cheap but re-fretting your guitar is not and that’s the road you’re going to go down sooner rather than later. So for the sake of your guitar, change ‘em! That should be reason enough if you’re not turned off by dried sweat, dead skin and whatever else has accumulated on your strings. Give us a call at (812) 479-9595 with any questions or email us at info@mooremusicguitars.com. We are always here to help!
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