Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The title says it all: How often do you change your strings?

I know of a few people (famous and real life) who love the feel of dirty, rusty strings and feel it gives a warmer sound. I, on the other hand, change my strings as soon as they begin to turn black and feel rusty. The cleaner the string, the better the tone, in my opinion.

My friend Dylan, who plays bass, has had the same set of Rotosound Swing Bass strings on his Fender Jaguar Bass for over a year now. They sound dull, almost like flat wounds. Great if your a Paul McCartney/James Jamerson/Duck Dunn-style bassist who loves flats. If your a hard rock/prog-rock/slap bassist, then it's not so good.

JakeK wrote:I, on the other hand, change my strings as soon as they begin to turn black and feel rusty. The cleaner the string, the better the tone, in my opinion..

Me too (as well as most people I know).

Sometimes I'll clean the strings with rubbing alcohol if they getting grotty, but not toooo far gone.

Tone is best with newer strings, though I hate the "settling" period with new strings when it won't hold tune as easily, even when stretching them.

Back in the 60's, we changed strings when they broke-and only the string that broke! We thought the old strings had "soul". Today on my 6-strings, I change every 5-6gigs (I rarely practice). I wipe my strings down with Dr. Ducks Axe Wax after every gig. 12-strings usually go a couple of years between new strings-especially Rics.

I change out strings on my acoustic whenever they start to lose that bright, crisp sound. On the Rick, however, I've had the same set on for several months now, maybe since last November. It really all depends on how much playing gets done on each guitar.
JimK

elreydlp wrote:Back in the 60's, we changed strings when they broke-and only the string that broke! We thought the old strings had "soul". Today on my 6-strings, I change every 5-6gigs (I rarely practice). I wipe my strings down with Dr. Ducks Axe Wax after every gig. 12-strings usually go a couple of years between new strings-especially Rics.

I'm pretty much ther same way with my Rick 12s and my six stringers. I used to change guitar strings once a month, and bass strings at either 3 months or six months, and wiped them down religiously. I think I went six months without changing Big Red's strings at the longest (June to December-ish. I changed them again a few months ago, but they were getting my fingers dirty black tonight at rehearsal, so I guess it's time again.

I'm generally a hard rock/prog rock bassist, and I only change strings when I get bored with them.

A set of Kamans lasted on my Jazz bass for maybe 18 years-still bright and toneful when I changed to a heavier gauge of Hartkes.

Nothing else really needs new ones yet.

OTOH, David Asman who plays a 335 in my band, can wear out a set of strings in a busy week.

ALWAYS before a gig. I love the fresh, bright sound of a new set as well as the 'feel'.

I usually take two guitars minimum to a gig so they all get the treatment and I take the opportunity to restring my current 'go-to lounge room guitar' at the same time.

Otherwise when the G string gets a bit dark and loses its smoothness I change them. I rarely break strings but that triggers a full new set as well.

I also give the fretboard and frets a good clean when I restring. I might also reach for the Zymol to give it the 'fingerprint' treatment.

ozover50 wrote:ALWAYS before a gig. I love the fresh, bright sound of a new set as well as the 'feel'.

I usually take two guitars minimum to a gig so they all get the treatment and I take the opportunity to restring my current 'go-to lounge room guitar' at the same time. :

Must be tough on your guitar tech

Scastles wrote:

ozover50 wrote:ALWAYS before a gig. I love the fresh, bright sound of a new set as well as the 'feel'.

I usually take two guitars minimum to a gig so they all get the treatment and I take the opportunity to restring my current 'go-to lounge room guitar' at the same time. :

Must be tough on your guitar tech

Yeah..... especially if they've all got locking tuners! The fingers on "his" right hand start to burn after the first guitar......