There has been a point where we have sensed our guitar strings demanding changes. We can just feel when it’s time. We can sense the blunt feeling when we touch our string and even hear it.
If you’ve played guitar for many years then you know the perfect time to change your strings but if you’re a beginner, it’s obvious that you’re gonna have some problems while trying to change the strings.
If you’re new to the instrument then changing the strings at the right time might be a challenge, but that’s why we are here today! We’re gonna give you some basic ideas which will help you to recognize the sound and feel in your strings, it will help you to ultimately recognize the demand your strings are making.
When to Change Your Guitar Strings
Let’s take a look at some of the things you should consider while you’re playing your guitar which will help you to understand when your guitar strings need to be replaced.
The ultimate rule to change your strings is after every 100 hours or 3 months, but it also depends on the user. What should we do if you only play guitar 7 days a month? Let’s take a look at some steps while we identify what kind of guitar player you are.
The Serious Player or Aspiring Pro
Playtime: 12 – 25 hours per week
Change your strings: Every 1 – 2 months
If you’re that type of player who’s pursuing a music career, the one who played guitar 6-7 days a week for a few hours then you might need to change your guitar strings every 1/2 months.
The frequent use of strings can make the sound go blunt and if you’re a music student or if you’re in some kind of band then make some sparkling sounds, you’ll need to take good care of your string’s heath.
The Occasional Dabbler or Learner
Playtime: 1 – 3 hours per week
Change your strings: Every 6 – 8 months
These types of changes are needed for teleporter players, who come once a week, play for several hours and disappear again for another month. If you enjoy playing your guitar but you’re not consistent with it then you’ll have to change your strings every 6-8 months.
Many people buy the instrument to learn but they don’t have the time, then you should consider this advice, or if you’re just a beginner who hasn’t got a habit of playing guitar every day then you know what to do.
The Infrequent Player
Playtime: Less than 15 minutes per week
Change your strings: Once a year
These are for the players who only take out their instruments while they have some important family gathering on rare holidays. But this can be also applied to players who just love to collect rare or vintage guitars.
You might only play your guitar for 10-15 minutes just to check if the guitar is working, or only play for 2/3 songs, then you should apply this method. Even if you rarely play your guitar, you have to consider changing because after some time the strings will lose their original sound and touch.
The Avid Hobbyist
Playtime: 3 – 12 hours per week
Change your strings: Every 3 – 5 months
When you’re trying to learn guitar every day but fail after trying your best to put the chords together you should change your strings once every 3-5 months.
There are players who are dedicated to learning but just give up after trying their best for 30 minutes. If you’re one of them don’t worry because we all guitarists have been there.
The Pro Musician
Playtime: 30+ hours per week
Change your strings: Once a week
If you fall in this category then you have to change your guitar string right now. You have a guitar in your hand almost every day for 5 hours then you have to keep a good look at your string frequently because they get damaged easily after playing them each day.
You might be the type of person who has a profession on guitar or if you’re a band member and you need to rehearse with your team frequently then such kinds of problems arise. If you follow the principle; eat, sleep, guitar, repeat, then keep on changing your strings (on repeat).
Signs It’s Time to Change Guitar Strings
The above-mentioned list was for the people according to their playing schedule, and this one is to identify, to make you guys understand the signs when your strings demand changes. Let’s take a look at it!
1. Dull Tone
What kind of tune do you feel when you change your guitar strings? The new strings will give you a clear and crisp tone. Whereas, strings that need change give you a dull tone. When there’s a dull tone in your guitar, it changes the whole melody and your music will sound flat.
You should never play your guitar with a dull tone because it will change the whole melody. The dull sound will break every rhythm you play, so always take a look if your string is doing the same. And if they are giving you a dull tone then change your strings IMMEDIATELY.
2. Feel Dirty
Whenever you use your guitar, you leave your finger marks on the strings. Since it’s impossible to play your guitar with gloves, you need to look after the makers that your fingers leave on the guitar.
When you play the instruments for a while, your guitar will collect dust from the sweat of your fingers, and when such happens you’ll have a problem sliding your fingers or changing chords. This happens because there is friction in your guitar.
If your guitar gives you the signs of friction then it means your strings have caught dirt. You should change your strings if they are dirty because it will give you several problems while changing the chords.
3. Stiff Strings
If you start to feel some stiffness in your guitar then it is giving you an obvious sign that the metal is beginning to corrode, and demands change. If you are having difficulty while bending the strings then it’s a sign that your strings need to be changed.
4. Won’t Tune
Worn-out and old strings will have several issues while playing. They’ll always give you a bad tune, in fact, it won’t even tune. You might be able to tune your worn-out strings for a while but that won’t last for long.
If you use some best guitar apps, but they won’t give you the same tune you know it’s time to change your strings.
5. Discolor Strings
Everyone who hasn’t changed their string regularly has faced this problem with their strings. You know the feeling when your strings discolor and this usually happens because of the oils that come through your fingers and because of other outside elements.
If you feel your string being discolored then that is giving you a sign to change strings. Change them when you feel them being sloppy.
How to make your strings last longer?
You’re not always in the mood to change your strings. You might have brought some of the expensive guitar strings, and what if it started to feel sloppy just after some weeks of changing? Well, we have a solution that will help you to make your strings last longer.
There are a whole lot of steps you can follow to lengthen the lifespan of your strings. With only a few changes in your habits, it can affect a whole lot of your strings.
Remember, before playing always make sure to wash your hands. This is one of the main reasons that damage your strings. The oil, dirt, grime, and .other elements can affect your strings. So, make sure to wash your hands each time before touching your guitar.
Another method that can help to lengthen the life span of your strings is by cleaning them every time after use. It might seem boring but if you don’t want to keep on changing your guitar strings then this method will make a huge difference. It’ll clean the whole dirt and will make your strings clean and healthy.
Keep your guitar on the cover. This is an effective step you can use to save your guitar strings. This might not seem effective but trust me, the open air and dust affect your guitar all the time and soon it will start to discolor.
Another helpful method to lengthen the life span of your guitar is by boiling them for 15 minutes. This will help you to give a new life to your guitar strings but it might be time-consuming because you’ll have to open your strings and attach them once more.