Tone Loss

Here’s where you ear comes in. Over time dirt and grime will accumulate on your guitar strings and work its way into the guitar string windings. As this happens the guitar strings lose their ability to produce clear tone and will start sounding dull. Keep your ears open and when your guitar strings stop delivering that clear tone and brightness of a new set, start considering a guitar string change. If you don’t trust your ears, and only play, say 3-4 hours a week, you might want to change them every three to four months.

Corrosion & Wear

If your guitar strings are starting to change color where you touch them most often, it is time to change your guitar strings. The acids on your skin can cause this to happen, the rate depends on your personal physiology. Also keep an eye out for flat spots on your guitar strings from rubbing on your frets or from contact with other hard object. These are weak spots and can lead to breakage when least expected.

Breakage

Of course if a guitar string breaks outright, it’s time to change it. You can often buy single guitar strings from you local music store or order them through Marilyn’s Music. If your set of guitar strings has been on for some time, it is generally a good idea to go ahead and change the entire set. If you keep breaking the same guitar string all the time in the same place, it is a good idea to take your guitar to a technician and have them check it out. There may be a small burr or rough spot at several potential locations, causing the guitar string to break sooner than would be normal. If you are a heavy handed player and bang on your guitar strings, you are going to break them so live with it and keep extras close at hand. Also keep your eyes out for guitar string windings that have broken and are coming unwound.

Safety

Basically safety means two things: one, if you have no idea how long the guitar strings have been on the instrument, even if they do not appear corroded, it is a good idea to change the guitar strings. This can prevent unexpected breakages that can lead to down time and or outright painful whips from flying guitar strings.

Second side of this might better be called security. You do not want to go into a performance with a set of guitar strings that you have been playing on for the last month or two. You should change you guitar strings about a week to four days before a performance. This give you time to get the guitar string stretched out so they will hold their tone during your performance. Always keep an extra set on hand during your performance.

Tips to make your guitar strings last longer

Clean hands & guitar strings

As noted above, tone loss and corrosion are caused by your contact with your guitar strings. Simply washing your hands before you pick it up can significantly extend the life of your guitar strings. Also avoid touching your face, running your fingers through your hair or eating when you are playing. All of these will add oils to your hands, which you then transfer to your guitar strings, shortening their life. Keeping a small clean cloth handy and wiping your guitar strings after playing may also help to improve their lifespan.

Keep your guitar in shape

If you are wearing out your frets, or your nut and saddle are starting to get worn and frayed, they can all impact the life of your strings. Take the time and have an experienced technician replace or refurbish them.

Coated Guitar strings

Several guitar string manufacturers now make coated guitar strings that help to prevent many of the issues that will result in tone loss, for a while longer. Eventually these coatings will wear through and you will have to replace them. You will have to determine if the additional cost is worth the difference. D’Addario EXP series guitar strings are highly recommended by our staff here at Marilyn’s Music Plus.

Restringing your guitar

Every player will eventually learn how to restring his or her guitar. You will make mistakes and break strings, but like anything else, with a little practice you will earn how to do it right. There are a great many resources on the web and hundreds of books that will provide you with the information your need to be successful at changing your own strings. One option is to take your guitar to an experienced guitar technician and have them put your new strings on. Most often there is a charge for this services, but it will also include other services and the eye of experience looking over you instrument.