3 Year Old Strings Vs New Strings (Can You Hear The Difference?)

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

wait am i .......FIRST!!!!!

[@janedoe3570]

Robert Baker Awesome

[@ricksmith7370]

Really diggin' your tone.

[@susanjackson5742]

Robert Baker I love u man, u have helped me learn so many things over the years, keep goin man!

[@mynx_uk]

sorry Robert i prefured the warmth and tone of the old strings, i don't know why, just something kind of strange and comfy about them.

[@grant.m.ball0603]

Rob I love you man your awsome

[@matthewhinz1431]

This channel is underratted. The humor, character, guitar skills, and entertainment makes this channel so great. Never stop putting out your unique videos! Rock on... love ya

[@haydenheisser7665]

And his livestreams

[@MarkG104]

My strings don't even sound like that straight out of the package... maybe I need a new guitar player

[@TheDavey700]

Mark Gunter yeah you need a "new guitar player "

[@EnterJustice]

It's the amplifier, dude.

[@ChristianIce]

The more you distort it, the less you're gonna notice. New strings are of course brighter, but that means you're gonna hear the buzzing a lot more, and that's not always pleasant. The riff on 6:34 sounds better to me with the old strings, is it possible you dealt with the sound before changing the strings?

[@hellsing0999999999]

That's because he was compensating his dead strings with his amp, a little adjustment will make the newer strings sound even better.

[@MrCholoPants3415]

Depends on the genre. Idk about buzzing.. Maybe depends on the guitar. It has a metallic "chink" sound to it, which can be good for modern metal.

[@Slammediadotca]

You can change strings??? - Bass Player :)

[@lowellalexanderlindamood575]

*takes breath to deny it* ... *exhales and accepts the truth*

[@prototype9904]

it's easier to just change the bass :D

[@oliverzemo3936]

I can hear a big difference but I like both sounds so I usually just change strings when they feel gross

[@ronniethefixxxer531]

same with my rickenbacker bass

[@definitelynotofficial7350]

I change strings because they start snapping after a couple of months...

[@mikenaugz88]

DefinitelyNotOfficial you need a new guitar if they always break... that or more practice

[@definitelynotofficial7350]

Οh I DO need a new guitar, mine is a 50 year old acoustic piece of shit that used to belong to my father. It's in a horrible condition, cracked and all, with a bridge that has almost detached from the body, uneven frets that make sliding very hard, the worst fretboard material you've ever seen (I don't really know what it is, but it feels like the cheapest stuff), a crooked neck, tuning keys that are almost impossible to turn (I've been forced to used pliers a couple of times), goes out of tune after a few minutes and pretty much everything that can be bad on a guitar. Doing my best to make it sound not too awful. I'm not sure though how more practice will make strings snap less.

[@definitelynotofficial7350]

Btw they're not snapping at the bridge, they're snapping at the frets. Probably because they're shitty. Although once it was because I attempted to do a 5 semitone bend :-/

[@MisterTee]

There isn't a lot of difference. The old wound strings have less bite but that's about it. Eddie Van Halen has said one of the secrets to his tone on the albums is old dead strings.

[@irukandjiShred]

I'm in the 1% that really dig the sound of the old strings.

[@adakhochalai]

new strings =crisp sound old string=mellow sound (vintage tone😛)

[@DavidMorisset]

Alexander at 3:36 those old strings sound Awesome. I usually change strings when the don't stay in tune. About once a year.

[@rrguitar1]

Alexander Other way around. Old are nice and trebley. Squishy

[@paulotwt]

I don't know if it's just me, but I actually I prefer the sound of the old strings

[@flix9124]

yeah

[@danielsgrunge]

how can you enjoy being so out of tune

[@adog3118]

I just put fresh cleartones on my strat for the first time in a month and the difference is staggering. The new ones are so resonant and bright and clean and smooth to play. Love em.

[@haboose2869]

I can definitely hear the difference, but changing the strings isn't just for sound, it's just the relief of the feel of new strings and jamming!

[@rikp]

Great video. Exactly what I needed to hear. (I'm sticking with my old strings.)

[@coyperez3924]

You could definitely tell in the cleans. Nice touch matching the New/Old strings labels to your shirt colors

[@davidwilloughby3995]

I learned my strings last quite a bit longer if I wash my hands before playing.

[@ABDELLAHBOUGHROM]

I do this too 😂

[@ronniethefixxxer531]

i did the same with my rickenbacker i put some rotosound strings (the only strings i had on my table) and damn who needs a 10,000 dollars jazz bass when you have rotosound strings

[@h80np39]

No Return From 86 well you have a ric so you're gonna sound better than a jazz with any strings

[@tobias7985]

ricks are expensive af thou...

[@cuscoothriyas5163]

Some random Normie I wonder why...

[@ronniethefixxxer531]

yeah they are expensive but i found one on a local guitar store it was at 750 bucks and it had no strings so i had to buy some rotosounds strings and well i like to play anesthesia on that rick

[@chuckschillingvideos]

To me the strings sounded nearly identical tonewise - but the new strings seemed to give better articulation and to register individual notes more cleanly.

[@GGRetroRally]

Surprising how much top end has come back with the news string and how much more “strat” like the strat sounds.

[@adakhochalai]

a great chair where you can lift the armrest to let your guitar in...that's a comfortable guitarist chair

[@Linnerd]

Alexander That chair is my dream.

[@OscarWithC]

Not worth it to change strings every 2 weeks, i have 5+ year old strings on 3 guitars and i really dont see the point, i know new strings sound a little clearer and feels little different, but that fades away like in a week. And through an amp or recording i just cant justify changing it that offent, once a year maby (yes i play everyday around 1-2 hours), but hey like i said i have really old strings and they look and feel great to me (try to keep my hands clean and maby use a cloth to clean the strings every once in a while)

[@SuicideVan]

Washing your hands before playing goes a long way in keeping strings in good shape. I started doing so religiously after buying my first guitar with a Floyd Rose and learning how little fun the task is.

[@deadchords4919]

my strings are 10 years old and it sounds awesome!!!

[@patrickgambill9326]

I love the sound of both. They both seem like they would work well in different contexts. I think the new strings would sound great in a lead setting, especially for rock. The old strings would be amazing in a blues setting.

[@johnnybumpous9108]

I couldn't tell any difference.

[@apothecurio]

What I can say is dead strings certainly do have their aesthetic plus sides. They don't work for conventional rock and blues stuff. But they sound great for horror and sci-fi instrumentation. Because the tone is so muted it has almost a synth quality sound and it gives you a massive range of sounds that can make it sound very un-guitar like but still organic instrument like.

[@funkfan1751]

The new strings sound somewhat brighter than the old but the consideration for me about constantly changing strings is that I am not playing pro or for that matter all that often, so as long as they make sound I'm fine!

[@ronalddelavega2142]

Ive always like the sound of older strings, its sounds warmer. New strings sounds to much brighter for me and it has that snappy sound. It will take me about 3weeks to a month of playing before liking the feel and sound of a new set of strings

[@mariopirrone2198]

Old strings for me 54 / 12's tuned to B. Just wipe & clean them with vinegar after each use, to bring them back to life. Secret methods from Joe Satriani & Pete Thorn who like old strings too. :)

[@glensmith654]

Mario Pirrone I tried cleaning my strings with vinegar and it really does give them a new lease on life they sound great so thanks for that.

[@goldenultra]

I like the old strings that have a warmth and cosiness, like a another world pathos, they have adopted to your style of play. New strings sound like new strings but lack the accents that that wear and tear of old strings can make. I think a couple of notes on the old strings seemed to leak character.

[@jmcproductions4477]

great vid, keep it up man! how could anyone leave that beutiful guitar without a string change for 4 years😂

[@vintagesounds5150]

Love old strings because there stretched out to the max just wipe em down with anything citrus based with no water in what you use .

[@randallflagg9659]

I wish my strings would stay about a week old forever.

[@TylrVncnt]

I actually MUCH preferred the dead strings overall (that might sound stupid, but hear me out!) with the exception of clean playin. The 'deads' were KILLER in the mix when you double tracked that riff! Just sat in the mix better, and oddly felt like there was MORE note definition and your playing was more dynamic, even (especially) with palm muting! It could be that the overall lower brightness of the dead strings allowed the harder-plucked notes to generate noticeably brighter overtones than the lightly-plucked ones, which lead to a perceived greater dynamic range with more colors in the palette compared to the new strings' "always bright" frequency-tied-dynamic-range (hope I'm describing this right!). Alternatively, did you maybe lower the action or use a lighter overall gauge when you changed strings? It could be that there was a considerable amount of more fret buzz from the lower action either by deliberately lowering bridge, or just the neck sliiightly back-bowing from a lighter gauge. It surprisingly takes a verrry small difference in tension to change a singing guitar into a rattler (especially when the action/truss rod is already adjusted to be riiight on that razor thin edge in the first place) Orrr... I could just be completely off base and don't know whattt I was hearing! :D Dead or new strings, you're still one helluva player for sure! Really enjoyed your rock playing, very dynamic dude. Got a badass studio too! Cheers! TVPC

[@rexrainsberger1629]

I love your vids man thanks for the content

[@fadetoal]

i thought the old strings sounded better with distortion. The new strings i think i heard some fret buzz. However, the new strings sounded better with the clean sound. Your playing was so good on both. You can pull of a performance with 3 year old strings. But not me. LOL!

[@metallion0738]

People that say that Fender strats can't do metal are wrong, any electric guitar can do metal with the right setup etc. Great review and demo bro. 🤘

[@KnapfordMaster98]

This isn't a fair test. You sound too good no matter what you play.

[@CarlosGonzalez-mp9re]

There is an important difference, but depending on the sound, you may prefer one thing or another. My question is, those 3 year strings, were used? How much? I didn't feel so much detuning, and that is something that begins to annoy me about the second or the third month.

[@INeverWanted2010]

1:50 Old strings 2:54 New strings Same riff In these timestamps, I don't hear a difference even with headphones.

[@SaltyChip]

Do guitar strings get bad if the guitar just sat in a case for ten years? Just started 2 weeks ago and am hooked. It’s a decent acoustic but the strings feel heavy, thick, and has a more thunk feeling when playing. Is this just me playing improperly? Or is it strings? Or Both???

[@mikedreucci4236]

What kind of amp are you playing through? Sounds great. Prefer the less tinny sound of the old strings.

[@snow8630]

love your tone, perfect for classic rock.

[@cspann831]

thats the nice thing about hearing going bad as i get old. they all sound the same but the mind fills in whats missing and it all sounds good. Interesting video I will look to see what else you have posted

[@RockG.o.d]

Came here because I was wondering if the big difference was in my head when changing strings, and I think it mostly is, can here a slight sparkle in the new strings, but I really do think most of it is in our heads. In the mix I couldn’t tell, so going to clean my guitar and strings before next recording and see for myself, then I will change strings and try again a day later. Then leave the the recordings in a folder, randomly label them with numbers, then use note pad to make note, and listen to them back to back again to see if I can really tell. I notice it more with individual picking, but think it’s mostly in my head.

[@robertdunaway-tyll7635]

Hair metal riffs are strong in this one. 😂 awesome dude

[@Crunchy_Nachos]

Your tone is amazing

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

thank you!

[@misticformula1485]

i love dark tones just as much as bright tones so to me as long as I stay in tune and they feel good it doesn't matter either way old or new for tones. but eventually if the feel gets bad or I can't stay in tune then yeah time to change 'em.

[@larrygeetar9309]

New strings get the nod from me. The only time I like old strings is playing slide. The funk and sweat and dirt in the grooves of older strings seems to give slide more character. It is an odd thing, I admit. Whenever I'm using new strings it seems like the slide "slides" over the strings too much, if that makes any sense. I've been noticing that for a long time. I think it's because the old strings provide more resistance against the slide, almost a natural damping effect.

[@harrylogan3228]

That’s nothing my friend’s uncle gave him a ‘68 Fender Mustang which is sweet, however it’s had the same strings on it since ‘73 ( not anymore) but they could give you tetnes.

[@rodnyg7952]

you are a very informative young lady

[@havebenthere]

Wow, I think the old strings sound best! I can tell that the new have a brighter tone tho. One could adjust the tone knobs with the new strings and get that old string sound with better play ability and overall sustain.

[@gringopig]

with that amount of fuzz you could have been using anything...

[@jimson9297]

The new strings used in this video have more body and crispyness to them, although in some parts it is kinda hard to tell the difference when you are not the one playing. It is much easier to tell the difference between new and old strings on a western guitar. Old strings sounds super flat and dull whereas new strings truly bring your western to life once more. I guess it is because the electric guitar has pick-ups versus the western where the strings have to do the whole job of filling up the body with sound.

[@trevorgrimes7563]

How often should you change your strings?

[@acanova2001]

You can definitely hear the difference but they both sound good. Comes down to comfort but mostly I'm too lazy to change them on a regular basis 😝

[@jameskimpton4184]

What strings would you recommend? I have an Epiphone Les Paul if that means anything. I've been planning on getting a new amp so I figured I should change up the string I've been using. I haven't changed the strings since I got the guitar. I guess a second question would also be what amp would you recommend?

[@Box-vw2ds]

James Kimpton Ernie ball are great

[@poopbyoii5925]

James Kimpton ernie ball paradigm 11s or 12s

[@NewEnglandDirtRoadie]

elixer. last for ever... although the strings on ALL of my guitars seem to last forever. don't even remember what brands they are. when i was a kid, i would rust through strings like it was going out of style. probably a body-PH Acidity thing. i have a very alkaline diet now.

[@thegage3632]

everybody has their own opinion on which strings are the best. I personally prefer d'addario nyxl's. but the best way to go about is every time you change the strings on your guitar, try something different until you find the strings you like.

[@thegage3632]

also you should change your strings at least every couple of months depending on how much you play

[@rrguitar1]

Old ones have a nicer squish to them. What amp are you using ? Love that tone!

[@aidanlarenas]

rrguitar1 revv generator six I think

[@HendrixCikes]

crusty, rusty and dusty...immediate like.

[@UnsocialGeek]

That riff at 6:32 cant get it out off my head!! lol

[@TheoSloat]

My strings have been on my guitar for over five years or at least as long as I owned it and I found it at a pawnshop and it holds tune for well over a year. I should replace them but I'm cheap and lazy.

[@collinreed1786]

Acoustic is where string changes really make a world of a difference

[@gingataff]

My 3 week old strings are black and corroded. Those 3 year old ones are still shiny, I'm guessing they weren't played much.

[@brettbocik1855]

gingataff if your strings ever gunk up that fast likely your finger tips have alot of dirt/oil on them whether it seems like it or not. when your finger tips are oily/sweaty it can help allow dust and fuzz to build up onto it over time. investing in a safe natural string cleaner is an investment every guitar player should make, as cheap as $5 a bottle!

[@Julian-ib6ot]

I still got stock strings for a yr and a half on my acoustic guitar, it still sounds good and i love it, but it's bass strings coating is kinda worn off but the two at the bottom still looks good and my strings are like heavy duty i have lots of newbie friends who strums so loud and tried my guitar but it never broke, should i change it?

[@TheGhettoAstronauts]

I can’t tell any difference at all, they both sound great!

[@nylonsteel]

Those are some clean old strings..after a few months mine grow mold rust ..and little creature habitate in the string winds

[@BlueTransAm83]

I don't hate the tone so much as the intonation major problems and buzzing I start to get on old ones. Bigger difference on clean too.

[@ReneeNme]

2:10 I am so going to steal that riff :P

[@JustSamples]

Are you going to check out the new Bias head or newer software?

[@brokenheadsetgaming3497]

I have an Ibanez RC series that I got from a pawn shop and the (if we are going by standard tuning) my B string and my high E string just broke so what strings would you recommend

[@davidowen28]

D'Addario is my preferred brand but try out multiple brands and see what you like best.

[@lueyteledeluxe7457]

I forgot to listen for the diff coz u were a-rockin so good! I was just rocking along until it was like , ".... Oh yeah, the strings!"

[@blahblahsen1142]

i can hear the difference...but not as much as i would have thought. i'm a bass player so i play without fuzz and pretty aggressively, so maybe the fuzz and distortion helps. i play stringjoy strings now exclusively and ive noticed that after the first month you lose a little brightness and then they just kinda stay that way. its like the difference between new and month-old is significant and the difference between month old and year old is negligible. then again if you like the duller, warmer tone then that's not a bad thing necessarily. all in the preference. though i would change anything that was rusty and crusty...or just wash my hands before playing. ive got almost 2 year old bass strings on Peavy and they sound and feel worn but look new. no crust or rust. visually new. i'm just sayin.

[@deadsilencehardloudmusicin3589]

the new strings have more highs i think. but i like the sound of the old strings. it fits the the guitar and your style of playing. But we all know that a guitar player feels him self when he have to change the strings^^ first video i saw. subscribed... keep going man nice work

[@kingconfusion2295]

I don't know if frequency is the word to use but there seems to be a 'frequency' in new strings that hurt my ears. Three years is pretty new compared to the age of strings on some of my guitars.

[@mikedenson1589]

Always prefered strings worn in. Wipe down with mcguieres final inspection to prevent rust. Seems like they loose sustain after time.

[@hayrullahklc7105]

my 3 month olds strings looks older than your 3 years :/

[@brons101]

From about 3:45 to 3:57 what is the name of that scale?

[@gnoogie]

what pickups are in your strat? this is the most strat-sounding strat ive heard on youtube

[@ArielsSmartyPants]

I prefer the old strings but on the g b and e strings there's literally no difference. You need to play this guitar more, it rocks :)

[@AJgeartalk]

Excellent video Robert! I also noticed that my guitar sounds better when I wear new socks! :-)

[@highbredsmoke]

Honstly I change strings when my High E string makes this odd noise between like the 9th fret and the 12th fret the 11th fret for shure see its sounds difrent slightly but its plane to see like a Orange Pumpkin in a the snow

[@dangdingus1157]

What was the first song

[@1972myc]

New ones sound clear and crisp. Like new.

[@satamique]

What is the riff at 2:15 ? i know the riff but i forget the title...

[@adamw9030]

Thanks!

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Dude thank you so much

[@hawg427]

I switched over to ted strings and on avg. they stay on my guitar until they sound bad. I have over 8 guitars so I'm not going to be changing strings every few months. At about 9.00 a set they last a min. of a year at least. I may go back to my old regular non0coated strings D'Addario regular 10-46 and sometimes 11-49 non coated strings. The non coated sound a bit crisper to me :-)

[@tonyfoster986]

hawg427 so you have 8.5 guitars or 9 or 20.

[@hawg427]

I would have to open the closet and count them all. I'll do it after my second cup of coffee ;-) LOL

[@marcusjones882]

To only find you been robbed and left with the .5 of a guitar :P

[@ricksmith7370]

Try snapping those old strings a few times before playing. That brings them back to life, guaranteed.

[@PedroJory]

whats the name of the song on the start of the video?

[@Junior1385]

On electric guitar i can't barely hear a difference, but on acoustic i can hear more the diference, only the touch of strings change so much from old to new strings

[@theeyeofthestorm2281]

YOU ARE MY FAVORITE

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

:)

[@ChrisVanMiddelkoop]

They sounded very similar. The main difference was the feel. You can tell by your playing.

[@scottenosh4548]

+Robert Baker I'm sure you've been asked this a million times, but what state are you from?

[@alexterrel9594]

Scott Norris I think he's in Columbus Ohio

[@sebastianibanez3206]

All saying for how long the keep their strings, but actually my strings last like only a month :(( I have a Les Paul and it always breaks my high e, does anybody now what could it be?

[@rob062388]

Try a thicker string gauge.

[@sebastianibanez3206]

rob062388 i use 10s!

[@sebastianibanez3206]

I noticed it always break over the bridge saddles

[@rob062388]

@@sebastianibanez3206 tried any different brands or metals?

[@84greenbear]

I hate new strings almost as much as I hate old ones. I'm just grumpy that way haha! The harmonics and sustain are the tell tale factors but there is one more thing and that is, when after you're done playing on old rusty strings, you have to go to the ER to get a tetanus shot or if you're running a little late an appropriate amputation.

[@pilotamurorei]

The new strings sound a lot clearer. I have 8 guitars with Trems, I need to change the strings on at least 3 of them soon lol

[@anirudhganesh]

Soundwise both sound the same.... But for comfort... You gotta change them

[@anirudhganesh]

Robert Clark i watch from my mobile... Aight

[@HenrykBudzinski]

i watch with headphone and both sound the same. No rust? 3 years? 3 years in vacuum

[@aminabesic9693]

Anirudh Ganesh I haven't changed mine for 7 months. Is it time now or what?

[@anirudhganesh]

Amina yes. Change your string once in 3 months or at least 6months. What guitar do you have?

[@aminabesic9693]

Anirudh Ganesh Guess I should learn how to do that then.. I have a squier btw.

[@delaguilacampoy]

What is the name of the song in 1:50??

[@samtanner236]

Maybe im dumb but what is that white bar behind the bridge pickup?

[@jorgegarza7111]

sam tanner same question

[@vicmariodeth]

Maybe the new strings sound a bit crisper, but only if I put attention and see the indication in the video of what strings are old and what are new.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Strings sound (and feel) deader over time, that's just the way it is. This means they suck tone (bass tone also), volume and clarity. There's simply no comparison, new strings sound brighter ofc, but it's clearly audible that with the newer strings you can hear each string and each note clearer, each note within a chord rings truer and more evenly and they have far far far more sustain. The only reason to have old strings is you simply can't afford new ones (it happens), or are hiding something (it happens too). But any player of any level will always sound better with new strings. And it's easy to warm the sound via guitar tone knob, amp, mixer (or any combination) when using new strings, but none of these options can replace the lost clarity from using old strings. For players who want more even more warmth, check out guitars made from different woods, for instance mahogany sounds warmer than maple, a strat with a rosewood fingerboard sounds warmer than a strat with an all maple neck. Then go put some decent strings on your axe.

[@David13Rome]

Good Comment. I would add that people forget there is a tone knob to roll off brightness if you like the mellow tones. But it can't add brightness. So the new strings give you more options not too mention older strings can throw off your intonation.

[@lone-wolf-1]

I‘m hear to listen for what I shall expect soon: I will change my 6 years old strings on my guitars. 😅 I‘m a bit excited!!…. nah, just kiddin‘. haha😉

[@ivankrachunov27]

What is the song he played in the intro?