How Often Should You Change Your Guitar Strings?

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DESCRIPTION
Everyone is different, so how do you know how often you should change your guitar strings? In this video we cover the general range of string change frequency, as well as what you can do to change your strings less often than you currently do.
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Stringjoy is a boutique guitar string company located in Music City-Nashville, TN. We’re dedicated to making the highest quality guitar and bass strings, providing the best customer service in the industry, and giving our players more gauge and customization options than anyone else out there. We proudly make all of our strings in the USA, and we donate 5% of our net profits to support music education programs.
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[@blahblahsen1142]

i like how he's selling strings and doesnt feed you a line of shit to sell more strings. just tells it like it is. product speaks for itself.

[@SamYaZdian]

yea... i totally agree with you, starting the video about "its not necessary to change your strings every single day, every week or so, would be fine!" lol))) thats hilarious advertisement and consumerist point of view

[@texican3574]

Wow! You are supposed to change your strings. Why doesn't anyone tell me these things! Actually I'm a casual player and rotate through several guitars so I tend to be one that changes them every 6 months or more. Mainly when they start sounding muddy or looking nasty. I do make a habit of wiping down the strings when I'm done. I keep a cloth on the stand for each guitar so I don't have an excuse not to wipe the strings and body.

[@Stringjoy]

Hahahaha you had me going at first there! The cloth is truly magical man, I've been preaching it for ages but it's wild how much of a difference that can make.

[@TheMoneyMakingMentor]

HA!

[@joedarby4672]

I got my electric guitar when I was 12, I’m 22 now and have only changed the high E & B. When I got a new guitar last year I wondered why it sounded so different lol now I know

[@mattnelson8325]

I began playing 9-42 XL120s in the 1980's and only ever changed a string when it broke. Almost always the 9 of course, until I ran out of 9s. Sometimes for a year or more. How times have changed, so funny to think back on that now. About every 2 months now 10-46 all of them, I like them best after about a week. Love your content, very informative and well done. Stringjoys are my next set to try. Rock on everyone!

[@JuniperCo]

Cheers for the info. I change my strings for acoustic after every gig and I now realise that's ok x

[@ilarikorko5909]

Me realising I haven't changed my strings on my acoustic in 3 years

[@bethanycharlotte9668]

Ilari Korko me realising I’ve never changed the strings on my 8 year old guitar 😬😂

[@relyt4119]

Neither have I lol

[@LunaticTheCat]

Haven't changed mine in 12 years lol 😂

[@selftaughtentertainment1893]

Because of inactive or your string is very special?

[@benbengia1677]

Same bro So we proved this video is a shit

[@alexmurphy5289]

I've been playing every day now on my guitar for 5 months on the same strings, I got quality strings but it's definitely time to change them. They sound flat and I like bright tones, thanks man! Also I have found washing your hands before you play can help just a little bit to get grease and gunk off your hands

[@MNGuitars]

I heart you Scott. Great video! Ubdont change as often as I'd like, bout 3 months, but I use the stringjoy cloth literally just about every time I pick up n put down my guitars

[@Stringjoy]

Thanks kindly Mike!

[@jimmynutrin7235]

Great video! 👍

[@Stringjoy]

Thanks Jimmy!

[@kevinpaul1719]

When I did studio work years ago I could go through 4 packs of strings in a 6 to seven hour day. That is not the real world. I use two packs of strings a week. My fun play for fun guitars like my Martin D28 get new strings once a month. A great video Steve.

[@Kid-dz9zw]

Haven’t change my guitar string in a year 😍😍😍

[@JaktFiske-cv9te]

Haven’t changed mine in 3 years BEAT DAT!

[@KillberZomL4D42494]

I beat you all, I didn't change mine since I bought my guitar in 2008 so it's been 11 years, only the low E, A and D strings, G, B and high E always break so I changed them a lot.

[@billymays495]

Haven't changed my Sigma's strings in 20 years sucka

[@asdf9890]

I change strings on my Strat a lot because I'm always modding it. My other guitars though, maybe every 4 - 5 months. The acoustic even longer, over a year. Each guitar gets played at least 30 minutes a day, except the acoustic. Just got a new pickguard for the Strat today and I'm hesitant to change it out because I put a custom set of your strings on back in April and they still sound good.

[@Kitashnee]

Ten years ago when I rehearsed regularly, it kind of went like this: Three three - hour rehearsals with great sound and feel, then either a fourth one with OK sound and so-and-so feel or fresh strings. I don't really care much about it these days *but* if I would land a gig or a recording session it goes without saying I'd turn up with fresh strings.

[@orlandoobeso5135]

Wow I had a feeling you need to replace your strings over time! I had my guitar for 2 years and I’ve just been a casual player that just enjoys playing some songs at home. I think I should start looking in conditioners and new strings

[@alexaudiovisuals]

Great Advice!

[@Stringjoy]

Thanks Alex!

[@TheGhostGuitars]

It depends. On those guitars I don't use often, they'd get changed on it's annual maintenance. On those I use more often, then it'd be 2x per year (once on it's annual maintenance, and the other halway between). On those guitars that's on my current use rotation, they get changed every fourth month (3x year, one is full maintenance). If the guitar is one of those guitars that is permanently on the Use Rotation lust and is used frequently, then string changes can be as often as 4x annually (every 3 months), it depends on the specific guitar used.

[@reyne8424]

I always change the whole set on my Classical Guitar when a string breaks (unless it's brand new), or when corrosion sets in. So every 2-3 months, sometimes 5 on the guitars I don't play often. I practice almost daily and play silver wound/nylon that I wipe after every session, so if I wanted to change them for tone, I would probably do so every 2-4 weeks, depending on what I play and the season and humidity. More sweat and more humidity means more string changing.

[@crisongs1]

I tend to change my strings before a gig or when they get dents in them. I find that the dents seems to mess with the intonation.

[@PhilHeesen]

I change the Stringjoy's on my ES-335 about every 3 weeks - usually when the low E string is getting a bit dull. On my Tele, they will last more like 3 months. I guess because it's a brighter guitar and I tend to play it much less than the 335. Thanks for another great video, Scott!

[@Stringjoy]

Oh that'll definitely make a difference in the equation! My pleasure Phil!

[@wrickel0727]

I'm a beginner and I can't wait to change them. Put a piece of me in the guitar :)

[@kinniecas9004]

dude, i've had this mix of ernie ball 10s and fender 9s on my strat and they haven't broken yet. i've been using them for a year and i've abused them. like sometimes if i'm mad i'll just try to break the strings without any drills etc. i can even do 2 step bends on the g string. won't break. i can pop it and bend it super hard. won't break.

[@billymays495]

Geddy Lee changes his bass strings bare often like ery 3 hours of playing he says sometimes will change during concerts

[@eloygameno3951]

I used to play guitar 3 years ago, then I got into several things and just quit playing. Last week I started again with my same cheap guitar and its same strings. I tried to intonate it but I couldn't. Then I realized that it needs a new set of strings... So buying them tomorrow.

[@corpsie666]

I change my strings when they are really oxidized or feel harder to push down. 😅 I just recently changed the 10+ year old strings on my basses and guitars.

[@Coorsgood10]

I needed a reason to go to guitar center 🎸

[@facedowngaming]

Lol same

[@LovesGames113]

i'm just a newbe trying to learn everything I need to know about my guitar since I normal play my pianos

[@charliemaddock3459]

Yer how do you replace the one string you take from new pack

[@bt6135]

Having a Floyd on your guitar changes the dynamics of intervals too. I keep them on longer than most. I hate changing strings on a Floyd. Besides, they just get broke in and stay in tune right about the time you’re supposed to change them.😂 So you can compensate a little tonality with your amp 🤘🏻

[@danlampton]

I like fresh strings. I've been using your string conditioner and I'm impressed with long they remain fresh sounding to me.

[@Stringjoy]

I'm glad to hear it Dan!! I love that stuff.

[@billducas]

I change my strings before every gig. I gig 2 or 3 times a month. I also use 8 gauge strings that don't last that long. And I haven't broken a string in over 40 years a gigs. I play with a light touch, and other guitarists can't believe that I use 8's because my tone is so thick.

[@HL-OOI]

My Xs g string starts to corrode after 4 months in patches..bass strings are dead even it’s still shinny..

[@billkallas1762]

I try to play 30 minutes a day, but I tend to wash my hands before I start, and never sweat on the strings. I can see how wound strings can pick up dirt, sweat, and bits of skin, to make them sound dead, but why would plain strings start to feel dead? One quick wipe with a rag would remove anything on them. If I changed the strings on all of my guitars, every month, I'd be sure to put on locking tuners. Since I don't a good set of standard 18:1 tuners work fine.

[@pxrplexed3501]

I change strings when I break my high e on a bend😂

[@jamesgraham6796]

I change my strings every month. One day I will actually learn how to play it.

[@Stringjoy]

You and I both!

[@AKALeon-ir8ww]

@@Stringjoy I wanna know how you can change the strings

[@aaronslingerland4924]

I get the best strings and I change them once every 5 to 6 weeks.

[@williamnichols6253]

I want to change my strings less often am I only consideration is how well they stay in tune. Does the coating on coated strings increase the service life (tuning-wise)? Does cleaning guitar strings help them the tuning problem as the strings age? Do 'better' string stay in tune longer?

[@Stringjoy]

Cleaning your strings before and after you play helps keep them fresh longer! You can achieve this with a conditioner and microfiber cloth, or coated strings also can help as well.

[@justinpaquette224]

On acoustic it takes me about 2-3 days of playing about 3-4 hours a day before the wound G is losing windings at the frets. I use Martin SP 80/20 12-54 the G is a .025 anyone else have this problem

[@mastasheo]

Would detuning a half step before storage (month or two) help with string life?

[@Stringjoy]

In theory it could help a bit, but I don't think it would be that noticeable. That said, detuning slightly before storage is often a good idea.

[@RudyAyoub]

I think that would just be a pain to reset your truss rod after, i mean you will do it either way after a month

[@sambenjamin9636]

@@RudyAyoub holy shit Rudy my dude why tf were you even here😂

[@RudyAyoub]

Sam Benjamin damn

[@paruh5901]

Rudy Ayoub Why do I always find your super awkward comments? Is it a curse?

[@illican]

I tend to change them whenever I can decide that I want to change gauges, which has been fairly often ever since I got my first 8-string this past March, seems that an 85 gauge string on a 28-inch scale still isn’t near tight enough to tune down at all

[@xxXthekevXxx]

What 8-string tuning you going for? Drop E? C#?

[@Stringjoy]

We can always try a .090 for ya!

[@illican]

Drop E, an 85 at 28" still feels much too loose to even go down a half step without buzzing out of control

[@musicalmenon2810]

informative

[@Stringjoy]

Thanks Rashed!

[@M-I-LK]

I play my Guitar nearly everyday,and Have only changed strings once. That was only because a certain string (The e String,go figure.) Snapped. I use some Electric strings on my acoustic,and I personally love the sound.

[@Stringjoy]

We're all about electric strings on acoustic, we actually made a whole video about it.

[@pierregryp742]

Should i change my strings right before a gig or should i play them in for like a week or something?

[@C00Ltuber]

You can change them the same day, just don't do it right beforehand. Strings will continue to stretch for a bit after you put them on and you'll need to re-tune them a few times before they'll hold a stable tuning.

[@jakesixty-three4738]

I was just wondering if I need to change my guitar strings because I have not changed him in 3 years and I want to get them changed but my dad says that they should not be changed at all

[@Stringjoy]

You should probably change them if it's been 3 years...

[@erezarye6458]

I replace mine when ever my string sounds shity i did not change my string for half a year and i really need a new strings

[@famitory]

i've heard and successfully tested a method for bass strings where you detune them to the edge of being totally floppy, then stretching and slapping the bejeezus out of them, then tuning them back up to pitch. it DOES make them brighter and newer sounding temporarily, albeit usually only for about a half hour before they return to normal. i'd love to know why this works and to what extent it can be used to extend string life?

[@famitory]

(please ignore the horrendous predicate mismatch on that first sentence, it's 1 AM where i live haha)

[@Stringjoy]

Haha no worries man! That's really interesting. Strings go dead because they lose their elasticity, so my guess would be that this isn't extending life so much as it is temporarily making the strings a bit more elastic. Pretty curious whether it would work in the longer term, my gut says no but I'll have to try it!

[@ryanwilson5936]

It’s because you’re knocking out all of the crud that gets caught in the string windings. Ever notice more dirt and grime on the fretboard after doing that? If you don’t get rid of the crud that’s left on the fretboard after doing this, you’re just pushing it all back into the string windings. Hence, why the clearer tone doesn’t last that long. That process also works well on acoustic guitars if you notice the sound getting dull. Detune and “snap” the strings against the fretboard. It flings all that dirt out of the windings. Brush the dirt off the fretboard, retune, and there ya go. Dirt in the windings creates a dull tone. That’s why you also hear of people suggesting to boil old bass strings. It cleans them.

[@slipknotmfkrlocust8843]

Question: If you have D'addario strings, and you have Ernie Ball or Stingjoy stings, would it affect how long it would be before you change your strings? (Edit:) Does humidity affect how long you should have strings on your guitar before changing?

[@Stringjoy]

Hey man! So humidity plays a big part, people frequently have strings wear out quicker or go out of tune quicker in months where humidity increases, or just when the climate changes in general. Down here in the South it can get pretty rough!

[@slipknotmfkrlocust8843]

Lucky, I live in the North, humidity usually never gets above 70% relative humidity. Thx for reply.

[@Stringjoy]

That certainly helps!

[@slipknotmfkrlocust8843]

yeah, I have been in the south many times, and it is quite humid. And hot.

[@Stringjoy]

You're not kidding!

[@KillberZomL4D42494]

Holy shit, I haven't changed my low E, A and D strings since I bought my guitar and it's been 11 years hahahaha, seriously, I only change the broken ones but since those three didn't break all these years, I didn't change them. Maybe I should now, should I? My G, B and high E string always break almost every 2 months so I change them often.

[@Stringjoy]

You def should

[@benradford847]

i hit the strings really quite hard, so i can get through them in 2 to 3 gigs (12-60 / 13-56). but if i'm not gigging, just practicing at home, then it's more like once every 8 weeks i suppose. but i use a strat into a vox, so i don't exactly need to try and retain any extra brightness, as the rig just has it naturally.

[@Stringjoy]

That certainly helps! Also, I love a strat into a vox...

[@kennethnavalotajr3113]

I change mines every Saturday afternoon

[@goopbrain8919]

I've played for about 7-8 months have put over 2000 hours into one guitar and just realized I should change my strings...

[@ToppaliniTube]

the main reason i change strings is because they start to feel thin as they get worn down. happens really fast if you bend a lot, maybe 30 hours

[@xxXthekevXxx]

I change strings probably once every 2-3 months. Sometimes I’ll stretch it to 6 months, but I end up hating myself if I wait that long lol.

[@Stringjoy]

Hahaha we've all been there before!

[@selftaughtentertainment1893]

Why is that?

[@dillonhodgdon84]

About 3 weeks or if a strings brakes

[@gideonmaxmerling204]

When it comes to guitar strings, I think it also depends on whether you want to have good sounding guitar strings. if you don't care about sound and only care about play-ability, guitar strings should last for at least a year. if you care about sound, you should switch once every few months

[@selftaughtentertainment1893]

I only care about the skills and I'm on budget 😂.

[@selftaughtentertainment1893]

If the sound is noticeable then its okay

[@773Spair]

Wound strings go dead faster than plain strings do, and thicker wounds go dead faster than thinner wounds do. Unless a sharp point touches your string, you should only have to replace frequently strings which are pretty or very thin for their construction, scale length, or tension for playing live. If you've found a set you're satisfied with, you can save money and time by ordering strings which break more often or go dead faster in larger quantities.

[@Stringjoy]

For sure-you can end up with a bit of uneven tone in doing this, but again it's kind of all about what you're comfortable with and how you balance it out otherwise.

[@ZedChuva]

For me, it's when I break one, or before I'm going to record. I used to sweat a LOT when playing, and I'd kill strings in a week or less. Now... meh, not that much, plus I don't care any more. haha This is how lazy I am about it. I still have the factory strings on my RG7, that I bought in 2009. Broke one so... time to change'm! hahaha #PatheticMe

[@Stringjoy]

Whoooooah, that's crazy! I've had bass strings on for almost that long but never an electric.

[@tomfoolery2082]

LOL! THATS FUNNY!

[@Tyler_Wilson]

Zed Chuva I long to be more like you, Zed!

[@illican]

is there any functional difference between bass and guitar strings?

[@Stringjoy]

They're made of the same material, bass strings typically consist of more wraps than electric strings, but that's just due to the gauge. And of course you've got a larger ball-end and longer strings on a bass.

[@illican]

I was wondering because some people like Tosin Abasi play 8-strings in drop E on an .080, but bass string sets on a longer scale length for the same note, in the same octave, will use something like a .105, just seemed strange to me how there could be a massive difference in scale length and string gauge for the exact same desired frequency.

[@Stringjoy]

Yeah I'm glad you mentioned that! It's ultimately just that guitars aren't set up for super heavy gauges so players usually play a much lighter gauge because they have to. At the same not an .080 on a 27" scale has wayyyyy less tension than a .105 on a 34" scale, but guitarists just kind of go with it.

[@michomicho7668]

3 months// my father is best player in country // not self called // he play s guitar 5 hor per day minimum ,,every day all 365 // some he plays much more // and he s using 2/3 guitars mostly 2 and 3 rd as a other lenght /gibson scale,, but even when we were on tour/ i do bass/ primus like // we did change strings before recording date ,, but at least 3 weeks play before recording , i d take a boiled set 3 plus old vs same day new and to studio //

[@Wargasm644]

Once a month if you play daily. It’s not like they’re expensive.

[@SamuraiBud]

just when they break no problem to me

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

At last, someone tells about using the tone knob, or whatever EQ tool there is :-) I'm not a fan of the over-bright sound of brand new strings. It has something artificial which needs to go away before I can call that music. I will always tone it down a bit at first.

[@Stringjoy]

Hahaha definitely the most underrated tonal adjustment!

[@Metaldad87]

Oh I can change the strings? I've just been buying new guitars when they get worn out 😂

[@PS2Damon]

I change them whenever I break my high E string, about every 3 months

[@korewadev]

By now you should have replaced them?

[@squidward9747]

David Mendez by now he should have replaced them twice

[@4Gunzo]

Yeah down in Texas strings don't last too long... Combined with my sweat

[@Stringjoy]

I know how that goes, Tennessee can be pretty tough in the summer as well!

[@maxteschner7069]

So you think after 6 years I should do it? (I play almost every day) :D

[@PS2Damon]

if you play every day then your guitar strings will break before even a few months

[@alfonsomtb2692]

@@PS2Damon not really i played almost daily for three years and never broke a string

[@PS2Damon]

@@alfonsomtb2692 that doesnt sound realistic

[@rynxvg]

PS2Damon yeah mine broke after 4 months, and I used to play regularly

[@Steven_Triana]

I haven't changed my guitar strings for 5 years, and I play it everyday. One just snapped today :(

[@selftaughtentertainment1893]

How many hours do you play a day and which string do you use?

[@Steven_Triana]

@@selftaughtentertainment1893 depends on the day hehe I usually play for 3 hours,, the least I okay it is 1 hour, and sometimes I go over the 3 hours. I take longer when I'm working on a song and making lyrics to go with the melody, then I spend a whole lot of time. About the strings,, I used nylon strings. But with the string that snapped, u changed the whole set and the dude at the store didn't have nylon so I had to buy copper strings. So I'm currently with copper strings. How about you??

[@amirkhalid5449]

Would lighter fluid make a good string cleaner?

[@Stringjoy]

hahaha

[@amirkhalid5449]

@@Stringjoy I assume that's a "no".

[@Stringjoy]

It is

[@4Gunzo]

You kinda touched on this, but if I change all the strings except the low E, or the other wound strings is this fine?

[@Stringjoy]

Really anything *could* be fine just depending on what bothers you, but it's a bit hard for me to see the value in keeping one string on and changing all the others. I think it would be quite as noticeable as having one bright new string in a set of oldies, but still that one gauge would likely sound a bit dead if it's been on sufficiently long enough.

[@4Gunzo]

Stringjoy makes sense... Thanks

[@sirspongadoodle]

For a string company i would expect you to atleast know about strings but oh well, if you want a “darker” sound eq out the treble old strings literally lose frequences and you cant turn up something that isnt there..

[@Stringjoy]

🙄

[@sirspongadoodle]

@@Stringjoy spectre... sound... motherfucking. studios...

[@Nana_UFC]

My strings are legit rusty

[@Alfredo78666]

Every World Cup 😅😂

[@RudyAyoub]

Dont let Glenn Fricker hear your opinion on bass strings, please

[@Stringjoy]

Hahaha like I said, everyone's different with those!

[@RudyAyoub]

Stringjoy i agree, Glenn won't haha

[@Stringjoy]

😅

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

He's a tone sucker, one of these demons who prey on the soul of the music others play. Don't ever listen to tone engineers, they're evil!!!