How often do you guys change strings?

[Big Dainjerus]

Hey guys long time no post. So i got Garageband and I am having a blast with it. But ive started to notice that my strings are getting kinda nasty. How often do you guys change your strings. I got my axis soemtime in the early fall but i didnt play it too too much because i got jacked up in a car accident. But the strings are starting to get dirty/gunky/rustyish. Also, what strings should I put on it? I know most of you guys will say ernie balls or whatever, but are they the best ones for the axis? Also, I like to keep my guitar tuned down a half step, so what gauge should I use? My axis is also kind of having problems staying exactly in tune, cananyone give me some ti ps on putting strings on in such a fashion that it helps the guitar stay in tune? how hard should I clamp the locking tuner things down on the strings by the nut? stuff like that....thanks guys i love my axis!

 

[slukather]

I change my strings on my guitar about every 2 weeks, but l play alot, and with band practice and such, l sweat alot. I use 9-42's on my Luke's and 10-46's on my Petrucci, but thinking of switching to 9's on the jp6 as well.

I find when l tune down half a step 9-42's feel a bit loose, so l'll use 10-56's.

Scott.

 

[Dodgeball]

Hey there Big D

I change strings about every 3-4 weeks but I play a LOT.

I used to play D'addario strings with strats/Ibeenhads but then switched to Ernie Ball strings as I was having breakage issues all of a sudden. I made the switch to EB guitars soon afterwards and have been using Super Slinkys on my Axis ever since. I believe the Axis comes set up for 9's and I have always preferred 9's so would suggest you go for those although if you play 1/2 step down then Hybrid Slinkys may be a good idea.

As for the other questions about tuning I would change strings before touching anything, old strings dont hold tune too well because of all the bits of skin and crap and areas where they have worn thin. They don't vibrate in a uniform manner any more so are less likely to hold tune.

Lastly don't over-tighten any of the clamps on the locking nut OR the string clamps in the saddles. Just enough to lock the strings down is enough or you will find that you hardware developes grooves from the strings and wont lock down properly any more.

Just my opinions dude

All the best

 

[Big Dainjerus]

thanks guys! Yeah ive been told not to overtighten those things...But which is the saddle and which is the clamp stuff? Whats the differnce? Those little block thingys at the nut, Im never really sure what is just enough to lock them down, cause i imagine that if they arent locked down enough that when I get my dive bomb on that the strings will go out of tune...and sorry about not knowing much about the guitar, I can still play though, im just still learning about the actualy mechanics of a guitar...

 

[brentrocks]

i change them when one breaks. i'm just a hobby/basement player, so they don't get played as much.

 

[smk5150]

I change strings about every 4 weeks, but I'm too lazy to go to music store more often

 

[Dodgeball]

thanks guys! Yeah ive been told not to overtighten those things...But which is the saddle and which is the clamp stuff? Whats the differnce? Those little block thingys at the nut, Im never really sure what is just enough to lock them down, cause i imagine that if they arent locked down enough that when I get my dive bomb on that the strings will go out of tune...and sorry about not knowing much about the guitar, I can still play though, im just still learning about the actualy mechanics of a guitar...

No problem Big D,

what i call these things may not be strictly correct either.

The 3 semi-flat pieces of metal that hold the strings down at the nut (with the allen screws) are what I'm referring to by clamps. It's true that if you don't do them tight enough you're gonna have tuning troubles but don't go crazy on them either. Just too tight for you to undo with your fingers is what I go by and I have NEVER had a tuning issue with my Axis (touch wood ).

The saddles are the pieces mounted to the base-plate of the trem that you poke the strings into. When you lock the strings into these, again don't overtighten them as getting replacements for those little blocks that sit inside the saddle - the bit that moves when you turn the allen screw - is supposed to be really tough. A good way to judge it is if you remove the strings and you find that they have been flattened by the block then you're overtightening.

On the other hand, if they fall out when you bend a string you may wanna tighten it up a tad more.

Hope that helps you out.

Cliff

Oh one more thing,

if you find the strings are going out of tune when using the trem after the string change, make sure you have stretched the strings out properly. The usual method I go through after I string up is: tune -> lock nut -> check tuning -> stretch -> release nut -> tune -> lock nut -> check tuning -> fine tune -> forgetaboutit!

 

[JT3]

Every week. I play out , teach and have practice. Nothing worst than a string breaking during a song.

 

[blackspy]

If I'm playing regularly I'll change em every 2 to 3 weeks unless I break before I was going to change em. Then I may change early. With the Floyd Rose bridge I often make sure there is a fair bit of extra length on the posts, so if I happen to break one too soon to justify changing them, I'll just snip the broken end at the bridge, pull a little length down and reclamp it. Seems to work fine, I've been doing it for years. I've been using the Fender 150XL strings (there is a heavier guage for your tuning down half step too ) recently. They're pure nickel and have that nice, broken in sound, but new feel. As opposed to other strings that by the time the harshness of new strings wears off, they need to be changed anyway.

As for how hard to clamp em down at the nut. I usually just clamp till it's tight, and then give it a little extra twist. Same with at the bridge.

As for your situation, I'd change your strings maybe once a month, unless you're really not playing the guitar at all. Going from early fall to now, seems a long time to go without fresh strings. They probably won't stay in tune very well, and probably don't sound too great eh?

 

[SteveB]

I change strings every 1 to 2 weeks depending on how much I've played them. But I also clean them everytime I finish playing (with Fast Fret) and often I clean them in between songs at band practice. I am a Fast Fret junkie.

 

[kbaim]

I've been using GHS since way back in the day. I like the boomer 9's. But to each his own. I'd try several different brands and also see if you like a set of 9's better, or a set of 10's which some say feel stiffer but have better tone.

Aggressive players (I'm not) need to find a brand that doesn't break as much.

I've also found that more guitars = more string buying and now I buy 6-12 packs at a time. And change my favorite guitars about every 3-4 weeks.

I've read some guys (Larry Carlton for one) change them before every gig.

I've also read and heard that if you are doing some recording, it's best NOT to have unplayed strings on. Better to have played them a day or 2 before recording with them. Have no idea if this is good advice or not, but I followed it.

And stretch those guys out!
KEITH

 

[Big Dainjerus]

Thanks guys! Ok so I will definetly change them, although changing strings has been my achilles heel ever since I first started playing Any other suggestions on what strings to use? Would it be wiser for me to get 10s bc I am a half step down, or will those 10s really slow me down? I dont need to have a shred fest but its nice to do what you want with the strings. Will I have to change any of the setup if I get 10s? Also, should I boil my strings EVH style? And since i not very good at changing strings and will pretty much learn on the fly its not real easy for me to try a bunch of differnt kinds and see which ones are best, at least for now I am going to pretty much stick with whatever I get so any suggestions are most appreciated...

 

[bing4sons]

I use Elixir Nanowebs on my A.S.S. They sound great and last a LONG time. Typically a string will break before they loose their tone. I've probably had the current set of Elixirs on for a couple of months.

I switched to 10's. I play mostly rhythm and the 10's improved the tone and feel better to me.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I change strings as little as possible! I use Optima gold plated ones, and they last ages! I do 3 gigs a week on average and practise daily.

 

[Big Dainjerus]

have any of you guys boiled your strings? does it help? and if i put 10s on do i have to adjust anything on the guitar, i thought someone on here said something about that a while ago. will i still be able to play fast with 10s or will they really slow me down?

 

[SteveB]

Big,

I can't help you with boiled strings.. never done it, I suspect you'll hear arguments for and against. (I have heard more about string boiling with bass players than guitarists.)

If you are only tuning down 1/2 step, it is probably not necessary to swtich string gauge or re-intonate. That being said, it wouldn't hurt to check the intonation anyway, and if you feel like your strings are too loose you might go ahead with the gauge increase.

If you tune down lower than E flat (all the strings, not just a drop tuning), then I would suggest going to a higher gauge for sure, to keep some tension on the neck, and perhaps a small truss rod adjustment (if needed).

I don't think that 10's will slow you down if you play with a light touch. If you're heavy-handed, then it might take a little time to adjust.

As for brands, use Ernie Ball, of course! I have not broken a string in decades and I use EB Super Slinkys (9's) and now Regular Slinkys (10's) on my JP6. I did have a 'D' string come unwound about an inch from the bridge one time many years ago.. but I think the saddles on that guitar were responsible.

I plan to switch my JP6 to Super Slinkys as soon as I use up my supply of Regular Slinkys.

And like everyone else said, don't tighten those clamping blocks on the Floyd tighter than 'snug' or you might crack 'em.