When Should I Change My Strings?

When should I change my strings? People will tell you different things. Once a month, once a year, never!

And why should I change them at all? They are not rusty.

Strings will get clogged up with sweat, skin and other 'yuk' things. Wound strings are particularly good at collecting weird things. Unwound strings are no different. Anything building up on a string will alter its tone, attack and sustain. This is the reason strings need to be changed.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN?

Often the sixth string will be the 'give-away'. It will begin to sound 'dead' - losing its brightness.

The plain steel, or unwound string often turn black when coated in weird stuff.

And finally, rust will start to appear.

WHEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY STRINGS?

The answer is not a time thing, but a sound thing. When strings start to sound dead it is time. Also when the first and second strings start to feel like sand paper it is time.

Listen and feel your guitar!