Do you change strings less often for slide?

[Deleted]

This is probably a really stupid question without a definite answer but I’ll ask anyway. How do you know when it’s time to change strings if you’re playing mainly slide? I put a set of MM Newton strings on my Johnson about six weeks ago and although they still look pretty fresh, I’m not sure they sound that good anymore. I say I’m not sure because it could be the guitar. The tone and sustain on the top E was always noticeably weaker than the other strings and it seems even worse now, it doesn’t sing like Michael’s does on his DVD. Perhaps I’m just noticing the limitations of my guitar now that my technique, especially my vibrato, is improving.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Blisters,

It is not an easy question to answer as people really vary on this subject. I would say that after six weeks they are probably not performing as well as they should. But saying that, some people like strings when they are old. I don't like brand new strings, but I also don't like playing a guitar with dead strings!

If you want to preserve the life of your next set - try cleaning them with a shammy leather after playing. That will remove all the moisture and help to delay the corrosion. As far as dirt goes, Newtone strings don't hold the dirt as much as mass-produced ones do. This is because the round core is more flexible and is supposed not to cling to the dirt like a hex core does. Apparently!

Shine On
Michael

[davey]

I've always changed the wound strings on my guitars and left the plain ones if they seemed okay. Mistake !

I've just realised that plain strings start to sound dull after six weeks or so . Maybe if you're gigging it's a different timescale.

I think resos benefit more from string changing than ordinary wooden guitars.



It took me 10 years to figure this one out.

[Alan]

For some reason I'm forever breaking 'B' Strings

[Deleted]

I've got admit I tend to take the Ry Cooder approach of changing strings once a year, whether it's needed or not! Actually, I probably change them more often, as once I've broken a couple of Gs, I tend to replace the other wound strings, otherwise I end up with case full of spare 5 and 6th strings...but I dont break strings that often, despite playing a lot, and having quite a heavy right hand, so my strings stay on the guitars quite a long time. I also tend to rotate my guitars in terms of which one I use at any particular gig, so I suppose that evens out the wear and tear a bit.

[Bill Stig]

I was having this conversation with someone recently. I've found that my strings seem to loose there tone more quickly when I'm playing slide rather than with fingers. You'd think it would be the other way round, or am I imagining it?

Bill

[Deleted]

Hi Bill, I thought exactly the same thing. I thought contact from the fingers was the main reason strings go dull and playing slide instead would make them last much longer. That doesn’t seem to be the case. Perhaps contact with air is the primary cause of string corrosion, not contact with skin. I still haven’t got around to changing mine, it only takes ten minutes but I hate doing it. Perhaps at the weekend.

Cheers, Iain.

[fitchmeister]

When i started playing slide with a parlour i was told that leaving my strings on for a while would generate a more 'authentic' sound - and i think for the parlour it does. The strings are now 11 monhs old - i changed em for bluesweek 06 - tho they do sound naff with a glass slide.

Am not sure about the Tricone - reading this post has made me feel guilty about having black finger tips from fretting so i have changed them - it's now got 16s which feel massive but the tone has definitely got stronger in the bass. Guitar creaked a bit when i tuned up so i think it may be at it's limit string wise.

Roj

[growler]

This seems to be a thread that always comes back to haunt us ' changing strings ', I have mentioned before the Newtone strings are like Duracel batteries.... they go on and on and on. Sometimes I just change them , not because they sound dull, I just think well maybe they have been on for six months and I have a spare set in the case, the guitar is played on a regular basis, slightly less nowadays as I am learning ' Frailing Banjo ' . Whilst on the subject of string , anyone tried the ' Elixir Nanoweb' acoustic strings, they reckon they last 3 times longer than ordinary strings, hence my set has been on my Lowden for over a year. The only reason I can give for having to change them today is the 'poxy' battery has run out and its located at rather a stuipid place, you have to take the strings off in order to get at the battery ...... So i might as well put a new set of strings on whilst I'm at it........ but they still sound fine.......... what an unnecessary shame.

regards Growler

[Deleted]

I tried Elixir’s on my flat top and although I liked them, they didn’t seem to last any longer than an uncoated set. They started to sound dull after about six weeks and the coating started to peel off the wound strings. I also tried Cleartone coated strings (they use a difference coating technology and are very expensive - £12 a set I think). Again, they sounded nice but they didn’t seem to last any longer. I know some people swear by coated strings but I don’t think they’re worth the extra. I now use either Newtone Masterclass (when they’re not out of stock) or D’Addario. They last about six weeks between changes.

[Michael Messer]

The life of strings is a totally different subject for professional musicians, than it is for home players. My stage guitars get new strings very regularly, but the guitars that live at home and only get used in my living room very rarely get new strings.

I change my stage strings for almost every show - this is not because they have lost their tone, but because I hate breaking strings on stage and therefore take all precautions!

Shine On,
Michael

[Bill Stig]

I'm not keen on the Elixer strings or any of these "coated" strings. They do last longer but I find that they sound too dull for my tastes. One well known player that I know likes them as they suit his style - less scraping for his unusual lap style.

Bill

[Deleted]

Funny, I just came to the same thought..that my strings sound pretty lifeless after 6 weeks of heavy playing. (95% slide). The PB's on my acoustic (almost no slide) sound okay up to about 3 months. I would have figured it would be the opposite.

[Michael Messer]

I don't like coated strings at all. I guess everyone to their own, but I don't get it. New fangled ideas trying to re-invent the wheel!!!!!

Shine On,
Michael

[rickS]

Fastfret, saves me a fortune!