Have You Changed Your Guitar Strings Lately?

Changing guitar strings is one of those jobs that's very easy to put off.

We've all done it. You tell yourself you'll do them next weekend, and before you know it, months have gone by. Because strings wear out gradually, you don't really notice the change. The sound loses a bit of brightness, tuning isn't quite as stable, and they just don't feel as nice under your fingers. It happens so slowly that you simply get used to it.

A lot of that comes down to what builds up on the strings over time. Every time you play, tiny amounts of sweat, natural oils and dead skin are left behind. On wound strings, that debris works its way into the grooves between the windings where it's almost impossible to remove completely. As it builds up, the strings don't vibrate as freely, which is why they start to sound dull and feel lifeless. Giving your strings a quick wipe after you've finished playing will help them last a little longer, but sooner or later every set reaches the point where they simply need replacing.

People often ask me how often strings should be changed, but there isn't a simple answer. It depends on how much you play, where the guitar is kept and, believe it or not, even your own hands. Some players seem to wear strings out in no time at all, while others can make a set last surprisingly well.

For me, changing strings has never been just about replacing the old ones. It's also a chance to give the guitar a quick once over. I'll clean the areas that are usually hidden by the strings, check everything is nice and secure and make sure there isn't anything that needs attention. Most of the time there's nothing to report, which is exactly what you want.

Not everyone enjoys changing strings, and that's perfectly alright. Some people are happy doing all their own maintenance, while others would rather spend that time playing.

If you're not confident changing your own strings, or you'd rather leave it to someone who does it every day, I offer a guitar string changing service here at SL Guitar Works in Doncaster. Whether it's an acoustic, electric or bass guitar, I'll fit the strings properly, stretch them in, give the guitar a quick clean and make sure it's ready to play before it leaves the workshop.

A fresh set of strings won't magically make you a better guitarist, but they will help your guitar sound brighter, stay in tune more reliably and simply feel better to play. Sometimes that's all it takes to make you want to pick it up a bit more often.

If it's been a while since you last changed yours, perhaps this is your reminder.

Steve

SL Guitar Works, Doncaster