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Old 10-24-2020, 07:09 PM
Clouds Clouds is offline
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Default How Often To Change Strings?

I got the Martin MA150 Authentic Acoustic - SP - 80/20 Bronze Medium strings two weeks ago and I'm already noticing some strings becoming dark (rusting?). I'm just wondering how often uncoated strings need changing. I've only played these for about 6 hours over two weeks!

I changed from coated to uncoated strings as the tone is better.
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Old 10-24-2020, 07:14 PM
LakewoodM32Fan LakewoodM32Fan is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clouds View Post
I got the Martin MA150 Authentic Acoustic - SP - 80/20 Bronze Medium strings two weeks ago and I'm already noticing some strings becoming dark (rusting?). I'm just wondering how often uncoated strings need changing. I've only played these for about 6 hours over two weeks!

I changed from coated to uncoated strings as the tone is better.
Even though it's only been six hours, your finger's oils have been slowly working on those strings for 2 weeks. Even if you wipe them down you don't get everything.

As far as when, I go by either a degradation in tone, or if it gets really unsightly in terms of oxidation.

I tend to stick with coated (D'addario EXP) or treated (Lifespan 2.0) so I don't encounter what you're seeing as often.
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Old 10-24-2020, 07:16 PM
SuperB23 SuperB23 is offline
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I find with uncoated strings I get about 1-2 weeks and with coated strings like Elixirs I can get 1-2 months. I use and like both. I play my guitars a lot though but 6 hours in two weeks seems like a decent amount to me!?!
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Old 10-24-2020, 07:20 PM
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It depends. On the guitars I used frequently I will change strings usually after 2 months, sometimes a bit sooner. My case queens can have strings on for over half a year. If I don't like a string I take them off regardless of how old they are. I just took off a set of D'Addario PB mediums which sort of just died out after only 3 weeks.
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Old 10-24-2020, 07:52 PM
fartamis fartamis is offline
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Once a year because I love the sound of old strings too much. I just changed my XT 12-53 yesterday for a new set ... I just can't wait for them to have 1 month of wear to appreciate the sound, because the metallic sound of the new strings attacks my ears.
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Old 10-24-2020, 08:01 PM
Bob from Brooklyn Bob from Brooklyn is offline
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Everyone is different. Change them when you feel they need to be changed. After a few times you'll figure it out.
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Old 10-24-2020, 08:01 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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80/20 mediums ... hurt my fingers and my ears, I'd give them about 10 minutes.
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Old 10-24-2020, 08:07 PM
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I use coated/treated strings and change them routinely every two months. I play at least an hour or two daily splitting the time pretty equally between my two guitars. Fortunately, I don’t have a body chemistry that’s tough on string. Some folks do and blow through strings quicky.
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Old 10-24-2020, 08:17 PM
Clouds Clouds is offline
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It's fine if playing by myself or in small groups but I play in a band every week and you notice the difference with duller strings. When my strings get dull, the tone of the guitar sounds dull when amped up.

Just had a go and it sounds ok but it's hard to tell until I hear it back when playing with others in the band.
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Old 10-24-2020, 11:06 PM
keenans93093 keenans93093 is offline
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The 80/20 lessens the time you'll get out of any. Martin Sp's, in my experience, are particularly bad at wearing down fast. Ej16's last longer and if you clean them after playing you'll get about a month out of them
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Old 10-24-2020, 11:48 PM
Robin, Wales Robin, Wales is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brooklyn Bob View Post
Everyone is different. Change them when you feel they need to be changed. After a few times you'll figure it out.
Yep, that's what I would say.
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Old 10-25-2020, 02:18 AM
Peter Z Peter Z is offline
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Uncoated/untreated strings are completely dead after 2 weeks in my case. Seems my fingers are string killers and/or I prefer the sound of fresh strings.
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Old 10-25-2020, 05:10 AM
buddyhu buddyhu is offline
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I have a friend who changes strings almost every week. I have another friend who changes strings once a year at the most.

Some of this depends on the type of sting you are using, and the type of Fujitsu you play. When I was playing a Yamaha laminate guitar, and using Martin strings it sounded pretty dead and thumpy if the str8ngs were more than three weeks old. Now, I use Straight Up Strings, and change strings in my Collings about every three months.
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Old 10-25-2020, 05:20 AM
JKA JKA is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clouds View Post
I got the Martin MA150 Authentic Acoustic - SP - 80/20 Bronze Medium strings two weeks ago and I'm already noticing some strings becoming dark (rusting?). I'm just wondering how often uncoated strings need changing. I've only played these for about 6 hours over two weeks!

I changed from coated to uncoated strings as the tone is better.
Clouds, I'm assuming you're a complete newbie to acoustic guitar playing hence the question.

Change your strings when YOU feel they need changing.

If they don't sound as zingy as you like
If they are full of crud
If they won't stay in tune
If they keep breaking
If you no longer like the feel
If you no longer like the sound
If you don't like the colour they've gone
If you just fancy a change

The list goes on.

There are no rules and only opinions when it comes to all things relating to guitar playing. Play to enjoy and you'll not go wrong.
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Old 10-25-2020, 05:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JKA View Post
Clouds, I'm assuming you're a complete newbie to acoustic guitar playing hence the question.

Change your strings when YOU feel they need changing.

If they don't sound as zingy as you like
If they are full of crud
If they won't stay in tune
If they keep breaking
If you no longer like the feel
If you no longer like the sound
If you don't like the colour they've gone
If you just fancy a change

The list goes on.

There are no rules and only opinions when it comes to all things relating to guitar playing. Play to enjoy and you'll not go wrong.
^^^^^^^^^^^
What JKA said +1
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