What's the longest time with one set of strings on an acoustic!

[Purfle Haze]

I read a story about the late, legendary bassist Duck Dunn, who was asked what kind of strings he used on his bass, and he said, I don't know, they came on the guitar. I don't know if it's true, but...

[rick-slo]

Round about thirty years.

[sayheyjeff]

Not a guitar, but I was given a Harmony brand uke when I was a kid in about 1958. Had plastic strings. Still have that uke and it still has those same strings on it. Hasn’t been played that many hours though. I think it sounds almost as good as it ever did. Looks nice and it can be played. Not a single scratch on the uke.

Jeff

[pegleghowell]

I have an old beater Kay guitar here and I cannot remember the last time it had
a change of strings...years and years.

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

I pulled a set of bass strings off my Fender Bass that had been on since I got in 1995. They were furry! To be fair though, it hadn't been played in over a decade.

I have a Hondo bass that I bought over 30 years ago (age unknown). I've only played it a few times, as it's more of a work of art than an instrument (and not in a good way, LOL). I never changed the strings, so they're at least 30 years old and still look good!

[Mr.Woody]

going on 16 months with the Martin Monels on my J-45. Play it every day. They sound great!!!

[Mr Bill]

I put a set of Elixirs on my D-28 back in 2013, and they're still there. I play 4-5 times a week for practice, probably 3-4 hours total, with one four-song performance weekly. I'm always plugged in when I play, so the EQ gets to do all the heavy sound lifting.

I did get a new set from Sweetwater last week, so any day now: NSD!

[SuperB23]

I've gone as long as two months once or twice, pretty rare though. I'm a glutton for fresh strings!!

I've often joked that if people a fresh set of strings on their guitar before they go to sell and play it for a day or two a lot less instruments would get sold.

[boombox]

Originally Posted by fitness1

Very recently I saw a listing in the classifieds for a Taylor 12 string that was right around 20 years old. It said "original strings still sound great".

I sold a Simon & Patrick 12-string some years ago, with the original 3+ year old strings on (though I did include a fresh set in the case)!

[Goodallboy]

Originally Posted by SuperB23

I've gone as long as two months once or twice, pretty rare though. I'm a glutton for fresh strings!!

I've often joked that if people a fresh set of strings on their guitar before they go to sell and play it for a day or two a lot less instruments would get sold.

I believe you're more of a glutton for good tone.

[Duck916]

When the COVID lockdowns hit last March I bought a bunch of strings from Strings By Mail intending to cover myself for the coming year. But for some reason, I have not changed the strings on my daily player Martin GPCPA4 since last February. It still sounds good. I intend to change the strings soon.....

[jpd]

Originally Posted by Mr Bill

I put a set of Elixirs on my D-28 back in 2013, and they're still there. I play 4-5 times a week for practice, probably 3-4 hours total, with one four-song performance weekly. I'm always plugged in when I play, so the EQ gets to do all the heavy sound lifting.

I did get a new set from Sweetwater last week, so any day now: NSD!

Some serious string time!

[EZYPIKINS]

I am amazed at the pride some folks have in this. To me, old strings are like wearing the same clothes day after day. Matter of fact. I think I'll change my #1's strings right now.

[Goodallboy]

Originally Posted by Mr Bill

I put a set of Elixirs on my D-28 back in 2013, and they're still there. I play 4-5 times a week for practice, probably 3-4 hours total, with one four-song performance weekly. I'm always plugged in when I play, so the EQ gets to do all the heavy sound lifting.

I did get a new set from Sweetwater last week, so any day now: NSD!

Do you actually think EQ corrects worn out string tone? Surely that's a joke.

[k_russell]

Originally Posted by fitness1

Very recently I saw a listing in the classifieds for a Taylor 12 string that was right around 20 years old. It said "original strings still sound great".

Once every 20 years for a 12 string works for me.