Electric string life

[stringjunky]

How often generally do you change strings? Do they last longer or not so long as acoustic strings? I'm buying my 14 year old nephew his strings and just wondering how often I should post him a set. I'm currently buying him Ernie Ball 'Skinny Top/Heavy Bottoms'.

[1neeto]

Originally Posted by stringjunky2

How often generally do you change strings? Do they last longer or not so long as acoustic strings? I'm buying my 14 year old nephew his strings and just wondering how often I should post him a set. I'm currently buying him Ernie Ball 'Skinny Top/Heavy Bottoms'.

It really depends but I do change the strings on my electrics more often than my acoustics. If he plays a lot, don’t be surprised if he wants new strings every other week.

[JeffreyAK]

My electric strings last a long time, in fact I like them better after they've lost the fresh-string brightness, and I'll keep them on the guitar until they sound quite dead playing unplugged. I change my acoustic strings a lot more often, particularly my 6-string (well, it's 12, but 6 are harp strings).

[stringjunky]

Originally Posted by 1neeto

It really depends but I do change the strings on my electrics more often than my acoustics. If he plays a lot, don’t be surprised if he wants new strings every other week.

Thanks. I had a feeling this would be the case since I guessed the strings contribute more to the sound of an electric than an acoustic. An electric is just a block of wood with strings on isn't it? The body isn't going to contribute to the sound as much as an electric. My acoustic sounds the same however old the strings are, more or less. He started on my acoustic, which I'm getting back shortly, and has just got this electric and I'd like to keep him enthused by making sure he's always got good tone.

[gwlee7]

When I was playing and practicing with bands, I needed to change the strings on my electrics at least once a month. Now I go longer but it’s also because I have more guitars now.

I couldn’t afford guitars when I was trying to make money playing them. 😀

[stringjunky]

Originally Posted by JeffreyAK

My electric strings last a long time, in fact I like them better after they've lost the fresh-string brightness, and I'll keep them on the guitar until they sound quite dead playing unplugged. I change my acoustic strings a lot more often, particularly my 6-string (well, it's 12, but 6 are harp strings).

I like worn strings on acoustic but my nephew said how great his guitar sounded with the new strings I bought him so I'm assuming he likes that 'new string jangle'.

[stringjunky]

Originally Posted by gwlee7

When I was playing and practicing with bands, I needed to change the strings on my electrics at least once a month. Now I go longer but it’s also because I have more guitars now.

I couldn’t afford guitars when I was trying to make money playing them. 😀

Yes, I've heard it said working musicians don't have 'swanky' guitars, which is a bit ironic really.

[Steel and wood]

I couldn't tell you the last time I changed the strings on my electrics.

I love the sound and feel of new strings on my Martin more so than my electrics but will play the old ones until well past their used by.

Just the thought of having to change strings.

[YamahaGuy]

Admittedly I don't play my electrics nearly as often as my acoustics, but the 12-52 EJ21 D'Addario strings I use last awhile. Regardless whether it's needed or not, I try to change them every 6 months or so.

Those light top/heavy bottom strings last a bit longer than typical sets of 10s or 9s.

If your nephew is playing aggressively with lots of bends, and chunky power chords (which I'd assume based on string choice), I'd say every couple weeks if play is 2+ hours a day.

[stringjunky]

Originally Posted by YamahaGuy

Admittedly I don't play my electrics nearly as often as my acoustics, but the 12-52 EJ21 D'Addario strings I use last awhile. Regardless whether it's needed or not, I try to change them every 6 months or so.

Those light top/heavy bottom strings last a bit longer than typical sets of 10s or 9s.

If your nephew is playing aggressively with lots of bends, and chunky power chords (which I'd assume based on string choice), I'd say every couple weeks if play is 2+ hours a day.

I'll ask him to tell me when he thinks they are dead.

[MikeBmusic]

When they don't stay in tune or intonate, change them.

When I was playing in a band every week (practice plus gigs - with only 1 guitar) I'd change strings once a week. They were less than $5 a set (Fender Bullets) back then.

[redir]

I like the new string sound and feel on my electrics so if I have a gig coming up I will change them the day before. Otherwise they last.

[Song]

Originally Posted by stringjunky2

the strings contribute more to the sound of an electric than an acoustic. An electric is just a block of wood with strings on isn't it?

Almost everything on almost every instrument contributes to the sound (acoustical properties).
Guitars are made from TONE woods, aluminum, steel, composites, etc..
Brass barrels vs modern contraptions,
stainless or nickel frets,
rosewood or maple necks,
string gauge and composition, etcetera infinitum....

You asked.

[muscmp]

as others mention, it depends on his amount of usage, his amount of sweat, his ability to wipe the strings down after usage and his washing his hands prior to playing.

play music!

[muscmp]

Originally Posted by stringjunky2

Thanks. I had a feeling this would be the case since I guessed the strings contribute more to the sound of an electric than an acoustic. An electric is just a block of wood with strings on isn't it? The body isn't going to contribute to the sound as much as an electric. My acoustic sounds the same however old the strings are, more or less. He started on my acoustic, which I'm getting back shortly, and has just got this electric and I'd like to keep him enthused by making sure he's always got good tone.

you may find a lot of people who feel otherwise.

play music!