Do you put on fresh strings before a gig ?

[GibbyPrague]

For those that regularly play out, tell me, do you prefer to put on fresh strings on the day of the show ?

I dont necesarily mean an hour or two before stage time but say day before or on the morning to get rid of the new string zing ?

I have to say i generally prefer new strings before a show (with an hour or two playing in time to take off the edge) but in reality i normally place new strings every second gig.

That is unless its a big show and then i always prefer to have fresh strings on.

I always use uncoated strings, usually DR Sunbeams.

What about you regular gigging guys, do you put on new strings before gigs ?

If not, how often do you change them ?

[Glennwillow]

Hi TP,

I used to put on new strings the day before a performance. That gives them overnight to settle in. But I was not playing every night -- usually once or twice a week. If I were playing every night, considering how much more reliable strings are today compared to how they used to be, I think every 3-5 days would be often enough. A person should be easily able to get 20 hours of use out of a set of uncoated strings unless you have some serious acidic skin issues.

My biggest concern was to avoid a broken string during a performance. Since getting out of the professional music business 20 years ago, I can't remember when I last broke a string.

Regards, Glenn

[ErikH]

I do. The sound and feel of new strings is somewhat of a confidence booster for my playing when i'm on stage. Its 100% in my head.

On the guitars that I don't play out I can get about 3 weeks to a month of regular practice out of a set before I start to notice a difference in tone.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by TaylorPrague

For those that regularly play out, tell me, do you prefer to put on fresh strings on the day of the show ?

Hi TP…
Not is the strings are still functioning well - good sustain and good tone.

I've been lazy the past year and using Elixir Nano Phosphor bronze all the time so generally I only change them when the bass strings lose sustain, or the plain trebles go dead or out of tune (in which case I just change the trebles).

With non-coated strings it really depends on the condition of the strings. I've been known to toss a new set on 15 minutes before a gig if they need it.

[Andromeda]

Since I switched to Elixir strings I can get anywhere between 3-5 months without changing them. One time I went 6 months because they reached this point where they just sounded great and never sounded dead for quite a while.

[wthurman]

I used to... especially a recording gig. Now that I use coated strings all the time I like them on a week before, at least.

[RustyAxe]

I like the sound of new strings ... usually. So I don't have any qualms about re-stringing before a performance. After tuning to pitch, I give each string a single stretch, which usually drops them a half step or so, then retune to pitch. They are stable after that. I use D'Addario PB EJ-16 on my OM's, and EJ-19 on the dreads.

I don't change for every show, though. I can go about 4 weeks before I begin to get unhappy with the tone.

[murrmac123]

When in performance mode, Martin Simpson changes his strings twice a night, once before the show and again during the interval.

I queried him about this some years ago and his response was that it isn't what he prefers that matters, what matters is what the audience prefers .

And what the audience prefers is pristine tone and no duff intonation due to worn strings.

[Losov]

Which gig? Bar gig? Nah. Concert? Definitely. Fern bar? Maybe.

[min7b5]

The day before. If I'm playing two or three days in row I may do it the morning of, or I may two gigs with one set... I prefer they have at least a half day to stretch and lose some high end. But I do stretch them quite a bit too.

[NoPicks]

Day before, at minimum. Definitely not the same day

[jennconducts]

Usually the night before, sometimes of morning of.

[jseth]

I NEVER change strings the day of a gig, or even the day before - unless I can't avoid it. Always preferred to have them on for a couple days to stretch them into place, work 'em in a bit first...

When I was gigging more frequently, I used DR Rare's; a set would last for 2 weeks to a month on my 6 string... much longer on my 12 string. Now I'm using Elixirs, not gigging much, but the last set was on my 6 string for 6 months... and they still sounded good! The set of Elixirs on my 12 string was on for a year... amazing! And I am pretty finicky about the tone of my guitars... although I do remember that if I was amplifying the guitar, I could "make do" with strings that were past their prime...

For an important gig or recording, DEFINITELY 2-3 days prior for string changes...

[Taylorplayer]

Do you put on fresh strings before a gig ?
No, but I would put fresh strings on if I could get a gig!