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Post by allclaphands on Nov 19, 2013 16:39:06 GMT
Had a string break on one of my guitars ordered a replacement set. When they arrived I set about replacing them and decided to clean up the fretboard (Rosewood) then put some lemon oil on it and buff up the frets.When I put it all back together and tuned it up it really sounded much Brighter than before the string broke.My enquiry is there any type of Bench mark as to when strings should be changed or is it just as and when things happen.I really would be interested in any members thoughts on this subject and how often they clean the fret board and frets and change strings not just for a different gauge but to maintain there guitars Pete
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Post by godzilla on Nov 19, 2013 16:52:25 GMT
Hi Pete
I would not claim to be any kind of expert, but simply an enthusiastic bedroom amateur. I certainly do not play as regularly as many of our members, so my experience is probably not typical. I usually play for about an hour a day on average. I find myself noticing the duller string tones after a year or so and so I have settled into a routine where I change the strings on a fixed date each year (1st February in fact, which is the anniversary of buying my first "real" Fender Strat). At the same time I always do a deep clean, check the electrics and do a full setup. This seems to do the trick for me, but I would imagine that somebody who plays more frequently would need to change strings etc more often.
Cheers
Keith
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Post by Stu's Dad on Nov 19, 2013 16:55:44 GMT
Hi Pete,
You can usually tell when strings get too old, they sound duller and don't hold their tune as well. Try to pick them without the guitar plugged in, that should highlight any dead ones. The more you play, the more they'll need changing. As a rule of thumb, I wouldn't leave them on for more than six months playing two or three times a week, and more frequently if you play gigs. I heard many years ago that Hank changed his weekly when the Shadows were at the height of their fame.
Like you just did, I always give my guitars a good clean and polish when I change the strings.
Regards, Len
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Post by somebodyelseuk on Nov 19, 2013 17:28:12 GMT
Hiya, When I'm gigging, they get changed before every show. When recording, I change them a couple of days beforehand and play them in enough to lose the initial 'zing'. In the past I have played them to the point where they lost their intonation, but I usually find there's a point where they sort of lose elasticity, in as much as they get to a point where they feel significantly harder to bend. Cheers, Julian
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Post by fender7 on Nov 19, 2013 23:11:23 GMT
Hi Pete, i play around three times a week..more in the summer,and change my strings probably every 4-5 weeks..and at least two days before i play anywhere. In my experience my strings start to go off after about a week. by the end of the month they have def lost that magic you hear after you re-string.Id like to do a hank and change once a week too, but for some reason Ernie ball wont endorse me yet. ps. In the 80,s,Mark king of level 42(bass player) had his tech change his strings during shows...even tho they were brand new when he started the set. Mind you , he certainly hammered them lol. Cheers .....steve
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Post by philc on Nov 20, 2013 7:59:44 GMT
Couldn't afford to change strings often in the 60's ans 70's, had to boil the wound ones with a drop of Fairy Liquid, it made them brighter for a while. If they snapped before the bridge or nut, I used to tie another string to it As for the plain strings they were played until either the fret wear snapped them or they became out of tune Phil
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Post by godzilla on Nov 20, 2013 8:29:54 GMT
Hi all
OK - you've shamed me into thinking I should stop being a skinflint and change strings more often than once a year - even if nobody else hears me. I think it stems from the days in the early 60s when I could hardly afford to replace a broken string, never mind a full set of slightly dull ones. Times change!!
Cheers
Keith
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Post by allclaphands on Nov 20, 2013 9:21:31 GMT
Thank You Everyone for your replies so far. Very informative it seems I will have to order sets of strings in bulk (only joking) ;D ;D plus trying different gauges which I have done already but as you all probably know there is just something about the bright sound of new strings so I can see why some change them regularly and how this would sound on recordings. Philc's reply made me smile I can just see him as probably a 16-18 year old boiling up his strings with Fairy Liquid(loved it) Thanks again everyone for your input on this subject INTERESTING!!!!!!!!!! Keep Smiling Pete
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Post by noelford on Nov 20, 2013 10:29:49 GMT
Very informative it seems I will have to order sets of strings in bulk (only joking) ;D ;D Pete Joking? I never buy single sets of strings, you can always get much better prices buying multiple packs on the well known auction site, or in the shops if you ask.
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Post by fender7 on Nov 20, 2013 14:02:05 GMT
Dead right there.A music shop in my town was asking £9.10 for a set of ernie ball (not even slinky,s).Apparently they are dearer than my usual shop due to the higher business rates they pay being in the city centre. I can get two sets on line for that !! as Noel said .... buy in bulk and it works out way cheaper..............(unless you re-string once a year, then forty quid will do you a decade) ;D ;D ;D steve
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Post by allclaphands on Nov 20, 2013 16:41:28 GMT
I shall listen to your advice and buy multipacks of strings at a good rate probably on line and change them every 5-6 months plus a clean up probably D Adderio 10-46's nickel wound or nickel plated not sure about a wound 3rd thou.I might even try 11's Been using 9-46's and they sound ok Would genuinely appreciate any advice.I have stayed normally with the original type of strings that came with the guitars from new and changed like for like. Pete
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Post by Stu's Dad on Nov 21, 2013 10:39:31 GMT
Hi Pete,
I was playing 9-42s for years and laughing about the fence wire we had to use in the sixties, and then I got to an age when I just want to have an easier time and play to suit me now, not a different audience every week. It was Apache that got me fired up in the first place, so I revived my teenaged interest in all things Hank & the band. One of the first things I learned when I discovered this site was the heavier the strings the better. I think Charlie uses 12-52s, and I'm sure there's more than one member using 13-56s. I didn't fancy a massive leap so I got a set of 11-49s, and they work pretty well. It did cause a bit of pain and strain playing some of the bends, but I soon got used to it. I've got another Strat fitted with 10-46s and that works reasonably well for a lot of Hank's later stuff. I've just realised I've mentioned nearly every single size there! Sorry if I went on a bit, my suggestion (and it is only that) is to give 11-49s a try.
Regards, Len
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Post by philc on Nov 21, 2013 11:19:32 GMT
I use 12's on my 60's Strat, 10's on other guitars except my Les Paul which are 9's.
What a difference when changing from playing 12's to 9's those bends are sooo easy.
Phil
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Post by mojolomjl on Nov 21, 2013 12:05:31 GMT
Hi Phil, I suppose it's the same as runners who attach weights to their legs so when they are removed it feels like they run much faster Best regards, Maurice.
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Post by philc on Nov 21, 2013 12:40:07 GMT
;D ;D ;D
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