How often should one change strings?

by David
(France)

Hi Trevor.

I've had the same strings on my guitar for about 15 years (I'm still using my old friend I told you about in my last post, see : "Aug 17, 2008, Is it time for my old guitar to retire?")

Do you think I ought to change the strings? How often should strings be changed? I get a slight buzzing noise when I play the open low E, could that come from the string being too old?

Hi David,

15 years wow? I can't believe they haven't turned to dust! Just kidding :))

Seriously though, I change my strings whenever they lose their "special sound". That beautiful sound of a full new string tone...vibrant, alive, "fat" even.

That means it depends on usage when I decide to change my strings. That can range for me from 1 week to several months.

Personally I wouldn't leave it any more than 3 months but I teach and play the guitar a lot (not as much as I want, mind you) and as I said, I love that vibrant new sound.

You may be different in terms of what you like so you may end up keeping yours a little longer. But15 years...yeesh! :))

Kind regards,
Trevor M.

P.S. I recall my former teacher telling me somewhere in the deep dark past that Julian Bream changes his strings for every concert (that usually means daily) he plays. I'd imaging most professional guitarists would be the same.