Strings - Is it strange that I like strings when theyre newly put on

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[TBman]

I like mine best when they are 2-3 days old. I like the sustain newer strings have. On my main guitars I'll change them every 6-8 weeks.

[rick-slo]

New wound strings are relatively zingy.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Hail

I usually use earthwood strings and after a good week I notice the guitar come to life again when I put new ones on.
Its not even some minor change, anyone can tell the difference.

Most people seem to like strings when they're not new but I think I like the sound of my strings in the first few days the most and I wonder if Im alone on this

Also, how often do you guys change strings on your primary acoustic guitar?
Are there players that only change them once a month?
When I started I didnt change them for 6 months sometimes.. even worse on electrics.

Hi Hail…

Acoustic players are divided on the issue. Some love new strings and others wish they could buy old, dead, used strings (or broken in as they refer to them).

I'm in the fresh strings-sound-best camp.

[Wade Hampton]

Hail, I like brand new strings the best - I put them on, use my String Stretcha gizmo to stretch them in, and then that’s when I’m happiest. They have the full range of harmonics that they’re capable of and are the most responsive they’ll ever be.


whm

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[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Hail

there is a tool that makes that? will have to look that up
thanks

It’s called the String Stretcha, and you run it up under the strings and it stretches them just the right amount. I think Stewart-MacDonald carries them, but if not they should be easy enough to find online.

Handy little gizmo…


whm

[Bluesra]

I like the sound of strings with a couple hours on them, PBs are usually zingy at first, 80/20s are fine new. Yesterday I put on some thin core GHS PB strings and the D and G string have a really unpleasant zing. I'm really hoping they tame over time, I may pull then off if they don't sound good after another hour of playing.

I split my playing time between 2 guitars and generally PB strings will last me 6 to 8 weeks, 80/20s a bit less than that and Monels will last me a few months of playing.

[LakewoodM32Fan]

These are my generalized preferences, which change slightly depending on string brand, composition and gauge. I primarily use Martin Lifespan 2.0 and D'addario EXPs (soon to be XTs since they end of life'd the EXPs). Light gauge on anything smaller than a dreadnought, mediums on those.

• I prefer the sound of new strings better than dead strings.
• I like best the sound of broken in new strings, maybe 1-3 days after install depending on the make/model/composition of the string
• I change when there's a significant amount of visible oxidation, or if a guitar won't stay in tune, or if it sounds audibly duller than similar guitars that I own.

Regarding that last point: since I own quite a few instruments and they're on different string replacement cycles, even if a string looks fairly good to the naked eye, if one guitar sounds significantly duller/deader than another I know I have fresher strings on, that's a surefire sign to get me to change them even if they still look to be in good shape visually.

[gmel555]

(EDIT) Uh-oh double post, ignore this one, on to the next.

[gmel555]

Personally, I don't think it's strange. IMO hearing some different tones out of a familiar guitar is kinda cool and interesting. Perhaps it's not a tone I want all of the time, but a nice change of pace. If it's a tone you'd prefer more frequently, so be it! Perhaps you can find alloys that give you that sound more consistently. I also find, when playing with a pick, the closer I get to the bridge/saddle, the more zingy the strings sound. Enjoy your guitar(s) the way you like 'em!

[justonwo]

I vastly prefer the sound of new strings over old. My strings tend to last quite a while before they get dull, but I always feel my guitars sound their best with fresh strings.

[Glennwillow]

I don't think you're liking new strings is unusual. I like new strings from the moment I put them on. Then again, I choose strings that sound good when they are new.

- Glenn

[Thrillhouse]

I like new strings. When I was using uncoated strings I changed them once a week. Honestly they needed it after just a few days but I couldn't bring myself to change them that often. If I'm playing a lot I will change my Elixirs once a month. These days it's about every couple months.