How Often Should You Change Your Strings?
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- Опубліковано 15 лип 2024
- Join me as i restring a bunch of my guitars and open up the conversation on restringing. Things i like to do, how often should you change your strings and all sorts!
Lemme know your hacks in the Comments!
00:00 - Intro
00:38 - How Often I Change Strings
01:23 - What Tools and Strat Strings
03:50 - Strat Playing
05:05 - Slapping Strings Into Life
05:56 - Baritone Strings
08:32 - Baritone Playings
10:04 - Saving Special Strings
11:12 - Relic
11:56 - Mayones Strings
13:49 - Mayones Playing
16:10 - Summary
Video edited by John Hollingworth
#rabeaafro #restringing #PITA
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Made it a habit to thoroughly clean my guitars every time I change the strings. Fretboards can get pretty nasty over time when not cleaned regularly.
What do you clean it with? What do you avoid cleaning it wiith?
@@u2be1201 D'addario Hydrate functions as both cleaner and hydrator but that is only meant for fretboard. For the body alot of ppl just use low-grade household cleaner. Get some lemon pledge on there
@@u2be1201 I'm using a micro fiber cloth and Dunlop Formula 65 guitar polish. Lemon oil for unfinished fretboards. Haven't really tried anything else, as the bottles seem to last forever.
Dude! I have that same D'addario string winder and I had no idea i could use it to stretch strings! Thanks for the tip!!
Scotty didn't know.
Waaaait...what is string stretching?
@@ChainsawChristmas lol maybe i should have read the manual
I'm not a guitar player and I don't want to disrupt any discussions but I have to say, you've been living in my head for about a month and a half now. Joscos, my god. I can't stop running through it in my head. Thank you for that and everything else you've posted. Much respect.
Haha I'm in the same boat. Can't get enough of juscos. What an epic track. Thank you bea
same, i have to play joscos at least once a day =)
I find the clean arpeggiated chords Rabea does on his baritone so inspiring (around the 9 min point in this video). Baritone guitar can do a lot more than just heavy riffs.
Bro I've had that same restringing tool for 12 yeaars and never have I known that you can stretch the strings with it as well! Absolutley blew my mind!
As a novice player, videos like this are a great resource. Thanks for putting this out!
I had been noodling around on guitars for 30+ years until I started using Fast Fret. It is now part of my process. I hasn't improved my playing, but it sure has given me something new to obsess over. I have you and Uncle Ben to thank for that.
I read in user comments that Fastfret type of products shouldn't be applied on new strings because they would age faster.
Could be interesting to do the zing test before and after.
I'm a recent subscriber. Tucked away in the middle of no-man's land, I just want to say it is a pleasure to hang out with you. I learn some stuff, but I mainly just feel good for having done it. You're solid. Keep up the great work.
This video came out right as I broke a string on my strat, which I've actually never replaced the strings on before so impeccable timing
This video is so nice. I was noodling away with his atmospheric playing in the backgound. And with the chat it feels like hanging out with a friend. Thanks Bea, lovely 20 min :)
Ive had one of those old planet wave string winders for year. Had NO idea it had a string stretcher built in. Totally blew my mind.
LOL! You beat me to it. I was gonna say EXACTLY that!!! Mine is ALSO Planet Waves.
I love these day in the life type videos! Also your baritone playing brought tears to my eyes
Thank you for the Mr. Bea. I've been playing for thirty years and I learned some new things. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Other than your original songs, I think these are my favourite videos of yours, mate. Love hearing you chat about guitars and your personal approach to things!
well said! :)
I started using fast fret after hearing you mention it in another video and decided to try it out. I have to say that I'm very happy with it and will probably use it for the rest if my life.
Really enjoyed the comparison edits. Thanks!
I do it quite similar. Always for live shows, if necessary (most of the time) for recordings, rarely for home jamming. Sometimes, though, I get a strange urge to do something good for my guitar and just put on new strings, usually combined with a certain cleaning routine. Love your vids & music! Cheers, Axel
I have six electrics and two acoustics. If I constantly rotate my guitars the strings last a long time. Before using TUSQ nuts & lubricating the saddles I would break strings a lot. Reducing the friction points will greatly extend the string life. I also apply some lubrication to the saddles before I tune. All of this means I don't have to change strings very often.
Love the NYXL 11-56 set for anything Drop C on my PRS Guitars. 10-52 for Drop D. I have six guitars and will typically restring every two months, all of them in a afternoon. I enjoy the process and use it as an opportunity to tighten anything that needs an adjustment, give them a deep clean, etc. That first Drop C power chord with fresh strings is always glorious.
I have very dry hands, so no re-stringing every gig!
I have guitars with strings 3-4 years old, mostly my around the house beaters.
Guitars to gig with (mostly acoustic) I change more often but still stretch it out quite awhile. Sound does suffer a little but amped and through a PA I can live with it. I am way too lazy to re-string as much as most people.
I now make the habit of only changing the wound strings, and leave the B, E. This leaves me with more spares of the ones I break the most. I change more often, once I have a personal guitar tech...LOL
Absolutely lovely thing to do "save the strings". I wish I´d come up with the idea..years ago 🤘
I also have that string winder and I didn’t know about the built in stretcher! So thanks for that! I have been using finger ease which is a spray on string coating and lubricant, for about 25 years and it also get sprayed on the back of the neck and it can be messy so I might give the fast fret a try.
My restringing intervals are mostly in line with what ye do. Leisure/self-only gets changed only when absolutely needed (basically when they break, LOL). Display guitars gets changed when strings goes visibly rusty. Recording/tracking guitars gets changed occasionally as needed (on order of quarter annually @ ~2-3 months). Guitars that I reach for often gets changed about 3-4 weeks. Gigging guitars gets changed every gig... it's too much of a pain having a string fail mid gig (Murphy's law: it usually breaks on the 2nd piece right at the beginning). Not to mention embarrassing. 😉😁
The trick of slapping the strings against the fretboard is something I use whenever I want to record but my strings are old. It works a charm.
For any guitars that don’t have locking tuners (which is all of mine sadly) I measure the length as one tuning peg further than what tuner you’re putting the string through.
Massively important for me is giving my guitar a good clean when I restring it.
Useful vid this. Thanks, Bea!
Thanks bud. Great information.
7:34 when I started tuning my Telecaster to baritone, I used the Ernie Ball Mammoth Slinky set (12-62) and I grew to really like the wound G. It makes it feel like a different instrument, almost.
Yeah wound Gs rule! Especially great for octave slides and stuff
You tuned your neck longer? Wild
Rabea, what a kool video. Never thought about how much time between string changes, I just did it when I felt it needed to be done. Good info here. The NYXL love those strings
Another awesome video Rab. Thanx again. I do a lot of 12 string acoustic, 2 different guitars tuned either 1/2 step lower or at standard. Both these guitars get Elixir Polywebs. My 6 string guitars always get the Paradigm, various mixed sets similar to what your with but not as heavy. My 5 string bass gets LaBella deep talkin golds. Occasional alcohol wipe works for me. No issues with acidic sweat. I have lockers on 2 Strats. The others I do the sting lock tie thing and 4 winds, I've done that nearly 40 years. I've used fast fret once, keep forgetting I have it in one of the cases. Its been many years since I've had a string snap. Usually its in the bridge of a Strat that has the issue. Easy fix with wire insulation casing..
I have that same string winder. I like the little grooves in it for string stretching.
I have 17 guitars, so strings need to live a long time. I cook the strings in vinegar. Cleans them up really well. Cleaning the unwound strings with metal polish will make em shine again. Not that they will sound new, but it takes a lot of the dullness away. Believe it or not, I have a strat with 40 years old strings, and they still look and sound ‘decent’ !
I’ve been using Fast Fret for more years than I can remember. I use it for cleaning and conditioning the fretboard at every restring and wiping the strings after every use. It works a treat!
I just picked up a strat with that finish.I saw it when I was a kid and thought it was way cool 🤘🏿😎. When I saw yours a while back it took me back to my childhood.So I had to get one🤘🏿. I'm gonna get your sig Baritone as things improve.Thanks for all you do dude 🤘🏿😎
Looking at all your gear makes me wanna get some more guitars. Love the stuff man!
Ibanez used to have those speedy loader things on their trems back in the late 90s/early 2000s , on their RG270 models (I'm sure some other models may of had them). They don't use them anymore, sadly! Thanks for the cracking tips in this video! And yes...Fast Fret is a life saver haha! Cheers!
As someone living in Singapore, uncoated strings really don't last more than a week due to the humidity (and my sweaty hands HAHA). So I use Elixir Optiwebs, but man they're expensive. I have 4 electrics and I can't play all of them, so I usually leave some of them to rust while I play the restringed ones. I know, bad practice. I find that I play about 2 guitars for 3 months before I get bored anyway lol. Also saves cost. Anyway thanks for doing what you do bea, your demos have inspired me to record and mix my own songs. Cheers from Singapore :D
I agree, those cheaper uncoated strings don't last long in Hawai'i as well. I prefer the NYXL Chromed flatwounds myself.
Nice, I really enjoyed this video! Very entertaining to hear you talking.
great info, cheers
Wow. I have that same string winder from planet waves and I have not known of the string stretcher groves. Life changer.
What's cool about Fast Fret is that it's pretty much just mineral oil, which means in a pinch you can sub it in with some from the hardware store, or even baby oil from the supermarket. Great for conditioning fretboards as well. I love the applicator though - might be time for me to head out and grab a few cans just for that alone!
Just dropping a note because you’re awesome bro!
A couple of my habits were learned from you; Fast Fret and washing my hands before I play. I use a cordless drill adapter, I got off of ebay, to unwind and rewind the strings on my non-locking tuner guitars. I just stretch them by hand.
I learned so much in this video. Thanks man
Thanks bea!
I stretch my strings with only my hand. I also use the "2 tuning machines for cutting length". Changing strings depends on if you sweat, what you do, etc.... But if you give your guitars to a Luthier (which I am. ;) )it's better to change often strings to preserve the work of the set-up. Because of the initial tension. Go and discus with guitar/bass makers to get the best gauge for each of you guitars.
That was a very cool idea about the strings, Bea. Wish you'd have suggested it 30 years ago when I was playing pro, lol.
WOW! I love your cord playing. Not sure what your playing in. Major Minor. They sound incredible. Your tone is out of this world. Thanks for this demo...
10-52 for me on most of mine. I got a couple 9-42 only cause I dont want to re set up! THX good vid as always!
There was this great stall at Bloodstock that makes a bracelet out of your used strings! I found out too late to get it done but have some friends who did it and they're class, bass strings work really well for it. Hopefully my band will be playing again and I will be all over it next time!
Fast Fret is the best way to make your strings last longer! I’ve used it for over 20 years. I also rub it down the back of the guitar neck as well, makes it super fast and slick to play! 🤘🤘
I have a ESP LTD Benjamin Burnley sig baritone 27" and I use Daddario .14-.68s on it too! Left it in its case for 3 months and it was still perfectly in tune! Amazing
did you notice any neck straightness issues? as sometimes I leave mine and months later the wood seems to move a bit as they do!
I thought fast Fret was great until I've tried Dunlop 65. It slides even more, fight oxydation a lot more and so the strings last longer. Give it a try, you won't regret.
Rabea and I use the same 11-56 set. That's as close as I'll get to playing like him.
Fast Fret! Yes!!! Someone told me to use it when I first started. 30+ years and it’s still in my gig bag. Lasts for years too.
I've heard you say that about ghs fast fret before and I'm addicted too! They should be sending you it! 😆
That 54 strat sounds fab !
Been using fast fret for 20 years never gig without it, always in my guitar case👍👍
I’ve used D’Addario strings almost all my life. They were good to me. I tried Ernie ball once and they were not for me. But in the last year the NYXL have let me down. They were rusting and breaking as they are not (less likely to) supposed to.Don’t know if I had a bad batch or their quality is going down.
So I tried the Elixir nano web 12-52 (drop c) and wow these are my new go to. Doing a lot of rehearsal and shows they hold up very nicely.
Nice Idea, saving the strings from a milestone gig as a souvenir from said gig! AND I already know of a perfect container for them too: those paper CD/DVD envelopes with a clear window in the front. Write the venue info on the back and slip the string into the envelope and yer good! And ye could use those clear CD 3-ring binder pages that allow ye to hold 4 discs per page. Store those strings there and they're not going to get lost.
8:34-9:34. Dang man. Its like a drug. Blood pressure immediatey dropped. Thanks man.
You say no one likes wound g-strings?
Here I am: on my G&L ASAT special from 1998 I prefer 11th with wound g-string since more than 15 years ;)
All the years I prefered high string gages till april this year. My Les Pauls have 12th. 20 years ago I had 13th on a LesPaul.
I bought my first PRS in April 2022. It had 9th on it and I thought about changing, but it was so good, easy to play and sounded so great. I had to practise a little bit for less pressure and staying in tune. The PRS became my main working horse.
There was an intersting youtube with Ricke Beato and Rhett, long time ago about string gages. I had forgotten it but I remembered with a new guitar with 9th, it made my playing more easy with less pressure. Now the PRS with 9th is my main working horse.
Sometimes it opens your mind with something new. To me it was lighter sting gage.
Some great tones there! All going through the Neural QC? I have been playing for 35 years and still learned stuff, thanks Rabea!
Used elixers for years as loved the feel and silkyness that you got for longer, i mainly change because either sound dead or feel horrid under the fingers. Fast fret helps though love that stuff too. Recently actually been using old school ernie balls as needed some cheap to just play around with set ups and found i actually really enjoyed them
Elixers are great, they usually last me about Six months 👍
i use NYXL 13-56’s, generally tuned Eb-standard, but occasionally will drop to D-standard. i find that that gauge set works for both tunings well, and i can go back and forth between those tunings without issue. NYXL really are the top of the shelf as it relates to tuning stability. i stretch them once, and they’re good to go.
I suggest everyone just change them often enough but, your explanation is just better lol. Also I have that exact winder/cutter (the old model).
I swear by fast fret before and after every play, it’s kept the strings on my acoustic alive for about two years.
I use the Daddario XT cause according to daddario they are treated.
I change my strings when they are dead wich happens after maby 6 months or so. I like regular 10-46 and a heavy bottom set 10-52 for my les paul and my jackson V.
I play in standard or drop D. Those 10-52s are great for drop D tuning. I also have one guitar tuned down a whole step.
I’ve been saving strings from important milestones since I was a kid!
I will try fast fret. I do use my old strings for my model building. Like antennas and other stuff. Thank you for saying the string gages. I use my les Paul for my drop tune playing. It is my only humbucker guitar.
In 1979, I bought a can of “finger ease”. It’s finally on empty, and I’m not sure what to do😳.
You reminded me of its replacement, “fast fret”, thanks🙂.
Hand sweat on a gloss neck, ugh!
I have a very intense fan that puts out a beam of air to 10’, pointed at my feet hand, the only other thing that works!
Here's the thing, I don't sweat crazy amounts so keep that in mind lol. I keep strings on for months, each time after I play I wipe down the guitar and wipe the strings down with a Blitz cloth. It keeps the strings clean and slippery for long periods. I've used Gibson pure nickels for 20 years or so, and pretty much keep in the standard tuning sometimes drop D with .10 to .46 strings. I picked up the Blitz cloth idea from an old guitar repair book, where one of the techs mentioned that BB King use to use it and it stuck with me ever since. That was over 30 years ago lol
I’ve been oscillating between the NY and EB Cobalt. I’m on the Cobalt train now. All guitars 10-42. I used to change strings once a week. Now more like once a month. I don’t sweat on them much. A friend of my had to change his after every playing event, no matter how short a stint. His sweat was like Alien secretion. Literally would dissolve strings, bridges, springs. I used to use String Ease, but don’t any longer.
I put stringjoys on my main 2 I play every day and gig with once a week or 2. I put them on over a year ago.. lol. Fastfret is always in use as well.
I have been questioned many times for dry wiping my strings after playing. But I bet I get an extra month out of that 😜
Same here. It’s something I do every session. Also, I stretch the strings only at the bridge. Rob mentioned this in a video as it prevents the coils from opening up and allowing dirt into the string.
@@michaelsnydermusic good call about trying to stretch the strings as close to the bridge as possible 👌 been doing that for ages.
@@ZAYAZOfficial I added a comment to the main discussion that you may appreciate. And I dig your music!
@@michaelsnydermusic 🙏thanks so much bro.
@@michaelsnydermusic Interesting. I'll try that next time I restring. I absolutely hate stretching strings. 😁
I've been playing a standard set of NYXL 11's on my LP since the NYXL's were released. I tuned to Drop D and Standard most times. We have band rehearsal once a week and I play it most days with demo recording and home practice. i usually only change the strings when we have gigs or when we are recording properly.
I LOVE the NYXL Chrome Flatwounds! Altho of late the prices for them has been steadily rising. I may have to consider using a cheaper alt to them soon if prices continue to rise.
When I feel like it, GOSH!
Didn't discover Fast Fret till a couple of years in. So probably using it 28yrs or so. Roughly doubled in price in that time, but so useful. Wipe down your strings after playing with the cloth and reapply to prolong their life. That it still smells the same is kind of comforting!
Three things: First, as Martin Hervy said - doing a dry wipe down every time you play is key. I use one of those micro fiber cloths that come with your guitar. Second, is if you’re not changing strings constantly don’t use one of those string stretchers. They open up spaces in the strings for dirt, dust and grime to get in-between the windings. Instead (I learned this from a Rob Chapman video) is to pull up on the string at the base of the bridge area. It will stretch them without opening those spaces. Also, I use an air blower to clean my strings and guitar every couple of days. I strum them hard enough so they vibrate then blow the air. It works like a charm and will give your string way more life. After all, who actually changes their strings that often unless they’re gigging or playing in a band (where you tend to sweat more)?
P.S. D’Addario and Ernie Ball make great coated strings that don’t mess with tone like they used to.
I change my strings about once every month on each of my guitars. I have 7 and play them all. Do i need to? No but i can afford it and have the time don’t judge me
And coated strings sound great always have its the feel i hate
@@Ottophil no judgement here. Change them as often as you need to. I meant not many of us change our strings daily or even weekly, that’s all. Also, many of the newer coatings are way better these days. I couldn’t stand the Elixers when they came out. But now, the Ernie Ball & D’Addario’s feel pretty great.
I default to changing my strings once a month. But I also change them before every gig and before any recording session.
I also love Fast Fret. I don't know if it actually does anything, but it feels right to clean up a bit after playing.
Just got a string winder that goes in a battery drill! Literally takes seconds to wind new strings on! But yes, for other guitars I've put the locking tuners on!
The Mammoth Slinkies are also great for super low-tuned 6 strings. Dunno what the D’addario equivalent would be, but I’m open to trying others on my drop B guitar!
Restringing is a pain, but damn nothing beats the sound and feel of fresh strings
I gig almost every weekend as a hired gun guitarist for churches in the Baltimore/DC area. I change out my strings every month. I don’t typically break a sweat with worship sets lol typically 3 to 4 songs tops. I change out my strings every month or so. I also only use pure nickel strings. I started noticing wear and dents on the frets to two of my main gigging guitars. Pure nickel with nickel core is supposed to prevent the wear of said frets. Discussion for another time. I suppose the kind of player will dictate how often strings should be changed. The kind of gigs I play aren’t exactly intense. However I do play a lot more often than most.
When the strings get dull crank that presence!!!! 😄
I like to remove the dust and grime, and polish any of the chrome and remove the schmutz on the saddles, so that’s why I change strings. They’re usually half dead by that point, always get a nice clang from new ones, and polished frets and a clean board is more inviting. My Fast Fret is a little older, the original can was one color print. Rock on Rabs.
Yes, Fast Fret is the goodness!
When I played every day for recreation I would change my strings once a month, both my bass and guitar, when in the band, as often as I could afford it. strings ain't cheap, especially changing them regularly like we need to. Hope you have had time to spend with your family abroad since this C 19 storm hit, lots of love mate.
I always used 10-52 on my strat like guitars for drop C. I just liked the effortless playing (obviously I don't play concerts or I would come to the following conclusion much sooner lol). But then I got a prs with a 25" scale, so to compensate I put on 11-56. And now Im debating putting 11-56 on my strat and 11-60 on the prs. Also thanks for the fast fret and string stretcher recommendations!
love the Stretcha. Having 7 to 9 guitars at my home you realy get pissed of by the pain in your fingers from stretching the strings xD
I have the same d’adarrio winder and never knew it served as a string stretcher!
So for your baritone, you can buy the off the shelf 11-49 set, throw the 11 away and use a low 68...
not as complicated as made out :)
love your music Bea
Strat sounds so good.
For market research purposes I just purchased GHS Fast Fret, a string stretcher, and threw in a Dickies shirt for good measure.
As many others have said, I have no idea that string winder was also a string stretcher, great tip. Fast Fret is also really nice, but I don't put it on more than every couple of weeks because I like to have to bite down a little bit on my strings, otherwise I get sloppy with articulation.
I have 2 electrics. One for E standard down to D standard, and I use 10-52s for that. My other one is C# standard or lower (I usually leave it in drop B), and I actually use Martin 80/20 Bronze Acoustics in Medium (13-56), because they are so so bright and still sound great with tons of distortion. My guitar teacher at that time was telling me that I might want to try using a wound 4th because I was complaining about how the unwound G string would never stay in tune. He handed me his acoustic to try the feel and I insisted on using the same strings.
Instead of Fast Fret (which by the way is mostly mineral oil. But who knows what the other toxic ingredients are. Mineral oil isn't as safe as people think healthwise. Its petrol based) Use what countless guitar players - including many pros have used for decades.. pure Olive oil. It has no additives, works as well or even better than Fast Fret, it's much cheaper and will not harm you as a player, your strings or fretboard.
This is a perfect video for me rn, cause I just broke a string
Sweet vid bud I mainly use elixirs change them once a year
Noticing colour change usually helps. At the first sign of Algae......................Change them!
Rick parfitt used to used 14-56 with a wound G in standard pitch on his 1964 telecaster!
I love these kinda videos, I find them so intriguing and useful!! I have a big question on this topic! I have a Chapman Bea ML3 in smoke burst, and when I remove all of the strings to clean and condition the fretboard, the bridge system will compete fall off of the guitar and is a huge pain to get back on!! I’m just wondering how you got around this as it makes a string change more of a task! Also, the tones you get with that strat are some of my favourite strat tones everrr!!