How Often To Change Guitar Strings - A Beginner's Guide

For most guitarists out there, us included, changing strings is a chore. But one thing we all agree on is that it’s got to be done if you want to keep your guitar in tip-top shape and sounding the best it can. Knowing when and how to swap out your old strings for new will make a massive difference to the way your guitar plays and sounds.

Like tyres on a car, guitar strings naturally wear out over time. As they age, they lose their brightness and sustain. That can make even the priciest custom shop axe sound dull and lifeless. Regularly changing your strings will stop this from happening and keep it sounding just as good as it should. 

In this guide, we’ll take a look at why it’s important to change your strings, how to know when they need changing, and how often you should be reaching for the wire cutters and string-winder. Let’s go!

Alright, we’ve hinted at the obvious fact that a fresh set of guitar strings will always sound better than an old, rusty set of strings that’ve been played for months. But there are actually three reasons why you should think about changing your guitar strings on a regular basis:

Old strings can turn your guitar into a beast to play. They get all grimy and rough, making them tougher to press down, bend, and slide around the fretboard. Fresh strings feel buttery smooth, and you’ll need that to keep nailing those riffs and solos with ease. Whether you’re shredding or strumming, new strings make everything feel a whole lot better.

Ever notice how some chords just don’t sound right, even when you’ve literally just tuned your guitar seconds beforehand? That’s your old strings messing with your intonation. As strings wear out, they stretch unevenly and lose their ability to hold pitch accurately across the fretboard. New strings keep your notes and chords sounding pitch-perfect, from the first fret to the last. No more cringing at sour notes or fretting about certain frets!

Older strings just struggle to stay in tune, simple as that. Over time, they lose elasticity, making them more prone to slipping out of tune even with slight bends or changes in temperature and humidity. Regularly changing your strings helps keep your guitar in tune longer, meaning you’ll be able to get through a set with fewer tune-ups between songs.

Let’s talk about the things that can impact how long your guitar strings last before needing a change.

First off, how often do you play? If you’re jamming out every day, your strings are going to wear out faster than if you’re only picking up your guitar once or twice a week. Frequent playing means more friction and stress on the strings, which leads to quicker wear and tear. So, if you’re a daily player, be ready to change those strings more often.

Your playing style is another biggie. Are you an aggressive strummer, or do you love bending those notes and hammering on solos? These techniques put extra strain on your strings, which causes them to wear out faster. 

If you’re more into gentle fingerpicking or mellow strumming, your strings might last a bit longer. But if you’re into your metal, punk, or even the odd bendy Pink Floyd solo, you may need to get used to swapping out strings more frequently.

Lastly, where and how you store your guitar will seriously impact those strings. Here's how:

• Humidity: Humid conditions can make your strings rust and corrode faster than you’d ideally like. Try to keep your guitar in a controlled environment to extend the life of your strings. And if you do live somewhere humid, a dehumidifier will certainly help. You can even buy a dehumidifier for your guitar case!
• Temperature: Whether it’s too hot or too cold, extreme temperatures can mess with the tension and elasticity of your guitar strings. Storing your guitar in moderate conditions is a huge help.
• Sweat: Yep, your sweat is guitar string kryptonite. Sweat contains oils and salts that can corrode your strings really quickly. If you tend to get sweaty while playing – don’t worry, we all do when we’re really into it – make it a habit to wipe down your strings after each session. There are plenty of guitar string cleaners and wipes to choose from, and they really do make a big difference.

There are a few telltale signs that it’s time to get rid of your old guitar strings and replace them with a fresh set. If you’ve been playing for a while, you’ll be able to tell simply by playing a couple of notes. But if you’re new to the guitar look and listen out for the following:

One of the first things you’ll notice is that your guitar doesn’t sound as bright and clear as it used to. Fresh strings have a vibrant, lively tone, while old strings sound dull and flat. If your guitar’s tone lacks that crispness you’re used to and sounds a bit lifeless, it’s definitely time for a new set.

Another sure sign is reduced sustain. When you play a note, it should ring out for a good amount of time. Worn-out strings lose their ability to sustain notes, making your playing sound choppy and less fluid. If your notes are cutting off too quickly, it’s pretty clear your strings need replacing.

If you’re finding it hard to keep your guitar in tune, your strings might be the culprit. If you’re constantly retuning your guitar, even after just a few minutes of playing, it’s time for a fresh set of strings.

Take a close look at your strings. Do you see any rust, discoloration, or fraying? These visible signs of wear and tear mean your strings are past their prime and need to be replaced. Even if they still sound okay, worn strings can break at any moment, and the last place you want it to happen is mid-song, mid-set, on stage!

Old strings feel rough and sticky, making them much harder to play. If you notice that your strings are uncomfortable or difficult to slide your fingers across, they’ve had it. Fresh strings feel smooth and make playing much more enjoyable.

Now that you know why and when to change your guitar strings, let's talk about how often you should be doing it. The answer really depends on how often you play and what kind of player you are.

If you’re a pro, you’ll want to change your strings before every performance or recording session. Fresh strings mean the best possible sound quality and minimal risk of breaking a string on stage or in the studio. Pros might change their strings every two weeks or even more frequently, depending on their playing schedule. Stadium bands like Foo Fighters and AC/DC have guitar techs that change their strings before every show!

For those of us who play a few times a week, changing strings every 1-3 months is a good rule of thumb. This keeps your tone bright and your guitar feeling nice and responsive. Of course, if you notice any of the signs we talked about earlier, don’t wait – change those strings!

If you’re just picking up your guitar once a week or so, you can probably get away with changing your strings every 3-6 months. But again, look out for those signs that your strings are past their prime.

Some players love the feel and sound of brand-new strings, while others are all about the slightly broken-in sound of strings that’ve been played for a bit. It’s all about what feels and sounds best to you. If you love the zing of fresh strings, change them more often. If you’re after a more mellow tone, you could wait a bit longer between changes.

That pretty much covers everything you need to know about changing strings. Remember, keeping your strings fresh is one of the best ways to retain that killer sound and playability. 

Every guitarist, from beginners all the way up to rock legends, has to do the occasional string change – it’s just part of the gig. Keep an eye and an ear out for those signs we talked about, and don’t hesitate to swap your strings whenever it’s needed. Your guitar will thank you, and so will your audience. 

In the meantime, check out our range of guitar strings and our guide to electric guitar string gauges for more tips and recommendations!

Not feeling confident enough to change your guitar strings yet? Don’t worry - each of our stores has at least one guitar expert that can restring your guitar to perfection! Find your local store, give them a call to check availability, pop in with your guitar, and we’ll have it sounding good as new in no time.

Guitar strings can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on how often you play and the conditions they’re exposed to. Regular players might change them every 1-3 months, while casual players might go 3-6 months between changes.

If you never change your guitar strings, they’ll lose their tone, sustain, and tuning stability. They can also become rough and uncomfortable to play, and are more likely to break unexpectedly.

We wouldn’t recommend leaving strings off your guitar for too long. The tension of the strings helps keep the neck in the right position. If you’re storing your guitar for a long time or taking it on a flight, you can loosen the strings slightly, but it’s best to keep them on.

New guitar strings usually take a few hours of playing to settle in and keep their tune consistently. During this time, they’ll probably need stretching a bit and frequent retuning. Once they’re settled, they’ll stay in tune much better.