Signs Your Guitar Needs a New Set of Strings

When to Replace Guitar Strings

Regardless of how long a guitar string is “supposed” to last, sometimes it doesn’t make it that long for any number of reasons. Here are six signs it’s time to change the strings on your guitar.

1. A string is broken

We’ll start with a self-explanatory situation — if a string breaks, you need to replace it. Not only is it a lot harder to play the songs you want with only five working strings, but the loss of neck tension changes the tuning and intonation on the remaining strings.

2. Your strings have changed color

There’s no mistaking the shiny, beautiful look of brand-new guitar strings. Over time the oils from your skin will tarnish the strings, turning steel to a dull gray color and bronze acoustic strings to dark brown. Strings may also start looking splotchy since some sections are touched more than others. Discoloration and splotchiness are good early indicators of needing a string change.

3. The strings are falling out of tune easily

After the initial “break-in” period, strings will hold their tuning well for a while barring major changes in temperature or humidity, especially steel strings. If it circles back around to where your tuning changes significantly from session to session, even if you’ve kept the guitar in the same conditions, it’s time for a string swap.

4. The tone has gotten dull

Strings are their brightest and snappiest when new, mellowing out once they’re broken in. Some guitar strings hold brightness better than others, but when you play them too long, they’ll end up dull, flat and muted. If your guitar has a dull sound even after maxing out the treble knob, a string change is in order.

5. The strings feel different

Unless you play heavy-gauge strings, new guitar strings should be flexible and smooth. If they start feeling stiff, that means the metals are corroding. Also, grime can start to build up on the surface, making the strings rougher. Both are signs you should change the strings or at least keep a spare set handy.

6. You want to have a different sound

Different string gauges, materials and construction methods change how your guitar sounds and feels. If you’re not satisfied with the tone coming from your guitar (too bright, too dark, etc.), a new set of strings is a simple and inexpensive adjustment.

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