Answer: at the same time as your E, A, D, B strings.
But really when should you change your strings?
If you’re somewhat new to playing a stringed instrument,
this can be a tough one to figure out.
There is no absolute answer to this question, as there are different preferences
in tone, and different contributing factors to to how long strings last. In general though, it seems like most people
should be changing their strings more often than they are.
Why do strings need changed other than when they break? Your standard guitar, mandolin, banjo, etc., strings
are made of a steel core wire, with a few of the strings wrapped with a bronze
wire. Check out this cool video from GHS
strings to see the process: www.ghsstrings.com/videos/view/43823145
All that metal starts to rust and tarnish (yes, you have a rusty g-string that could break at any moment) whether you’re
playing your instrument or just letting it sit in its case or on a stand (I don't recommend leaving it in the case or on a stand.) Humidity, sweat, oils and dirt from your
fingers all accelerate that process.
Dirt and oil and even some skin (gross) from those sweet slides you’ve been
doing start to fill in the space between the bronze wrapping on your lower
strings. These all contribute to the
lifeless, dull sound that slowly takes over your instrument. You get to the point where you have to play
harder to get the same volume, and still don’t have the tone. You’ll notice your fingers getting sore
sooner partly from pushing harder on metal wires that have been stretched to
their limits and are refusing to flex anymore (also making it difficult to stay
in tune), and partly from the microscopic rust and string wear that tears at
your calluses (breaking loose skin cells mentioned above.) This all happens
gradually while you’re focused on playing the right notes, so most people don’t
even notice it (note: focusing on playing the right notes while not noticing things is also bad for relationships. *future blog*)
A new set of strings will have a much brighter tone, more
flex, and be easier to keep in tune. But
like I said about preference in tone, some people love the sound of new fresh
strings. They ring clear in tone, with a
quick attack. Other hate new strings,
and can’t wait until a new set is broken in and sounding dull. We have a live recording of Tony Rice playing
with J.D. Crowe back in the 70’s. He breaks
a string and changes it on stage, then asks if anyone has some lipstick he can
wipe on the new string to dull it. That’s
the tone Tony prefers, which is why his signature Martin Strings set is a Monel
wound string. Monel winding is much less
bright than Bronze.
One way you can tell
if you could use a string change is to just look over your strings, especially the
bronze ones. Do you see a big variance
in the color along the string, past the nut, or bridge? In general if you’re playing every day, than
you should be changing strings once a month.
When we’re on tour, we change strings every show. It’s party due to the elements, humid outdoor
events with more sweating kill strings fast, but it also helps prevent us from breaking a string on stage.
If you don’t practice as much as you would like, maybe a
couple days a week, then you could extend that to 2 months. Much past that and your strings are probably
starting to make your already difficult job of playing an instrument, even
harder.
While you’re changing those strings, try something new. There are many different brands and types of
strings that can help your instrument sound better. I play GHS Silk and Bronze strings, which have a thin string of silk wrapped just
under the bronze, (oooh, a silk g-string) dulling out a bit of the brightness, and giving my mandolin a
woody tone. If you’ve already got a deep sounding
instrument, bright bronze might help liven it up. There are also coated strings, which can last
3 times longer that non-coated. The
coating prevents the rust, and dirt from getting to the metal, but having a
coating on the string starts it out a little duller than non-coated. Each person and each instrument will be
different.
Next, when is it time to buy new socks?
Jeremy Chapman
The Chapmans
The Acoustic Shoppe
Facebook.com/theacousticshoppe
