Startup guy wrote: Good day all

How do I know when it is time to replace my acoustic guitar strings?

If it's a steel string acoustic - Usually when the treble strings feel like barbed wire and you feel like a tetanus shot is a good idea after playing... ?

I usually change strings when they feel gritty under my fingers OR when I can feel they have lost tension and tuning them to pitch is a struggle.

It depends on which strings, how much you play, how much you sweat and your playing style.

Tough to time it - electric guitar strings : elixir's 6-9mths, d'addario nickles 2-3mths is roughly how long I got out of my last couple of sets.

if you run your fingers up and down the steel string and it feels a bit gritty or rusty. Then you replace them with more expensive coated strings and they last a long time, as Meron says up to 9 months

coated strings are Elixir vs. D'Addario EXP etc.

I have guitars hanging in my music room that rarely get played and the Elixirs are over a year old and still smooth, no rust.

I am using D'Addario EXP on my goto accoustic at the moment and I like them. The last I looked they were cheaper than Elixir

I change strings when they are worn (tuning issues, suckky tone, no clarity, etc.) , when I want to try a different gauge/brand/model or when I'm procrastinating on things that need to be done around the house.

Hasie wrote: I change strings when they are worn (tuning issues, suckky tone, no clarity, etc.) , when I want to try a different gauge/brand/model or when I'm procrastinating on things that need to be done around the house.

Or when friends come over to jam and the coating is coming off on their strings XD.

Thank you all for your advise. It is a steel string cheapie. Not sure how old the strings are. They seem to be in good condition but they sound off. As you can probably see I am totally new. ?

You'll be surprised at how much a good set of strings can improve the sound of even a cheap guitar. My Aria acoustic was relatively cheap (my uncle bought it for R1300 brand new back in 2004), and with a set of Elixir Nanowebs it sounds like a dream.

tnx will definitely fit a new set.

The time to change strings is when they bother you. If they don't bother you then keep on truckin'

Tnx ?

If they look dull and sound dull.. they're dull...
Replace them or bring the guitar to Dave for a complete make-over ?
https://www.facebook.com/Guitar-Dave-609062172444022/?fref=ts

Usually when they start to sound very dull! ?

Problem with Elixers, R100 change in price between string changes. I should have bought more sets >
I have found that Dean Merkley Blue steels work champ on an electric, the jury is still out on my acoustic (so far so good 30 days later)

Stoffeltoo wrote: Problem with Elixers, R100 change in price between string changes. I should have bought more sets >
I have found that Dean Merkley Blue steels work champ on an electric, the jury is still out on my acoustic (so far so good 30 days later)

I recently bought a truck load online... lol.