New vs Old Strings (Better sound? What's the difference?)

New vs Old Strings (What's the difference?)

What's the difference between new and old guitar strings? How much does it affect sound?
In this video I take a look at these questions. I never used to know how often to change strings when I was starting out, and I'm still a bit lazy when it comes to that.

Changing strings can be an easy, and relatively cheap way to improve you sound. Maybe you can get away with older strings for some time, but the older they get, whe worse they get. How big is the difference between old and new strings? Watch the video to find out.

[IvanTsanov]

Thanks for reminding me to change strings regularly! Lazy as well....

[Ianochez]

I don't do shows or studio, I keep them until bends are mushy, or when the strings lose enough of their brightness. I use long lasting mid value, string that can last many months in my closed hard case, but this summer I bought 2 new (new for me but used) guitars so now I sit them on a stand, that's another story now, I'll see how it comes out. I do feel they get ambient air humidity, I beleive so, I pass them on wet hands so it may be the real reason, I always-always-always play with dry hands. I wash them before and after a play so I can feel clean.

[JedNadin]

I only have fresh strings before shows, before recording, or when I finally need a fresh pair. I don’t play anywhere near the amount I use to when I was a kid, (thanks wife, kids, gym, gigs and job). Those 8+ hour days, I could change strings every second or third day.

I also now play 2 Yngwie Strats so I use his custom Fender set. They’re stupid expensive as a store bought mass produced set, but due to the hybrid gauge, still cheaper than piecing it together.

On my gigging guitar, an Ibanez PGM301, I’ll throw any pair of 9-42 on it, usually cheap Dean Markley. If I change before every show I don’t care what’s on there and I’ll only play two nights in a row (4 hours a night) on a single set. I don’t want to risk a break.

[MagisterTuomo]

Tip: if you are prone to not change the strings accordingly to time/space, washing your hands before you play is one way to extend string-life. Might sound tedious but since I am a hard user of this wonderful swedish tobacco-product called "snus", the washing of the hands comes naturally every time I pop one in.

Also. "My name is ThisGuy but you can call me Elmo"? Nice change of pace and very funny if not intentional 🤙

[rorycunningham]

More importantly then"old verses new strings"what kind of strings do you use and gauge?

[johnnorth]

I love the sound and feel of new strings but don't like the expense (quality strings are essential) and really, really hate the chore of changing them - the family know to steer well clear of me when I finally get round to doing it ! The precious few days when you can marvel at their newness seems to be all to brief before I settle down to weeks (sometimes months) of playing on dead strings. This is much worse on my acoustics of which I have several including a 12 string - the ultimate torture of string changing frustration. Did I mention getting them to stay in tune at first when changed is a pig as well ? Someone needs to invent strings that change themselves (or guitars that change their own strings ?). Should make someone $millions !

[mrscary]

I use different strings on all my guitars as I use so many tunings. How many tunings do you use brother? (PS: Was it me or did the old strings have more low end definition?)

[DaveWestGuitar]

Eddie Van Halen likes dead strings, I prefer brand new (I stretch them right away). To me, the new ones ring like bells, and dead strings sound exactly that; dead.

[rockandrollmd]

I wipe down my strings (top and underneath) after each time I play. There is nothing more disgusting than playing on dirty strings. I won't play another person's guitar - I don't like sharing DNA ;-)
I usually change mine when I start to see small divots / flat spots on the underside of the strings.