Anyone changing strings?

[ThoughtExperiment]

I tend to swap strings pretty close to the "100 hours" rule, so about once a month.

Speaking of strings... does anyone have any recommendations for strings that are not made in the US? Trying to avoid buying any US products if there are reasonable alternatives.

I've been using Legacy brand for a few months now (I switched when D'Addario prices hit the stratosphere). They're made in the UK, very impressive and very reasonably priced. Funny thing, I never liked Rotosound but I recently found out Legacy are made by Rotosound how embarrassing

[mystran]

Thanks, it looks like Rotosounds are so cheap here that there's really no good reason not to try. Some of the Pyramid strings from Germany also don't seem to be too expensive, so might get some of those as well.

I've been using EB, but besides the political side of things I've been thinking of trying something else, as I'm not been entirely happy with their QC. A few damaged strings, a few strings that just sound bad straight from the package and it almost feels like bridge tensions needs readjustment for every set, even if they are supposed to be identical to the previous set.

[mrcleats]

Ernie Ball titanium coated stay on here until they break. I love the feel of them too - cushiony? Is that a thing? They're finger friendly for me.

Rotosound steels do the twang thing, and last well. Great on a tele for the country sound and give you that bright, metallic new sound for months.

[Uncle E]

Those Ernie Ball's look great. They have some gauges that aren't available from GHS, too. I'm going to have to try those.

[jtsterays]

I have a huge rusting problem. High humidity country & really sweaty hands. Any tips?

[Uncle E]

Coated

[Fornicras]

I have Godin Multiac that I restringed a few times because its factory strings broke by themselves while sitting in the room (I guess due to warm/cold exchange).

My problem is that after changing the strings, it cannot hold the tune very well. When I bought it new, the tune was rock solid, even after not touching it for 3 months, I didn't have to tune it at all.

Now I have to tune it every day. What did I do wrong while restringing it? Any idea?

[BertKoor]

really sweaty hands. Any tips?

Rub the strings with a cloth (or old sock) after playing, before you put it away.

[Grizzellda]

Pretty much Ernie Ball for Grizzellda. Have not yet explored the modern cobalt types, or the latest stuff. Basic "nickel plated steel" is about my speed!!!

[imrae]

Now I have to tune it every day. What did I do wrong while restringing it? Any idea?

How are you stretching them after restring? Usually I do about three iterations of yanking and retuning on the day I restring, and a couple more the next day.

[mystran]

I have Godin Multiac that I restringed a few times because its factory strings broke by themselves while sitting in the room (I guess due to warm/cold exchange).

Might be changes in relative humidity more so than temperature. Wood expands and contracts and if strings are tuned to pitch in storage, they can go flat or sharp, even to the point where they snap.

My problem is that after changing the strings, it cannot hold the tune very well. When I bought it new, the tune was rock solid, even after not touching it for 3 months, I didn't have to tune it at all.

Now I have to tune it every day. What did I do wrong while restringing it? Any idea?

There's basically two possibilities: either they aren't fastened properly at one end or another so there's some slippage, or they haven't been "exercised" enough yet. New strings (on pretty much any stringed instrument) always tend to slowly stretch and go flat.

On electrics I usually just do 2-3 semitone bends on each string, retune, repeat until they stay in tune and it usually only takes a couple of iterations; some people would simply pull the strings, but I find that bending them I have more control in terms of not going too far and it's quick enough. I'm not sure how much abuse nylons take and the few times I've swapped strings to those, it seemed as if it'd take somewhat longer to get them to settle, but it should happen eventually as long as you at least play the instrument enough (and try to keep it in tune).

When I was playing violin though, it'd just play normally and that'll eventually work as well (provided that you play often enough; if you let them go flat in storage, that's not going to do anything), but it would usually take several hours of playtime (maybe a few days) before it would stay in tune normally (violins you need to tune daily anyway, but that's a different thing).

[Uncle E]

My problem is that after changing the strings, it cannot hold the tune very well. When I bought it new, the tune was rock solid, even after not touching it for 3 months, I didn't have to tune it at all.

Now I have to tune it every day. What did I do wrong while restringing it? Any idea?

With nylon strings, you need to wrap them over themselves, creating a knot.

[Uncle E]

On the other hand, a good non-political reason to avoid buying US strings is they now cost a fr!ggn fortune in the UK. Can't imagine why....

Another good reason to use coated strings. Even if they’re double the price, they can last 12 times as long (1 year).

[Genetic_Junk]

I rarely change my strings -- mostly to save money. I like the bright sound of fresh strings.

My 2nd string broke a few days ago. It's nice bending the 1st and 3rd strings without the pesky 2nd getting in the way. I'll probably change them when the 1st breaks.

[DCrown]

One more reason I don't change strings is I hate changing strings no matter whether nylon or for electric guitar or bass. I remember how I changed all 6 strings years ago and it was a torture to me, I would pay 15$ to make someone change my strings, but it is not really necessary unless a string has broken.
I can't remember the last time a string broke, but I remember whenever a string had broken I was immediately in a bad mood.
I think I use GHS on my Fender Strat, can't even remember whether a 010 or 011 or..? set, I forgot what bass strings for my F. Precision bass, I would be in trouble if a bass string broke, cuz I would need the same strings, no clue what I would have to buy, though, and for my Nylon guitar Yamaha strings only nothing else, I should still have 2 or 3 sets somewhere.
Nylon is the most important guitar for me, I remember how I tested about 7 or 8 different brands within 3 months many years ago, I was playing a lot every day and Yamaha were the best for me.