|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link.
Page: 1 2
gottasmilealot - Posted - 11/02/2009: 12:35:36
Enter the sweat factor...
Keith
JonT - Posted - 11/02/2009: 14:24:39
I don't think there's a simple, or pat, answer to this, for a couple of reasons.
One is simply that after a certain amount of time, the strings will be tough to keep in tune. Time for a change.
Another is that they will corrode. When they corrode badly enough, change 'em.
Another is that when you tune 'em enough times, they'll break right there where the tuner peg bends 'em - though admittedly, this takes a while. Change 'em, obviously, when that happens.
A big part of when to change strings also depends on the chemistry of your skin. If it is such that your strings are degraded quickly, than you'll have to change strings with increased frequency.
My skin/fingers apparently is/are such that I can go a long time, on all my instruments, between string changes. Months, even. Yet I've a friend who can play an instrument with new strings for 10 minutes - literally, now - and the strings are dead. Go figure.
Peace - JonT
http://jfthompson.typepad.com/californiafiles
barbbanjo - Posted - 11/04/2009: 18:09:42
Well, I have to give my opinion here - I had NO idea this was such an involved issue! I am learning so much! When I first started playing years ago I didn't know why my strings would begin to sound so dead. I don't know how I figured out that the strings needed changing. I know that some times they would begin to sound so dead that I didn't feel like playing anymore and after awhile I would remember that, "Oh, yeah, I need to change the strings." Then when I changed them I was thrilled again with the sound of my banjo. Now I change them about every 4 weeks because I can tell when they are beginning to deaden. At first I always asked my husband to change my strings because I knew if I broke one doing it myself, I wouldn't have a banjo to play till he came home that evening. Eventually I got to where I can change them myself. I always keep several sets on hand so if I do break a string I have a replacement.
dbaty - Posted - 11/07/2009: 04:59:16
I kept the same set on my Banjo for about 5 years? I know, I should be shot. I was really discouraged at how bad my Banjo was sounding. Well last week I replaced the strings and now it sounds great. I will be heading on down to my local music store today to stock up on some strings.
Like a Dog, a Banjo just wants to be played with and cared for.
Leigh - Posted - 11/07/2009: 06:27:09
Yeah, pretty tough to put a strap on a piano.  Me, I change when the "piano ring" quality goes away on the 4th. The sound can be captured, by listening to the "chime", or "ring" difference, between a steel and bronze wrapped 4th. They loose that "freshness" in about 2 weeks for me. Same for electric bass. A little more expensive however, chasing that benchmark. Page: 1 2
|
Feeds
