How Often Should You Change Guitar Strings? A Practical Guide for Every Player
Good morning, guitar fans!
A student of mine asked a question this week that reminded me how often this comes up—and how hard it can be to get a firm answer:
“How often should I change my guitar strings?”
It’s a great question, but the answer isn’t always straightforward. There are many factors, both internal and external, to consider when answering this question. To really understand when to change your strings, we first need to ask: Why do we change them in the first place?
Why Do Guitar Strings Need Changing?
Guitar strings wear out over time for a variety of reasons.
The most common cause is simple wear and tear. Strumming slowly wears down the strings, and so does fretting notes. Every time you press a string, it bends slightly. Over time, that repeated motion—especially if you use techniques like string bends or vibrato—can weaken the string to the point of breaking.
Another factor is hand contact. Our hands naturally contain oils, sweat, salt, and acids. When transferred to your strings, these elements speed up the process of oxidation (the dull, crusty buildup you sometimes see). If strings aren’t wiped down after playing, oxidation sets in quickly, shortening their lifespan.
While wiping down your strings after each session can significantly extend their life, it doesn’t fully prevent degradation. Humidity and temperature fluctuations also play a role—and unfortunately, there's no way to stop those entirely. This is one reason why coated or treated strings have grown in popularity; they last significantly longer than standard strings and are better at resisting wear from the environment.
Signs Your Guitar Strings Need Changing:
The sound isn’t as clear or bright as it used to be.
You see buildup or grime when running a finger along the bottom of the strings. This usually leaves a black line or a pile of buildup on your finger when you do this.
The top three strings look dull or blackened—sometimes even rusty.
The guitar doesn't stay in tune and requires constant re-tuning.
Strings feel harder to play, especially when bending or sliding.
A string breaks—once one goes, the rest are likely not far behind.
Watching for these signs is a good habit to build. It also gives you a chance to check on the general health of your guitar and see if any maintenance is needed.
So, When Should You Change Your Strings?
The most honest answer I can give is: change them as needed.
If your strings are starting to show signs of wear or just don’t feel right, it’s probably time for a fresh set. If you're unsure, ask your local guitar shop or guitar teacher (like me!) to help out.
That said, here are some general guidelines based on how often you play:
Frequent players (daily): Daily - Every 2 weeks
Moderate players (a few times a week): Every 3–6 weeks
Occasional players: Every few months, or when issues arise
How Can I Extend the Life of My Strings?
So, what’s the solution? Can we get a little more out of our guitar strings? As it turns out, yes! Here are some tips that help me extend the life of my own strings when I'm playing day in and day out:
After you’re done playing, take a clean cloth and wipe down the neck and strings. This will remove anything that was transferred to the strings before it has a chance to sit for a long period and start to chemically react with them.
Consider using a string cleaner. Many guitar companies make different applications that can remove any buildup left after playing, and sometimes even treat the string to prevent oxidation—at least for a short period of time.
Play with clean hands. Wash your hands to remove excess oils or sweat, which could otherwise transfer to your guitar.
PRO TIP: When you wash your hands before playing, give them ample time to dry completely before picking up the guitar. If you wash your hands and immediately start playing, this could disrupt and split your calluses.
Use premium strings. There is a huge market for guitar strings, with plenty of options that are either treated or coated to extend their life. I personally use the D'Addario XS line of strings for both acoustic and electric guitars, and I’ve found this to be one of the most reliable lines I’ve used in my career.
Don't eat or drink while playing the guitar—unless you plan on sharing with your hungry guitar!
Keep the guitar in a consistent environment or in a hard case. Unnecessary fluctuations in temperature and humidity can speed up the process of corrosion and oxidation on the strings.
I hope this gives you some helpful insight and a better understanding of how to take care of your strings—and your instrument as a whole. Keeping your guitar in good shape will help you sound your best and make playing more enjoyable.
Happy playing!
