GUITAR STRINGS WEAR

The wearing of guitar strings depends on many factors, such as: the acidity of the player’s sweat, the material of the string, the environment and climate conditions (heat, humidity etc.)

Worn out strings break easily and can lead to tuning and intonation problems as well as causing unwanted scratchiness.

Strings actually tend to wear on the points where they are most played and this changes their vibration pattern, making it wider in some points compared to others.

It is right on these points where the instrument can all of a sudden start to scratch overnight.

On the market, there are a number of artificial products to increase the life of the strings, and also available are strings coated with a very fine protective layer that lengthens their average life by reducing their wear.

Strings would need to be replaced once every two weeks on average in normal use and sweating conditions, and cleaned with a dry cotton cloth every time we stop playing the instrument.

Here are some tips to preserve the sound of your strings as long as possible:

• Carefully clean the strings with a dry cotton cloth every time you stop playing, even during breaks at a concert. This trick will greatly increase the life of the strings without having to spend any money on useless products that alter the sound.
• Change the whole set as soon as you realize that the wrapped strings have lost their shine.
• Stretch them during installation. Not only will you reduce the possibility of off pitch notes, but if a string is faulty, it’s better for you to break it whilst you fit it than during a gig.