Changing Strings Joy or Chore?

p90fool · September 2023

Since I switched to Elixirs a few years ago I don't mind it.
I have corrosive sweat and used to have to change EBs every gig, which was a real chore on weeks with four or more gigs.

Snags · September 2023

Once I sussed out an effective technique for doing it (and got a string winder), it became neutral to occasionally pleasurable. Prior to that it was a total PITA.

Excluding Floyd Rose, and classical/Spanish guitars, but fortunately I don't own either.

gatheredinsong · September 2023

Chore for real.

CHRISB50 · September 2023

octatonic said:

If it is a sensible bridge then I don't mind.
Floyd Rose can fuck off though.

This.

flying_pie · September 2023

Snags said:

Excluding Floyd Rose, and classical/Spanish guitars, but fortunately I don't own either.

Yes. I intend to never ever change strings again on my ukulele

OilCityPickups · September 2023

I used to be neutral to it till I owned a music shop ... then I used to re string all the second hand guitars we bought in ... all the school guitars for 'little Jonny' who couldn't do it himself, All the guitars I set up ... all the new cheaper Far Eastern guitars that used to come in with shitty strings ...
Now I absolutely hate it!

Alex2678 · September 2023

Six a side headstock - joy
3 a side headstock- chore

thecolourbox · September 2023

stickyfiddle said:

crunchman said:

thecolourbox said:

It's an absolute chore for me definitely, especially on acoustic because the nut inevitably falls off...

The nut shouldn't fall off.

Yup, You want one (literally 1!) drop of this:

Yes but I've always thought I'd be better served with a better nut,I just haven't ever wrote for around to upgrading. Sticking it down would usually make it even harder.

Blueingreen · September 2023

Chore. But locking tuners (which I now have on all my guitars) transform it into a moderate pleasure. Not because the activity itself is enjoyable but because I'm always pleasantly conscious of how much shittier and time consuming a job it would be without them.

fastonebaz · September 2023

I enjoy it and spent around 2hrs giving my guitar a little clean up fret polish lubing tighten up, action check etc. Do it in front of the TV and a cuppa. Love the little cuddle I have with it after once it's all finished

WindmillGuitars · September 2023

It's therapy for me - love changing strings

duotone · September 2023

I’m quite happy changing strings. I usually do just one guitar, with a podcast/YouTube on in the background & clean the guitar & fretboard at the same time.

thecolourbox · September 2023

I think I'm sure sensitive to certain sounds and in particular things which are not quite tuned close enough to a pitch - my local m&s drives me nuts because their air con units and their fridges are loud and very near to each other, and are just slightly less than a tone apart pitch. So not only is it a horrible hissing sound, it's also painfully discordant and constant.

Changing strings and those horrible noises you get while tuning up a bit, stretching the strings, playing again, ouch it's out too much, repeat repeat etc. I feel slightly anxious just thinking about it

Musicwolf · September 2023

I'm very happy changing strings on all of my PRS guitars and my Eggle as they all have locking tuners. My Rickenbacker is a pain due to the combination of non-lock tuners and awkward tailpiece. I've been looking for suitable locking tuners (it has Schaller Mini's) but without joy.

Lestratcaster · September 2023

I enjoy it. I do it often on 4 guitars monthly or at least every other month. Quite like the feel of a fresh set so that's why I change quite often as I don't like dull strings. Another part is cleaning the fretboard, though mine never get that dirty because of the frequent restrings and wipe downs.

I do clean and restring learner guitars a bit though and the state of them should be a criminal offence. So much gunk and dirt.

lincolnblue · September 2023

I don't hate it but I certainly don't look forward to doing it. Always seems like a chore

NicoAdie · September 2023

Much prefer doing it on my old strats with the slotted tuners, but always enjoy the result afterwards regardless of guitar. I'd have those old Schaller slotted tuners on everything if I could though.

CountryDave · September 2023

Don't mind it at all. Chance for a quick clean up too.
Prefer vintage style fender tuners with the hole in the middle as you don’t get the pointy ends snagging you. Locking tuners are ok too.
If a string goes at a gig it’s less than a minutes job to chase the broken one.

TTBZ · September 2023

Absolute chore! As such I leave my strings on for way too long, to the point that my guitar is absolutely disgusting now. Finally caved and ordered new strings so should be back to it's best soon!

ScreamingDave · September 2023

I quite enjoy tinkering with guitars, so I quite like it. It’s a bit of “me” time.

If I want to give it a good clean I just leave the G string on (now, now ….. steady) to keep the TOM bridge and stop tailpiece in place and work around it then change it last after I’ve put the rest of the new set on

ICBM · September 2023

Neither a joy nor a chore, it's just a job that needs doing.

Although it does quite please me to do Bigsbys, Floyd Roses and slot-head 12-strings - even Rickenbackers - purely because they're so easy, given what the usual moaning would have you believe

.

maltingsaudio · September 2023

ICBM said:

Neither a joy nor a chore, it's just a job that needs doing.

Although it does quite please me to do Bigsbys, Floyd Roses and slot-head 12-strings - even Rickenbackers - purely because they're so easy, given what the usual moaning would have you believe .

That made me laugh!! Nice one @ICBM !

Fingers657 · September 2023

I hate changing strings.
I always manage to draw blood even after years of doing it.

theatreanchor · September 2023

Since I switched to NYXL I don’t feel the need to change them so much. I don’t mind the process, but like cooking, I’d rather someone else did it for me.

Fishboy7 · September 2023

Changing strings with cats around is a pain

Supportact · September 2023

I don't really enjoy doing it. It's not that I find it difficult it's just there are usually other things to do and it gets bumped down the list of jobs. I tend to at least clean the fretboard while I'm doing it.

bluecat · September 2023

If you want your car to run well you get it serviced,why should your guitars be less important. A new set of strings always makes it feel better, why should it be a chore if you want the best?

willo · September 2023

I'd call it not a chore, but an obstacle. I don't have a great deal of free time and spending time restringing, especially on Gibson/Gibson style guitars...not the most scintillating thing.

Corvus · September 2023

Don't mind, don't mind Bigsbys or FRs, I especially like putting Optiwebs on my own ones, my Strat's set are at least 4 years old now, pre-plague, and the trem gets used all the time. The wound strings aren't as crispy fresh as new Optiwebs but far from dead & dull either. I use string cleaner all the time which helps loads, and helps stop gack build up on the boards.

thecolourbox · September 2023

bluecat said:

If you want your car to run well you get it serviced,why should your guitars be less important. A new set of strings always makes it feel better, why should it be a chore if you want the best?

In fairness I always prefer it when other people sort my car out for me as well...

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Changing Strings Joy or Chore?

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