This may just be my imagination, but have you ever noticed that the longer new strings have been on your guitar the better they sound? I mean, I know they stretch a bit after they're put on the guitar and you have to continually retune for a few days, but I just noticed that the Woodtones I put on my Taylor sound so much better after they had been on for a few weeks. And, I hadn't played the Taylor for awhile.
Don't think I've ever noticed this with any other strings I've put on my guitars. Interesting.
I find After a month of normal playing time the strings start to loose there tone.
Again, I totally agree. They DO improve. I was just playing Penny and thought maybe I should change her strings but they still sound and feel great so I’ll wait. Roadie needs new strings though. He’s not sounding as good as he once did.
On mine the tone of the strings sounds better. But maybe I don't play as much over a month as you do, John. I'm often jumping from guitar to guitar, too, so I don't play the same guitar all the time. Such is the burden of owning too many guitars, LOL.
@shysue I tend to play mine one at a time for weeks or months at a time. I haven't played anything but the Martin since I started here.
I think they sound better after a few weeks, and then over time will start to sound dull. That’s when I change them
I find the strings sound great at first, then the settle in and work great for a while and then I notice that the low E strings start to sound thumps and dull. After that, then the rest slowly get dull. I also notice that the finish on the strings start to loose their physical lister as well.
String companies make products that sound unique and pleasing to the player. This is normal. Some use American wire, others use Chinese wire. Some use a hex core and others do not
I’m still resistant to changing out Penny’s strings. I play almost all of my guitars everyday, most of the time. I was thinking I would get better if I tried to play just one but I love my babies, I hate to neglect them.
@jerseychicadee I've been guilty of going a couple of months without even looking at two of mine. That's not good. They at least need to be tuned up and checked out every day or two.
I put a new set of D'Addario 12's on last week after many months with the previous set, and they are just starting to wake up. I haven't enjoyed the break in period much as they need a bit of time to settle down. I expect them to hit their peak in a couple more weeks before plateauing for a couple of months, after which they gradually lose their bounce.
Putting on new strings is less about the strings - which are usually fine - and more about giving the instrument a clean. This involves polishing the frets with some 0000 wire wool, wiping all the dust from the nooks and crannies with a damp cloth, putting on some wood cream/polish, and giving the fretboard ten minutes soaking in lemon oil. Followed by a truss rod tweak.
It's not so much about the strings, but an opportunity to give the instrument a bit of TLC. I think they appreciate it, and I enjoy doing it.
I've tried numerous different strings and the best I have found are Elixir Phosurous bronze Custom lights.
They are expensive but definitely worth it hands down if you want that raw Outlaw drop D country sound.
Some companies use string engineers like Curt Mangen ( who sells his own brand of guitar strings ) to design strings for them. I did not know that. Someone told me this while we were on vacation in Florida recently
I had a Fishman "Blackstack" soundhole pickup installed on one of my guitars. I sometimes play with or without the amp. I did notice that things sounded better thru the amp, and I did not have to change strings on that guitar as often as my other guitars.
