10 Tips to Make Guitar Strings Last Longer

Let’s face it – guitar strings are starting to become rather pricey. To get the most bang for your buck, you may want to take some steps to maintain the qualities of a fresh pair of strings for as long as possible.

One of the major reasons strings lose their tonal quality is due to human perspiration. Strings are made from metal, so they are subject to rust and corrosion. As body chemistry differs from person to person, you may find that some people can use a new pair of strings for longer periods while still maintaining rich tones. If you have high pH acid levels, you’re likely to get a much shorter lifespan from your strings.

Dirt tends to accumulate mostly underneath strings. By rubbing your finger lightly underneath your high E string, you’ll get a good idea of how much wear your strings have received. When strings “die”, or lose their brightness, it’s a good idea to replace them with a fresh pair in order to maintain optimal tone and playing ability. Some players are concerned with changing strings to the point of doing so before every live gig or studio recording.

Here are some ways to increase the lifespan of your guitar strings:

1. A dirty fretboard will cause a new pair of strings to die instantly. Make sure you remove all dirt from your fretboard before re-stringing.
2. Some string manufacturers like Elixir include a protective coating to increase the lifespan of the strings. Elixir claims that their strings last 3-5 times longer.
3. Wash your hands before playing your guitar. You want to avoid getting any unnecessary dirt or sweat on your strings.
4. Wipe your strings down with a cloth when you’re done playing. I do this every time as it works wonders.
5. Use GHS Fast Fret String Cleaner. This is a very popular product amongst guitarists and bass players alike. Personally I don’t use Fast-Fret as I feel it makes my fretboard greasy over time.
6. Keep your instrument in its case at all times. This will keep water vapor and dust from getting to your strings so that they can stay as slinky as possible.
7. An uncomfortable guitar setup may contribute to increased perspiration levels, as you won’t be as relaxed as you should be. If you feel your guitar is playing uncomfortably, have it set up by a professional luthier.
8. A lighter string gauge will make bending easier, and in turn decrease the work for your finger muscles.
9. The higher the quality of your instrument, the easier it will be to play. Generally, cheaper guitars contribute to an increased workload for the player, which means your muscles are more active resulting in more perspiration.
10. If your strings are completely dead but replacing them is not an option, you can boil your strings to make them sound new again. Using a pan, boil some water on the stove and then throw in a few strings. 1 cup of water boils up to 3 strings.

Personally I like to replace my strings every month if I’m gigging regularly. When I play live, I prefer the tonal qualities of new strings. On the other hand, I’ve heard Brian May state that he likes the tonal qualities of older strings.