Do wound strings need replacing before unwound strings do?

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

If so, would it make sense to buy single strings in bulk and replace the unwound strings maybe every other time, or every third time, etc?

Probably nickel wrap needs changing sooner than stainless wrap. But what about phosphor vs bronze?

 

[chazmo]

Well, I don't think I've ever broken a wound string, but I've surely broken unwound, particularly the high-octave G (string 5) on my 12er acoustics, Darryl. Of course, that's not the only reason to change strings. I do find that my wound strings don't tune as well after a certain point. I think that applies to the unwound strings too. That's a definite sign.

So much for not answering your question.

 

[cjd-player]

Dirt builds up in between the windings which deadens the tone and ruins tuning.

The unwound strings also get dirty and may even begin to corrode.


Be a man ... change them all at once. :mrgreen:

 

[Walter Broes]

I sweat a lot on stage, and I have a fairly heavy right hand, so I change strings every show. But yes, I've occasionally changed just the bass (wound) strings, as they get dull a whole lot faster than the unwound ones. When I do break strings, it's usually the D string - smallest core in the bunch.

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Chaz,
What gauge do you use for that high G? If you're breaking 8 gauge strings, maybe there's something wrong with the nut or saddle.

CJ,
How can I be a man when I'm half Australian?

Walter,
I'm glad you responded because when I posted this, I was thinking of professionals who play live a lot in smokey and humid conditions and go through a lot of strings in a year. I've heard that a lot of pros change strings after every gig. Apparently some do it because they want the same feel and sound for every show, others because the strings really get stretched and worn. Whatever the reason, changing strings after every show must get expensive. So I guess I was right that pros can cut the cost by replacing the unwound strings less often.

Do you use nickel or stainless for shows? I have to admit that I can't hear the difference on my guitars, so I use stainless because they are cheaper.

 

[Walter Broes]

Daryl- nickel wound steel roundwounds. (D'Addario) I change strings before every show because the bass strings get too dull and I want that twang, and if I don't change them, I usually end up breaking a string.

 

[chazmo]

Chaz,
What gauge do you use for that high G? If you're breaking 8 gauge strings, maybe there's something wrong with the nut or saddle.
...

Yeah, that varies, Darryl. Mostly my high Gs have broken up at the winding post, and I think I know why... I use the "Taylor method" where I just wind the string without doing a counter-turn-and-tie-down approach. This often results in slippage when I first wind the string (because I'm slow with the hand winder rather than using a drill attachment). Anyway, it's because I have to re-insert and wind the string a few times that I get a weak string. The Gs are hard (8s or 9s) because they are the most flexible initially and they don't grab and crimp as well into the hole every time I do a first winding.

I vary between 8s and 9s on that string, Darryl. I've broken both. And there's nothing wrong with my nuts, but thanks for asking.

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

And there's nothing wrong with my nuts, but thanks for asking.

Dolly Parton already told me that about you.

 

[chazmo]

And there's nothing wrong with my nuts, but thanks for asking.

Dolly Parton already told me that about you.

Bwahahaha!!!