Often I get asked the question, “When should I change my strings?” Here are a few indications.

Does the guitar not play in tune?

Try the following: Play the twelfth fret harmonic, and then play the twelfth fret normally. Are the pitches different? If yes, chances are good that you need to change your strings (Either that or your neck is curved).

Do certain strings have nicks or cuts in them? Then change them.

Is your 4th string turning green?

Sounds silly, but I see it all the time! If your strings are changing color, change them!

Is the sound dull or the sustain less? Then change them.

One last tip for classical guitarists, change your bass strings more often than your trebles. This cuts down on expense and the new string tuning blues. The wound bass strings tend to collect dirt faster then the trebles.

It happens every time…I am the assistant director for a guitar orchestra (with about 25 players) here in San Diego. We have been together for several years, played 5 concerts and recorded 2 CDs. For each concert we rehearse for twelve weeks. During all of those weeks of practice I can’t recall one broken string. But just about anytime we do something big, record or perform, someone breaks a string. I don’t know what it is, but strings tend to break when important things happen. Like the first concert I played when I was a kid playing in a bluegrass band, SNAP! It’s almost as if the strings know you don’t have a spare with you. So bring a set of extra strings whenever you play, or even better…bring two.

I’m currently in North Carolina so I thought I would write a bit on humidity. I live in San Diego, so I’m not used to moisture in the air. It really effects the sound of your guitar! After all it is a piece of wood. Ideally a guitar should be kept at 50% humidity. So in the arid South West we usually only worry about low humidity. Not only will changes in humidity effect the sound of your guitar, it can also do damage. You should never subject your guitar to extreme temperature or humidity. I always say don’t do anything to your guitar that you wouldn’t do to yourself. So if you need air conditioning so does your guitar. As to humidity, if you live in an area that is subject to extremes buy a hygrometer (which measure the relative humidity 0% being dry and 100% being get out your umbrella). like

If you find you need more humidity get something like a dampit:

If your in North Carolina like me, take alot of showers, but leave your guitar in its case.