Re: Do people ever change their strings?
I change strings once a week on average for mandolin, even when using coated strings.
To me they just sound dead after a few days of solid playing.
I find they are definitely dead after a hard jam session, so I usually change them right after.
I don't like the sound fo dead strings, and my mandolin sounds best with fresh strings.
I have a feeling that some of those who change strings after a number of months or years have mandolins that sound too bright and shrill with new strings, so they like them to be a bit dead so the mandolin is darker. My mando is darker in tone, so I like bright strings.
Some people just like dead strings.
I remember reading about Tom Petty wanting his guitar strings to be so old and dead that they are rusty.
I guess that suited his sound.
I change guitar strings almost as often as I change mandolin strings.
I always put on new strings before playing in public.
Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)
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