I just don't like changing guitar strings.

ToneControl

if you haven't tried it, buy a set of micromesh cloths and a metal protector for the fretboard (rectangle with a fret hole cut into it), and polish the frets.

JDE

I am perverse and find changing strings pleasant. I used to restring, setup and clean all of the guitars and basses in my old bands. It’s actually quite therapeutic if there is nobody else home to give me shit while I’m doing it. Prior to having kids, restringing my old Gretsch (Bigsby) and Ibanez (Lo Pro) was a “Saturday afternoon, couple of beers” pleasurefest. 

Bridgehouse

ToneControl said:

Bridgehouse said:

Nor me. I dread it when the ten year anniversary comes around and I have to change my bass strings 

But my bass already has strings?  

It’s good discipline to do it every 10 years - even if they don’t need it

carlos

guitarfishbay said:

I bought one of these ^

Makes string changes a lot less of a chore.

I have a peg adapter for the drill I use at home for assembling furniture and other DIY stuff. Just go easy on the trigger when winding strings!

CasperCaster

I hate changing strings too. It's always a chore, but if I had to choose a favourite tuner it would be the Klusons with safety string posts (fender style) - they are the easiest of all. Locking tuners second, and finally any tuner with the horizontal hole through the post last of all - I really hate them! 

thegummy

CasperCaster said:

I hate changing strings too. It's always a chore, but if I had to choose a favourite tuner it would be the Klusons with safety string posts (fender style) - they are the easiest of all. Locking tuners second, and finally any tuner with the horizontal hole through the post last of all - I really hate them! 

Always wanted those vintage Fender style tuners, I think they look absolutely great and I imagine from using bass tuners that they're easy to use.

Blueingreen

I don't like it either.  Especially on guitars without locking tuners.  One reason I use Elixirs, fewer string changes.

I use the locking method and can never seem to become adept at it, taking 4 times as long as I should, pricking my fingers with the string ends, needing to remind myself how it’s done again, getting it wrong and having to take the string out and start again.

I do love having a new set of strings on though.

It's one of those things that divides us.  I said to a tech who's done some work on my guitars I was thinking of getting him to put locking tuners on some of my guitars.  So that they keep better tune?  he said.  No, I said, I don't think it makes any difference to the tuning.  It'll just make it easier to change strings. He looked at me like I was mad and said you obviously have too much money.

thegummy

Blueingreen said:

I don't like it either.  Especially on guitars without locking tuners.  One reason I use Elixirs, fewer string changes.

I use the locking method and can never seem to become adept at it, taking 4 times as long as I should, pricking my fingers with the string ends, needing to remind myself how it’s done again, getting it wrong and having to take the string out and start again.

I do love having a new set of strings on though.

It's one of those things that divides us.  I said to a tech who's done some work on my guitars I was thinking of getting him to put locking tuners on some of my guitars.  So that they keep better tune?  he said.  No, I said, I don't think it makes any difference to the tuning.  It'll just make it easier to change strings. He looked at me like I was mad and said you obviously have too much money.

Repetitive manual tasks like that get easy when you do loads every day so he probably finds changing strings to be nothing but for me it really makes a big difference to how frustrating it is to do.

I went to elixirs for a short time but then went back to normal uncoated strings. Annoyingly I don't remember why now!

gusman2x

I really quite enjoy it. I even quite like setting up a floyd , now that i learnt some tricks (when it goes well). ALso like the "zingy-ness" of new strings, but a couple of my guitars buzz more with new strings, Only last a day though I guess.

SNAKEBITE

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned restringing a Bigsby, they're really hard.

(Only joking, I just wanted to get that in for @ICBM

drofluf

I used to hate it but now have it down to a smooth process and can usually achieve without loss of blood. Don't currently have any slotheads though...

gary_mac

I seem to be doing it most days of the week, fortunately I quite enjoy it. Must say, not keen on restringing Mandolins though.

drofluf

gary_mac said:

I seem to be doing it most days of the week, fortunately I quite enjoy it. Must say, not keen on restringing Mandolins though.

Why not? If you do them one string or course at a time to make sure that the bridge doesn't move its no harder than a guitar.

merciful-evans

HAL9000 said:

Turn it into a labour of love. Set 30 or 40 minutes aside. As well as new  strings, get out the polishing cloths, guitar polish, fretboard conditioner, etc. Put on your favourite album. Then get polishing and restringing. Enjoy.

But that's even more work! 
Fretboard conditioner? Never needed that in 49 years. I'm not about to start now. 

Its just a chore, like personal hygiene or ironing is. It needs doing. Do it and be glad you don't use a 12 string!

57Deluxe

ESBlonde

In my yoof I gigged a lot (Mid 70s onwards) and I learned that I could get a weekends gigging out of a set of strings. Monday rehearsal and then restring mid week so they settled ready for the weekend again. Once you got the technique right it was easy and felt great. Once in a while I'd try and forego a string change, I'd always regret it for the dull sound and the tuning stability when the harmonics went.

I did have bad acid sweat though so a weeks hard playing was all I could expect. These days I have multiple guitars at a gig, but gig far less (2-3 month) and certainly don't spend hours every day wood shedding. I seem to restring less, but having the technique right means it's easy and not very time consuming. I don't have any guitars fitted with a detuning bar!

Rocker

That Ernie Ball Powerpeg machine looks interesting @guitarfiskbay.  Yours is the pro model, the cheaper standard model would be perfect fo me.  MusicMaker in Dublin are listed as stockists, priced around €25.  I will check it out a.s.a.p.

Chris_J

I don't mind it to be honest. Music or film on, give the guitar a wipe down and setup while I'm at it, it's an easy enough task and doesn't take long.

steveledzep

Rocker said:

That Ernie Ball Powerpeg machine looks interesting @guitarfiskbay.  Yours is the pro model, the cheaper standard model would be perfect fo me.  MusicMaker in Dublin are listed as stockists, priced around €25.  I will check it out a.s.a.p.

You could get one of these and use it with a cheap electric screwdriver.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-String-Winder-Head-Tools-Pin-Puller-Tool-Accessories-ZY/122782009533?epid=25007990704&hash=item1c9660c8bd:g:fxUAAOSwkklZn7To

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14in1-6V-Cordless-Electric-Screwdriver-Power-Drill-Bit-Tool-Set-Battery-PoweredC/401784694803?hash=item5d8c3be813&enc=AQADAAADAFjVrDbVsZ8oH%2F8PNHtt9VX4%2Fw7FZcmMuqsX8uaFEduVHAkA2Vs8iSF%2BrQzcHE5OPpeHsJ8Tc6IRYKJ4rMBVsRVWfjsV%2BY8cbhzoqicxYfVBIEeWDTT1mHo%2BinVrIJlQvpCsv%2FcbZOB3%2BTWP%2BHugjnugX0ks9nPipVOL4CckqJtnBkBZIvNFMuKMIhAVCnNBxva0yAzIntc%2BeC8GY8Z6OXjNd5bN4GqIhICzFCp0yRWhUsFq0xvsRopq7uGL6UhRVGteaE%2B7yxndcugtFAiH4smgfGNLCAS%2BuneMVA2Ou30L8tSagkTI%2Fw8g%2BBb5SjiTO66WOQOtL2ZgN6abEEby73HOc%2FnyzxxuAxlJV%2BcqcbKhvbOFx78Ukg8oZrOM3b8xw1peraf6LQ%2F%2Bd7lcc7kOXT1ge3Ez9vh%2BcvkP7d7BYiVeq8FqDo7pUpC0Q%2B26JgotvItAGovhSVp9i3OHM%2Bv9RllmkgqLk6iphpJtNVJGge3wcQQWwvZyfenQ26xEQEoqXsqlvR1pRS7WBoyOspSXZ99%2Bwp9H%2B1bS%2F4pmZ8FGrhxM7VRinpsA56uENW9GOo0XTjJLrGIX1525JbaKixcfyh4LHXtRxA47d%2Fe5J%2BMbqiIT2tX30JlbqoqOBera4jBM7IYxYsMVD3NqFs5%2BSW9wxcalrmbB9TmaBe1YPknMsb6PY4VMMtcwG3H3JaK2MulrX5tnfWxGW7Oh1AGv4Yj%2BW7mkO4UWf6CVpxeoMQgsgG8sWNuN0LrqVoBpXAJv2wi%2FpDwlnoYEi1fdP2Q8h1%2BsXZJu66orzCH94onmSm%2BClEdliNzHUE8hBioCkUd6gtd0DR7e1U8s5lGvYNFExqkUnmKfrSl%2FzVrl3SR2cKSwKoztyXLn%2BBSKzZ%2FGk2v3ZmMSPYMt3xc7NSREhNsRMZ9pz8yucS%2Bt%2BECHUWuVN2zGcT2AiPhOqH4XXI0jY0t1KjnC8iZ9QW%2Bto0N4HS%2Bu6LQWyZ%2ByES05Nh1brcdr9eOwjUoyQTOOqx40MGM9LYOAmyhqIw%3D%3D&checksum=401784694803c9c8073053d44047ab4feb8312dbeabf

Lestratcaster

With 4 electrics to restring regularly (as I teach and gig often) and 3 different string gauges I actually enjoy the process! Almost therapeutic in a way.