Acoustic guitar strings will lose their bright sound over time, and they will get harder to keep in tune. If you have been using the same strings for a while now, but you don’t know when you should change them or how to make them last longer, you’ll find all you need right here. Please read on for great tips an insights for an effective acoustic guitar strings maintenance plan.

When is it time to change strings?

The appropriate time to change acoustic guitar strings depends on the player. Some like the sound of brand new strings, others like it better after they’ve played them for a couple of weeks. There are some things you can notice that will indicate when it’s time for a change.

If your hands perspire, your strings will begin to erode, and you might have to change them more often. If you see that they’re discolored to the point of looking rusty or black it’s time for new strings. Also, if the guitar gets out of tune easily it means that the strings are old or there’s a problem with the way they’re installed.

Boiling your strings

Some guitar players swear that boiling their acoustic guitar strings makes them sound brighter and better. We would suggest that you use a good quality string cleaner instead, because boiling them involves taking them all off. This puts more stress on your strings because you’re playing with the tension you put on them, and they may break faster. It can also mess with the tone and volume you get out of your instrument.

Extend the lifespan of your strings

The following tips will help you to enhance the lifespan of your acoustic guitar strings:

• Always wash your hands before playing, especially if your hands sweat a lot. This will avoid accumulating dirt and perspiration on your strings
• Wipe down your guitar strings constantly. Always keep a soft cloth at hand , and make sure you clean both sides. Wipe down the top part of your strings vigorously. Place the cloth underneath them, pull it up and wipe the bottom part of the strings. This is where most dirt builds up, so do it thoroughly. We suggest using Planet Waves Microfiber Guitar Cloth, or a ToneGear String Cleaner
• If your hands sweat excessively, wipe your strings down every 20 or 30 minutes
• Use a good quality string cleaner and lubricant.There are products that combine these two, so just make sure it’s a good product
• For a more effective dirt removal, wet your cloth with Rubbing Alcohol and wipe your strings down at the end of every day

You can save some cash if you really put the effort of maintaining your acoustic guitar strings. You can use that extra money to get an acoustic guitar strap or a tuner, but make sure that the sound coming out of your guitar is the one you want.