After awhile strings lose their "bounce" and simply must be replaced. They do go dead.

quote:

Originally posted by marymary:
"..most mandolin players i know restring once every year or so".

Once a year ?! Who are these people? For me it's four to five weeks if I'm not playing a gig, otherwise it's a fresh set before every performance

I'm new here, but playing in a bluegrass band for seven years I changed my strings twice a week. Now I only change them when they go dead, and they will. The best way I can tell is when they no longer hold tune. The needle does not hold center but varies back an forth to much or just no longer have that bright sound. Always thought strings sound best after being played a week or two anyway. I have never had problems changing strings. Your hands have oils and dirt that will degrade the metal and while the strings are off is a good time for a little lemon oil to get that grim off the fret board. Maybe because I am a tool maker and deal with tolerances thinner then your hair helps me deal with this job. I just got my new MT and love it.

NEVER STOP THE MUSIC!
Collings MT
Gibson 1922 A
Martin HD28V
Fender 25th Ann. Strat.

I have one great mando...change strings a couple of times a year....unlike guitars

I'm over changing strings. I have three main guitar (too many if you ask me) and a mandolin. They sound great with new strings, but that only lasts a while. All three of my guitars are great and I'm finding that as the strings get older, the guitars sound older. So there it is, vintage sound for less money and hassle.

I played an early '30s Gibson L00 a few years back and the owner told me the strings were 12 years old. The guitar sounded great. He may have been exagerating (and he may not have been) but I believe they were old.

To experience real string changing pain, try changing strings on a classical with slippery nylon strings! They also take forever to settle down. That's real PITA!

I've changed strings on just about everything with strings and nothing compares to a Ric 12. Absolute misery. Nylon strings are pretty bad but don't need to be changed as often as others.