How Often Do Professional Guitarists Break a String and Best Practices for String Maintenance

Introduction to String Lifespan

As a seasoned guitarist with over 30 years of experience, it's rare for me to encounter a broken string, making it an almost non-existent issue in my routine. Over a six-decade-long career, I have had to change strings perhaps a few times, indicating just how infrequent this happens.

Factors Influencing String Breakage

While it seems that strings rarely break in optimal conditions, many variables come into play. For touring professionals, the maintenance is taken care of by a guitar technician, but for less active or club-level players, it heavily depends on their own self-discipline and the state of the strings. Below are the key factors influencing string longevity and maintenance.

Restringing and Maintenance Basics

Proper Restringing: The initial setup of a guitar, including the nut and bridge saddles, is crucial in string longevity. Incorrect setup can lead to strings breaking due to either being too heavy or too light. Ensuring that the strings are correctly set up for the intended gauge can significantly extend their lifespan.

Regular Maintenance: Cleaning and proper maintenance of strings are essential. Using a cleaning patch with a couple of drops of lemon oil for unwound strings, and stretching out the change times can immensely help in maintaining a balance between tone and cost. For instance, I used to restring my guitars every 7-10 days, resulting in a two and a half year span without breaking a string.

Practice Schedule for String Life

Practice Adjustments: When playing full-time, spreading out the wear between two guitars can significantly prolong the string life. Cleaning the strings after every use also helps to remove any dirt or oils that accumulate. This can be particularly useful, especially during regular practice sessions.

Practice Dents Check: A simple yet effective way to check the state of your strings is by “dents check” test. This involves carefully placing your finger under the string near the middle of the guitar, around the 22nd or 24th fret, and slowly moving upwards while feeling the string for any dents. If you feel dents, it's time to change your strings.

Guidelines for String Replacement

Learning and Experience: For beginners, knowing when to change your strings can be challenging. As you gain more experience, you will start to notice a difference in the tone of your strings. However, as a general guideline, if you notice that your strings are not staying in tune and are losing their tone, it's time to change them.

Regular Check: A month or two after starting to play, you can perform the “dents check” to see if the strings need to be changed. However, if you are only playing simple cowboy chords and not pressing the strings onto the fretboard repeatedly, you likely won't need to worry about this issue.

Conclusion

The frequency of string breakage is minimal for seasoned guitarists but can vary depending on the regularity of maintenance and the player's habits. Ensuring that strings are properly maintained and occasionally replaced can greatly enhance both the longevity and performance of your guitar.