Practical Wisdom: How do you KNOW when it's time to change strings?

If you're one of those players who gunk up strings quickly, I think you have your answer (and you have my condolences). But if you're like me, with at least fairly dry hands, and your strings don't change in tone or feel for MONTHS, when should you change them? There's one metric I use, and it doesn't have to do with tone. Enjoy! Free practice tracks: https://practice-with-the-pros-jam-track.gr-site.com **Buy my course HERE: https://brettpapa.com/tools-for-the-creative-guitarist-justin-ostrander HX scenes $5 each. Venmo or PayPal (below). Let me know which one(s) you'd like, and if sending Venmo, send your email address (all my Venmo transactions are private). I go through 3 scenes I lean heavily on in my day job as a session player in this video: https://youtu.be/YhKKKWpD2sQ Venmo: @justinostrander Paypal: ostrandermusic@gmail.com MERCH: https://the-jo-store-2.creator-spring.com GUITAR AND HOME RECORDING GEAR: **I will make a small amount of money if you order through the links below, at no extra cost to you** Favorite acoustic mic: Chandler TG Type L http://sweetwater.sjv.io/kO4XJV Throbak Overdrive Boost: https://shop.throbak.com/ODBJO Throbak 55/56 SB MXV P90s: https://shop.throbak.com/5556JO GREAT mics for speaker cabs: Heil PR30: https://amzn.to/3R3u0Mm Shure SM57: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AW5D4N Sennheiser e609 Silver: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/oqJWrE Acoustic mics small diaphragm condenser, matched. Miktek C5: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/NkEVZb Mic cables (mic to pre, pre to interface OR mic to interface): 15 ft: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/LXEG9o 20 ft: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9gq3Kj 50 ft: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/k0AXx3 Audio interface: Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Duo: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/xkoP7R Monitor cables TRS-XLR male -5ft (right monitor) https://sweetwater.sjv.io/KjEAQe -10ft (left monitor) https://sweetwater.sjv.io/q4oqPg Monitors: Yamaha Powered 5" Monitors HS5: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/k0AXm3 Yamaha Powered 8" Monitors HS8: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AW5DbN HS8 bundle with stands and a sub: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/m51BAa If you do want to go ALL OUT, here's my mic pre: Chandler TG2 Abbey Road edition: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/QyEgox requisite PSU-1 power supply: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/eKjG9X ==GEAR I use EVERY DAY== **I will make a very small amount of money if you order through these links below, at no extra cost to you** Revv D20 https://sweetwater.sjv.io/6eAaLQ UA OX Amp Top Box https://sweetwater.sjv.io/vNyLk3 PolyTune headstock tuner https://sweetwater.sjv.io/k0znKV D’Addario NYXL 10-46 https://sweetwater.sjv.io/daLXW2 D’Addario NYXL 11-49 https://sweetwater.sjv.io/Nkzdx1 D’Addario 10.5-48 (VERY COOL) https://sweetwater.sjv.io/y2yDKG D’Addiaro Baritone 13-62 https://sweetwater.sjv.io/ Dunlop Large glass slide 213 https://sweetwater.sjv.io/k0zndV Revv Shawn Tubbs Tilt Overdrive https://sweetwater.sjv.io/0ZmraE Nobels ODR-1 Natural Overdrive https://sweetwater.sjv.io/oqz2ME Jackson Audio Hourglass Dual Compressor https://sweetwater.sjv.io/R5YY1y Line6 HX Effects https://sweetwater.sjv.io/g1DznX Eventide H9 MAX https://sweetwater.sjv.io/EK9n6D Strymon Mobius Modulation https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75yAg5 Strymon Timeline delay https://sweetwater.sjv.io/LXnvk0 Meris Mercury7 Reverb https://sweetwater.sjv.io/q4ARdg Meris Polymoon Delay https://sweetwater.sjv.io/rQGvdD Revv D20 https://sweetwater.sjv.io/6eAaLQ UA OX Amp Top Box https://sweetwater.sjv.io/vNyLk3 Blackstar HT Stage 100 Mk III https://sweetwater.sjv.io/k0JbJd Support the channel: Paypal tip jar: ostrandermusic@gmail.com Venmo tip jar: @justinostrander My guitar setup guy: https://www.macmillanguitars.com My favorite studio headphones: https://www.gk-music.com 0:00 Welcome, do these sound like they need changed to you? 0:44 When do you actually change your strings? 1:47 I’m giving away a FREE COURSE 3:08 Do you use 10.5s? 3:48 How do you know when to change them? 4:24 My theory… 6:51 Let’s take a string off and inspect it 7:46 WOAH YOU CAN SEE WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT 9:26 Remember THIS when you experience tuning frustrations 10:25 I don’t love the sound of brand new strings… Thanks for watching, and please SUBSCRIBE