Do not wait for a string to break before replacing it. Strings lose their brilliance and response for many reasons, including corrosion from perspiration acids, contact with the frets, and even a player’s touch and playing style. The amount of time required for strings to “go dead” varies considerably from player to player and string to string. You can best compensate for the loss of tonal quality caused by dead strings by changing them often – at least every two weeks if you play regularly and have a normal amount of acid in your system.

When a string “goes dead”, it is best to replace the entire set. Replacing only one string will usually result in it sounding “brighter” than the other strings, and the set will no longer be balanced. If you change to different string gauges, it may be necessary to adjust the neck and even the nut (and may even require re-intonation).

When changing strings, remove only one string at a time to maintain the tension on the neck and to allow the old strings to be used for tuning reference. Bring the new string up to pitch slowly to avoid breaking it, and do not clip the string to length until after it is mounted, in order to avoid unravelling.