Changing guitar strings is kind of a ritual for me, as I’m sure it is for every other guitar player. I like to get the most life out of my strings and wait until they are too dull to perform and play.
My reasoning: There’s always a risk when you change the strings that the new ones will have a defective string and pop on you during a show. I’ve found that once strings are proven after a few hours of playing that you are good to go. Then up comes the dilemma: I have a show tomorrow and I’m wondering if they are good for one more show or to brighten it up with a new batch?
Since the show is outside - and it’s colder - I think I’m going to keep the old ones and turn up the treble to bring out some of the loss of the high end.
One of my favorite acoustic performers, Jeff Tweedy, who insists on performing with dull strings. My wife and I are driving to Eugene, Oregon tonight to enjoy a show with him performing with Wilco.
I’m not exactly sure of his reasoning but I do know that he likes to record with very used and dull strings - which causes a ripple effect for his live shows. Imagine only getting the same kind of tone and sound from a recording by playing and playing on your strings until it’s right. That’s pretty much what Mr. Tweedy needs to do with each and every guitar he performs acoustically on an album and live.
It would have been so much easier to have fresh, new strings for the recording - but I have to agree, it wouldn’t sound that good or have as much character as it does with the used, dull strings. So, hats off to Jeff Tweedy for choosing hard work with a sound full of character over a just-replace-the-strings attitude.