New strings

Can there be anything finer than the sound of your premium quality instrument with a fresh set of strings, stretched and tuned? I don't sit and play often, I usually play when I'm getting ready to track. I've been playing for a few weeks (acoustic 6) getting ready to track. I put new strings on yesterday (Elixer Nano lights) It makes it sound so good having "fresh" strings... Haven't tracked yet, practicing the fretless part. Will track the bass and drums 1st, then the guitars. Good times though :-) Before I track the fretless, I'm replacing the strings on it too (flat wound).
 
New strings... The harmonics are in tune while the open strings are in tune? This is one of life's simple pleasures. Replace your strings! Clean your fretboard!

I too use Elixer Nano lights except I don't like the strings brand new - they squeek too much.  I like 'em about a day old.
 

On the fretless I run D'Addario Warm Mellow Flat Wounds (Medium Gauge). The A fore mentioned Elixer's on the acoustic 6 and on the 12. And I agree, a few days old... So I put them on yesterday? I haven't played it yet ;-) 
 
On the fretted bass? (Alembic) It has to be Rotosound...

It adds up though... 20 bux (give or take) for the 6?
 
20 bux give or take for the 12?
 
The bass costs, to re-string it...
 
Then do you want to play mando? Dobro? If so, they need new strings to record. 
 
It adds up? Still, I require it... It is mandated...

Wasn't it Jamerson that never changed strings? :-)

Once a week on my main guitar.
 
OTOH, Tommy Bolin rarely ever changer strings unless he broke one, and his tone is among my very favorites. 
 
Ritchie Blackmore on Tommy Bolin's guitar strings:

"When I heard that Purple hired him I thought it was great. He was always so humble. I remember he would always invite me out to his house in Hollywood to see his guitar. One day I went to his place. I walked in and tried to find him, but no one was around. There was no furnishings - nothing. I stayed there for ten minutes before he finally appeared. He showed me his guitar, and the strings must have had a quarter-inch of grime on them, as though he hadn't changed them in four years. I asked him when was the last time he'd changed strings, and he said very seriously, "Gee, I don't know. Do you think I should change them?"

Quite a bit - I could probably keep them a bit longer, and it sometimes happen that I skip a week, but usually, I like to have a fresh set installed the night before our week resumes.
 

kennywtelejazz
I don't know how you guys can do it , every time I try to buy new strings 
I always end up bringing my little wad of coffee can "just in case money " and leave the store with no strings ...
thats how I got my uke, mandolin, SG, a couple of pedals and a bunch of other stuff….
my bass is currently sporting a set of strings that will soon be having its 14 th birthday  
 
Kenny

One word - Amazon. ;)
 
I avoid torturing myself by visiting music stores unless I know precisely what I want and have the funds to get just that. 

I'm slapping a new set on the fretless tomorrow and then I'm going to start tracking :-) Been practicing for a couple of weeks. It's not even excessive use, but oxidation? If you put new strings on an instrument and just let it sit, and don't even play it? They will go bad with time. They don't "ring" the harmonics are out? They just don't sound or play like fresh ones. Strings are like women... They should be replaced often, and for the same reasons. Does this guitar sound ****y to you?  Funny, it sounded this way almost exactly one month ago? Hummmmm....