I just don't like changing guitar strings.

Rocker

And this despite @ICBM posting on how to do it correctly.  I printed out that post ICBM, got it laminated and it sits on the shelf behind my guitars.

Not being a gigging guitar player, I am lax at string changing.  I was forced to come to the conclusion that five of my guitars need new strings and I want to fit a set of flats on my Precision.  Oh how I wish there was a shop with a tech to do this work for me.  But I live in rural Ireland, such luxuries only happen in cities.

I suppose there is nothing for it except doing it myself, one by one.  

thegummy

Get locking tuners and it couldn't be easier

HAL9000

Turn it into a labour of love. Set 30 or 40 minutes aside. As well as new  strings, get out the polishing cloths, guitar polish, fretboard conditioner, etc. Put on your favourite album. Then get polishing and restringing. Enjoy.

sweepy

I'm not keen on the feel and sound of brand new strings they always sound and feel nicer after an hour or so's playing

Maynehead

I’ve got 5 guitars with Floyd Roses... count yourself lucky!

Tenebrous

HAL9000 said:

Turn it into a labour of love. Set 30 or 40 minutes aside. As well as new  strings, get out the polishing cloths, guitar polish, fretboard conditioner, etc. Put on your favourite album. Then get polishing and restringing. Enjoy.

This is the secret right here. I love restringing my #1s because it gives me a chance to clean em up a bit, adjust anything if necessary, etc.

I still wouldn't restring a Floyd if my life depended on it, though.

King85

Another vote for locking tuners. Easy peasy

Bellycaster

I hate it too, I'm a lazy Fuck. My Les Paul and SG being the exceptions as they have locking Tuners. Oiling the Boards is an even bigger Pain in the Ass, but hey ho it needs doing now and then.

For re-stringing I use this Gary Brawer technique on all my non locking "hole through post" Guitars, 3+3, 6 in a Line, doesn't matter, it works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sAQcAlAeKU

.

PolarityMan

On the plus side I bet you're not into extended range instruments

thegummy

King85 said:

Another vote for locking tuners. Easy peasy

Seriously do make the world of difference.

I can see why someone would find changing strings on normal tuners a pain but I genuinely can't imagine anyone caring much about changing locking tuners, it's just so simple, you put the string through, pull it tight (possibly tighten a thumb screw) then tune it.

thegummy

sweepy said:

I'm not keen on the feel and sound of brand new strings they always sound and feel nicer after an hour or so's playing

I'm with you there, I don't like the zinginess.

I hear of people changing strings regularly and before recordings/gigs as well as using short cables to retain as much high end as possible but I prefer some of the high end tamed so prefer the sound of older strings.

I used to change them very often purely because I thought I should but people on this forum convinced me otherwise, now I only change them if they break or if I'm doing some kind of mod that requires them to be taken off on a set neck guitar.

Toms_Dad

HAL9000 said:

Turn it into a labour of love. Set 30 or 40 minutes aside. As well as new  strings, get out the polishing cloths, guitar polish, fretboard conditioner, etc. Put on your favourite album. Then get polishing and restringing. Enjoy.

I agree with all of the above, but would add a glass of malt whisky. That way I can do 2 or 3 guitars without minding....

guitarfishbay

I bought one of these ^

Makes string changes a lot less of a chore.

Fortheloveofguitar

All my guitars have been upgraded to locking tuners for this reason.

Makes it quicker and easier as I hate re-stringing and having 10 plus guitars makes it worse still  

rossi

My friend hasnt changed the strings on his P bass since about 1966.It still sounds like a P bass..

simonhpieman

sweepy said:

I'm not keen on the feel and sound of brand new strings they always sound and feel nicer after an hour or so's playing

Can't agree with this enough. I slip on new strings. I like a bit of oldness for grip!

I gig often but don't change if I can help it, though in the super sweaty summer gig months I suffer regular breakages mid song which is annoying. Last summer in particular was a nightmare.

And to address the OP, I bloody hate doing it as well!

ToneControl

Use Elixirs
I prefer the sound anyway, and the reduced squeaking

Bridgehouse

Nor me. I dread it when the ten year anniversary comes around and I have to change my bass strings 

ToneControl

Bridgehouse said:

Nor me. I dread it when the ten year anniversary comes around and I have to change my bass strings 

But my bass already has strings?  

fastonebaz

HAL9000 said:

Turn it into a labour of love. Set 30 or 40 minutes aside. As well as new  strings, get out the polishing cloths, guitar polish, fretboard conditioner, etc. Put on your favourite album. Then get polishing and restringing. Enjoy.

This is exactly how I do it.  Love having fresh strings

thegummy

rossi said:

My friend hasnt changed the strings on his P bass since about 1966.It still sounds like a P bass..

Quite common for flatwounds (though possibly few have as an impressive record as that) some say they get better with age if anything.