# How often do you change your string? **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [July 12, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717 "2014-07-12T17:56:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![YoYoTech](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyotech/32/1552_2.png) [@YoYoTech](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YoYoTech)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/1 "2014-07-12T17:56:17Z")
Give us some reason why you change your string often for the player who are just starting to yoyo? ---
**Author:** ![thefluteninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e19b73/32.png) [@thefluteninja](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/thefluteninja)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/2 "2014-07-12T18:30:39Z")
I change string when the string gets dirty or is unable to hold tension. ---
**Author:** ![andy569](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/andy569/32/1256_2.png) [@andy569](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/andy569)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 6:38pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/3 "2014-07-12T18:38:51Z")
If your just starting you don’t need to change strings often. Since your just starting you don’t really need to change strings unless it’s about to snap, so Id say like once or twice a month 😛 ---
**Author:** ![rizki\_yoist](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rizki_yoist/32/7925_2.png) [@rizki\_yoist](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/rizki_yoist)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/4 "2014-07-12T20:16:08Z")
> [@andy569](#): > > If your just starting you don’t need to change strings often. Since your just starting you don’t really need to change strings unless it’s about to snap, so Id say like once or twice a month 😛 No… really… Generally I changed my string once it’s dirty or furry or when it doesn’t perform well anymore, it’s about 3-4 hours of play, could be more or less. For looping it could be less than one hour. 100% poly for both. ---
**Author:** ![andy569](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/andy569/32/1256_2.png) [@andy569](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/andy569)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/5 "2014-07-12T20:24:03Z")
> [@rizki\_yoist](#): > > No… really… > > Generally I changed my string once it’s dirty or furry or when it doesn’t perform well anymore, it’s about 3-4 hours of play, could be more or less. For looping it could be less than one hour. 100% poly for both. If you’re just doing basic tricks what’s the point of changing string every few hours or even every few days? You change string to maximize performance, usually for slacks and such. But at a beginner-intermediate level it’s not necessary to change string more then once every other week because changing the string won’t affect the play whatsoever at that level ---
**Author:** ![berto](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/berto/32/1506_2.png) [@berto](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/berto)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 1:09am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/6 "2014-07-13T01:09:55Z")
> [@andy569](#): > > If you’re just doing basic tricks what’s the point of changing string every few hours or even every few days? > > You change string to maximize performance, usually for slacks and such. But at a beginner-intermediate level it’s not necessary to change string more then once every other week because changing the string won’t affect the play whatsoever at that level There… Agree. ---
**Author:** ![yoyoboy224](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/f14d63/32.png) [@yoyoboy224](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyoboy224)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 1:35am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/7 "2014-07-13T01:35:12Z")
I change it every other day ---
**Author:** ![Nikolai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8491ac/32.png) [@Nikolai](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Nikolai)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/8 "2014-07-13T01:44:51Z")
After around 7 hours of use ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/9 "2014-07-13T02:35:51Z")
> [@andy569](#): > > If your just starting you don’t need to change strings often. Since your just starting you don’t really need to change strings unless it’s about to snap, so Id say like once or twice a month 😛 IMO - Untrue. Change it when it starts to look ratty, at least once or twice a week depending on the usage. A clean, new string works wonders when it seems that nothing you do is working. Maybe it’s the same effect that washing the car causes it to run so much better, I don’t know. In any event change it well before it’s ready to snap, and how do you know when that is imminent anyway? ---
**Author:** ![rizki\_yoist](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rizki_yoist/32/7925_2.png) [@rizki\_yoist](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/rizki_yoist)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 5:31am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/10 "2014-07-13T05:31:47Z")
> [@andy569](#): > > If you’re just doing basic tricks what’s the point of changing string every few hours or even every few days? > > You change string to maximize performance, usually for slacks and such. But at a beginner-intermediate level it’s not necessary to change string more then once every other week because changing the string won’t affect the play whatsoever at that level 3 hours would be about a week if I play like 20-30 minutes a day. In my opinion since beginners tend to play sloppy, they ruined the string tension and getting knots and such often. Bad string in that case may hinder play (like sticky string, bad tension) adding more difficulties than it should. But I think you’re right that most experienced players rather change their string more often, in that sense it should be no problem to play -just a little longer- for the sake of saving. One thing to mention, storing the yoyo with dirty string is definitely not a good idea (especially for metals). I’ve seen pitting around response area that I suspect because the owner wants to be cheap by keep using dirty string and storing the yoyo along with it. I rather have to buy another string than another yoyo. Oh one more thing, washing your hands before playing will increase string longevity. ---
**Author:** ![mr.nightshadow95](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mr.nightshadow95/32/1093_2.png) [@mr.nightshadow95](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mr.nightshadow95)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/11 "2014-07-13T13:23:14Z")
Maybe once a week or bimonthly I don’t change it often until it doesn’t hold tension well but I like the feel of used string. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/12 "2014-07-13T21:33:21Z")
I change my string every hour. If I’m practicing for a contest, I change it every 3 minutes. (String stretches during play). ---
**Author:** ![thefluteninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e19b73/32.png) [@thefluteninja](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/thefluteninja)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/13 "2014-07-13T21:43:17Z")
> [@rizki\_yoist](#): > > Oh one more thing, washing your hands before playing will increase string longevity. ^This helps me use string longer. ---
**Author:** ![NoHydraNo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nohydrano/32/1547_2.png) [@NoHydraNo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/NoHydraNo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 1:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/14 "2014-07-14T01:13:07Z")
Every other day, often when the string gets ratty. I used to wash my hands to keep strings lasting longer, but I decided I prefer the disposable nature of strings, and have a lot more fun if I get to change them often/tinker/etc. Plus I’m a grungy dude. I have acidic body chemistry that ruins guitar strings in about a day. I’ve just learned to love the aesthetic of having strings like look like they were rolled around in cigarette ashes. ---
**Author:** ![Harryhillz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58f4c7/32.png) [@Harryhillz](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Harryhillz)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 5:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/15 "2014-07-14T05:13:53Z")
Usually I only change my string when it becomes really dirty Or has a knot ---
**Author:** ![theguitarplayer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@theguitarplayer](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/theguitarplayer)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 1:37pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/16 "2014-07-14T13:37:27Z")
If you wear gloves it matters little the state of the string, as long as the tension is good. ---
**Author:** ![Nikolai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8491ac/32.png) [@Nikolai](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Nikolai)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 3:19pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/17 "2014-07-14T15:19:02Z")
Also right now, I’m using kitty string normal in orange and when it breaks in and gets used it looks like it was in the sun for 3 years (colour fades). I really dont like how it does that, shoulda got yellow ---
**Author:** ![yoyoboy224](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/f14d63/32.png) [@yoyoboy224](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyoboy224)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/18 "2014-07-21T01:21:43Z")
> [@Nikolai](#): > > Also right now, I’m using kitty string normal in orange and when it breaks in and gets used it looks like it was in the sun for 3 years (colour fades). I really dont like how it does that, shoulda got yellow I made that mistake a few years ago. Yellow fat is amazingly bright though. I’d shoot for that next time. ---
**Author:** ![GregP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gregp/32/1192_2.png) [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/19 "2014-07-21T02:20:22Z")
The orange kitty does lose its luminous nature pretty quickly, which is too bad since it’s also my favourite colour of string. I just change my strings whenever they don’t feel right. Usually this means they’ve gotten ratty for one reason or another. I’m not always in a position to wash my hands right before playing and sometimes things like bug spray, sunscreen, and picking my children up from the dirt happen. :wink: You can tell when a string needs changing. (like the one on my Cascade right now… grabbed it on the way out the door and when I went to throw it for the first time today I was like, “Yeah… I wish I had a new string with me…”) ---
**Author:** ![MattB](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mattb/32/14529_2.png) [@MattB](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MattB)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 5:24am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717/20 "2014-07-21T05:24:44Z")
Beginners do a lot of hand winding which can put additional wear on the string. I agree that without slack tricks, beginners can go longer on a worn string as long as it’s not making binds too difficult. [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-often-do-you-change-your-string/67717.md?page=2)