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If your strings no longer sound full or don't hold their tuning, then it's time to change strings. If your strings look or feel dirty, but still sound good and hold their tuning, you may want to replace them, but they do not necessarily require replacement. This is a gray area where you can use your judgment

Boiling your old, used strings can cause them to produce a much sharper, crispier, and springier tone.

You will be surprised at the amount of dirt and oil you will extract from your strings in the boiling process. Once you have finished, the water in the pan will show the results.

Can old guitar strings affect intonation? Not only can, they most definitely do. The strings are worn in different places, plus there's build-up of skin residue, dust and what not over time. The strings will not be even along the length, plus they lose tension and the will not vibrate properly and evenly.