I don't play gigs yet, I am still getting good, so i dont usually change them for as much as six months, I use elixirs and I beat on them pretty good, I have only broken one string on my new guitar so far... Thats becasue it hadn't been adjusted in a while. I find though that I start to hate the sound of my amp and stuff though after I while, thats usually when I change them. It is normally the problem. I need to get a better ear for tone I think. :)