Back in November i bought a brand new set of dominants for my stentor.
But then for Christmas, i got a new violin. I don't know how long the strings have been on there for, they're dominants also and i'm guessing they've been on there a while. They've become a bit... discoloured :S around where they're bowed.
I've changed strings on other violins but i'm so clumsy i'm a bit nervous to do anything to my lovely 120 year old Fidelio

I was wondering if it's worth putting the new set of dominants on off my stentor which is sat in my cupboard doing nothing, and putting them onto my new violin?
The ones on there at the moment can't be THAT bad or else i assume my teacher would have said something. But saying that, as i said i think they've been on there a while and before i bought it my violin had been sat in a dusty cabinet in the luthiers shop for quite some time. Also, i have a brand new set of domiants that cost me £25 sat there doing nothing I guess it'd be better to play on a new set and have an old set as spares rather than vice versa. But i don't know how often you should change strings, how long are they good for?

Go ahead and change them - you've nothing to lose if the ones that are on there now are a bit old and scratty!

Just change them one at a time and you'll be fine.

Allan

Ok
Oh dear if the bridge collapeses *panics*
I dunno if it was cause my stentor was rubbish, but the bridge always collapsed (with a rather frightening BANG), whilst changing strings. Even though i took my time and changed one at a time.

Shouldn't happen if your bridge is well fitted and you only loosen one string at a time, replace it and bring it up to pitch before tackling the next one. I always go A, D, G, e - dunno why, but I do.

Good luck

In fact, only remove one string at a time! Change the G first, then D, and so on. Changing from the lowest first still allows a stable A and a good reference point for tuning the lower strings. Get the G and D in tune as much as possible, then change the A. All the time you are doing this, check the bridge is not starting to keel over! Leaving the E till last doesn't matter, as it will tune up fairly quickly and remain there.

Play the instrument for a few minutes and then re-tune the strings. Do this several times and it won't take long for them to settle or to be played in. Continue to keep an eye on that bridge, it can be pulled off vertical quite quickly.

Unless it's an outright emergency such as a broken string, don't change strings when you are in a hurry. Always give yourself enough time to do them properly. Strings wound onto pegs in a hurry and all higgledy-piggledy won't do the strings or pegs any favours.

For an average student, a set of strings should be replaced at least once a year - not just when they break, or look as though they are about too. E strings 'die' a lot sooner, change it every few months to keep a nice strong and bright tone.