85/15 Great American Bronze wound strings combine the brilliance of 80/20 alloy strings with the great sustain and long-lasting characteristics of phosphor bronze.85/15 Bronze ExplainedAn alloy of 85 Percent copper and 15 Percent zinc, 85/15 bronze combines the brilliant sound characteristics of 80/20 bronze with the greater sustain usually found in phosphor bronze strings.Plain Steel ExplainedA high carbon steel alloy wire that is round in cross section. Used for plain steel strings.When do I change my strings?Donandrsquo, t wait until they break The frequency you should change strings depends on how often you play, how you play, and in what conditions your instrument is played and stored. Active performers may need to change their strings on a weekly basis or even more often if they suffer from acidic perspiration. Occasional players may take months to wear out a set. Most players change strings when they lose their brilliance, sound too mellow, when intonation falters or when their instrument is difficult to keep in tune. Changing one string after it breaks is not recommended as the newer string will be brighter-sounding than the rest of the set.How can I clean my strings?Hand perspiration and dirt build-up are the main culprits that shorten string longevity. Wipe strings down with a clean cloth after each session. For those of you with more acidic perspiration, wipe strings down with Planet Waves String Cleaner.Which string set is for me?Whether choosing electric, acoustic, classical or other strings, the right string tension for your style is a matter of trial and error and is of utmost importance. Experimenting with different tensions can bring out a completely different character and sound of your instrument and in the style of your play.