If your instrument has been out in the cold, let it warm up gradually in the case before taking it out and playing it. This will also prevent moisture from condensing on your instrument. Strings Strings need to be changed periodically, They will generally have lost their tone long before they break. String life may range from a few weeks to a few months depending on how much you play, the type of strings you use and other factors. Steel strings are just what they say they are.
Steel strings are fairly bright sounding.
These days, gut strings have a metal wrap, so they don't look very different from other strings. Gut strings are more expensive, and are more sensitive to weather and use. Perlon strings are basically a synthetic version of gut strings. They tend to last longer than gut, while giving a similar type of sound. Learn about the strings you have been using.