anyone re-use strings? - Page 2

Curtybob · #21 02-01-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

Yes, I tend to re-use mine once and then I send them to Cuba, where a lot of amazing musicians simply can't afford many of the basics (toothbrushes, let alone bass strings).

Not to pick, but this seems a bit flawed to me. Noble, maybe.... flawed, yes. If they can't afford a toothbrush, why would they have bought a bass guitar, an amp, and possibly even electricity to run the deal?

I'm a great driver. I can't afford a Ferarri. Please help.

Pilgrim · #22 02-01-2009, 06:53 PM

Flats are NEVER too old to re-use, unless they break .

I've often thought of building a jig with tuners and stringing a set of flats on a 2x4 in the garage so I could age them for a year or two before installing them on a bass. IMO, for the first 2-3 months flats sound too bright - I like them much better after they settle in.

The strings on my 8 basses range from 1 year to 36 years old - and none will be replaced unless they break. I have two basses with rounds, but both of them have strings that are at least 3 years old.

bass12 · #23 02-01-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtybob

Not to pick, but this seems a bit flawed to me. Noble, maybe.... flawed, yes. If they can't afford a toothbrush, why would they have bought a bass guitar, an amp, and possibly even electricity to run the deal?

I'm a great driver. I can't afford a Ferarri. Please help.

Are you serious? Wake up. Music is all a lot of these musicians have to help get them through life happily and for some it's a way of making money. Many didn't buy the instruments they play on. Some are hand-made, some were donated. I've gotten a lot from listening to third world music and it doesn't take a lot of effort on my part to give a little back. Your comment about the Ferrari just makes you sound like a spoiled brat.

Curtybob · #24 02-01-2009, 09:34 PM

Ok, I agree. The Ferrari comment was out of line. Plus, I apparently shouldn't try to spell what I can't afford.

But more along the lines of what I wanted to say (without sounding rude.... which I kind of blew that one, huh?) was that it seems kinda wrong to send these people you pay such respect to, a set of strings that you've already trashed. Why not send some new strings? It is, after all, a way for them to earn a living. But, I do understand that you might actually be doing just that, considering you didn't specifically say that you don't.