Is it bad to leave a bass unstrung for a long period of time?

Kickin'Fruit · #1 07-28-2006, 06:12 PM

I was thinking about swapping strings off this squire I have, I bought new strings for it, didn't use it for a while, now that I've checked the gage (.105 E) I see it's the same as on my jazz now. Is it bad to leave the squire unstrung?

Jazzin' · #2 07-28-2006, 06:24 PM

I wouldn't leave a bass unstrung for more than a day. I believe that a day is a safe bet for a maximum. You can probably go longer. Like maybe a week

Just wait for some experts to answer this question. I have no experience with unstrung basses unless I have strings in my hands to string it back.

Kickin'Fruit · #3 07-28-2006, 06:38 PM

I am playing this Squire Pbass and I think it sounds a lot brighter and better than my Fender Jazz bass (I bought used and haven't gotten new strings yet) I wonder if the old strings on the jazz are dead and that's why it's got such a lifeless tone? The strings are pretty floppy too.

jobo4 · #4 07-28-2006, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kickin'Fruit

I am playing this Squire Pbass and I think it sounds a lot brighter and better than my Fender Jazz bass (I bought used and haven't gotten new strings yet) I wonder if the old strings on the jazz are dead and that's why it's got such a lifeless tone? The strings are pretty floppy too.

Yes. Dead strings = lifeless tone. But , hey, if you dig that sound.

I think the unstrung bass neck warp thing is a myth IIRC. It would seem you could do a lot of damage with tension on it, but not without. Even if the trussrod is tightened, it would seem that the stress would be way less than say putting on a set of E-G 105 LaBella flats and tuning up A-C.

Kickin'Fruit · #5 07-28-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobo4

Yes. Dead strings = lifeless tone. But , hey, if you dig that sound.

I think the unstrung bass neck warp thing is a myth IIRC. It would seem you could do a lot of damage with tension on it, but not without. Even if the trussrod is tightened, it would seem that the stress would be way less than say putting on a set of E-G 105 LaBella flats and tuning up A-C.

No I hate that lifeless sound. I don't want to go back to my jazz at the moment because these strings are so much 'brighter'... I think I need new strings on my jazz...

ibz · #6 07-28-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobo4

Even if the trussrod is tightened, it would seem that the stress would be way less than say putting on a set of E-G 105 LaBella flats and tuning up A-C.

The only time I've heard of someone doing that here on TB was with a short scale Kinal.

ElBajista · #7 07-28-2006, 06:53 PM

It should be fine as long as you loosen the truss rod. I would say no more than a 1/2 turn a day, until it stays consistently level.

My SX hasn't had strings for a couple of months, but I consistently check the neck for bow either way. It's been perfectly stable.

Kickin'Fruit · #8 07-28-2006, 07:22 PM

and how about leaving the strings on? Should I detune the bass or keep it in tune? This is my younger brother's squire P bass and I feel kind of bad treating it like crap, he doesn't play it, but then again I did break his fender frontman 15b practice amp...

jobo4 · #9 07-28-2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kickin'Fruit

and how about leaving the strings on? Should I detune the bass or keep it in tune? This is my younger brother's squire P bass and I feel kind of bad treating it like crap, he doesn't play it, but then again I did break his fender frontman 15b practice amp...

Leave it in tune.

KeithBMI · #10 07-28-2006, 10:51 PM

It won't totally ruin your bass, but it may require a good setup.

I left the strings off my SX for weeks. Once I put some news on on, everything went back into place.

lug · #11 07-29-2006, 09:51 AM

The trussrod is there to counter the tension of the strings on the neck. No strings means no counter tension to the trussrod. If you are gonna have no strings on for an extended period of time, definately lossen the trussrod.

kayakbass · #12 07-29-2006, 10:08 AM

Keep it strung, tuned to pitch and adjusted. Necks are like children, they need to be checked on regularly. Keep them in a constant state and they will thank you for it. Necks don't warp from being strung and tuned to pitch, they warp because the wood is faulty or the labor (to build it) is faulty. Even if you "retire" an instrument you should keep it tuned and check on it every month. Neglecting your gear is always the worst thing to do.

Fuzzbass · #13 07-29-2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lug

The trussrod is there to counter the tension of the strings on the neck. No strings means no counter tension to the trussrod. If you are gonna have no strings on for an extended period of time, definately lossen the trussrod.

Right-o.

I prefer to leave the strings on so I can leave the trussrod alone.

Mrdak · #14 08-07-2006, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kickin'Fruit

I was thinking about swapping strings off this squire I have, I bought new strings for it, didn't use it for a while, now that I've checked the gage (.105 E) I see it's the same as on my jazz now. Is it bad to leave the squire unstrung?

I can just about guarantee the answer to your question is, No.
A neck that sat in the corner of my room, doing absolutely nothing for a month or so went right back on a P bass I have, and played exactly like it did the day I took it off. If I had stored it in the attic, or the garage or some other dumbass place where the temperature change would have been extreme, then I would have had problems. A neck\truss rod ain't going to do zilch if it's just sitting unstrung.
good luck .... Dak

**MAJOR METAL** · #15 08-07-2006, 06:28 PM

I would thing the radical change in preasure would take the neck out of adjustment.

Import · #16 08-09-2006, 09:21 AM

Depends how hard/soft the neck wood and the warpage during building. Each individual bass will have different levels of tension on the truss rod. most basses should be fine if they havent had to have major truss tod ajustments against the pull of the strings.

JustOpenYourMind · #17 08-09-2006, 09:32 AM

I used to be like all these people and think that it mattered. But recently I left the strings off an old mim P-bass for about 3 months. Once I put some strings on it it was instantly where it was. It had had a pretty low action and kept it. And this was a cheap Mim. So i'm sure a good quality bass with reinforcements in the neck could do even better. I'd try it with my Mia but I can't justify spending 3 months without playing it

bassjus · #18 08-09-2006, 09:53 AM

strings have been off my spector for a good 6 months and he's still doing fine.

Cerb · #19 08-09-2006, 10:08 AM

I am of the opinion that it shouldn't matter if you leave the strings off based upon experience.

What's keeping you from just swapping the string sets and putting the one's that are on the jazz now on the squire?

Kickin'Fruit · #20 08-09-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerb

I am of the opinion that it shouldn't matter if you leave the strings off based upon experience.

What's keeping you from just swapping the string sets and putting the one's that are on the jazz now on the squire?

Just that when I strung the Squire I cut the A string too short and it's BARELY on the tuner so I'm worried if I take it off then it'll break... I also am under the impression that I don't want to keep the "dead" A on my jazz just for this reason. I have Elixer Nanowebs in the mail but I think I might wait for my Gotoh bridge to come in before I put them on so I can have them put them on at setup.