Change strings all at once, or one at a time?

TrooperFarva · #1 12-12-2005, 09:28 PM

I heard that it's not a good idea to take off all the strings at the same time, that its bad for the neck, because the tension isn't there anymore. Is this true? should I change my strings all at once, or is it better to do them one at a time? I searched the forum, but I didn't find any info. Thanks.

WillBuckingham · #2 12-12-2005, 09:46 PM

Yes you should absolutely change them one at a time. Change a string, tune it to pitch, and then change the next thing.

**Kelly Lee** · #3 12-12-2005, 10:39 PM

IMO/IME it makes absolutely no difference.

JimmyM · #4 12-12-2005, 11:17 PM

It matters on some basses. Others not so much. I have a bass that if I change the strings all at once the neck will need a truss rod readjustment. It all depends on how susceptible to weather changes your neck is.

**cheezewiz** · #5 12-12-2005, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Lee

IMO/IME it makes absolutely no difference.

+1

lookjojoisplaid · #6 12-12-2005, 11:56 PM

Its extremely bad to leave all the strings off the bass for any length of time. I had my Fender P-bass professionally set up and had them put new strings on it and after that the action and everthing was perfect. A couple weeks later i went to change the strings and put the exact same strings on and i took all of them off first and then put them on one by one. After that it totally jacked up the neck. The action was so high.

My advice is to change them one at a time starting from the highest pitched string.

**Kelly Lee** · #7 12-13-2005, 12:17 AM

Jimmy and lookjojoisplaid, what basses (what Fender P?) have caused problems for you? It shouldn't be a problem on any quality built bass.

The reason I also ask is that my supposedly crappy built import BC Rich basses, both of which have really thin necks, haven't given me any trouble. My Schecter Stiletto Elite has also been no problem.

When I change strings its all at once and it can be unstrung for maybe an hour as I clean the fretboard, deal with kids, the phone, etc. I have been doing it that way with my Innovator for 15+ years and 8 of those years were in humidity and temperature extreme Indiana.

tplyons · #8 12-13-2005, 12:27 AM

I always take 'em all off, clean the board, and restring with the same brand, type and gauge of string. Action remains EXACTLY the same afterwards.

Low E Louie · #9 12-13-2005, 02:46 AM

Yes, it is a good opportunity to polish frets, clean and oil the fingerboard.

vapochilled · #10 12-13-2005, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

I always take 'em all off, clean the board, and restring with the same brand, type and gauge of string. Action remains EXACTLY the same afterwards.

+1

I do the exact same

i_got_a_mohawk · #11 12-13-2005, 03:21 AM

Only problem i have had was when i restrung my EDA, i used a different gauge of strings, and after i restrung it, found the trussrod wont budge

, so the problem would have popped up even if i had changed one at a time im guessing

JimmyM · #12 12-13-2005, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Lee

Jimmy and lookjojoisplaid, what basses (what Fender P?) have caused problems for you? It shouldn't be a problem on any quality built bass.

The reason I also ask is that my supposedly crappy built import BC Rich basses, both of which have really thin necks, haven't given me any trouble. My Schecter Stiletto Elite has also been no problem.

When I change strings its all at once and it can be unstrung for maybe an hour as I clean the fretboard, deal with kids, the phone, etc. I have been doing it that way with my Innovator for 15+ years and 8 of those years were in humidity and temperature extreme Indiana.

The one bass that always does it to me is my Guitar Factory 4. Great bass, except the neck is very susceptible to weather and tension changes. They said it was because I overtweaked the neck when I first got it, but I don't know. I should say that I own a second bass from them that is absolutely flawless (except for the B string...one string too many), so they could be right about that.

lookjojoisplaid · #13 12-13-2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Lee

Jimmy and lookjojoisplaid, what basses (what Fender P?) have caused problems for you? It shouldn't be a problem on any quality built bass.

The reason I also ask is that my supposedly crappy built import BC Rich basses, both of which have really thin necks, haven't given me any trouble. My Schecter Stiletto Elite has also been no problem.

When I change strings its all at once and it can be unstrung for maybe an hour as I clean the fretboard, deal with kids, the phone, etc. I have been doing it that way with my Innovator for 15+ years and 8 of those years were in humidity and temperature extreme Indiana.

My P-Bass Special. Its a P-bass Body with a Jazz neck

Jerry Ziarko · #14 12-13-2005, 04:40 PM

The only bass I ever changed strings on one at a time was an old Rick 4001 that had a "floating'" bridge. Other than that particular instrument, I ALWAYS remove them ALL to clean, oil, prep the board for a fresh set. I have never had a problem with this method.

**Kelly Lee** · #15 12-14-2005, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

The one bass that always does it to me is my Guitar Factory 4. Great bass, except the neck is very susceptible to weather and tension changes. They said it was because I overtweaked the neck when I first got it, but I don't know.

I'm not familiar with Guitar Factory. Hmm. Sounds like they told you some BS to me.

Did you tweak the neck and if so, how? Like I said, my BCR's have really thin necks and never had problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookjojoisplaid

My P-Bass Special. Its a P-bass Body with a Jazz neck

What brand of neck is it? Eh, forget that, it shouldn't matter anyways.

I think both of you guys have defective/bad necks. Maybe you both should look at replacements.

JimmyM · #16 12-15-2005, 05:10 AM

Yeah, I overtweaked the neck a little. I didn't buy the explanation either, but the bass is so nice otherwise that I deal with it. Not a big deal. And to replace the neck would mean building a whole new bass, as it's neck-thru.

Anyway, what are you looking for here? An admission that there's something wrong with my bass? Maybe there is. But it's so good in every other way that I really don't care that I have to change the strings one at a time. Big whoop.

**Kelly Lee** · #17 12-15-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

And to replace the neck would mean building a whole new bass, as it's neck-thru.

Yea, you just can't swap them out!

Quote:

Anyway, what are you looking for here? An admission that there's something wrong with my bass? Maybe there is. But it's so good in every other way that I really don't care that I have to change the strings one at a time. Big whoop.

What? Well, if there is something actually wrong with it that could explain your experience with changing the strings.

What I was getting at is that I have never known anyone to have such problems. Also, as you can read here, most others have never had these problems. Sorry if you take offense somehow as that was not my intention.

Turock · #18 12-15-2005, 10:26 AM

In my 30+ years of changing strings, I have to say that it makes no difference.

SGT. Pepper · #19 12-28-2005, 08:27 AM

One at a time. Why take the chance on having to do a rod adjustment, play it safe.

Redhotbassist · #20 12-28-2005, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

I always take 'em all off, clean the board, and restring with the same brand, type and gauge of string. Action remains EXACTLY the same afterwards.

+2 I do exactly the same..