Do they ruin once you take off?

[deesako]

Hello, I plan on finishing the neck of my new pbass, but I just put some brand new black beauties on em' a few days ago.

If I take them off to work on the neck will they still sound okay after putting back on? I'm hoping, maybe it'll sound more thumpy.

[mmbongo]

Personally I don't think strings sound the same after being installed and removed. It could be psychological though. But I have bought some used sets in the past and had no problems. So, I don't know. I'm rambling!

[T. Alan Smith]

In the OP's case, they should be okay as long as he's careful.

[jet_king]

I had black beauties and changed to a higher gauge strings then went back because i didn't like the feel(eventually had to go back to the higher gauge). But When they were new they were great! When i took them off then put back they sounded fine. As long has they stay in a safe place and don't get squashed or stretched while off the neck/bass i would imagine they stay in good condition, they wont ruin, but it will feel different.

[darkstorm]

They may sound a little more broken in once you put them back on. Leave them curled where at tuner end. If you dont have top release bridge, leave them in the bridge and simply removed from tuner end. Then position the loose strings out of the way with the body. While working on the removed neck. When you put the strings back on, slip the end into tuner hole and curled wrap around tuner. Pull tight and guide strings as you retune.

[mongo2]

I swap strings around all the time. I also save takeoffs for use on other instruments.

My current #1 has old strings from two different gauge sets.

[Bongolation]

I don't think there's much to it if you put them back on exactly as you took them off. Sometimes you get a flip or twist in the string that will bring the windings tighter or looser when brought to pitch. At least in theory this could make a slight difference, and I've read posts from people who intentionally do this sort of thing in the belief that it increases "awesome"-ness somehow.

Otherwise, it makes no more sense that the string would be damaged somehow than it would if you merely slacked the tension off during some maintenance or other. Think about it.