ERB: How often do you change your strings?

Pako · #1 07-25-2006, 08:41 AM

Last night, I finally broke down and put new strings on my 6-string Thumb, mainly to bring life back to my low-B and E. Typically, with my 4/5 string basses, I would change my strings at least once a month, every other month tops. On my 6-String however, this is my first time since I bought it last year that I have changed it's strings. So comes the question, what about the rest of you ERB players. How often do you change your strings? Would you say you changed them less then you did with your non-ERB? Just curious.

chilliwilli · #2 07-25-2006, 09:15 AM

whats an erb?

I use roundwounds until they cant stay in tune anymore and when you slap them they dont really make much of a sound

Pako · #3 07-25-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

whats an erb?

Extended Range Bass.

Ole Man Blues · #4 07-25-2006, 11:10 AM

I used to change strings every few months, but since I started using Chromes I haven't changed them in what I believe to be over 1 year.........

OMB

Dan Molina · #5 07-25-2006, 11:18 AM

For Elixirs about every three months. For anything else about three weeks.

matito · #6 07-27-2006, 11:04 AM

i change my strings, before a decent gig, or after a long jam or gig where i was sweating alot and the strings really feel dirty and kinda rusty.

so pretty often for me, every couple weeks on average.

there was a period i wasn't gigging or jamming much and i changed strings every 2 or 3 months.

i like the sound and feel of new strings, so i like to do it often

dewbass4 · #7 07-27-2006, 09:24 PM

I change when the strings either won't tune properly or start sounding like an upright (dull with no sustain). Luckly I'm easy on strings. 20 years on a set of Chromes (5 different basses) is my longest time using one set of strings. I got a little over 5 years on a set of Prism 5's (not my main bass). I've switched to Elixers (for both 4 and 5 )and after 2 years they still sound fresh.

Robbiethebassis · #8 07-28-2006, 10:53 AM

I havent changed my strings since I got my bass.

kayakbass · #9 07-28-2006, 11:37 AM

Oh boy! I'm in the minority here.... I change my string every two weeks. Sometimes every week during the summer! Got to have that new string "ting!" I will leave strings on my fretless for months on end. I should mention that my hands sweat alot when I play so the minute that E string doesn't "ting" anymore, OFF THEY COME! Am I OCD or what?

Higgie · #10 07-28-2006, 11:51 AM

My hands tend to sweat alot. And I play alot. Makes me need to change every few weeks. They will last a month a). If I'm lucky, or b). I'm skint and have to put up with dead strings. Doesn't help that this has been the hottest July ever recorded in the UK

bass_drum · #11 07-28-2006, 12:04 PM

Jean Baudin doesn't need to change strings, instead he just buys a new bass.

pointbass · #12 07-28-2006, 03:49 PM

Strings on my 7's get changed probably about every 9 to 12 months, less frequently on the 6 since I use flats on that .... maybe once every two years ......

I can't imagine what would create the need to change strings on a bass every two/three weeks, regardless of how much or little it's played or how sweaty someone's hands might be

I've had basses that had the same strings on them for as long as 4-5 years, and I play a lot ....

shaggysivirus · #13 08-02-2006, 04:55 PM

I change my Peavey's strings as often as I can because I like the sound of new strings. I'm currently using ProSteels and after 2 weeks and a lot of playing they still sound ok. My 6-string is about 6 months old and came with stock strings. They are now dead and sound crap so that's being restrung as soon as I can afford it.

the_butters · #14 08-06-2006, 04:20 PM

It's my understanding that stainless steel doesn't rust. So, do 100% stainless steel strings last a lot longer than nickel-plated/chromes/etc?

I used to play d'Ad XL's (nickle-plated) on a marginal passive bass through an even more marginal amp, and I typically replaced them every month just to get any reasonable sustain.

Now I play Warwick Black or Rotosound S66 steels on a Warwick passive-to-active double-buck. When I switched from the stock blacks to the rotos after 3 months, it was more because I wanted to hear the rotos than because the blacks were starting to sound dull.

James Hart · #15 08-06-2006, 06:49 PM

I went and got older and now my hands aren't as toxic!!!!

I use to swap strings every week or 2... now it's every 6 to 7 months. I do also wipe regularly with a little spot of rubbing alcohol now and again to bring the zing back

Garry Goodman · #16 08-08-2006, 09:52 PM

Anywhere from once a week to 5 times in a day. it depends on the bass, the strings and the reason I am changing them.

Kraken · #17 08-09-2006, 07:50 AM

I came here wanting to post to find out if changing strings approximatley every month was normal and if anybody else had any tips to make string life longer, but as I see people who play regularly here change strings as regularly as I do, I don't feel quite so bad - just much more skint

RWP · #18 08-09-2006, 08:08 AM

I read somewhere you can put old strings in a tube filled with alcohol, let them soak and they come out like new. Anyone tried this?

Petary791 · #19 08-09-2006, 09:06 AM

I'm really bad about changing strings. I tend to think "hmmmmmmmmm if my strings are dying i'll just turn up the treble." I change them whenever I break one.

Yes, I break bass strings. Hoorah for aggressive attack.

**TheEmptyCell** · #20 08-09-2006, 06:24 PM

I think I'm on about a three month schedule using D'addario XL's. It was around a month-and-a-half with Prosteels. Around a year with Elixirs... they came stock on my Ibanez. Changed 'em, and the new set just didn't fit the tone I was looking for. I'm thinking of trying some TI Jazz flats... but they cost 1/6 what I paid for the bass!!!