Have had same strings for 9 months, should I change?

[MistaMarko]

Bought my new bass last October, and haven't changed the strings since I got it. They still sound great, I clean them all the time, is it really necessary for me to change them?

[Mark Wilson]

Well, nothing feels better than a fresh set of strings.

Your bass is like a person. That's like...not showering for 9 months.

[yawnsie]

I believe it was James Jamerson who used to keep his strings on for years at a time, and he was no slouch in the tone department. If you really think they still sound great, then there's no real reason I can think of why you shouldn't keep them.

[TheEmptyCell]

Try it. Just take the old strings off, don't cut them or anything, and put on new ones. If you don't like the new ones, maybe you'd like some flatwounds, or just put your oldies back on.

If it's your first bass, you may not remember what the thing sounded like new, with fresh strings. I sure didn't when I first strung up (after a year!)

[Philbiker]

If you like the way they sound and feel and they still play in tune, I say leave them on. I never change my strings until they won't hold tune any more. I love old strings. Lots of others do, too.

[bigtexashonk]

Since I've found Thomastik Jazz Flats, I only change a string when it breaks (maybe 2 ever), but then I prefer a more vintage sound.

If you're a slapper/popper or want a more agressive modern sound, you would probably want to change your strings as often as possible to retain as much of that zing and twang new strings have.

[vindy500]

nah man

[bassbully43]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

If you like the way they sound and feel and they still play in tune, I say leave them on. I never change my strings until they won't hold tune any more. I love old strings. Lots of others do, too.

+1

[MistaMarko]

I've been playing bass for a long time and all, was just saying that I got my newest one last October, and I fell in love with it. I clean the all the time and the tone still sounds amazing. They aren't stained and dirty and they keep tune very well, but I was just asking if I should change them for any other reason I didn't know of.

[Lokire]

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Well, nothing feels better than a fresh set of strings.

To me, nothing feels worse than a fresh set of strings. Bleh

If the strings still sound and feel good to you then it's fine. Lots of great players hardly ever changed their strings. Me'Shell uses a set of flats that's...what, 12 years old? Something like that. I've been using a set of DR Hi-Beams for about a year now and love the tone and feel.

But I play a lot of different styles, and it's not the best tone for everything. So I always keep different sets around, and switch them out when I'm looking for a different tone. Now I've got a drawer that's full of different string sets

[Elemetal]

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Well, nothing feels better than a fresh set of strings.

Your bass is like a person. That's like...not showering for 9 months.

Lol I shower everyday should I change my strings everyday? LOL Just kidding I'm not loaded.

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

I've been playing bass for a long time and all, was just saying that I got my newest one last October, and I fell in love with it. I clean the all the time and the tone still sounds amazing. They aren't stained and dirty and they keep tune very well, but I was just asking if I should change them for any other reason I didn't know of.

Darn good question if you ask me.

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

Bought my new bass last October, and haven't changed the strings since I got it. They still sound great, I clean them all the time, is it really necessary for me to change them?

Are they flats?

Joe

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by Lokire

To me, nothing feels worse than a fresh set of strings. Bleh

If the strings still sound and feel good to you then it's fine. Lots of great players hardly ever changed their strings. Me'Shell uses a set of flats that's...what, 12 years old? Something like that. I've been using a set of DR Hi-Beams for about a year now and love the tone and feel.

But I play a lot of different styles, and it's not the best tone for everything. So I always keep different sets around, and switch them out when I'm looking for a different tone. Now I've got a drawer that's full of different string sets

Big +1. I hate the metallic "twang" of new strings. Every time I change strings, it's at least a month before I like the tone of my bass again.

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by yawnsie

I believe it was James Jamerson who used to keep his strings on for years at a time, and he was no slouch in the tone department. If you really think they still sound great, then there's no real reason I can think of why you shouldn't keep them.

I also think that this was a BIG problem toward the end of his career. His strings would not allow him to play in tune. Not a good thing in the recording studio. From what I remember, he refused to change his strings. I remember these details from Standing in the Shadows of Motown.

Joe

[AlembicBob]

As much as we like the tone of our old strings, they do have an impact. I just changed out year-plus old strings for a new set of half rounds. I didn't even go to something with a particularly bright tone and the difference was significant. The tone controls on my bass do something now. While the un-amplified sound coming off the instrument is a little bit bright and clacky compared to the old strings, what is getting through the amp sounds great. I can still dial back the top end and get the old strings tone, but I have a bunch of new tone to work with as well.

[Crazyeelboy]

While I love the sound of new strings (better tone response as noted by AlembicBob), you should do whatever you want. If the strings stay in tune and you like the sound, there isn't much reason to change them.

[Thunderthief]

I wait untill strings get dirty, i find it really affects my ability to slide, and it looks gross as you play.

[Cutty]

There's a big market for used TI flats,people like them better used!!!once they mellow they just seem to last forever!!