How do I change strings faster?

[BrandonBass]

I know the whole procedure but it takes hella long time and effort to turn the tuners to wind the strings..

[Michael Eisenman]

Here you go: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...3&src=3SOSWXXA

[cdef]

What I do is cut the string to length (make a bend, cut about half an inch below it), then wind it around the post by hand, making sure the windings (about 3 or 4) stay snug & tight. The tuning key comes in when there´s just a little slack left, and I still keep my fingers on the windings to guide them along. When the string is up to pitch I give it a few tugs and tune up again, then move on to the next. This agenda takes less than 10 minutes for 4 strings.

[vindy500]

yes cut the string to length, i put it through the bridge and ut it about 2 tuners, i.e if it was the e string on a typical dender bass i would cut the string about where the d tuner is. then i poke it in the hole, wrap it around as much as i can, then just tighten the last lil bit up, i can do a set in about 5 minutes.

[The Dave]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...der?sku=364800 + http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...p?productID=10

and be careful.

[vindy500]

Originally Posted by The Dave

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...der?sku=364800 + http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...p?productID=10

and be careful.

dude. no,, just no. no no no. please. no. pull the trigger with that beast ahh crap there goes another string...

[Jazz Ad]

Top loading bridge and Sperzel tuners.
Less than a minute to do the whole bass.

[opivy3056]

Originally Posted by The Dave

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...der?sku=364800 + http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...p?productID=10

and be careful.

maybe a slightly less powerful drill................

nah.

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Top loading bridge and Sperzel tuners.
Less than a minute to do the whole bass.

I was going to mention the top-loading bridge... one with the "quick release" feature.

Sperzels are a great idea too, but I've never gotten around to putting 'em on a bass.

[Nick Ioannucci]

it only takes me about 10 minutes to string up and tune a bass, and i take the original strings off and save them. if i got a string winder it would take even less time.

[Kael]

Sure fire method to assure that changing strings on your electric bass never bothers you again.


Step 1:
Go buy an upright bass.

Step 2:
Replace the strings on your new upright bass with a spiffy new set of guts.

Step 3:
Tune your new guts up 23 times before they will hold pitch for longer than three consecutive minutes.

Step 4:
Realize that changing strings on an electric bass is comparatively quite quick and easy.

Step 5:
Quit griping.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Kael

Sure fire method to assure that changing strings on your electric bass never bothers you again.


Step 1:
Go buy an upright bass.

Step 2:
Replace the strings on your new upright bass with a spiffy new set of guts.

Step 3:
Tune your new guts up 23 times before they will hold pitch for longer than three consecutive minutes.

Step 4:
Realize that changing strings on an electric bass is comparatively quite quick and easy.

Step 5:
Quit griping.

Agree 100% and I only changed the strings on my electric bass once in the last 4 years and they just sound better and better, so I don't intend doing it again!!

[ErnieD]

I got 2 sets of strings coming in mail and I was gonna change out 2 of my basses. OK to remove all old strings at once to clean the basses really well, in the past I've read here two schools of thought on this subject. I prefer to remove old strings all at once to clean the neck, fretboard, pups, body well. Is that so wrong?
I now I am abit off topic but I think its a valid question while the strings are coming off, but to answer here, I take my time cause it just takes me more time to change em out on basses. later.

[JansenW]

I agree, the quickest way is to precut your strings. Use the the old string to measure out the precut lengths and have them handy during a practice or gig.

Originally Posted by The Dave

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...der?sku=364800 + http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...p?productID=10

and be careful.

If I must, I would choose a cordless drill with adjustable torque settings. This way I can tune each string by selecting a torque setting for each string. No need to listen at all! (B=3.5, E=4, A=5, D=6, G=7 or 8)

[The Dave]

Ernie, I don't think it'll cause any real problems. A friend who's played Fenders for about 40 years told me that if you take all the tension off of a skinny Jazz neck, it might take an extra day or two for your neck to settle back in after you restring it, but it certainly won't damage anything. Go ahead and clean your bass. BTW - What kind of strings are you puting on???

[The Dave]

Originally Posted by JansenW

If I must, I would choose a cordless drill with adjustable torque settings. This way I can tune each string by selecting a torque setting for each string. No need to listen at all! (B=3.5, E=4, A=5, D=6, G=7 or 8)

I think somebody used to make a tuner that would do that. Planet Waves currently has a string winder with a built in tuner, but real power tools are just so much cooler.

[JustOpenYourMind]

Originally Posted by lmoh

What I do is cut the string to length (make a bend, cut about half an inch below it), then wind it around the post by hand, making sure the windings (about 3 or 4) stay snug & tight. The tuning key comes in when there´s just a little slack left, and I still keep my fingers on the windings to guide them along. When the string is up to pitch I give it a few tugs and tune up again, then move on to the next. This agenda takes less than 10 minutes for 4 strings.

Never, ever wind a string around the post by hand this twists the strings, twisted strings die faster break easier and sound deader right from the start...

[ErnieD]

Hey Dave, believe it or not after about 2 yrs of owning my bought new Skyline 55-01 I am about to change the strings for the first time. This bass has been great as is but I am about to startup with a new band and I want some fresh strings for the old school funk style of music they do. I was about to order some DR Sunbeams or Fatbeams for the first time ever and someone here asked why not just get some more strings from Lakland if I was happy with them and I am so I called Lakland this past Friday and ordered a set of SS and Nickels too. At $22 a set I thought it was a great deal but I still would like to get some Dr's to see what all the rave is about. Will put the steels on my 55-01 and try the nickels on my Cirrus, hope they're still good to my ears. later.

[cdef]

Originally Posted by JustOpenYourMind

Never, ever wind a string around the post by hand this twists the strings, twisted strings die faster break easier and sound deader right from the start...

Yes, I am aware of these considerations. Guess they make sense. However, I've never experienced any difference in practice. Never broken a string, my DR r/ws last a very long time, etc.

[Cristo]

Originally Posted by lmoh

What I do is cut the string to length (make a bend, cut about half an inch below it), then wind it around the post by hand, making sure the windings (about 3 or 4) stay snug & tight. The tuning key comes in when there´s just a little slack left, and I still keep my fingers on the windings to guide them along. When the string is up to pitch I give it a few tugs and tune up again, then move on to the next. This agenda takes less than 10 minutes for 4 strings.

Pretty much the method I use - however, before getting all the slack out of the string, I pull the slack towards the bridge so that the ball end can rotate freely and release any twist that I created during winding before I tighten it down.