How do you keep track of which string set is on which bass?

[bullshark]

Like the title says. For instance, I just removed a set of round from my fretless to install a set of flat instead, just to try things; I loved the strings that were on, but I'll be damn if I can remember what they are, so, next time I need a set of round for that bass, I'm fudged

I need a system. Suggestions?

[uaudio]

Cut the relevant part of the string box up and keep it in your gear closet/bag. Or write it with permanent marker on the back of your bass neck.

[Ian Perge]

I actualy go the high-tech route and have a spreadsheet that keeps track of each bass and what type of strings I have on, how long they've been on, and how long the batteries have been installed in each bass.

Yes, I'm nerdy anal.

[bullshark]

Originally Posted by uaudio

Cut the relevant part of the string box up and keep it in your gear closet/bag. Or write it with permanent marker on the back of your bass neck.

Good idea, but I have four basses and only two carrying case... Can't really stick part of the box to each bass with sticky tape?

[edit] Missed the part about permanent marker... not sure I want to do that to my basses, especially to my Sterling...

[Oren Hudson]

I keep the part of the box that has the brand and relevant numbers/descriptions and just write on it somewhere what bass and the date installed. Or the spreedsheet idea would work equally as well if you are proficient at such things. I'm fairly low tech on such matters.

[bullshark]

Originally Posted by Ian Perge

I actualy go the high-tech route and have a spreadsheet that keeps track of each bass and what type of strings I have on, how long they've been on, and how long the batteries have been installed in each bass.

Yes, I'm nerdy anal.

What about string sets which are still good and you keep, but are currently off the bass?

For instance, I'm removing the original set from my Sterling to try Lo-rider instead, but I might go back to the Slinky and I don't have a box for them. What I used to do is put the old set in the new box, but now I have a pile of mismatched string/box set, and I don't even know for which bass half of them were cut...

[line6man]

Seriously, how difficult is it to just remember?

If not, just write it down on a piece of paper, then keep the paper in your gig bag.

[bullshark]

Originally Posted by line6man

Seriously, how difficult is it to just remember?

That's what I thought at first, and why I now have two basses out of four that I don't have a clue what's on them. There might come a time where I'll have a known favorite for each bass (right now, looks like Fender 9050's on the precision is it), then I won't forget. In the meantime, I need a system hence me asking fellow bass player what they do (and I'm pretty certain bass player who owns a multiple of basses do have some kind of system).

[wingnut]

Cut the flap off of the lid and poke a hole in it. Date the flap and tie it to your strap with a twist tie. Always works for me.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by bullshark

Like the title says. For instance, I just removed a set of round from my fretless to install a set of flat instead, just to try things; I loved the strings that were on, but I'll be damn if I can remember what they are, so, next time I need a set of round for that bass, I'm fudged

I need a system. Suggestions?

Not to be snippy here, but a pencil, and a piece of paper that you don't won't throw away is really about all you need. You can make it as complicated as you like, but it also can really be about that simple.

Or just write on the string packaging with a permanent marker if you are the sort who keeps such things around.

[MrLenny]

I always keep the string package and put the info on it as to
which bass and string type and the date. This helps me track how
old they are. As the next new set rolls around I discard the old package
and start over again.

[fullrangebass]

Unless I've found the perfect match for the bass (eg MTD stainless strings for my Ken Lawrence Brase I, or DR UFO's for my Dingwall SJ4), I prefer to keep the label in the case and I add the date I've installed them on the bass, so I know which set was on what bass and when that was. That has been of major help with the 80+ basses that I've had the past few years

[Nick Kay]

I just write them down in the front of my gig book. If you want to get fancy, cut out the part of the package with the relevant information (make, model, gauges) and tape it onto the back of the headstock with scotch tape.

[Solarmist]

Save the boxes & use felt pen

[MadMan118]

I've always just sorta remembered. My girlfriend asked me this once she asked me to prove it, i just started pointing and naming: GHS Boomers Heavy Gauge, Dean Markley, D'Addaro, etc etc.

[superfunk47]

Originally Posted by fullrangebass

Unless I've found the perfect match for the bass (eg MTD stainless strings for my Ken Lawrence Brase I, or DR UFO's for my Dingwall SJ4), I prefer to keep the label in the case and I add the date I've installed them on the bass, so I know which set was on what bass and when that was. That has been of major help with the 80+ basses that I've had the past few years

fullrange, I've alway's wondered where you keep all of your cases. I imagine, being high-end Dingwalls, they probably come with hard cases, and hard cases take a lot of space...so do you just have a huge house?

Sorry for the derail...I just have to know!

I just remember, I guess...even when I had 12 very different basses with very different strings, they all sounded different enough that I identified their unique tone with the string I was using, so it was easy to keep track of.

[Ian Perge]

Originally Posted by bullshark

What about string sets which are still good and you keep, but are currently off the bass?

For instance, I'm removing the original set from my Sterling to try Lo-rider instead, but I might go back to the Slinky and I don't have a box for them. What I used to do is put the old set in the new box, but now I have a pile of mismatched string/box set, and I don't even know for which bass half of them were cut...

I suppose that I'm lucky in that I've found "my" sound in the area of strings: fretted basses get D'addario ProSteels, fretless get D'addario EXP Coated (I A/B'd them against Elixirs and the D'addario's "won", having a better original tone, a thinner but longer-lasting coating, and being a decent amount cheaper as well), and the coursed 10-string (Five-string w/Octaves) get a custom set from SIT. So I'm not the player who's consistantly trying out new brands and gauges: I have my fretted four, fretted five, fretless five, and fretted 10 to keep track of. I can see myself in the future adding both a five-string "tenorbass" tuned EADGC, and a five-string "contrabass" tuned F#BEAD, but even those would facilitate purchasing 4-string sets and a single.

...but I have saved some different brands from new basses (I believe I still have several Spector, Yamaha, and Elixir from doing such) when doing my initial setup/string change/Strap-Lok install, and found that rewinding them to approximately the sixe they come in, storing them in Ziplock sandwich baggies (masking tape over the cut ends so they don't poke through the bag) and then marking the bag with the type, gauage, and date removed in Sharpie marker keeps them organized as well as somewhat sealed from air and fresher than completely exposed. You might want to try this to keep track of sets "manually".

[Vincent P]

Originally Posted by uaudio

Or write it with permanent marker on the back of your bass neck.

[Ian Perge]

I'm going out on a limb to think that uaudio meant something to the effect of "Or write it with permanent marker on masking tape on the back of your bass neck"... or headstock, which is actually a pretty easy way to keep track of string and battery changes.

[51m0n]

Do what I do, own one bass and two sets of strings that are the same (one lives in the cleaner tube, they are rotated every month or so).

Anything more complex than that and I'm screwed