How fast could you put on a new set of strings?

Skel · #1 03-12-2006, 07:07 PM

I just changed strings the other day, and since my past is primarily guitar, I noticed what a pleasure it is changing strings on a 4 string bass with tuners like a Fender or Ric. You don't puncture the tips of your fingers and it's a very fast process. I know this is probably the most important thing you guys think about, but if your life depended on it, how long would it take you to change strings on a 4 string bass, and tune it by ear to get it close enough to start playing? 5 minutes?

Skel

Jazzin' · #2 03-12-2006, 08:20 PM

Maybe not 5 minutes because I would have to take off the old set and open the new set. But maybe only putting on the new set might take 5 minutes if I don't take my time. I like to take my time doing it peacefully while listening to music.

Skel · #3 03-12-2006, 09:28 PM

Man, there is something very peaceful and tranquil about changing strings. Weird. And cats LOVE it.

Skel

slugworth · #4 03-12-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skel

Man, there is something very peaceful and tranquil about changing strings. Weird. And cats LOVE it.

Skel

>>>> Weird....My cat. Oreo, shows up EVERY time I change strings...

Slug

Skel · #5 03-12-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slugworth

>>>> Weird....My cat. Oreo, shows up EVERY time I change strings...

Slug

I was going to say - if you *ever* loose your cat, and the family's freaking out - just change strings. Done.

Skel

jaysun · #6 03-13-2006, 12:15 PM

How often do you guys break strings? thats probably the only reason you would need a quick strign change. I never really thougth abotu them breaking before. The guitarists in our band usually break a few every practice, but i jsut figured bass strings were stronger. When i broke my first string, i didn't even know what happened at first. they don't jsut snap liek an electric guitar. they more jsut lossen up

Lets say i wasn't too prepared for my string to break. i drove to the nearest guitar shop, bought a new set, drove back to practice, put on the news ones for a total of lets say....

1 hour. fast enough?

GregHolmes · #7 03-13-2006, 01:26 PM

I played the original strings on my Cort Steinberger clone 4-string for almost 15 years. Then during a gig, the D string broke at the bridge. My brain went numb, since it was hard to play with a hole like that, but I somehow finished the song. Then, between songs, I quickly (!) moved the G string down into the D position (very easy with double-ball strings) and tuned the G string down to D. The rest of the gig was surprisingly easy to play on this "3-string bass", E-A-D.

The down-tuning was significant, since it showed me that the bass would still sound and play really good with thinner/looser strings. So my next set of strings was the Ken smith light set (90-70-50-30). (Yes...I carry spare strings now...)

barthanatos · #8 03-13-2006, 01:30 PM

Well, this wouldn't work for me, but for guys who carry a spare... about 10-15 seconds to mute, unplug, and swap basses.

Edwcdc · #9 03-13-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skel

Man, there is something very peaceful and tranquil about changing strings. Weird. And cats LOVE it.

Skel

I have a 6 string. My cat is in heaven. I have to yell at him the entire time I'm changing my strings.

Jazzin' · #10 03-13-2006, 01:47 PM

What's up with this whole cat thing???

Tony G · #11 03-13-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

What's up with this whole cat thing???

cats love to play with the strings.

Edwcdc · #12 03-13-2006, 02:58 PM

I think it is the random way the strings flop around that makes them crazy. You don't know you're toying with them but you are.
I was bass fishing one time and didn't get a bit all day. On one of my casts I got a backlash in my reel. While I was picking out the backlash my rod tip kept moving around and the action caused a strike. I was able to set the hook but had to hand line the fish in because my reel was still messed up.
I'm sorry I strayed for a moment.

Anyway cats love things that move around. Get a cat, its non stop entertainment.

Tony G · #13 03-13-2006, 03:02 PM

I just put on a set of strings and typed this post at the same time!

addylewis · #14 03-13-2006, 04:17 PM

Legend has it my old teacher could completely string up a bass in 30 seconds, in tune ready to go. That doesn't include taking the old ones off but, if thats true...WOW!

(I never saw him do it, but I think he DID mention it, and the guitarist in my band apparently had him string up a bass which didn't work and ended up on his shed door...you can never really tell if the guitarists quite telling the truth or not, but this story's stuck for the last 4 years so its probably true)

morf · #15 03-13-2006, 05:10 PM

5 minutes sounds about right, altho I wouldnt be content with the tuning (I like very precise tuning, takes me a bit more time to get it perfectly the way I want).

Limo · #16 03-13-2006, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slugworth

>>>> Weird....My cat. Oreo, shows up EVERY time I change strings...

Slug

So does mine, it's fascinating

tplyons · #17 03-13-2006, 05:53 PM

If I cut off the old ones, I can do it in about a minute a string, but I prefer to do it properly and tune precicely,

FreeSpirit · #18 03-13-2006, 06:12 PM

I usually take my time, watching tv, or talking on the phone, and slowly cut them off, and change a string. The fasted I ever did was about 6 min to do a 5 string set. I took them off, not cutting them. The only reason I took so long was because I had to do it during class in high school

GregHolmes · #19 03-13-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwcdc

I was bass fishing one time and ...

Excuse me sir, but I believe that this site's rules state that using the word "bass" in the context of fishing is strictly forbidden.

;-)

greenboy · #20 03-13-2006, 06:39 PM

With Sperzels it's so fast that it's a waste of time to time it.