How long do new strings take to settle?

[Electricblue]

Title basically, im wondering whether to change my strings. I need to do a small performance on wednesday, i could get by with the strings im using now, but i want a fresh sound. Just wondering whether to risk changing them out.

Thanks

[FunkMetalBass]

If you like the new string sound, then it should only take a couple of minutes. I string my strings up to pitch, then lightly tug on them every few inches down the length of each string. Tune up again, and they should hold tune pretty well. I'll repeat this process again the next day and check for any final truss rod, action, and intonation issues.

If you change them now, you'll be fine. Just play on them between now and Wednesday.

[BigMacDaddy]

Yes

[Dekker]

For me, it's not the 'sound' of the new strings that took a while to get used to.

It was the FEEL of the new strings: My fingers would 'grab' the string, instead of sliding across them. I don't mean up-down like a slide, I mean across when I pluck.

I had to resort to using hand lotion immediately before playing to let me move as normal. Eventually it went away, but it was annoying at first. If you give credence to the stories, some artists used to eat fried chicken, or whatever, before playing, to allow them to perform as usual...

Ya takes your chances

[maturanesa]

You actually can change strings anytime and play without any problem. Just make sure you stretched them and placed correctly on the bridge saddles and tunners, and play for a while after the gig..

[Electricblue]

Trouble is, I gotta order them off ebay first :P

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by Dekker

For me, it's not the 'sound' of the new strings that took a while to get used to.

It was the FEEL of the new strings: My fingers would 'grab' the string, instead of sliding across them. I don't mean up-down like a slide, I mean across when I pluck.

I had to resort to using hand lotion immediately before playing to let me move as normal. Eventually it went away, but it was annoying at first. If you give credence to the stories, some artists used to eat fried chicken, or whatever, before playing, to allow them to perform as usual...

Ya takes your chances

Some strings just need a good rub down with denatured alcohol before you install them to make them less "sticky." I noticed this to be a problem with the only flats I've ever tried, and I've heard stories about Rotosounds having similar issues.

Then again, some people apparently have fingers-of-fury and notice the difference. None of my Fodera or Circle K strings have been sticky right out of the pack, but I have my speed limitations, so maybe I just need to coat my fingers in teflon to speed up.

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by Electricblue

Trouble is, I gotta order them off ebay first :P

Then you should probably do that.

I changed strings a half hour before a gig once. They tuned up fine, I stretched them a bit, re-tuned, and they stayed in tune. Even better, the intonation + action were darn near perfect.

The only issue I experienced that gig was snapping my G-string while checking my tuning on stage before the first song. However, I'd just chop that up to bad luck!

[Electricblue]

Haha, by the way, how long does the DR Neon coating last? I play with a heavy pick.

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by Electricblue

Title basically, im wondering whether to change my strings. I need to do a small performance on wednesday, i could get by with the strings im using now, but i want a fresh sound. Just wondering whether to risk changing them out.

Thanks

Chris squire of Yes change strings before every gig. Part of his tone

Sent from my iPod touch using TalkBass

[honeyiscool]

Do you have to eat the fried chicken? Can you just handle it?

[Pilgrim]

To me, it takes a couple of months for strings to settle in and sound right.

[heffe]

I find that I like the sound that comes from slightly dead strings, so for me it may take several weeks to a month of my regular playing to get there. New strings have that kind of twang to them, almost pianoish.

Of course, you can always change the strings and turn down the highs to remove most of that twang. Really up to you and the sound you want.

[diehard70]

Originally Posted by heffe

I find that I like the sound that comes from slightly dead strings, so for me it may take several weeks to a month of my regular playing to get there. New strings have that kind of twang to them, almost pianoish.

Of course, you can always change the strings and turn down the highs to remove most of that twang. Really up to you and the sound you want.

Just changed strings on my #1 bass. Really "twangy". Turned back treble on my bass and it sounds like me again It usually takes a couple weeks for them to sound like I want them to w/ my usual settings.

[darkstorm]

Next wednesday? Youve got more then enough time for strings to settle. That normally just takes about a day.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by honeyiscool

Do you have to eat the fried chicken? Can you just handle it?

For best results you must kill the chicken with your bare hands

[darkstorm]

Originally Posted by Electricblue

Haha, by the way, how long does the DR Neon coating last? I play with a heavy pick.

Had them on my warlock since late Oct. No significant coating wear off from pick playing yet.

[Cryo]

I find that the DR coatings wear faster with finger play than pick play.
Anyone else find this to be the case?

Play that groove string!