How long should strings last

i have marcus miller DRs and i play every day, how long should they last?

[bongomania]

Depends how much of the bright "new string zing" you hope to hear. Cleaning the strings after every time you play will lengthen their tone life, and it helps if you aren't an aggro pick player, and also depends on how acidic your sweat is. If you don't mind the sound of broken-in strings, they can last for months. If you need the bright zing and have acidic sweat and play with a pick, you can expect to change your strings every day.

[tomvelsor]

i use S.I.T. rock brights and i do like a lot of that "fresh pack" sound, but ive used one set for over a year before..but because at the time i wasent doing much recording, and diddnt have the cash to spare..

but id say on average about 6 weeks, without boiling them. if you boil them, you can keep using them till they break, really.

[username n/a]

Use flats, they last until you break them.

[jmac]

They should last one show. Anything after that is gravy.

[bonzo4880]

wipe them down after you play or practice. makes a huge difference.

and dont boil them. alcohol is the way to go.

[So Low Bass]

Originally Posted by username n/a

Use flats, they last until you break them.

You got it. Jamerson claimed at one point his were 17 years old... that "fresh out of the soul" sound.

[steve4765630]

I change mine every 2 to 6 weeks depending on what I'm doing. If I'm recording I consider it my duty to have a fresh set on my bass. If I'm just jamming, I'll milk them a little longer. What I say is, when you don't like what you hear anymore, change them. Marcus Miller's tech changes his every other show I think. It's gotta be nice getting them for free

[Slax]

I'm pretty low on cash lately, so my strings have been going for 8+ months for a while. I've grown to like the sound of dead strings.

I should just change over to flats at this point and not have to worry again. (Hell, the strings on my DB are at least 4? years old. )

[tapp01]

Originally Posted by Slax

I'm pretty low on cash lately, so my strings have been going for 8+ months for a while. I've grown to like the sound of dead strings.

I should just change over to flats at this point and not have to worry again. (Hell, the strings on my DB are at least 4? years old. )

I too enjoy the sound of a thoroughly used string. Lots of lows and none of that yucky high end zing.

[PilbaraBass]

I can generally keep a string set sounding good for about 3-4 months before a change.

I like the new "zing"...but after 2-3 days, that sound stabilises to where I can get consistant tone for the next few months.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by Slax

I'm pretty low on cash lately, so my strings have been going for 8+ months for a while. I've grown to like the sound of dead strings.

I should just change over to flats at this point and not have to worry again. (Hell, the strings on my DB are at least 4? years old. )

AFAIK some people here have had flats on, still sounding good, for up to ten years.

[CraigG]

How much do your hands perspire? Do you wash your hands before each set? I'm typically satisfied with the sound of mine for several months at a time. Sometimes I'll change early if I have a gig or session where I need a brighter sound.

[Mastermold]

There is no right answer. Flatwounds can last years. Change them if you don't like the tone you're getting.

[Philbiker]

Regardless of string construction, they will last many years. The biggest factor in how long strings retain their "zing" is the PH / acid level of your finger sweat. I usually wash my hands before I play and only change my strings when I want a different contruction type (go to flats from rounds, etc.).

After a preiod of time dependant on how hard you play they will start to have trouble keeping intonation, you'll notice they are difficult to tune. That's when it's time to replace them.

Set up your bass and rig EQ for older strings after they at least three - four months old and you'll save a lot of money in the long run.

[scottbass]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

There is no right answer. Flatwounds can last years. Change them if you don't like the tone you're getting.

+1. I once read (probably here) that you should change them as many times per year as the number of hours you play per week. One hour per week = one change per year, 4 hours per day X 7 days per week = 28 changes per year. No, I don't necessarily believe that.