How often do you change your flats?

Rusty the Scoob · #1 12-17-2009, 10:13 AM

Everybody knows that Jamerson never changed his. But how often do you?

Mine are over a year old, and have been played at about 40 gigs or so. I have very non-acidic sweat and very dry hands, and will often get 4-6 months out of a set of rounds even while gigging weekly. My flats seem fine but who knows? They could have gradually lost something and I wouldn't even know.

LaklandBass · #2 12-17-2009, 10:16 AM

boil em and see if you can tell a difference

bigfatbass · #3 12-17-2009, 10:19 AM

I would leave them on until one of two things happens: You don't like the way they sound/feel, or they will no longer intonate properly. That last bit was James' downfall.

I would certainly NOT take them off and cook them.

LaklandBass · #4 12-17-2009, 10:21 AM

nothing wrong with a little hot water lol.

standupright · #5 12-17-2009, 10:21 AM

mine gig regularly. once or twice a week for the past 4 years. same set. same wonderful sound.

MatticusMania · #6 12-17-2009, 10:24 AM

Im not a big string changer. I typically only change my strings when either a)one breaks, I like to put a whole new set on or b)they start looking/sounding real dirty. I just put new flats on my SX about 2 weeks ago, had the original set on since I bought the bass back in May.

scottbass · #7 12-17-2009, 10:25 AM

I play a total of 10-15 hours per week (practice, rehearsal & gigs). My TI Jazz flats have been on a little over 2 years now and I think they are still getting better every week. I'm thinking 6 to 8 years is probably not out of the question.

debassr · #8 12-17-2009, 10:31 AM

I've got almost 4 years on a set of Labellas. And 2 years on a set of Chromes. They just get better and better over time and intonation is still spot on. I have no plans to swap either out anytime soon.

rheohead · #9 12-17-2009, 10:37 AM

I'm on the same timeline as debassr. 4-5 years on a set of Thomastik-Infelds. I don't like them when they are brand new. They are a little too bright. Then they die just a little...and then they are perfect for years to come.

I've had strings on one of my basses (old purple wraps) and by the time I went to change them, they had gone through two iterations (black wrap then red wrap). They were like cooked spaghetti when I took them off.

I guess just use your ears. If it ain't broke...

bigfatbass · #10 12-17-2009, 01:45 PM

Flats don't like being unwound and rewound, it can often crack the wrap.

String soup is almost always a BAD idea. Really. If it wasn't, everyone would be doing it.

Widdershins · #11 12-17-2009, 01:50 PM

I'm going on 13 years for 1 set

StyleOverShow · #12 12-17-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfatbass

I would leave them on until one of two things happens: You don't like the way they sound/feel, or they will no longer intonate properly. That last bit was James' downfall.

Flats sound better dead? Its just when metal fatigue sets in that you'll need to 'finally' change them out.

-richard

BillyC · #13 12-17-2009, 03:27 PM

Only when they break.

becker4567 · #14 12-17-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Widdershins

I'm going on 13 years for 1 set

When I first read this, I thought "WOW", then I remembered, I have had a set of LaBellas on my short scale for about 10 years! They sound better now then when they were new!

barrybass33 · #15 12-17-2009, 04:12 PM

One great thing about flats... best bang for you buck you never have to change them
I'm on 8 years on a jazz bass and they sound better than ever.

unlike rounds i change at least once a month. Ah what a waste of money.

debassr · #16 12-17-2009, 05:42 PM

With the rise in popularity of flats, I'm sure some scummy manufacturer will find a way to get them to fall apart after some pre-determined period of time and everyone else will follow suit.

Or maybe I'm just in a bitchy mood.

Spencer! · #17 12-17-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfatbass

String soup is almost always a BAD idea. Really. If it wasn't, everyone would be doing it.

It works wonders on roundwound strings...makes them sound like new. I've never tried it on flats though.

Mudfuzz · #18 12-17-2009, 05:59 PM

Either when they start to sound out of tune or the core rusted out and they break.

jscomposer · #19 12-17-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debassr

With the rise in popularity of flats, I'm sure some scummy manufacturer will find a way to get them to fall apart after some pre-determined period of time and everyone else will follow suit.

Monsanto flats!

dalkowski · #20 12-17-2009, 06:17 PM

I never change mine -- AAA comes and does it. Well worth the annual membership.