How often do you replace the strings on your Bass(es)

FBS1996 · #1 04-07-2011, 03:13 PM

I really like the tone of a fresh set of strings so I buy Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkys every 3 or 4 weeks. I'd probably replace them more often if the weren't so god damn pricey!

bolophonic · #2 04-07-2011, 03:14 PM

Never.

monkeyking · #3 04-07-2011, 04:51 PM

I'm also about 3-4 weeks. I don't like the strings to go all spaghetti on me. I've been doing the Elixer trial thing for about 4 weeks now and it's just wierd not to be changing...

Systolic · #4 04-07-2011, 04:58 PM

Every 3 or 4 months.

mpdd · #5 04-07-2011, 05:21 PM

now that i'm not bleeding or sweating all over them: not very often at all

Slax · #6 04-07-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Systolic

Every 3 or 4 months.

+1 Maybe less.

robchorz · #7 04-07-2011, 05:21 PM

When they start rusting from all the sweat.

okcrum · #8 04-08-2011, 05:30 PM

I replace mine, as a friend of mine says, when the tinsel in their sound disappears. Since the DH strings last so well, that's every 100-300 hours' playing on them.

EDIT: That's about 3x less often than I used to.

NoobOnRoad · #9 04-08-2011, 05:32 PM

Last time I changed strings was 1 year and a half ago. La Bella get better and better over the time!

JbassZOMBIE666 · #10 04-08-2011, 06:29 PM

Every 3 weeks. As soon as they lose the new string sound.

theduke1 · #11 04-08-2011, 06:51 PM

I run La Bella deep talking nylon tapes on my Carvin AC50 and my Michael kelly club custom and My G&L 2500 I use Carvin brand. when i was giging 3-5 times per month i changed the Carvin Strings on my G&L twice per year, in spring just before the start of outdoor playing and in fall when the outside season was done. the The LaBellas I would change once per year. I don't play the acoustic bass outdoors, and the Carvin rarely.
Now that I don't play out much once per year on my G&L and 18 mo on the other two.
I hope this helps!

**Giorgetto** · #12 04-08-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoobOnRoad

Last time I changed strings was 1 year and a half ago. La Bella get better and better over the time!

+1.... I get at least a year or so out of a set of La Bella 760FS's and I have them on all three of my basses. I've been playing La Bellas for decades and like them better than any other string I've tried.

CannyBusDriver · #13 04-08-2011, 06:59 PM

My strings on my fretless have been on for a year and a half or so and they sound fine. They are Circle K's, half nickel half steel, stay bright for a long time, but not too bright. Great strings, i couldnt imagine changing my strings every month, sounds costly and almost useless.

mdogs · #14 04-08-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBS1996

I really like the tone of a fresh set of strings so I buy Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkys every 3 or 4 weeks. I'd probably replace them more often if the weren't so god damn pricey!

EB's pricey?? Honestly, get yourself some real strings like DR's, more money, but you will get a lot more playing time on one set so it will be more than worth it. Not to mention that EB's sound like crap right out of the box and they go downhill from there...

NecroticImbecil · #15 04-08-2011, 07:06 PM

When no amount of EQ can bring life back into the sound. Going on 2 years for a couple of them.

recreate.me · #16 04-08-2011, 08:34 PM

Typically it depends on the bass, on my Jazz bass i use Blue steels and i tend to change them about every 3 or 4 months, they are coated or cryogenically activated as the box says so i guess they last longer and are only a couple dollars more then EBs (and sound better). On my 57 Precision, i buy fender nickels and i leave them on like months and months haha they are nickels and sound awesome for so long, thats the joy of a p bass, the longer they stay on the more thump they bring...

Pilgrim · #17 04-08-2011, 10:04 PM

Never. Newest ones are a few months old, oldest strings on any of my basses were installed about 1972, making them nearly 40 years old. Most of mine are between 2 and 10 years old...mostly flats, a few sets of rounds.

I don't like the sound of new strings. They sound tolerable in a couple of months, and they get good after they're about six months old.

Kenova · #18 04-09-2011, 01:01 AM

After 5/6 months, strings are best for me after 2/3 months,!

bigthor · #19 04-09-2011, 01:48 AM

Thor Say:
Rotosounds. Thats all I ever use/used. There are a lot of great strings out there, but I dont want to worry about that part of my sound. I change them when they break. Ill sometimes boil them to get more out of them and wipe them down with alcohol. If you need to do this at a gig get a shot of vodka, that works too. I used to change them before every gig or every couple of days. New rotos=ring and boom, but the sound(midrange) is all over the place, lost in all the overtones. After a week I can start to relax. Now I fear new strings

Nedmundo · #20 04-09-2011, 06:14 AM

Because I have five basses and don't rehearse or gig that often, I rarely change strings due to wear. But when I'm in more regular gigging mode, using primarily one or two basses with rounds, it's every few months.

It also depends on the strings. The previous version of Fender's Super Bass last seemingly forever, so my 2008 Jazz V has its original set from early 2008, and still sounds great after lots of use. My 2003 Jazz four has had its set for at least two years, and they seem almost new. The DR Fat Beams on my SB-2 haven't seen as much use, but are further along in their life cycle. (Not a criticism -- they are awesome strings.)