Im sick and tired for paying for new strings.....

Josh Emmons · #1 12-30-2010, 08:55 PM

The problem: I wear and kill strings. Even with boiling and cleaning, I wear and break them after a month or so, and I LOVE the new string sound! BUt here is the deal, I play mostle slap, and that mixed with stanley's string bend tends to be tough on strings. SOOOOO, i need a way to get good free strings. im sick of spending $20-$50 on a set of stings. where do I go, what do i do? and also, NO TROLLS!

Awkwardturtle! · #2 12-30-2010, 09:04 PM

Maybe try to find a place where you can buy in bulk?

I don't know im just trying to help

masonsjax · #3 12-30-2010, 09:08 PM

If strings is your biggest bass related recurring expense, I'd say you're getting off easy as there are many more expensive hobbies out there. If this is your profession, that's pretty low overhead when compared to some other jobs.

Johnny Alien · #4 12-30-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Emmons

The problem: I wear and kill strings. Even with boiling and cleaning, I wear and break them after a month or so, and I LOVE the new string sound! BUt here is the deal, I play mostle slap, and that mixed with stanley's string bend tends to be tough on strings. SOOOOO, i need a way to get good free strings. im sick of spending $20-$50 on a set of stings. where do I go, what do i do? and also, NO TROLLS!

Good luck with that. Most endorsements don't yield free strings just discounted. Find strings that last longer and try to change your technique so that you don't break strings.

DavePlaysBass · #5 12-31-2010, 05:50 AM

Carvins are about 1/2 off.

Atticus · #6 12-31-2010, 06:11 AM

I think you have a few options here.

1) Stop beating your strings to death.

2) Ask fellow bassists for dead strings, then soak 'em in denatured alcohol. Not the same thing as a new set, but at least they were free.

3) If you're in a band, ask about making it a band expense. Of course, that means you'll also be chipping in for guitar strings, drum sticks, and other miscellaneous stuff, so that's probably not what you had in mind.

4) Suck it up and deal with the costs. If your technique so awesome then obviously it's worth any costs you incur.

There's no such thing as a free lunch- somebody has to pay for it.

SteveC · #7 12-31-2010, 06:14 AM

Examine your technique. I have never broken a string. 30 years of playing.
Strings are an expense that goes along with being a bass player. Deal with it.

madmatt · #8 12-31-2010, 06:25 AM

Slapping and/or popping are string killers.
I do neither and my strings last long time. I have never broken a string, I cannot even imagine what it takes to make a string break.
But to each their own. If you like popping those strings then expect to pay for strings, no way around it.

SteveC · #9 12-31-2010, 06:27 AM

Even if all you do is is lap your strings shouldn't be breaking all the time.

Winnb · #10 12-31-2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

Carvins are about 1/2 off.

Yep. Half price of most strings. You pay $9 for shipping, but you can buy as many sets as you want from Carvin and it's $9 to ship the entire shipment.

Seriously. Half the price of strings you buy in stores. Made by LaBella.

shadow_FIX · #11 12-31-2010, 07:08 AM

Your technique likely needs some adjustment. You don't need to murder the string when you pop it...with practice you'd be surprised how little effort it takes to get a good pop sound.

Everyone has to pay for strings. This isn't like mp3's, or computer software, where you can find it on a website and download for free.

bassmanrocke · #12 12-31-2010, 07:12 AM

I think you should take your bass in for an inspection. If there are burrs on the saddles it is possible that that is contributing to your problem. You should also consider switching string brands until you find some that are more durable. I remember playing Blue Steels and having two sets in a row break a string in an unreasonably short time. I can't say it was definitely the strings, but when I switched strings I no longer had a problem.

masonsjax · #13 12-31-2010, 08:25 AM

SIT are my favorite brand for many reasons including their very reasonable cost.

Skitch it! · #14 12-31-2010, 08:29 AM

I buy through these, a bit cheaper if you buy in bulk?

http://www.stringbusters.com/?kw=str...FY4f4QodKBljaQ

Denny Coon · #15 12-31-2010, 08:29 AM

Could be your technique in the way you put them on!

Webtroll · #16 12-31-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Emmons

NO TROLLS!

Floyd Eye · #17 12-31-2010, 08:56 AM

Get a better job.

I am sick and tired of paying my electric bill. And I am a guy who likes his electricity. What should I do? Oh and no trolls.

tercesyrev · #18 12-31-2010, 03:18 PM

Have you tried Elixirs? Not everyone likes them but they outlast almost anything on the market.

Porkbun · #19 12-31-2010, 03:30 PM

I tried boiling the strings that came with a used bass I bought and theyve been returned to their new state. All things I hate about new strings included

. If you go through so many strings, you might as well try it.

spidey112669 · #20 12-31-2010, 03:35 PM

I tried and it took almost all I had to break a string....I did everything I could think of, slapping, popping, pulling...I was finally able to break a G string using a dunlop JazzIII pick, playing full chords with distortion, just banging it like the Ramones or some punk band...the string I broke was an old D'Adarrio, that had a permanent bend at the saddle and grooves worn where the frets lined up....the other 3 are still going fine no matter what I do(and they are 3 years old)....now, I am 6'1", 215lbs, bench 345...what am I missing that is causing all these broken strings and money being spent??