may be a dumb question

SelenaBassGirl · #1 07-08-2008, 10:30 PM

but I am new at this..I only started learning in Oct/Nov of last year..
I got a Squier J bass in Jan. and play just about every day. Sometimes several times a day, sometimes an hour a day.
The strings on there are the ones that came with the bass. Are the strings plated to where they discolor on the frets most played?

They are changing to a copperish color. I thought it was rust but when I clean it, I don't get the rust on the cloth. I have used alcohol and still don't get it on the pad. I have tried brushing it (putting a white napkin between the bass and the strings) and don't get flakes..so that is why I don't think it is rust. Is it time for me to change the strings? I am not working, so I can't afford the strings. But how often are you supposed to change the strings?
Dumb question but I gotta learn. I tried asking a friend of mine who plays but I never got an answer from him...

thanks!

atrapp · #2 07-08-2008, 10:36 PM

try a new set of strings

JimmyM · #3 07-08-2008, 10:45 PM

You'll get discolorations and dents in the strings where they touch the frets. I wouldn't worry about it. For just playing around the house, they're fine. They could stand to be changed, but if you can't afford to change them right now, it's not going to hinder your progress to keep using them.

phsycobass · #4 07-08-2008, 10:47 PM

It sounds like the strings have come to the end of their life and really should be changed. bass strings often look discoloured over the fretts after they have ben played alot because the protective coating and outer wrap wire wears down. if the strings still sound ok and you can still play comfrtaby then you can probly get away with using those strings for a while longer. Most people change their strings about every 3 months to a year depending on the life of the string and how often they are played. cheap strings can be bought for about $15+ and you can put them on the bass yourself fairly easily. here is a good site to teach you how to change strings- http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_string_change/

I hope you can find some cash for strings but its not critical that it be done now!
good luck

Thunderthumbs73 · #5 07-08-2008, 10:58 PM

Some people change strings every week or two depending on how much they play or their preferences of sound. Some never change strings at all. Some (like me) boil the strings used on certain bases, and for the other basses, never changes strings. One bass I boiled the strings last week, and another bass, they've never in 12 years been removed/cleaned. It's all preference.

The strings are just dirty, from what I can tell. You don't even need a new set of strings. Save your money. One of the things I always do, and it has saved me literally thousands of dollars over my years of playing is to take the strings off and boil them. It's not as strange as it sounds. It will bring back some of the brightness for a while, and will certainly clean the strings.

Method:
Detune all the strings.
Gently unwind them from the posts.
Pull the ball end of the strings out the back of the bridge.
When the section of the strings which was formerly around the posts are close to the hole in the bridge, gently push/pull those through, making sure the wound section bends least as possible.
Once the strings are out of the instrument, tie one of those sandwich bread wire ties around the strings just below where the cloth windings are.
Fill a large pot with water.
Put it on the stove.
Insert the batch of tied-together strings, ball end first, in a manner such that they are curling in the same direction at the bottom of the pot.
Allow the top ends to stick out of the pot (need something to grab on, and also keeps from soaking the winding cloth)
Put a lid on the pot, making sure the top ends of the strings are sticking out.
Turn on med/med-high heat.
Bring to boil.
Allow to boil for 20 minutes.
Carefully remove strings after turning heat off.
As soon as possible and while hot, run a clean cloth/paper towel all over the strings to get any residual buildup losened up by the water temperature and duration in the water.
Once they are completely dry and cold to the touch, reinstall on the bass.
Hope this helps.

Thunderthumbs73 · #6 07-08-2008, 11:01 PM

No question at this point in your development is a dumb question!

fretlessman71 · #7 07-08-2008, 11:02 PM

Another thing to remember - you aren't doing any damage to your instrument by leaving dead strings on. I don't know if you had thought about that, but I thought I'd set your mind at ease.

Munjibunga · #8 07-08-2008, 11:08 PM

I changed the strings on my 55-94 after they had been on there for 4 years. Big mistake. I like the sound of old strings.

Thunderthumbs73 · #9 07-08-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I changed the strings on my 55-94 after they had been on there for 4 years. Big mistake. I like the sound of old strings.

I know it's probably too late, but don't cut them off, just pull them out the back and save 'em for later if you want to try something else. On my end, I know I have a couple of old sets floating around somewhere from the mid/late 90s, including a set of flats...

Best to you.

CapnSev · #10 07-08-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I changed the strings on my 55-94 after they had been on there for 4 years. Big mistake. I like the sound of old strings.

Eewww...

SelenaBassGirl · #11 07-08-2008, 11:40 PM

thank you everyone! I will take in consideration all advice. She still sounds good, it is just bothers me (seeing it) lol, I got all panicky when I saw the first scratch on the back of the bass!! Then I got an up close look at my friend's bass (he plays at a club in a house band), and it was all beat up!!! So made me feel better knowing my scratches were on the back.
Thanks again!

Solarmist · #12 07-09-2008, 06:48 PM

I got a set of SIT Powerwounds [45105 nickel roundwound brights] for $17 bucks at a local music store. Great strings - warm/bright.

jakusx · #13 07-09-2008, 07:07 PM

It's so funny how when you get your first bass you notice every little ding and scratch and freak out. My first bass was a piece of crap beat to trash generic p-bass. It was already destroyed when I got it, some joker put a strat pickup in place of the p-bass p'up. It was awful. But, my second bass was a Fender P, and the first time my belt buckle put a nick in it I freaked. Now the thing looks like the bass of doom.

I think that's probably standard feeling across the board.