New Guitar strings

[craigc]

When you buy and new guitar do you replace the factory string or leave them on? I have a new Music man Stingray and I really don"t like the string that come on it. Thinking about putting a set of Ken Smith strings on.

[darkstorm]

I leave the factory strings on long enough to do setup including a neck shim if needed. Also do pup adjustments with the factory strings on. That done I then replace them with bass strings I like and retweak truss rod if needed. The most common factory strings dont appeal to me, no reason to leave them on after basic setup. This avoids the pref strings getting tuned, untuned etc as result of initial truss rod tweaks, and saddle adjustments. If any bridge adjustments are needed for replacement strings its just minor.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

If you just got a new bass, and don't like the strings, change them to what you know and like, you will probably also enjoy the instrument even more after that!

[arsie]

Yeah, swapping strings is the first thing I do. The fact that you don't like the stock strings mean that your choice of strings is very likely to be quite different. So any adjustments you make for the stock strings will need to be refined for the new strings anyway.

[fretlessguy]

I go along with the rest. Put on the strings you like to use, and have at it. You might want to keep the ones that came on it to send to poor African bass students who cannot afford new ones, which occurs about once a year here.

[Jay2U]

I swapped strings as well. Meanwhile I learned. If I would buy me a new (expensive) bass, I simply would ask for strings to my likings to be included (free of charge).

[mdogs]

I have NEVER left stock strings on any bass that I have ever bought much longer than 5 minutes after I get home. I can't imagine why anyone would...

[lowendrv]

Originally Posted by mdogs

I have NEVER left stock strings on any bass that I have ever bought much longer than 5 minutes after I get home. I can't imagine why anyone would...

+1,000,000

[WilliamSandoval]

Depends. I usually buy the bass and buy a set of flats at the same time. Unless it's like a Ric or something, then I would leave the rounds on until they are dead, then go buy a set of Elixirs. I wouldn't want a Ric with flats.