'Relic'/'Roadworn' strings - will we ever see them!?

[Fender32]

Whilst plinking away on a brand new set of LaBella flatwounds earlier on and asking myself, "How much longer do I have to do this until that annoying trebly 'twang' goes away "?, I had a thought ...

Why does nobody (chemically) manufacture strings to feel as though they have been 'played-in' ?

It's not as stupid as it sounds, I think. I mean, if you break a string and put on a brand new one (especially during a gig, God forbid ), isn't it really hard to balance the tone from the other strings? Besides, a lot of players (like me ) prefer the 'worn-in' sound of their strings to the 'brand new, straight out of the packet' sound.

So, wouldn't there be a market for string sets which had had the initial brightness worn off them (by applying a wash of mildly corrosive chemicals, I imagine), but without the actual wear and tear associated with re-fitting 'used' strings and which were offered at slightly higher price point ?

Before you all mob me and tell me how utterly ridiculous I'm being , please spare a thought for those amongst our number who are will to pay 180% of the price of a pristine Fender Custom Shop bass, just to get the same thing after it's been 'chemically altered' to look as though it was a pawn shop find .

What are your thoughts ....

[stflbn]

Buy used strings when they come up for sale here.

Or start a WTB thread looking for used of your brand and type.

[natw42]

Interesting thought - it might work better for the flatwound world vs round. I like flats, grounds, and dead rounds. So I just don't throw away strings ever.

[Fender32]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Buy used strings when they come up for sale here.

Or start a WTB thread looking for used of your brand and type.

I do sometimes re-fit strings that I've taken off various basses, but it can be a messy business (especially with string thru body basses ) and the silks always end up looking like they're having a major 'bad hair day' .

I just think that if I could buy a set of strings and know that they would sound the same on 'Day 1' as they are going to sound on 'Day 1001', I'd be happy !

By the way, if any major string manufacturer reads this and steals that last sentence for their new advertising campaign - I want a lifetime supply of their 'newly dead' strings . Actually, 'newly dead' is a pretty cool term for them - I think I'll have to apply for a patent there, too !

[Fender32]

Originally Posted by natw42

Interesting thought - it might work better for the flatwound world vs round. I like flats, grounds, and dead rounds. So I just don't throw away strings ever.

Yeah, this especially applies to flatwounds, but I used to really enjoy my Fender nickel rounds (the old ones, not the new **** ones that carry the Fender name ) once they were mellowed out and 'smooth' sounding .

I dunno! I just think that (unlike 'Reliced' instruments), there's a really instant and obvious tonal difference with strings that have been 'tamed'. Best of all, just like a Fender (for example) Custom Shop 'Reilc' bass, the feel and playability would be just as good as the brand new equivalent (i.e. no grooves worn into the underside of the strings or incorrectly cut to length G strings, as can happen when trying to fit old, used strings to 4-a-side bass headstocks ).

Just thinking out loud here .

[natw42]

Originally Posted by Fender32

I just think that if I could buy a set of strings and know that they would sound the same on 'Day 1' as they are going to sound on 'Day 1001', I'd be happy !

I think THIS is your main point, and very clearly stated as well. There is something to be said for having a consistent sound from day 1 of the string purchase.

Whenever I put a new set on, I completely roll all the treble off on my bass's pre amp unless I'm slapping, in which case I'll leave it flat or slightly rolled off. Once they die, I still usually roll off a little treble for my basic tone, a lot for a darker sound, or boost it for slap. To me, dead strings and active pre-equipped basses give a wider range of bright to dark.

Hmmmm... you have me interested now.

BTW, coated rounds like Elixirs tend to start darker and die a lot slower, so that's close. But not exactly what you're getting it I believe.

[martinmcfly]

I hate new flatwounds. There's nothing like a super old set of flatwounds, and I never change flatwounds. I also hardly ever change roundwounds, and if I do, it's only the day of the gig and I just put on my back up set (which are used) and they sound almost brand new for the whole evening. Something about sitting for awhile with no tension brings them back to life temporarily.

[chadhargis]

I've settled on my flatwound of choice...TI Flats.

I'm still searching for a roundwound that I can fall completely in love with. I actually like the Laklands that came on my 55-02, but they aren't perfect.

I have grown attached to the Dunlop nickels on my Jazz bass. They don't have that new string "zing", but don't sound dead either. I'm waiting to see how they hold up. 90% of the time I practice with that bass, so those strings are getting a few hours a week on them. I'm anxious to see how they hold up.

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by chadhargis

I've settled on my flatwound of choice...TI Flats.

I'm still searching for a roundwound that I can fall completely in love with.

Circle K's. You'll fall completely in love. They may take a little bit to kill off the high-end zing you hate, but I assure you, they are incredibly smooth and the balanced tension will get you addicted.

[Solarmist]

I'll take the "trebly twang" off your hands; once that's gone it's time for a new set of SS.

[One Drop]

I also think coated rounds do what you are describing fairly well; AFAIK this was one of their main design goals.

But as dirt and oils will affect the sound of a flatwound string, won't a pre-deadened one end up with even less highs after being played a while, not to mention change in sound due to metal fatigue? You'll end up with the same problem, a string that sounds different after being played a while.

[Fender32]

Originally Posted by One Drop

I also think coated rounds do what you are describing fairly well; AFAIK this was one of their main design goals.

But as dirt and oils will affect the sound of a flatwound string, won't a pre-deadened one end up with even less highs after being played a while, not to mention change in sound due to metal fatigue? You'll end up with the same problem, a string that sounds different after being played a while.

Could be, I'm not really clear on the physics involved here .

I just assumed that it was the tarnishing of the steel which caused the loss of brightness and that if you could 'pre-tarnish' it (with some kind of chemical bath ) then the majority of the 'wearing in' would be done and although the strings would still go out of tune as they initially stretch .

[Fender32]

Originally Posted by Solarmist

I'll take the "trebly twang" off your hands; once that's gone it's time for a new set of SS.

... is the 'standard' view . I just like to be different .

[Jay2U]

There are other threads around with basically the same topic. To my experience it is often one string in a set, which starts sounding and feeling 'old'. After a while a second one becomes 'mature'. There must be a way to 'burn in' a set of strings in a relatively short period of time. It would be nice if some manufacturer could offer pre-worn strings. There must be a way.

I'm thinking of a device which over-tensions the strings slightly, at an elevated temperature, agitating them continuously to make them resonate. Maybe a nice project, if I can find some time in the winter.

[Ric5]

If anybody ever wants one of my old sets of strings and is willing to pay for them and pay shipping then they are yours.

Surely there is nobody that stupid.

[whodom]

I remember reading an interview with Stephen Stills many years ago where he said that if he had to change strings on his bass he would SOAK THE NEW STRINGS IN BARBEQUE SAUCE FOR A WEEK before hand.

I guess he was ahead of his time.

[ghiadub]

I doubt you will see relic strings, I think most guys seem to like nice new rounds.
I like old flats, my oldest set is 6 years and still going strong.
As far as the relic process goes, I have used chicken fat - for flats

I go with elixers or TI superalloys for rounds which are both mellow out of the box.
The TIs last longer than the Elixers as far as keeping a consistant tone over a long time IMO.

[fretlessguy]

I am really tyring to understand the logic in "roadworn strings" when all you got to do is just leave own a set for a couple of years to get the same effect.