Should You Automatically Change The Strings On A New Instrument?

[Astronomer]

What strings are supplied on a new bass? Do the manufacturers use the strings best suited to get the best out of the new instrument, or do they just use whatever cheap-&-cheerful rubbish their purchasing dept can get their negotiated bulk discount hands on? Should you whip 'em off straight away and put something "decent" on?

Just wondering.

[Tony G]

Most bass brands use their own strings when shipping new from the factory these days. Fender uses fender strings, Warwick uses Warwick strings, etc. A lot of times when the bass company doesn't make their own strings, I've often seen D'Addario strings on the bass straight from the factory.

[SuperDuck]

I would go with the "cheap and plentiful" option. The strings on all of the basses that I have bought new have been terrible. I usually just swap them out right away for whatever it is I think will work best - the replacements have always made the bass sound much better!

[bassbully]

Fender is the only brand i wont change...everything else i ever bought gets pulled off. SXs basses had the worse strings i have ever played in my life...but i head they were D'aderros (sp?)

[knuckle_head]

If they sound bad pull 'em off. Most makers/manufacturers don't go cheap on their strings, but that doesn't mean you'll like their choice of suppliers.

FWIW they get reseller pricing so they can generally afford a bit up from dregs.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

If they sound bad pull 'em off. Most makers/manufacturers don't go cheap on their strings, but that doesn't mean you'll like their choice of suppliers.

Exactly. I'm fold of Labella strings, and I like flatwounds and they don't come on new basses.

However, when I got my 2000 MIM Jazz, it had the original Fender roundwounds on it and they're OK - after a few years they had mellowed enough to sound good.

[JeffC]

Anyone know what comes with an Ibanez?

[bassbully]

Mine came with Elixers...coated. They were ok didnt like the coating it came off so i changed them. It was a BTB 404 a few years back.

[SGT. Pepper]

If it's a Smith I probably wouldn't change the strings or a Stingray with EB's on it. Everything else, I'd change them.

[Cristo]

Just depends on whether or not you like the sound of what is on there.

Some guys want fresh new zingy strings and others want old dead thumpy strings.

[Ian Perge]

Depends on the company - Yamaha uses their own branded strings which have an amazing rep for "zingy" stainless steels, so I kept them on the fretted as long as they held out, and took them off my homemade fretless to replace with D'addario Nickels and have them sealed in a sandwich bag for latter use.

The "dual color" copper/steels (?) that Ibanez used to use on the BTB series were great as well, and it's a shame that they never marketed them.

[SGT. Pepper]

Originally Posted by Ian Perge

Depends on the company - Yamaha uses their own branded strings which have an amazing rep for "zingy" stainless steels, so I kept them on the fretted as long as they held out, and took them off my homemade fretless to replace with D'addario Nickels and have them sealed in a sandwich bag for latter use.

The "dual color" copper/steels (?) that Ibanez used to use on the BTB series were great as well, and it's a shame that they never marketed them.

I remember them they were great! I wish they would come back out with them.

[DazzyPig]

I would imagine they wouldn't want to cheap ot too much, if your going to play test it then it's in their best interest to put half descent ones on, after all, the strings are the main direct contact, and and if the don't feel or sound nice in the shop it may put possible customers off.

[LowEnder2112]

find out what they are. mine came with elixers, so i didn't change