String changed in quite a while.....

PR_Bass · #1 08-07-2011, 07:41 AM

i bought a very cheap bass a year ago and haven't changed the strings yet.. they are rusty and filthy. Will changing the strings make things better?? Bacause i am conserned i might have a problem with both my arms because of the uncomfortable playing and the old strings. Enlighten me please

Jay2U · #2 08-07-2011, 09:02 AM

Rusty strings will eat the fretboard as well as the frets.

Replace them by a good brand, so they won't rust again. Treat your bass like it were your child.

PR_Bass · #3 08-07-2011, 09:13 AM

is there any chance that because of the stifness and the rust of the strings the instrument has become harden to play and aches my hands?

snyderz · #4 08-07-2011, 09:18 AM

If you have been playing for a year, you shouldn't be having arm pain. You might talk to a teacher, or another bass player to check you playing techniques. Of course you should change strings if they are rusty. Did you really have to ask?? And BTW, get a tetanus shot while you're at it.

PR_Bass · #5 08-07-2011, 09:23 AM

hhahaha ok. i think my technique is ok though. i was thinking of replacing my strings with some warwick ones i have already purchased. any thoughts? i am not having pain but the instrument has become stiff and harder to play. is that because of the strings??

Bob C · #6 08-07-2011, 09:33 AM

If you're "getting stuck" while playing runs, it's probably because of the rust.

If the strings feel higher off the neck and hard to press down, the bass most likely went out of whack from changes in humidity and temperature over the past year.

Definitely change the strings and then do a setup or have one done.

PR_Bass · #7 08-07-2011, 09:42 AM

what strings do u guys use personally??

Bob C · #8 08-07-2011, 10:34 AM

There are a zillion strings to choose from. Gauge (diameter) and type (flat, round, etc) are more important than brand.

I use Ken Smith Nickel Plated Medium-Light Bass Burners. They're round wound.

What kind of bass is it, and what kind of strings are on there now? You could go ahead and put your Warwicks on there if they are the right size.

PR_Bass · #9 08-07-2011, 11:10 AM

it is a harley benton 4 string pj bass and the stock strings are roundwound and 45 - 105 i think. that's all i know. my warwick are also 45 to 105 roundwound nickel.

Bob C · #10 08-07-2011, 02:10 PM

Go for it. Put the Warwicks on. Then do a setup (Adjust trussrod, bridge saddle height and intonation). If you don't know how to do that, read up on it or take it to a shop. It should cost under $25.

PR_Bass · #11 08-07-2011, 02:26 PM

Ok thanks mate!! How often do you change your stings at your bass?? i shall return when do the strings and the setup

Dick Tree · #12 08-07-2011, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR_Bass

Ok thanks mate!! How often do you change your stings at your bass?? i shall return when do the strings and the setup

This is all preference... I haven't changed my strings in 6 years, and there are some people who change every couple weeks.

PR_Bass · #13 08-07-2011, 03:15 PM

lol i mean how often do you change the set of strings u are using?

Dick Tree · #14 08-07-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR_Bass

lol i mean how often do you change the set of strings u are using?

That's what I'm saying... I haven't bought strings in 6 years. Some people change theirs out every couple weeks.

PR_Bass · #15 08-07-2011, 03:50 PM

how is this possible??? u play the bass once every week or what? no disrespect but i had mine for a year with 7 months of extended use and now they are dead.... there were not top quality but... what strings are u using that can last so long?

Duke21 · #16 08-07-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR_Bass

how is this possible??? u play the bass once every week or what? no disrespect but i had mine for a year with 7 months of extended use and now they are dead.... there were not top quality but... what strings are u using that can last so long?

Not all strings will rust if kept well. But most rounds will go dead between roughly 1 month to 2-3 months.
On my Geddy Jazz bass which I like to keep with sharp and bright tone I'll change strings each 1-2 months. On my p-bass were I like the warmer tone I'll change a bit later, 3-5 months. On my Hofner copy I still have the same strings for over 2 years, the dead strings on this bass is quite ok for it.
I use only nickel plated rounds. I've got also a Westone Thunder 1A fretless with EB flats, but I use this bass seldom.

Dick Tree · #17 08-07-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR_Bass

how is this possible??? u play the bass once every week or what? no disrespect but i had mine for a year with 7 months of extended use and now they are dead.... there were not top quality but... what strings are u using that can last so long?

I play my bass a couple hours per day... I last bought Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings I believe. The older the string, the better, in my opinion. The brightness of new strings is so annoying to me that I basically refuse to buy new strings unless one happens to break (which hasn't happened yet).

I use rounds, but I believe James Jamerson (who used flats, which people think last a lot longer... I've never tried them) never changed his strings once. Or something like that.

PR_Bass · #18 08-07-2011, 04:59 PM

i pretty much don't get this. i mean how is this possible? i play a couple hours a day for like 8-9 months and my strings are useless. they rust on the first 7 frets and they are all greasy and changed colour where i play with my right hand! i mean was the quality of my srings so low?????

darkstorm · #19 08-07-2011, 05:12 PM

New strings will certainly improve the sound and playability. Getting action setup correctly for low action will benefit playability a lot as well.

scootron · #20 08-07-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR_Bass

i pretty much don't get this. i mean how is this possible? i play a couple hours a day for like 8-9 months and my strings are useless. they rust on the first 7 frets and they are all greasy and changed colour where i play with my right hand! i mean was the quality of my srings so low?????

A couple of things...I play flats, which don't really get to the sound I like until you've played them regularly for at least a year. But, I also wipe down my bass, and especially the strings, every single time I play it, if only for a few minutes. The sweat and oils that come from our skin can accelerate the process of oxidization (rust). I also wash my hands well before I pick up my bass.

I keep my bass cased when not playing it, so it is not exposed to sudden changes in temperature and humidity. I also regularly check the action and intonation, and adjust as may be required by the season or conditions.

Everybody I know who plays flats uses their strings for years. The brightness that rounds use after a month or so is never a part of the flat wound sound.

The same goes for tapewounds. I have a set on my Geddy Lee that I've played for three years now, with no plans to change them anytime soon.