Strings and cold weather..

jazzy grille · #1 02-18-2007, 10:52 AM

Hey guys.. I played an outdoor gig last night. I live in Florida but we arent having very southern weather right now.. It was about 36 degrees last night.

Well, I played about a 2 hour set. After I got home I noticed that my strings were dead. I just restrung my bass 3 days ago... When I say dead I mean they sound like they are 3 months old. Is this normal behavior for such temps?

Ps. They are DR hi-beams.

Seelesauger · #2 02-18-2007, 11:04 AM

I live in Nebraska and its been below zero for awhile and I havent noticed a difference with some boomers I put on last week.

smellythe2nd · #3 02-18-2007, 11:05 AM

I don't know if they're salvageable... someone else should be able to answer that.

But I'm sure that you should avoid playing in extreme temperatures. Cold or heat will cause the metal in the strings to expand or contract. They may or may not become permanently damaged, but they will go out of tune constantly, which is impractical for performing.

jazzy grille · #4 02-18-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smellythe2nd

I don't know if they're salvageable... someone else should be able to answer that.

But I'm sure that you should avoid playing in extreme temperatures. Cold or heat will cause the metal in the strings to expand or contract. They may or may not become permanently damaged, but they will go out of tune constantly, which is impractical for performing.

Yeah, they seem to be dropping out of tune quite a bit more than normal. espically last night..I had to tune up 3 times, I almost never lose my tuning.

joegeezer · #5 02-18-2007, 08:20 PM

We had a practice last month at 30 below zero, up in Duluth, and my Highbeams are just fine. You are probably just ready for a string change. How old are they?? Mine are probably 6 months old, and going strong.

ChrisYoung · #6 02-19-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegeezer

How old are they??

he said . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy grille

I just restrung my bass 3 days ago...

I've noticed that when it is cold in my room my Elixir's do tend to get out of tune over night. Can't imagine how bad it would be in 30 degree weather on stage.

moopants · #7 02-23-2007, 03:20 PM

It depends on your strings. I used D'Addario rounds on my bass during my school's marching band season. I exposed the bass to varying temperatures daily (40-90 degrees) with high humidity. Well, let's just say the strings didn't last too long. My A broke not too long after putting them on the bass. I put some Curt Mangan flats on after that, and exposed the bass to even more crazy temperatures and rain, but they sound great. Maybe flats are more resistant to change?

Shoewreck · #8 02-25-2007, 10:13 AM

Wet air is what has probably made your strings sound older. They're likely to restore after drying.

Ang213 · #9 02-25-2007, 10:40 AM

Hey why don't you try some Blue Steels'?
I hear their use to those kinds of temps.hahahahahahahaha!

marc40a · #10 02-25-2007, 10:44 AM

>>Wet air is what has probably made your strings sound older. They're likely to restore after drying<<

Agreed. It's the humidity that kills them moreso than the temperature. The winter here in New England is very cold and dry... I have to change my strings far less often than during the humid summer months.