Switching Back & Forth Between Strings

Low Tone · #1 05-03-2009, 11:24 PM

I have a new G&L SB-2 Tribute on the way soon. I was debating on taking the plunge and trying out a set of flatwounds on it. I really have never given them much of a chance in a band setting before and now I would like to see how they work out.

My question is, if I absolutely hate the flatwounds, can I go back and put the original strings back on or would a new set be better? I wasn't sure if it would change my string tension or anything since they will already be bent and curved from already being on the bass. Will winding and unwinding them lead to a quicker breakdown?

I guess I would just like some thoughts on putting a used but fairly new and mostly unplayed set of strings back on a bass.

Fred19137 · #2 05-03-2009, 11:33 PM

I would say to clean the orignional strings before removing and be careful when removing. then store in a careful place. When I have switched strings in the past I used doctor ducks axe wax to clean, and some old bass string packages to store them in.

Low Tone · #3 05-03-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred19137

I would say to clean the orignional strings before removing and be careful when removing. then store in a careful place. When I have switched strings in the past I used doctor ducks axe wax to clean, and some old bass string packages to store them in.

I'm always careful when removing them. I am usually terrified by the thought of accidentally scratching the finish. (Especially on my custom since it's only tung oil.)

I'll have to save the packages from the flatwounds to store them in and find some of that Dr Ducks stuff.

Zombbg4 · #4 05-03-2009, 11:52 PM

I've done the string changing thing before and it does kill your strings. As for flats, some might want that but for rounds its not really desired.

Jaco who? · #5 05-04-2009, 04:16 AM

I've done this several times with DR Sunbeams and TI flats on fretless bass. As long as the string tension is similar between the two, it's not a big deal. Fretted basses are more of a problem because you wind up with those little marks facing out where the strings used to face the frets the first time they were on the bass, but it doesn't effect the way it sounds or plays.

That being said, I'm sticking with Sunbeams forever now, at least on my fretless.

greenboy · #6 05-04-2009, 07:35 AM

I used to do a lot of string experimentation, sometimes still do. Most of it on fretless basses with drop-in slots on the bridges. No fret divots, no unwinding of the tuning post ends, no problems with changing back and forth multiple times.

Low Tone · #7 05-04-2009, 10:32 AM

Thanks all for the input.