Used string program???

[millsbass5]

I've seen a BUNCH of posts on here about the younger players (or,someone laid-off from work,or down on their luck) having problems with regular "maintenance",(that's what I call it,anyway),on their basses.
In this case,keeping decent,lively strings on their bass.I've read about beginners (or people considering playing bass) being downright SHOCKED at the cost of them.Therefore,discouraging them even further from taking up/or,to keep playing the instrument.I know it discouraged me somewhat,back in the day.

Suggestion:
Maybe we could start a "Used String Fund",for players in these types of situations.

I know this.I H-A-T-E playing with dead strings.I change mine every 2 weeks on my gigging basses.3 of'em.Religiously.
I don't know about you RW players,but it definitely inspires me to play even more,with a nice,fresh set of strings on my bass.

(I take the old sets,string'em up straight,and put maybe 3 Zip-Ties on them to keep them from getting mixed up.)

I recently gave my local music store around 100 sets of DR Hi-Beams and D'Addario 5-string sets (PLENTY of zing left in'em.Used for 2 weeks only),to give to bassist that fit the criteria above.

Good idea??Or,bad idea??

Anyone??

[millsbass5]

Moderators,

I don't know if this is against TalkBass policy.If so.Let me know.Just trying to help people in trying times.

Thanks,
Steve

[T-MOST]

Sure, why not. I would sell them instead of give them away though. I change strings on my basses 3 times a year (every 4 months). I usually have a small stock pile of used MM DR's and Ken Smith strings. I keep one set of each as a spare and toss the rest.

[2-Sticks]

I basically do the same as you. I am very acidic and I sweat heavily, so I change my strings on main players every 2-3 weeks. If I fail to do so I know I am going to break strings, even though I play heavy stainless rounds. Every couple months I end up with 4-6 sets of strings that have lots of life left in them, as long as I am not the one playing on them.

So about every 3 months, I hand off these strings to any players I know that are in need. Some are younger players that can't seem to justify the expense of new strings, others are guys that are out of work for one reason or another. I have found many favours have come back to me from this practice, and it's nice to help out some other Muso's.

Based on all that, I think you have a great idea here.

[millsbass5]

Some people aren't as fortunate as others.You seem to be in a very fortunate situation at the moment,in regards to your gear.Good for you.Seriously.
From reading your profile,it says:
G.A.S. List:"I'm satisfied!!"

There's been a time or two in my life that I've been thrust into bad financial situations.Not good....
I'm not wanting to do this for financial gain.Just to help a few people.It makes me feel good to give.
But,only to people that's willing to help themselves!!

[Meatrus]

Were your hard financial times due to buying 100 sets of High Beams ? Dont worry that was a joke.

This seems like a great idea, best of luck.

[MooseLumps]

I feel that It would be better to just give em away, or start a program to get them to South America. Those guys have the darndest time getting strings from what I hear.

[FunkMetalBass]

If you're willing to boil dead strings to get some life in them or just to have a backup set (especially those younger players that cant easily afford them), I will gladly pass them your way, free of charge.

Or, if you pay postage, I'll boil them for you.

[millsbass5]

**EPIC BUMP** (TO NA POTENTIALLY GREAT CAUSE) This one's right up there with Bob Geldof.......If you have to ask,google him,kids.Great man!!

The majority of you most likely,was at work today.And,we ALL know you don't surf this site at work!!!(Wink,wink)



Meatrus cool name,sounds like a member from GWAR,that does porn on the side),

Dude,what can I say??I'm picky/dedicated.
Let's put it this way,during my "brief" hard-times spell,there was a time or two,that I ate Ramen Noodles!!Now that,my friends,is DEDICATION (Or,OCD!!),take your pick!!.

[bass12]

I send mine down to Cuba with any musicians or friends I know who are going down. By the way, it's very thoughtful of you, millbass5, to address this subject. Maybe it will make a few people think twice before throwing their old strings in the garbage.

[eyecandy]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

If you're willing to boil dead strings to get some life in them or just to have a backup set (especially those younger players that cant easily afford them), I will gladly pass them your way, free of charge.

Or, if you pay postage, I'll boil them for you.

boil the strings it will make them flabby and lose their tension..

aackk.. aw hell i don't really change strings, i had one for about 2 years.. and i like the darker thud... some kids commented after the live saying that the sound was great and is pretty much different lol..

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by millsbass5

**EPIC BUMP** (TO NA POTENTIALLY GREAT CAUSE) This one's right up there with Bob Geldof.......If you have to ask,google him,kids.Great man!!

The majority of you most likely,was at work today.And,we ALL know you don't surf this site at work!!!(Wink,wink)



Meatrus cool name,sounds like a member from GWAR,that does porn on the side),

Dude,what can I say??I'm picky/dedicated.
Let's put it this way,during my "brief" hard-times spell,there was a time or two,that I ate Ramen Noodles!!Now that,my friends,is DEDICATION (Or,OCD!!),take your pick!!.

Lol....thanks I guess! Who's going to be the first to offer some strings then? I havnt got any spare at the moment but should have shortly.

[uglymutt]

As a young bass player who doesn't change strings often (nearly 12 months with the same ones), although i have a spare set of elixirs in waiting for when we start playing a lot more. I can't really be bothered spending good and limited money on strings when:
1) I don't gig at the moment, if i giged i would change strings as the gigging could hopefully pay for the strings
2) I'm liking the 'dead' tone i get from these strings at the moment. However after going to a music store and playing a brand new version of my bass (exactly the same except has new strings) i digged the the bright tone.

I think I've just grown accustomed to the dead sound and after lending out my old bass (which had relatively new strings, only one or two weeks old, the bass has been gone for 6 months or so now, oh well getting more people playing bass is a good thing right?) I had forgotten what new strings sounded like.
All in all it's a great idea, but i think the point of this is to give them away, or heavily discount them as that would encourage me to change strings more regularly.

[millsbass5]

Meanwhile,back at the farm.............................................. ........................................





























*Bump*

















Still waitin',folks.

[millsbass5]

Wow.......I recon nobody buys strings anymore.Oh,well.I'm sure I can find someone on here that could truly use them.
I just know there's gotta be some kind-hearted people on here.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by millsbass5

I just know there's gotta be some kind-hearted people on here.

On TB!? Never!

[robd]

I got about 10 sets of old strings lying around and would also be glad to pass them on to anyone willing to pick them up or pay the postage

[davelowell2]

I'll be in a situation to help, not for a month or two , though. Gonna try out some different strings and I'll probably have two sets of DR HiBeams 5 stringers to offer up.

[SquierBender]

I think I'll have a five string set to give in in about two weeks if the person recieveing the strings would'nt mind them being a Dean Markley/fender set with differing ages and slightly differing tones. But I'm not sure about shipping. I could probably pay for it.

[stratovani]

I'd love to help, but I've had a set of Fender 9050ML flats on my P for 2 years now, and I've still got 3 years to go before I can replace them. I like 'em good and dead, tons of old-school thump there!