What was the longest you went without changing strings?

[BassPlayer900]

Probably about 4 and half to 5 months. That was with my last strings (EB Cobalts) and my current ones (Rotosound Solo Bass 55s). The Rotosound 55s still sound pretty nice and I plan on leaving them on until I cant stand the sound anymore.

[JTE]

The GHS Precision flats on my P bass have been on there for at least eight years, probably ten. No, they're not dirty nor encrusted. I wipe them down, as well as the fingerboard before I put it away.

The longest I've had rounds on is probably the 18 months I've had a set of Dunlop nickels on my fretted Lakland.

John

[Edward G.]

About a year, in a time of low usage. If I don't like the sound of them, they're gone. That's the only rule.

[icecycle66]

I think my fiver is on year 7 or 8.

[seanm]

Going on 8 years on my main gigging bass. I bought a d-tuner for this bass I haven't put it on because the strings sound soooo good I don't want to mess them up!

[seanm]

Originally Posted by SlingBass4

6 months. Any bass played longer (actively used, mind you) is played by Cretins

You don't use flats, do you?

[Ziggy_Starbucks]

Wait a minute.. you're meant to change the strings?
but seriously i try keep them for at least a year

[Stilettoprefer]

My P has had the same set of flats on for 2 years now. If I were to use rounds on it like my backup bass, I'd probably have to change strings every 4 months or so because I play it so much.

[two fingers]

I play hard. Mine last about a month and the As start breaking. So I usually swap out every 3 weeks at most.

[Pilgrim]

My oldest strings are on a '63 P, installed about 1972, making them roughly 41 years old. The bass was in storage from 1973-96, so since I got it back they've only been in use for 16 years. I play mostly flats, but I don't change rounds either. Before I got bored with the rounds on my J bass they were 10 years old; I changed them for Labella Deep Talkin' flats which are now only a couple of years old.

And no, the old strings on the P aren't gunky, or black, nor do they make my fingers grungy. They also have a nice ability to cut through the mix and they have treble left.

[darkstorm]

About five and a half months

[Pimmsley]

If I'm playing a lot I tend to forget about it, so over a year... when I'm not playing so much I get bored and start to change things for fun.

[bgavin]

Just under 10 years for a set of TI Flats on a P-bass.
And 35 years on a Gibson Mastertone 5-string banjo.
Bought it last century, changed strings this century, no change in tone.

[kevteop]

I take it you mean rounds? A few months, but when the bass wasn't being played much.

I've had the same set of flats on my Jazz for about four years now but they might never get changed, they sound great.

[Root 5]

Approximately 18 years! I had a set of NPS rounds on an Ibanez bass.

Their being 'well-aged' imparted an warm mellow tone I liked. I swapped them for Roto tapes.

[qervo]

Who would have thought there would be a tiny market for 10+ year old strings. Maybe I should keep my old strings and sell them on eBay .

[heynorm]

I went 10 years with the rounds on my P til they finally lost their mojo. The original flats are on my '65 Vox Cougar that I bought new as a teenager, though it's only played about once a month these days. Still, some very nice 'thump' from them.

[ScottTunes]

Dean Markley Ground Round Wounds lasted me over 10 years (broke a string). Replacement set was installed in '91, but didn't get played as much. They are still on my '80 Carvin LB50 bass... I'm not certain which brand they are, as DM quit making the GRW. But I purchased them directly from Carvin.

The ground (or pressure wound) round wounds do tend to "darken" over time, like any RW. However, they will never sound like or last as long as flats.

Hofner flats are made by Pyramid... I've had the OE strings on my Hofner 500/1 for 15+ years. That's part of why they cost so much - they last forever! Definitely worth the price, and the trouble of getting a good set.

[klejst]

About seven months, however anymore I like to change them every couple months.

[Geroi Asfalta]

The longest I've ever gone without changing strings was about 8 months on my fretless. I put the fretted neck back on then changed the strings....they've been there for about 2 months now.

I'm normally extremely anal about my tone and strings. Depending on the bass (one bass is naturally super bright, solid maple) I change strings once or twice a month, boil the old ones and use them as spares.

On days when I record, I change my strings every day or every other day depending on what's being recorded.