When to replace strings?

[dontpoll]

Hey guys,

I've only been playing bass since November, which is when I bought my bass guitar (Fender P Bass).

I certainly haven't been practicing 3 hours a day, so I doubt my strings are severely worn out, but it has been 7-8 months.

How do you tell when the strings need to be changed? Are there any severe disadvanges with playing with old strings? (For instance, with a guitar, I can tell when my strings need changing..the tone isn't as good, it goes out of tune quicker, harder to play in general).

I'm assuming since bass strings are so heavy (compared to an electric guitar), they don't need to be replaced as often.

[HELLonWheels187]

When the strings sound becomes dull after 7-8 months it sounds like your in need of a chagne unless you like the tone you have now. New string will be a lot more bright(i personnally like the sound of dead roundwounds). I replace my string every 4 months or when they break, which ever one comes first.

[7flat5]

If they sound OK to you, why spend money on a new set just because they are a few months old? Some people love the sound of well-broken-in strings.

[mike phillips]

in my opinion, i like a old dull soundin string. they have a black sabbath sound to them. its all in what you like and what you can afford.

[Spencer!]

I replace my strings every 5 weeks or so, but I play a few hours a day, and I notice the difference in tone.

Changing strings a lot is expensive, so I'd say you should only change strings when YOU can hear the difference.

[thebassclef]

Consider going to flatwounds next string change. they have an old school mellow tone out of the package and just get better with age. The don't tend to trap the oil and dirt from your fingers as much either. Rotosound Jazz Bass Ftlats are good ones to start with and are inexpensive.

BTW, I have had the same flats on my MIM Deluxe for 3 years now, and they sound great.

[detracti]

I change them when I find myself plucking harder to compensate for the lack of sustain... actually, I usually try and catch it before it gets that bad... when they start sounding dull.

One thing I've done w/ some success is get this spray stuff called finger-ease (sp?), and a soft cloth...

Slide the soft cloth under the strings/over the fretboard... and then spray the crap out of-em with this stuff... do the whole length of them keeping the cloth behind, and then fold it over and wipe them down real good.

It livens them back up... you can get a little extra out of a set of strings that way.

I've heard you can boil strings too, to bring them back, but I've also heard that this can weaken them too, and make them break. Don't really know for sure, and haven't really been motivated to try it.