When Is It Time to Change Strings? - Page 2

Bassic Playing · #21 02-08-2013, 12:30 AM

When they don't sound nice anymore. For whatever type of string.

Chico16 · #22 02-08-2013, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadfael

Flats after:
- 10 years: They are best
- 20 years: Think about changing them
- 30 years: Finally decide that they might take another 10 years
- 40 years: You feel they might be changed now - but you forgot how to do that
- 50 years: New strings like yours are no longer available - so, you keep them ...

^^^ I actually laughed out loud! Haha

jaywa · #23 02-08-2013, 11:56 AM

Rounds: When they lose their sound but only after you've boiled them once to squeeze a few more shows out of 'em

Flats: If they quit holding tune. Otherwise, leave 'em be.

And regarding breakage... I have played 32 years and I have never broken a bass string. I'm still not quite sure exactly how that happens unless there is an issue with the bridge or you get a defective set. I know it does happen but it seems like there have to be pretty extreme circumstances behind it.

khutch · #24 02-08-2013, 12:00 PM

I wait until the "Check Strings" light comes on!

I mostly play flats and as people say they tend to be the same yesterday, today, and forever so why change? I have one bass with Pressure Wounds and one with rounds. I would suppose that after a year or so they might need changing ... if I played them more.

Truth be told I am far more likely to change them to try something else than because they are worn out. None of them are "bright" strings and I think that if you want a bright sound you need to change a lot more frequently than I do.

Ken

Chico16 · #25 02-08-2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

Rounds: When they lose their sound but only after you've boiled them once to squeeze a few more shows out of 'em

Flats: If they quit holding tune. Otherwise, leave 'em be.

And regarding breakage... I have played 32 years and I have never broken a bass string. I'm still not quite sure exactly how that happens unless there is an issue with the bridge or you get a defective set. I know it does happen but it seems like there have to be pretty extreme circumstances behind it.

This guy here broke an E string while playing... Seriously how the hell do you break an E string while playing?! A G string is more understandable but still! The only time I've broken a string was when I was barely learning to play, I didn't have a tuner and didn't know how to tune a string by ear I just new it sounded off. So I messed with the tuning pegs trying to get it right until I tightened the D string too much and it broke

JimmyM · #26 02-08-2013, 12:41 PM

When is it time to change strings? Half an hour ago

GroovinOnFunk · #27 02-08-2013, 09:05 PM

On my third set in 2 months... Granted... I got a new bass and was trying to find "the perfect match".
My hands sweat A LOT and it sucks! I use this stuff called Pre-Play... Don't know if it works or not... But it's supposed to lower the pH balance of your sweat... Anyway, SS strings I change more than nickels.
The real answer to "when should I change my strings?" Is probably "whenever you can or feel like it"

gary m · #28 02-09-2013, 01:58 PM

I play flats, so for me the answer to this question is "when one breaks"...which in my experience is never.

mmbongo · #29 02-09-2013, 02:24 PM

If they sound like flats, it's time to change them!

u84six · #30 02-11-2013, 12:39 AM

Actually, some flats will lose high note sustain after about a year. That's about the time I'll string up some new ones. Sadowsky Black Label flats will last a little longer than most when it comes to high note sustain. La Bella, GHS, and some others I've tried lose their high note sustain in less than a year.

GODSBASSMAN · #31 02-11-2013, 12:38 PM

I am right with you there, khutch except I have a 2012 model and it has a "change strings soon" light. ROFL cause you took the award answer. :O)

dtripoli · #32 02-11-2013, 02:11 PM

Recommendations for String change:
String Manufacturer: Once every 3 weeks
That old guy in the blues band: Once every 3 decades
Me, once every 6 months to a year, whether they need it or not. I just like to take the strings off, polish everything up, adjust this and that and put on new strings.

It's the same principle as washing and polishing your car, it always runs better and has more pickup when you are done.

VanillaThundah · #33 02-11-2013, 02:15 PM

With flats, find a pair you like and leave them on for a decade or two

With rounds, just use your ears to let you know when to change them. If you loved the bass you are playing when you changed the strings and now you are considering selling it, it's time to change the strings on it. My rule I made for myself before selling a bass I've "fallen out of love with" is to change the strings and then make my decision. If you can afford to, every 3-6 months for rounds is ideal.

Jazzdogg · #34 02-11-2013, 02:42 PM

I change strings when
they no longer sound good to me
there's something about the "feel" that I find objectionable
there's damage that affects playability

Fullback32 · #35 02-11-2013, 03:16 PM

What is this "change strings" you speak of?

selassie1 · #36 02-11-2013, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chico16

This guy here broke an E string while playing... Seriously how the hell do you break an E string while playing?! A G string is more understandable but still! The only time I've broken a string was when I was barely learning to play, I didn't have a tuner and didn't know how to tune a string by ear I just new it sounded off. So I messed with the tuning pegs trying to get it right until I tightened the D string too much and it broke

I used to break strings regularly in my first few years of playing bass. It was only after I started touring that I lightened up my right hand technique. I probably would have kept using that "HULK SMASH!" approach if my forearm hadn't kept cramping in the middle of our show...

Pilgrim · #37 02-11-2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khutch

I wait until the "Check Strings" light comes on!

The perfect answer for us flats players!!!

RedMoses · #38 02-11-2013, 03:51 PM

After about 2 weeks they settle in, no longer Zing so much but still have a nice bright tone. After about 2 months they start to deteriorate tone wise and ill change them once they no longer sound "Alive".

Every player relies on string differently for tone, some zingy guys change before each show or recording date, i presonally dont like em too bright and intotanion is better when they settle in. The amount your hand Sweats will decrease life considereably as well.

tekdiver500ft · #39 02-11-2013, 03:59 PM

Change flats when they break, change rounds when they don't sound like you want them to anymore.

jp58 · #40 02-11-2013, 08:44 PM

I'm on my third set since I got my new bass about around a year and a half ago now. The set of strings it came with made it around two days, then on to some rounds (forget which brand) but they weren't what I was looking for. I put the factory strings back on because the others stopped holding a tuning. Those made it until I got some of the EB cobalts. Now that those are starting to tarnish, I'm looking at strings again.