Can these strings still be used?

[SRT80]

So I picked up a set of used Red Label Super Sensitive strings today. I figured for $25 they are probably better then the 5 year old strings on my bass.

I bought them from a local member here. I went and picked them up in person. I didn't even look them over. He told me they was barely used and he had 100% positive feedback here with 54 transactions. So I figured I'd take his word. I'm not sayin' they are bad. I'm askin' if they are. I'm new to this.

When I got home, I opened them up to take a look and this is what they look like. The plan was to take them to a local shop tomorrow and have them put on my bass since I dont really know how to string a upright.









Thoughts?
Steve

[Momamony]

Yes, they can be used. The colored wrapping on the pegbox end of the string takes a beating and can looked frayed like that even when the strings still have a lot of life left in them. That being said, don't throw away the ~5 year old strings, they might be better than the ones you just bought, and even if they aren't, it's good to have spares because they do break once in a while.

[Andrew McGregor]

Look at how the bass is done now... you'll learn a bit getting the old ones off. DO NOT take them all off at once, there's some risk of the soundpost falling over, and you want the bridge to stay in place. The bridge might lean a bit afterward, you have to fix that if it happens (by loosening the strings a fair bit and tapping it back with the side of your hand... if you hurt your hand you almost hit it too hard, if you almost hurt your hand you're hitting it hard enough, which is why you use your hand and not a tool). The side facing the fingerboard should be square to the top.

[Bobby King]

Originally Posted by Momamony

Yes, they can be used. The colored wrapping on the pegbox end of the string takes a beating and can looked frayed like that even when the strings still have a lot of life left in them. That being said, don't throw away the ~5 year old strings, they might be better than the ones you just bought, and even if they aren't, it's good to have spares because they do break once in a while.

What he said. BTW, I am the local member in question Those strings were on and off basses a couple of times so the wrapping gets a little frayed, but they've only had a few hours of playing time, plus those strings are indestructable in the first place. But, if it's keeping you up nights, meet me back at the Guitar Center with the strings and I'll gladly give you your $25 back. Geez.

[sevenyearsdown]

Originally Posted by Bobby King

What he said. BTW, I am the local member in question Those strings were on and off basses a couple of times so the wrapping gets a little frayed, but they've only had a few hours of playing time, plus those strings are indestructable in the first place. But, if it's keeping you up nights, meet me back at the Guitar Center with the strings and I'll gladly give you your $25 back. Geez.

Go easy on the guy now - he sounds like he doesn't no any better yet.

[SRT80]

Like I said, I'm new to this and was just askin' is all. I wasn't callin' anyone out or sayin' I was ripped off. Just simply askin' about them.

If they are fine.....then fine.

Steve

[timobee4]

Looks like fine strings to me, I have strings on both my basses with both ends buggered from changing them, mixing them, look means nothing, for 25 bucks I wouldn't complain. I actually don't believe that strings go bad. I mean if you play arco yes, but pizz don't think so, I had a set of spiro reds on my on of my bass for at least 8 years before changed to guts.
good advice to learn to install strings pretty quickly if you wanna play upright but get a winder to save your wrist!

[Francois Blais]

Case closed.