How often can you re-install a set of strings?

[John-P]

I have D'Addario Helicores on my bass, but I plan to put on a ny-gut set just for swing/rockabilly gigs. Any idea roughly how many times I can switch back and forth before the strings get fatigued? Or does changing back and forth not shorten the string life?

[Eric Hochberg]

It has more effect on non-metal core strings. You should be fine if you're asking about the helicores. My spiros have been on and off probably 10 times.

[Rebop]

I started using D'Addario Hybrids in about 2000 or 2001. Since then they have been off and on probably 5 or 6 times. Longest stretch with them on was 6 years. The wrap of the string where it meets the bridge is getting a little mangled and mashed up, but they still seem fine; although I haven't used those in about a year or more.

[moles]

Probably the bigger danger is the more you have to switch, the more tired of the process you get, and the easier it is to try to get it done quickly and subsequently twist a string during installation - which leads to problems.

If you only have one bass, there are solutions to the problem of needing a string set that'll "do everything"

[JtheJazzMan]

Although steel core strings wont get damaged in the core, I find the windings get damaged eventually around the bridge area.