Strings, when to change them? [DB forum]

[Niklaus]

Hi. I'm rather new to the DB- about a year and a half. I need some advice: how do I know when my strings need to be changed?
What do I need to look/listen for?

Thanks!

[Marcus Johnson]

Shawshank, he's asking about double bass strings. So, the time frames may be off... though much of what you said applies to DB strings too.

Nicklaus, sometimes DB strings will just start sounding dead, or you'll start getting false notes, or buzzes. Sometimes they'll just plain look worn; pitted, loose wraps, frays, whatever. You may sense a decrease in volume with some strings. It all depends on the individual as well; some people like new, bright-sounding strings right out of the package, and then some (myself included) prefer the more burnished tone that comes with age. My strings are approaching two years of age, and i have no intention of changing them, because for my purposes, they're perfect. Other players might find them to be insufferably "dead".

[Niklaus]

Thanks, Marcus.

[Square Bear]

simple equation. take the square root of how often you think you need to change them and multiply it by how often you can afford to change them.

[iiipopes]

You will find guys on this forum to whom the answer is, "Never," with only well defined exceptions:
1) one breaks or becomes noticeably physically damaged (this does not include silk unraveling)
2) the type of gig or repertoire changes substantially (like, going from playing mostly pizz to arco or vice versa), or
3) a terminal case of string jitters, in which most instances the cure is, after dancing with the rest of the girls, going home with the girl you brought to the dance.

[ERIC A]

3) a terminal case of string jitters, in which most instances the cure is, after dancing with the rest of the girls, going home with the girl you brought to the dance.

That is dead on!!

[rodl2005]

I've had my D'addario Helicore lights on my EUB for nearly 5 yrs. Still SOUND fine, but I've noticed lately that they're starting to get 'rough'/ worn where I 'pluck' - playing it pizz 99% of the time & gigging with it 2 x week the whole time.
So I think THESE need changing soon. My 2c.