Just put in new strings for the first time

Bulletr0k · #1 01-31-2008, 04:34 PM

I've never put strings in before, and I knew I needed changing, so I bought some Ernie Ball's Regular Slinky strings from a music store and put them in last night. The strings sound fine, although I didn't cut them (I was too afraid to. :[ ). The E string though, sounds wavery when I play, and it bothers me. The ball at the end of the string doesn't fit into the hole in my bridge, so I pulled it as far as I can go and left it. I thionk that mught be the problem, but I don't know, I've been playing since november on a bass that's presumably over two years old (I've had it for year, we got it used.) How can I fix this?

BTW, It's a JP800, Pbass knockoff.

Justin Tuskey · #2 01-31-2008, 04:37 PM

what do you mean by "wavery"? like a chorus type effect? Ive noticed the same thing on my 4 string peavey when I put new EB Slinkies on them. It went away after some time of playing, but it was quite strange.

Bulletr0k · #3 01-31-2008, 04:54 PM

The tone of the string just goes in and out when I hit it. the amp also makes a soft buzz.

Charling · #4 01-31-2008, 05:04 PM

Hmmm, if the string is securely 'sat' at the bridge and nut, and it doesnt move around when you pluck it then I dont think you need to worry about it as such. By the tone going in and out do you mean the note stays the same, but theres a sensation of a kind of phasery sound in the top end?

If so then I think you may be experiencing new string super brightness, I use ernie ball hybrids on my bass and they are VERY twangy/shiney/harmonic/tangy etc when new. I hate them for that, they are alot worse than any of the other string ive tried, though to be fair ive only used 3 or 4 makes routinely in the last 7 years or so!

But when they die down I like the guage, feel and tension of ernie balls so I just sit out the waiting period. Try dialing back the treble all the way on your amp, does it make things a bit better?

I would sit it out for a month, you could even go as far as grabbing the strings and running your hand along them a few times whenever you play, that'll get them dirty and will speed up the 'warming' process.

All new strings sound excessively toppy when you first get them, allot of players like this, but I prefer a warmer, duller tone and as such I treat the breaking in period as like a necessary evil to get nice feeling strings.

Bulletr0k · #5 01-31-2008, 06:48 PM

I fixed the wavering, thanks to restringing that string (guess I wounded it horribly). Now it kinda makes a "BRAAAAAP" when I'm plugged in, though. should I just mess with knobs? maybe lower the pickups? I know I heightened them before the new strings.

Pilgrim · #6 02-01-2008, 11:10 AM

If you're going to install strings properly, you need to cut them 2" to 3" past the tuner, insert the end into the hole in the center of the tuner, bend the string 90 degrees, and wind from the top down. Here are directions (although they make it sound more complex than it is):

http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_string_change/

After they're installed, you need to setup your bass (this isn't always required, but given that you've messed around with it, it's reasonable to assume that this is necessary):

http://fender.com/support/basses.php

If nothing else, jump down to the section on setting pickups and follow their directions. That should get you close.