Tone improvement...String change anyone?

[Sundogue]

How many of you have wondered why your sound just wasn't quite where you want it, and then started thinking of new gear to improve your sound only to find that something as simple as a string change brought "your" sound back?

This isn't one of those "eureka!" moments where I suddenly had an epiphany about it. I guess I just never consciously thought about it before. I do change my strings (though not religiously) and sometimes I either get lazy or don't feel like shelling out the $ for new strings. My bass and rig just didn't sound as good lately, and I couldn't really figure out why. I just put some new strings on last night, and it sounds great again. Well, Duh. It dawned on me how in the past my GAS probably coincided with my existing strings going lifeless.

It's not like I don't know that new strings make a world of difference, but I know I never made the connection of old, lifeless strings = GAS for new gear.

Well, that and reading equipment forums on TB doesn't help.

[ibnzneksrul]

Some time ago I bought a used Guild Pilot 5, a little beat up but the tone was killer (which I assumed was just the bass itself). The strings were old so awhile later I bought new ones (not sure which brand now, GHS Boomers, IIRC) and strung it up. My clear, punchy woody tone had turned to mud. I had no idea what the old strings were so I took the old set in to the store to get some help. After some good detective work from the guys there we settled on Dean Markley's, I bought a set and my tone was back again. It is amazing how different strings can sound so different.

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by ibnzneksrul

Some time ago I bought a used Guild Pilot 5, a little beat up but the tone was killer (which I assumed was just the bass itself). The strings were old so awhile later I bought new ones (not sure which brand now, GHS Boomers, IIRC) and strung it up. My clear, punchy woody tone had turned to mud. I had no idea what the old strings were so I took the old set in to the store to get some help. After some good detective work from the guys there we settled on Dean Markley's, I bought a set and my tone was back again. It is amazing how different strings can sound so different.

I have a P-Bass with TI Flats that are years old and I never change those strings. But those old flats ARE it's sound.

My other bass is more the hot rod and the one I use most for it's versatility. New roundwounds are a must with it. Seems right around the time I need new strings, I also feel like I need some new gear. Slap on some new strings and my GAS is gone.

Well, there is always that tube amp I'm still looking for...