Are Old Strings any good

[ejaggers]

Would you use string that are 10 or 20 years old but have never been opened? If not, how long can you go back on strings before you no longer trust them?

 

[JimmyM]

i not only would use them, i have a set of 12 year old strings on one of my basses. i think if they get rusty, you should throw them out. if not, they should be fine.

 

[Craig_S]

Jimmy, you kill me. I hope they are flats.

 

[JimmyM]

ya, flats. i don't really like old rounds but old flats are cool.

 

[ejaggers]

How old is too old for rounds?

 

[PJSShearer]

How old is too old for rounds?

When they don't sound right to you anymore.

Rounds change tone quite drastically over time - they lose their initial "zing" within hours, then sound great for weeks or even months and then get "clacky". But if they still sound good to you then leave them on!!

When these changes happen depends on how hard you play, how often you play, whether or not you wipe the strings down afterwards, how much you sweat, how acidic your sweat is, atmospheric conditions .....

 

[sidd_laroy]

i generally switch my rounds every couple of months or so. i like my basses to sound punchy, so once the strings start to die i pitch em. as for flats. i've only ever had one pair, and i still have them on my fretless P. haha

 

[sidd_laroy]

but back to the OP. it depends on how they're packaged. the strings i get are like vacuumed sealed, so i could probably buy them and keep them for ages and then open them and they'd still sound new. if they're not sealed like that i don't know. they probably wouldn't sound the same as they did when they were first made, but they might still sound good. they'll probably be oxidized now.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have a 2000 MIM Jazz with the factory rounds on it. Sounds fantastic.

Most of my 70's basses have flats that are 3-8 years old on them. All good, no need to change anything.

My '63 P has flats that were installed no later than 1972 - they're 38 years old.

In my completely biased opinion, bass strings of any type don't need to be changed until they either won't hold tune or break. Otherwise, if they sound good, play 'em.

With old strings, what do you have to lose by installing them? Put 'em on, play them and I'll bet they work great.

 

[Serek_Basses]

i have had some rounds on over a year and they still sounded great (DR highbeams mostly), they weren't as bright and punchy but growled nicely, the tone was still there.

and others that have faded quickly and just sound terrible and don't stay in tune well.