I'm currently using a set of roundwound strings (I don't know what they are specifically as they were on the bass when I got it...some sort of exposed core string with black silk), but I've ordered a set of flats to try something different. If I save my current strings, and if I end up wanting to put them back on in the future, will they be negatively affected by taking them off and then restringing them? If so is there anything I can do to mitigate that?
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Are strings affected by being removed and later restrung?
- Thread starter lucas303
- Start date
It would depend on how careful you are when uninstalling them. If you mess around too much with the coiled ends off tuning posts by trying to straighten them too much, they may snap upon re-installation due to metal fatigue.
I’ve strings I’ve put on and taken off several times with no noticeable ill effects.
I use a piece of thin shrink tubing slid over the silk ends to help keep the silks from shredding when pulling back out through the ball-end retainer.
I use a piece of thin shrink tubing slid over the silk ends to help keep the silks from shredding when pulling back out through the ball-end retainer.
It is easier to remove without damaging when you have a Warwick style bridge instead of a Fender style bridge.
Warwick isn't the only one that makes a quick-release bridge:
This is the #1 reason I upgraded the bridge on this Mikro.
This is the #1 reason I upgraded the bridge on this Mikro.
If you soak them in alcohol before putting them back on, they might sound better when re-installed.
The big issue is metal fatigue - once a string is bent, unbending and re-bending it can only be done a few times before failure. With a slotted bridge, you can take the strings off without affecting the sharp bends at the tuner or bridge. If you have a string through bridge, removing the string you'll end up straightening the sharp bends, and then have to re-bend them upon ire-installation. With a top load (non string through) bridge without slots, if you're careful about pulling the strings through the holes, you'll undo some of the sharp bends, but not as much as with a string through setup.
The big issue is metal fatigue - once a string is bent, unbending and re-bending it can only be done a few times before failure. With a slotted bridge, you can take the strings off without affecting the sharp bends at the tuner or bridge. If you have a string through bridge, removing the string you'll end up straightening the sharp bends, and then have to re-bend them upon ire-installation. With a top load (non string through) bridge without slots, if you're careful about pulling the strings through the holes, you'll undo some of the sharp bends, but not as much as with a string through setup.
As said before, it depends on how you remove them and how you store them. If you are careful not to unwound the part around the posts too much, you should not have any problems. Be careful not to twist them when tuning them and everything should be fine. Remember, too, that some strings are more fragile than others.
I never had to, but airtight bags seem to be a good solution.
IMO...No. I have reused strings off basses several times with no issues. As long as they are in good shape they play fine.
I use medium size Ziploc freezer bags to store strings in - new or used.
I take strings off, soak em in denatured alcohol (denatured, get it at the hardware store) in a pvc tube. Then they go into a ziplock which is labeled with a sharpie. String make, model, gauge and the bass they came off.
TI flats don’t get soaked, but still labeled with the bass they came off.
No problems, string changes are a breeze, since the set is clean and cut and wound to go right back on.
I mostly stick to very light strings so truss rod adjustments are rarely needed. Usually, intonation and and a bit of saddle height adjustment are all that’s needed.
This is only for strings I like. If I don’t like em, they go in the trash.
TI flats don’t get soaked, but still labeled with the bass they came off.
No problems, string changes are a breeze, since the set is clean and cut and wound to go right back on.
I mostly stick to very light strings so truss rod adjustments are rarely needed. Usually, intonation and and a bit of saddle height adjustment are all that’s needed.
This is only for strings I like. If I don’t like em, they go in the trash.
Kind of hard to add anything useful to this. Everything else, re the silk, is important - maybe - but, in the end, just cosmetics. Being very gentle with that coiled tuner end is the key; You straighten that out at your peril. And, sometimes it doesn't take much to make them fail, either. Ask me how I know...
It depends also on how sharp a bend is put in the string at the witness points. Putting them back on the same bass probably won't be too much of an issue, but moving them to another bass may be problematic.
I agree. If I may add, changing to flats may require some intonation. Going back to rounds would then have the saddles in a different spot, now the break point has changed. I've also boiled strings in the past and reinstalled them with a different radial orientation. Now I've got fresh high points on some strings, flat spots on others. Last few sting changes, I've just tossed them and start fresh.
I find bass strings are resilient enough to survive a good few restringings without significantly doing the tone in.
I avoid it and usually do it only on the same bass. I think it's more an issue with flats specially if strung through. DB guys restring a lot and we trade use strings often, but if their bass has a longer tailpiece then it will have a kink when it gets to me and never feels right even if I can't see the kink.
