Are there rounds that need breaking in?

[averagejoe53]

Marshall Bruné recommends tuning guitar strings half a step to a step high, letting the instrument sit for half an hour to an hour, and tuning to pitch after.

This might be fine for guitar strings and it might be an interesting experiment for bass strings.

I can think of three possible issues:

First, Bass strings exert a lot more tension over a longer neck. Tuning sharp might cause bowing and truss rod problems. (Side bar: When changing bass strings, I change one string at a time to keep tension on the neck.)

Second, bass strings have an inner metal core and outer wrapping. Tuning sharp might cause the outer wrapping to slip over the inner core and go dead.

Third, guitar strings need to be broken in by stretching so they stay in tune. I don't know if this applies to bass strings.

But good luck to anyone adventurous enough to give it a go.

 

[Aloe]

However, the luthier Marshall Bruné recommends tuning guitar strings half a step to a step high, letting the instrument sit for half an hour to an hour, and tuning to pitch after. He says it gets the strings broken in without damaging them or shortening their life.

I haven't tried it yet, but it seems like a good experiment.

this is a common trick for classical guitars, that have very stretchy strings.

for steel ones setting witness points makes more effect.

frankly my personal experience was that steel bass strings sound worse after such overstretching. but more in a ballpark of used, dead strings, right.

 

[TomB]

I pull strings taut when new and periodically, and have never had a breakage occur or any string life reduction. It’s a very helpful part of setting the witness points. If your neck can’t stand tuning up to a half-step sharp, I’d say you have bigger issues. Bass necks need to be robust to survive. The good ones are.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

I pull strings taut when new and periodically, and have never had a breakage occur or any string life reduction. It’s a very helpful part of setting the witness points. If your neck can’t stand tuning up to a half-step sharp, I’d say you have bigger issues. Bass necks need to be robust to survive. The good ones are.

Yea I'm guessing a half step sharp is not a lot...some necks are stout my 65 Epi Newport had LaBella flats for decades absolutely straight .....I've had several USA Peavey basses with major issues with rounds! Took careful gradual tightening with strings loosened to get right.

I do have a Peavey Foundation 5 that has an outstanding stout neck as is but has light rounds never had to touch it, stupid low action, I'm scared to change strings lol!

 

[J Wilson]

Strings are like food: From the mnute you open the package, they're going bad little by little.

I've played everything from Black Diamonds to T-I's, and I've never had a string that got 'better' as I played them.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Strings are like food: From the mnute you open the package, they're going bad little by little.

I've played everything from Black Diamonds to T-I's, and I've never had a string that got 'better' as I played them.

That's not the opinion on TB concerning flats lol but I hear ya on rounds...I don't want significant tonal change on rounds out of the box and as I mentioned I won't play them a lot either so long life isnt a concern.

I've encountered lots of dead or bad rounds on used basses in stores.....Not sure if previous owners refused to change them or what.

 

[J Wilson]

That's not the opinion on TB concerning flats lol but I hear ya on rounds...I don't want significant tonal change on rounds out of the box and as I mentioned I won't play them a lot either so long life isnt a concern.

I've encountered lots of dead or bad rounds on used basses in stores.....Not sure if previous owners refused to change them or what.

I mean, I get it when it comes to flats: How do you kill something that's dead already ?

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I don’t like rounds fresh out of the pack and prefer them once they’ve very broken in, what some would even consider dead. When a lot of rounds reach that stage they seem to stay there a while, at least for me. I only change them once I can’t hear myself in a mix or start having tuning stability/intonation issues.

I might be in the minority on here, but I’m far from the only one.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

I mean, I get it when it comes to flats: How do you kill something that's dead already ?

Ha well Fender 9050 flats are definitely not dead right off.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Ha well Fender 9050 flats are definitely not dead right off.

Or D’Addario Chromes, TIJF’s, and Ernie Ball Cobalts.

 

[RicheyLather]

This might be fine for guitar strings and it might be an interesting experiment for bass strings.

I can think of three possible issues:

First, Bass strings exert a lot more tension over a longer neck. Tuning sharp might cause bowing and truss rod problems. (Side bar: When changing bass strings, I change one string at a time to keep tension on the neck.)

Second, bass strings have an inner metal core and outer wrapping. Tuning sharp might cause the outer wrapping to slip over the inner core and go dead.

Third, guitar strings need to be broken in by stretching so they stay in tune. I don't know if this applies to bass strings.

But good luck to anyone adventurous enough to give it a go.

I don’t know if it applies, but I’ve always given my new strings a “tug” before tuning to pitch bass and 6-string. Just me. Have you tried DR Sunbeams? I just did last change and they’ve been consistent. Not too bright, but I think they sound yummy!

 

[GTHintz]

Strings are like food: From the mnute you open the package, they're going bad little by little.

I've played everything from Black Diamonds to T-I's, and I've never had a string that got 'better' as I played them.

I 99% agree with you on that but for some reason with roto swing bass they sound so odd when they first get strung up but after about 30 minutes of play time they sound great. They become full and punchy. The issue is that for most that tone decays rather quickly and it gets darker and darker until it’s thud city.

 

[Ol Sparky]

No.

 

[TomB]

Or D’Addario Chromes, TIJF’s, and Ernie Ball Cobalts.

…or Dunlops. Obviously we need a string doctor to declare death since we sure disagree !!

 

[doctone]

I believe that generally, round core strings would be ready to gig a little sooner. Less to "settle down" so to speak. Take this with much caution, for I have very limited real life experience, that is D'Addario XL vs. DR Sunbeams and TI Rounds. The latter being incredibly stable just a few bars after installing on my BB734.
I'm really curious what you seasoned players would say about this...