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Change strings before a show?

Sonic_Death

Sonic_Death

Jan 12, 2005
3,523
17
37
Wantagh, New York
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#1
I have a show tomorrow and I am kind of worried about my strings. I have had mine on for about 4 months now, and although I am still liking the sound I would hate for them to break mid-show. The problem is if I do change them, what if I get a bad string and it snaps mid-show anyway. Kind of a catch22 with risks.

I get very paranoid about breaking strings during a show and I'd rather not bring a backup bass for a 40 minute set, but I will if I have to. Does anyone think it is worth it to change the strings, or should I leave them.. I'm probably just worrying way too much.

Also on a side note! Would taping one of the fingers on my right hand help a blister not hurt as much for the show? Thanks for any help.
 
#2
Don't stress. Bring a backup, even if it's just for peace of mind. Change the strings if it will give you peace of mind. Leave them on, if that will make you feel better. Have a spare set in your case if that will make you feel better.

As a guitar guy, I will inevitably break strings when I don't have a backup. As a bass guy, I've only broken strings 3 or 4 times in the 8 years I've been playing bass... so I don't usually worry about it.
 
#3
The possibility of breaking bass strings for all intents and purposes should be astronomically low.

I've -never- broken a bass string during a gig, or session. The only time I have though was purely as a result of my foolishness - I cut a string too short and you can guess what happened when I tried tuning it.
 
#4
Marcus Alan said:
The possibility of breaking bass strings for all intents and purposes should be astronomically low.

I've -never- broken a bass string during a gig, or session. The only time I have though was purely as a result of my foolishness - I cut a string too short and you can guess what happened when I tried tuning it.
Click to expand...
I broke a string once during an audition. It sucked. It was the G string on my 5 string... my fingers shifted into 4 string mode, and that was very bad...
 
#5
I'd be more worried about new strings shifting out of tune more than an old string breaking. I've only broken one string at a gig in over 30 years..... and that set of strings was very used for 2 years.

If you put the new ones on, get them broken in well before the gig.
 
#7
I just came from a 1:00 show and changed strings before the 9:00 show.

I'm not taking a spare axe and wasn't even worried about it untill just now.

Thanks:D
 
#11
I used to break my low E when I was doing ultra aggresive (and fast) B-string based slapping/popping.

Ive changed strings before shows a few times. If you know your strings well, certain brands take longer to stretch out. I notice that when I use Blue Steel, they tend to go out of tune for the first few days. When I use cheaper strings (the ones that are like $20 for a five string), they tend to lock in tune sooner.
 
#12
i wouldnt change a set of strings just before a show. ive had a few strings that have snapped a day or two after putting them on, i assume it was a factory fault. i would clean them or change them a few days before however, because they need some time to get the tension right in the strings.

its always nice to have a fresh bright sound for a gig
 

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