Hi guys, was just wondering how often do you change you're strings? Mine are five or ten years old. And lately, I'm not liking the sound I'm getting out of my rig, witch is a hartke HA7000 with a 15" and a 2x10" with a tweeter. Now, for many years I loved it. But lately, I don't know if its my ears, or maybe the amp. But it just doesn't sound like I want it to lately. The guys in my band are telling me its my old strings, but I don't think old strings sound bad, they're just not bright. Was just wondering how often other bassists change they're strings.
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Every two weeks. I can't even fathom 5 years..
Your strings may be what you don't like about your tone. My string usually stay on for about a month of active playing. I like the sound of broken in yet fairly new strings. If you haven't changed them in five years you may have forgotten what a new set of strings sounds like. If you don't cut or trim your old strings when you change the set you can alway put them back on if you don't like the new ones.
After about the first year of playing bass I started feeling like my bass didn't sound too good. I thought maybe it was because it was just a beginner bass or something. I went to the local GC to try some new basses and I thought I would try the same model as the one I had at home for reference. Turns out the same bass as the one I had sounded a million times better than mine. The difference? Strings.
After about the first year of playing bass I started feeling like my bass didn't sound too good. I thought maybe it was because it was just a beginner bass or something. I went to the local GC to try some new basses and I thought I would try the same model as the one I had at home for reference. Turns out the same bass as the one I had sounded a million times better than mine. The difference? Strings.
I have no maintenance schedule. I treat my strings like I treat my women.
Yeah. I play out a ton at sweaty, beer-soaked punk venues. 8-10 shows a month, and 6 rehearsals.
i change them when i can't tune it anymore ... i'm serious. my hands are not greasy, and thanks God my basses are so resonant that new strings are quite intimidating 
I think it depends on the tone you want. For Jazz, my fretless had 10 year old strings, which I just recently changed. For Prog (Rickenbacker), I want them as new as possible. Chris Squire changed his every night. I heard that John Entwistle would have his new strings changed out after the soundcheck! I use my ears to tell.
Depends on the kind of strings you have too. Flats will usually last longer that rounds.
I have half rounds on my Classic Stingray 4 and my Sprctor Legend Classic 5, probably for about a year each. I haven't noticed and decline in my tone so I haven't changed yet. But those two basses also don't get as much use especially in recent months.
I have regular EB Slinkys on my Stingray 5, had them on since January when I got it. I'm probably due for a change somewhat soon.
I change when I notice change in tone or when there gets to be a lot of buildup. At least 2-3 performances a month, 3 50 minute sets in each one, plus 1-2 rehearsals every week... I can't imagine rounds lasting longer than 6 months.
I have half rounds on my Classic Stingray 4 and my Sprctor Legend Classic 5, probably for about a year each. I haven't noticed and decline in my tone so I haven't changed yet. But those two basses also don't get as much use especially in recent months.
I have regular EB Slinkys on my Stingray 5, had them on since January when I got it. I'm probably due for a change somewhat soon.
I change when I notice change in tone or when there gets to be a lot of buildup. At least 2-3 performances a month, 3 50 minute sets in each one, plus 1-2 rehearsals every week... I can't imagine rounds lasting longer than 6 months.
About every two years for roundwounds. Never for flatwounds or upright.
Until I don't like the way they sound.
A few months, at most. Flats go on til they snap, but rounds I swap out after two or three months.
Holy. Five years is a long time to not change strings, especially if they are roundwounds.
I change mine every two months. I don't gig a lot so that's fine. Most of the grime and wear comes from bedroom practicing
I change mine every two months. I don't gig a lot so that's fine. Most of the grime and wear comes from bedroom practicing
- Oct 18, 2012
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It depends on how often I am playing but I usually change them between 4 to 8 weeks if I have gigs. I go a little longer than that if I don't have any gigs. I find that I like the sound when they are about 10 to 14 days old. At that point they have lost a little brightness but still have a nice sound.
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I'm like you OP. My jazz hasn't been changed in a few and I got a HA3500 with an XL410. When I get to the point something sounds wrong I'll change em. I think I have about 4 years or so on mine right now.
I change mine every 3-4 weeks. I normally gig a minimum of 3 times a week and I don't sweat or play heavy at all. The brightness just seems to leave any longer than 4 weeks.
Our sound man will normally shout at me and the guitarist when it gets to 4-5 weeks and we haven't changed them.
Our sound man will normally shout at me and the guitarist when it gets to 4-5 weeks and we haven't changed them.
- Jul 7, 2010
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I change them when my sound starts to dull, so it's very arbitrary... around once a year or so.
