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Do flatwound strings last forever?

#21
I put TI jazz flats on my P bass in 2004, and they sound better now then they did when they were new. I do not plan to change them unless they break.

And doing the math, they are the "cheapest" set of bass strings I've ever purchased. ;)

Also I just put D'addario Chromes on my ABG, hopefully they'll perform just as well. :)

Peace. :bassist:
 
#22
Nothing lasts forever.

It may take years for me to change my set but I'll definitely change 'em. My double bass strings are still the same set that I have and it's 8 years old already but can still do me service. I think this will be the same case with my flats on my electric. If the windings get scraped to the core, I will not wait for my fingers to get hurt playing it.
 
#28
Nasnederis said:
Im thinking to change my rounds in my p bass to flatwounds, maybe daddario chromes or rotosound flats by the opinions read here.. My question is how often do you worry to change the flatwound strings, if you ever change them.
Click to expand...

If you're going to be so graceful when I razz you, least I can do is address your question.

I only change them when one breaks (last time was my dear sons frigging with a bass: my guess is they had the G over an octave higher before TWANG).

For me, Flats are the dope. TIJFs or Chromes sit perfectly in the band for me & for them. But one size doesn't fit all. Think "real old nickle Rounds": if that sounds horrid, I don't think you'll enjoy Flats. But if you wish your bass' mids knob would give even more cut, Flats could be a very nice discovery.
 
#29
I'm sure flats don't last forever, but they do last a while. submitted as evidence: my 1963 P, with strings installed about 1972 when I replaced the neck because of a broken truss rod. I'm not sure whether we re-installed the original strings or put new ones on, but those in the pics are at least 37 years old.

Most of the others I have are new strings - varying in age from 2 to 8 years old.

P3120045.jpg

P9170318.jpg
 
#30
Pilgrim said:
I'm sure flats don't last forever, but they do last a while. submitted as evidence: my 1963 P, with strings installed about 1972 when I replaced the neck because of a broken truss rod. I'm not sure whether we re-installed the original strings or put new ones on, but those in the pics are at least 37 years old.

Most of the others I have are new strings - varying in age from 2 to 8 years old.

P3120045.jpg

P9170318.jpg
Click to expand...


Woooooooooow!!! Awesome bass Pilgrim.
I die of curiosity of how that strings sound. I think I would have to wait 37 years.:eyebrow:

Do you have a sound clip of that beauty?
 
#32
seanm said:
My oldest set of flats is only 4 or 5 years old. But I have been told that the first sign of trouble is that they will not stay in tune.
Click to expand...

There is some truth to that. I love my Roto RS77LE set and it seems I need to change the strings on my P bass somewhere between every 4 - 7 years depending on how much I play. The first sign of problems are definitely intonation and ability to stay in tune. That bass is rock solid and it takes a mountain to knock it out, but when the strings start to go, forget it.

I find the RS88 black nylon tapewounds last longer than stainless.
 
#33
Nasnederis said:
Woooooooooow!!! Awesome bass Pilgrim.
I die of curiosity of how that strings sound. I think I would have to wait 37 years.:eyebrow:

Do you have a sound clip of that beauty?
Click to expand...

I'll see if I can't get one. About the only way I have to record it is to fire up a digital camcorder in front of the amp, then transfer the sound to my computer. I'm out next week, so I'll try to do it this week.
 
#39
jamerson's first funk machine was a black pbass with a maple neck ,it was named "black beauty" and was stolen then he switch to the sunburst/rosewood neck .
george porter said he change he's strings when they can't tune ,after having play flats his whole carrer he swich to rounds recently ;i can't hear a difference he still have that fat,round,mellow,funky tone .

i have some 7 years strings that still sound good & better the older they gets ,to my ears of course .
 

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