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Do you keep strings you try and don’t like?

#21
Yes, if I am removing strings that are not broken or worn out, I typically save them for potential future use. There have been plenty of times where I have reused strings on a different bass when testing out sounds, changing tunings, etc.

Coincidentally, Chromes is one example of this for me as well... I didn't especially like them on my p bass but somewhat surprisingly found that I really like them on my Zon Vinny.
 
#26
I play them till they're dead, then I don't buy them again if I don't like them. Maybe I'll swap them out a little sooner than I would otherwise. Maybe. Once they are dead, they go in the trash.

There are far better uses of my energy and money than getting uptight about consumable bass strings.

That said, I do keep some strings and swap them out as needed. Say a particular set of flats for a particular P-bass that also sounds great with rounds. Then I'm swapping them for practical reasons and they'll go back on when the need arises.
 
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#27
Im a casual hobbyist level player. When I change strings I often keep the previous set in the case just in case I want/need to switch back. This is usually the case if I have a set of rounds and flats I try on the same instrument.

For those who swap strings between instruments, do you ever run into issues with witness points? I’m curious if things ever get weird if you switch a set between instruments with different nut/bridge spacing, particularly bridge intonation, or if you switch between a 34” and 35” scale. Does the witness point from the first instrument “straighten out” or leave a kink in the core and winding? I haven’t assume it’s not a problem since I don’t think I’ve seen this complaint come up before.
 
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#28
13 pt bolt:)
20200423_110628_resized.jpg
 
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#29
matti777 said:
I got a wall with hundreds of dollars of strings just hanging out. I generally don’t throw barely used strings away. I’ve got Rounds and flats including TIs$$, Labella’s and Chromes. After taking some Labella LTFs off my p bass (nice strings) in my search for some good sounding rounds , I put the Chromes back on. Wow. They sounded great and even slapped nicely as I practice Forget Me Nots (I’m a terrible slapper). Second time is a charm?
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Flatwounds. I have two sets. They're from the 1990s now. Every set I play on someone else's bass, I don't like them either. But I keep the two sets of flatwounds I have. They take up almost no space, and if I ever want to try flatwounds again on any of my Fender-style instruments (4 in-line tuners), I have them. Despite 30 years of ownership, I still don't like them. Maybe I'll also like broccoli someday as well....
 
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#30
Depends on the strings I suppose. I wish I had kept a set of TI flats from ages ago that I tried for a short amount of time and then gave away with a fretless bass I sold.

I keep some strings that I have tried and removed if they're not easily found a store or if they're a little expensive. I'm about to remove a 5 string set of LaBella DTFs from a bass. They're barely used so I'll set those aside for a potential later use.

The dead Sunbeams or Elixirs on other basses will probably get tossed though.
 
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#32
monsterthompson said:
Im a casual hobbyist level player...
Click to expand...

That describes me and is probably a better description for myself than what I use

shirojiro said:
Depends on the strings I suppose. I wish I had kept a set of TI flats from ages ago that I tried for a short amount of time and then gave away with a fretless bass I sold.

I keep some strings that I have tried and removed if they're not easily found a store or if they're a little expensive. I'm about to remove a 5 string set of LaBella DTFs from a bass. They're barely used so I'll set those aside for a potential later use.

The dead Sunbeams or Elixirs on other basses will probably get tossed though.
Click to expand...

The old rounds do go in the garbage. I notice that my taste or perhaps ear does change from time to time so you never know when a string will become loved again
 
#34
I've never been one to experiment with strings, but if I did experiment, I don't think I'd have any reason to keep strings around that I did not like.
There might be value in doing some experimentation. Of course, that can only be known by actually doing it and I just can't be bothered. I have used nothing but DR's (mostly Hi-Beams) for decades now, but I remember a really good set of RS66's from the 80's as still being better. I thought they were the be all and end all. Nothing else matched them for tone and feel. That's probably just wonky hindsight through rose-colored glasses though, I don't fully trust those memories.

As if that's not enough, all the threads here documenting the plumbing of the depths of the rabbit hole in the quest for the perfect strings? They read to me as cautionary tales. :laugh:
 
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#35
I play a mix of Flats and very worn in rounds. I also have a few instruments that I rotate between playing and therefore change strings even less. The rare times I do change strings, they are definitely getting tossed.

If they were new and I just didn't like them, I would probably keep them stored away for another day, another bass. I have a set of TI Jazz Flats on my Rickenbacker 4003 that have been on for a year now and I'm still not sure I'm convinced that I'm keeping them on long term.

Considering the price I paid for them, I would certainly keep them stored away.
 
#36
There is a nonn profit based in Nashville Strings for Hope who will make jewelry out of old strings. I learned this from an email from Stringjoy. My friend organized a string collection drive locally and she sent them a box strings.

stringsforhope.com

Donations for Survivors

Donate to Survivors Give in support of survivors breaking the cycle of exploitation and abuse through economic empowerment. Infinite Possibilities is our registered 501c3 partnered nonprofit. By giving here, your donation will go directly towards filling gaps for survivors at Strings for Hope...
stringsforhope.com stringsforhope.com
 
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#37
Depends on the strings themselves and what I’m looking for. It was a lot easier to swap strings back and forth when I only had one 4 string and one 5 string. Nowadays I have several 5’s of different manufacturers and swapping strings between them is “problematic” to say the least.

I tried some GHS Pressurewounds/HalfRounds on one of my Sadowsky NYCs and after 30 seconds knew that they weren’t a good match so I tossed them, but I’ve generally kept every set of flatwounds in case I want to change things up. My Bluesman Vintage came with Stringjoys but it’s next up to try on some flatwounds.

Any string that I absolutely hate I mark to what bass it was on and give them away, but make sure that whoever is receiving them can actually put them on their bass.
 
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#40
All my gig bags are loaded with an extra set of used strings for that bass that would go right on in the event of an unlikely break at a gig. Hey, you never know, right? I have several other used sets like a set of 1/2 rounds and some misc sets. This thread is a reminder to go through that box someday but not today. :thumbsup:
 
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