Exactly this, I'm a little too compulsive about getting the windings and the witness points dialed in.
tl;dr: it's not you, it's me!
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Do you keep strings you try and don’t like?
- Thread starter matti777
- Start date
tl;dr: it's not you, it's me!
I have an entire gig bag FILLED with strings that have less than 10 hours on them. I'd give them away if there was someone local I knew who could/would use them. As it is, occasionally I go back to the back and pull a set out to "re-try". I have found that my first-time verdicts are seldom wrong. If I don't like em.....I don't like em.
I've tried everything from Black Diamonds to T-I's over my time, and about half the time this or that set was NOT what I was after.
Nonetheless, I'd play them down till they were done, then try something else or go back to a known fave. I really, really don't like removing strings then stringing them back up again, as I think mechanical stresses are a big part of strings going dead and I didn't see much point in cutting them and bringing up to tension at two different times.
And honestly, they cost too much to string up, take a quick listen, and then remove them and put 'em somewhere. I'd just make do till it was time for a new set. To me, once the 'new string zing' wears off, they all sound more alike than different.
Nonetheless, I'd play them down till they were done, then try something else or go back to a known fave. I really, really don't like removing strings then stringing them back up again, as I think mechanical stresses are a big part of strings going dead and I didn't see much point in cutting them and bringing up to tension at two different times.
And honestly, they cost too much to string up, take a quick listen, and then remove them and put 'em somewhere. I'd just make do till it was time for a new set. To me, once the 'new string zing' wears off, they all sound more alike than different.
Mostly yes. I will keep a set of strings if I think I can use them on another bass in the future or if they're in good enough condition to sell or donate.
For example, I have one set of D'Addario Chromes that I cut for my Ric 4003s, but the gauge is too light for D Standard tuning. These strings were on my 4003s for a few months at a time, so they are nice and broken in. I'm keeping them because they're good strings, but I'm tempted to sell or donate them because I have no other basses that need strings.
I had an extra set of D'Addario (regular) XLs that I bought brand new earlier this year. But I have since upgraded to the NYXLs and they have become my favorite rounds. The XLs are second best for me. I took my set of XLs and put them on my P Bass because I didn't want to spend any money for new strings at the time. They were perfectly good strings... until recently when they died. So they will be replaced by a new set of NYXLs soon. They will also be recycled because they are dead.
For example, I have one set of D'Addario Chromes that I cut for my Ric 4003s, but the gauge is too light for D Standard tuning. These strings were on my 4003s for a few months at a time, so they are nice and broken in. I'm keeping them because they're good strings, but I'm tempted to sell or donate them because I have no other basses that need strings.
I had an extra set of D'Addario (regular) XLs that I bought brand new earlier this year. But I have since upgraded to the NYXLs and they have become my favorite rounds. The XLs are second best for me. I took my set of XLs and put them on my P Bass because I didn't want to spend any money for new strings at the time. They were perfectly good strings... until recently when they died. So they will be replaced by a new set of NYXLs soon. They will also be recycled because they are dead.
True enough.
This is just not a thing in guitar world as they are not easily re-installed and are $5ish a set. I also don't hear worlds of difference from brand to brand.
Its different on basses. I do hear more differences. Currently using a steel string on the jazz while nickel seems to work better on the Precision. I have EXL170 nickel on the Yamaha currently and I am liking them a lot but I have not tried anything else on it yet. Yamaha seems to have chosen well on strings for this model. Because I am still experimenting I have been holding on to them
The only other time I held onto strings was in the late 90's and I had just gotten my first bass. An SR800 I found used that spoiled me big time on basses. I tried 5-6 sets of string from Fender, D'Addario, Rotosound and I can't remember the other. Ernie Ball maybe. I hated the D'Addarios. They were the "Red" series they had at the time. The fenders were OK. The Rotosounds were the last stop in the hunt, They were so good. In retrospect those were 110's as I wanted to try a different gauge string as well. They tore the hell out of my fingers and were not as bright and clanky (which is a big reason I liked them) and they recorded so well... They were a very dull grey and I have never seen another roto set that looked like them so who knows what they may have been. It was an eye opening experience to move back and forth between the sets.
Sadly I lost that bass in a fire a few years later and I still chase that sound.... Of late I a have been thinking that maybe the heavier gauge is what I was really liking about them so I will be exploring that in the not to distant future
No. IMO, strings don’t improve with age. They degrade. If I don’t like a set, they aren’t likely to improve in the wrapper.
True. I am retired with nothing better to do
Also true. However they may suit another bass or need better at some time.
I should have done a poll
- Throw them in the trash after a short tryout
- Play them until they are dead
- Donate or sell them
- Strip them off and keep them for another day/purpose....you never know
Yeah... I have some Pino Palladino flats that I kept and didn't like on my Sire V5 fretless. They might work out better on another bass.
I keep them. It's a sickness. ;-)
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I haven't had too many misfires on strings (thankfully). I bought a set of 'house' strings that lasted not much longer than a rehearsal and a gig which were chucked when they died. Also ordered a set of flats to see what all the fuss was about. They didn't last long on my bass and I gave them away. Typically, keep the last set of strings on a bass in the case that will get recycled when I change strings next time.
That is true as well. IMO, if I don’t like them on one bass, I‘ve found most of the time I’m not going like them much on another instrument. In rationalizing not using them, I dump it in the “Cost of discovery Dept.” lol.True. I am retired with nothing better to do
Also true. However they may suit another bass or need better at some time.
What do you mean? It's perfectly organizedI don't feel like such a weirdo now
I guess it just depends on the definition of "Don't Like". I've been playing bass for enough years - and tried enough strings - that I generally have a pretty good idea of what kind of strings I'd like on a new bass. So, it's been a long time since my reaction to a new-to-me set of strings has been EEWW!
On the rare occasions that happens? Yes, they get filed in the trash, under "S-for 
"... However...
If I try a new set of strings on a particular bass, and I decide that they don't work - on That bass, but might be a good match for another bass, sometime in the future? In that case. I'll clean then up; coil them up; stick them in a labeled Baggie - and file them in my Big Box O' Strings, under "maybe these'll work on something else"... Doesn't happen very often. though. I think there are... 3 sets, maybe?... of strings like that, as we speak...
On the rare occasions that happens? Yes, they get filed in the trash, under "S-for "... However...If I try a new set of strings on a particular bass, and I decide that they don't work - on That bass, but might be a good match for another bass, sometime in the future? In that case. I'll clean then up; coil them up; stick them in a labeled Baggie - and file them in my Big Box O' Strings, under "maybe these'll work on something else"... Doesn't happen very often. though. I think there are... 3 sets, maybe?... of strings like that, as we speak...
