Does this happen to you?

[Paulabass]

I hate brand new strings. I also hate old dead ones. To me, they are just right after three weeks of hard playing, and stay that way for 6 months. RE: the original comment, yup, I read TB, and want to do SOMETHING to my rig, or my basses.

 

[Liam Wald]

Yeah... I read about La Bella white gold flats last week and now there are some on my bass.

 

[BC Blackmur]

No, not about strings. Have used the same brand for 30+ years until this year when I finally bought some new basses with a studio fund I started 2 years ago. GAS comes on it's own when you have some spare cash lying around. Never knew it was called GAS before signing up here, just thought of it as comsumerism.

That's what we do, all of us, consume as much as we can while we can. So go out and BUY, BUY BUY, save the economy!

 

[Wfrance3]

Stop me before I shop again...
I am perfectly happy with my sound. And am currently considering a Grizzly Distortion, a Mesa Boogie DI pedal, and, nothing else at the moment, but day is still young.

 

[Element Zero]

Even for <gasp> some mild slap and pop?

Funk tone doesn’t always mean slap. But, TIs will work surprisingly well at slap IMO... season to taste.

 

[mrcbass]

So, I’m happy with the sound of my bass guitar yet every time I read threads on changing strings for improving sound it makes me want to change my strings! What ye say TB’ers?

Not specifically related to strings or even bass gear, but yes, forums like these do tempt me into "needing something else". Not always for the best either.

Regarding strings, it sounds like your subconscious wants you to explore other options, so do so. Yeah, it's $20-30/test, but really, in the big picture, that's really not a lot to possibly discover a new "better" sound.

 

[superdick2112]

I own 3 Precisions, 3 Jazz Basses, 2 Spectors & 2 Rics, and there must be 6 or 7 different string types/brands between the 10 of them.
I've always believed that each bass has a perfect string for it, depending on what sound you are aiming for & what style of music you play.
Discovering the perfect string for your bass is all part of the fun.

 

[Pet Sounds]

What? You guys change strings?

 

[madbass6]

So, I’m happy with the sound of my bass guitar yet every time I read threads on changing strings for improving sound it makes me want to change my strings! What ye say TB’ers?

Could be all in your head!
Like when you see someone eating something you really enjoy then all of a sudden you're craving for it and Even thou your not hungry you'll probably have it anyway..

or maybey you just need to change your strings !

 

[FingerDub]

New strings are a waste of money. You get about two good weeks out of them and then you're back to square one. Pick one good set you like, and leave them on there forever. The only time I change strings is maybe if I have a big show coming up or I want to treat myself.

 

[Spidey2112]

The guy from wings.

It's all coming back to me...

 

[dessert456]

I love changing the strings on my basses it always makes them so much more lively but thats just me. If you like old strings then use old strings lol

 

[Paulabass]

What? You guys change strings?

Stephen Stills, a remarkably good bassist, hates new strings, and if he breaks one, or they break from old age, he puts on one, an rubs it with BBQ sauce.

 

[FingerDub]

Stephen Stills, a remarkably good bassist, hates new strings, and if he breaks one, or they break from old age, he puts on one, an rubs it with BBQ sauce.

What does the barbecue sauce do? Is it like free fast fret?

 

[Paulabass]

What does the barbecue sauce do? Is it like free fast fret?

I would guess the exact opposite. It grunges up a string, and kills it right away, to match the other old strings. BBQ sauce is pretty gummy.

 

[troy mcclure]

never

 

[HolmeBass]

Funk tone doesn’t always mean slap. But, TIs will work surprisingly well at slap IMO... season to taste.

I realize that funk != slap, but in this project I do slap and more is coming, courtesy of the BL.

I should try it, I can always take them off and save them if they don't work. I know I like those strings a lot.

 

[HolmeBass]

I guess you could go with the rotosound swing 66 strings, because they definitely have all the high end and treble that you're going to want, it depends what the ratio of funk to Jazz is in the music that you're playing. Not that I would Define funk music by slap by any means. Really there are no rules, I'm sure with the tone pot turned up, the ti Jazz Flats will pop just fine. At the end of the day it probably just comes down to each individual's taste in tone. If it were me and I was playing some funky jazz, I would definitely give the Thomastiks a go on a Jazz bass just to see how they fit with the sound of the band and the mix. Or I would get a maple fretboard precision bass string it with rotosound swing 66, and go for that Paul Jackson sound with Herbie Hancock a la "Thrust"!

For rounds I am sticking with DR Sunbeams, and they're working ok although I admit I am finding the pops a tad shy on recordings. In the room they seem to sound fine.

Absolutely no jazz whatsoever in this project, it is very pop oriented.

I do have a maple fretboard Precision but I had not thought to try it out with this group. That might be worth a try. But it would have to work for every tune. I don't see being able to switch basses between tunes with this band. Most BLs I work with simply do not give the time for that to happen.

 

[Sixgunn]

I want to try a muted P Bass with flat wounds but I always use DR Fat Beams.

Stretch a rubber band between your thumb and finger of choice, pluck it (the rubber band). There. You tried it

 

[Vanceman]

Strings are like underware. You only change them when necessary, or 1 year, which ever comes first. You want to try a unique string? Try D'Adarrios NYXL. Odd at first, but mellowing into a great sound.