Frequent string changes with flats

[wolffire99]

Every few months I get the itch to try different strings. I usually end up returning to my favorite, Labella 760FL’s I’ve had now for 3-4 years.

I’m just wondering, with flats, if the process of taking them on and off X amount of times can have a negative effect over time.

 

[R&B]

Absolutely, the ends will eventually fail. You know they sound great. Leave them alone.

Maybe you just need extra basses.

 

[Kyle_S]

I've found you get more installations out of a set if you don't straighten out the string when you take it out of the post. Don't even straighten it out when backing it out of the bridge if you can help it. Keep that coiled shape and the metal and silk will hold up longer.

Yeah, I'm a chronic string changer.

 

[logdrum]

Get a quick change bridge like a Hipshot A type . You will eventually kill the ends of the La Bella, however careful you are

 

[antfarm]

I have a rather huge (and expensive) collection of flats that I took off once too often and where the sharp outer wire is exposed due to the silk wrapped ends being worn beyond repair. But I guess the experimentation was neccessary to find my favorite flatwound string (LaBella DTF 760FL, which I unfortunately tried out way to late). Now I resist the urge to try new strings and commit to what I got.

I wonder if it is feasible to cover the silks with heat shrink tubing before first putting them on a bass.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I do the same thing. Flats are reinstalled over and over, but I am super tedious about not twisting and buggering up the silks. Eventually, they get replaced. Rounds are different---being so cheap and well, rounds, I always replace with new every time.

 

[FullumMusic]

Sounds like someone needs a second bass for string experimenting so the La Bella Flats can stay on the primary.

 

[MCS4]

Some flats handle this better than others. I've found Chromes to be pretty durable when it comes to being removed and reinstalled multiple times or in other situations when the strings will otherwise get extra bends or abuse at the ends (installing in a string-through bridge, using in some headless basses, etc.). Unfortunately Labella DTFs tend to be on the more fragile side for these purposes than average (note that Labella specifically recommends that you don't use these strings on string-through bass bridges). This isn't to say that you will personally have a problem with [x] number of uses of one specific set of strings, but rather it is just a gamble on when the ends will get too beat up and cause the string to unravel or break.

 

[2saddleslab]

I'm always amazed how well TI flats maintain their playability & tone after frequent changes on string thru bridges and that's even after a decade of use. Typically I use an old set during setup before installing a fresh set.

 

[TomB]

What seems to me important for durability is to align the strings so that the “dents” are over the frets. This assumes the same bass or an identical one. Too many fret dents can make the string wonky, IME. I have successfully used through-body strings for top load. It’s not ideal to have that kink ahead of the bridge but I haven’t noticed a sonic difference.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

...Maybe you just need extra basses.

 

[Jens Telemark]

I have a rather huge (and expensive) collection of flats that I took off once too often and where the sharp outer wire is exposed due to the silk wrapped ends being worn beyond repair. But I guess the experimentation was neccessary to find my favorite flatwound string (LaBella DTF 760FL, which I unfortunately tried out way to late). Now I resist the urge to try new strings and commit to what I got.

I wonder if it is feasible to cover the silks with heat shrink tubing before first putting them on a bass.

I’ve taken a lot of flats on and off. Only thing that’s ever been a problem is breaking an internal wrap by getting the existing bend from a string-through sideways when re-installing. Kills the string. It’s pretty easily avoided if you’re aware and try not to go against the existing bends at the bridge and tuner post

Silk wearing where it ends at the metal is a concern. Let it go too long and the string can fall apart. When I first notice fraying putting a very, very, very small dab of super glue onto the wear then smoothing the frayed ends into the glue before it sets helps a lot (use a little screwdriver not your finger lol). Using thicker consistency glue rather than the runny stuff can reduce the chance of making a total mess of it but the runny stuff does a much cleaner job if you’re careful.

Super glue has worked well enough that I don’t have a lot of experience with heat shrink. I’ve had mixed results due to using stuff that was too thick but get it right and it seems to work fine. Probably the ticket for a string that still sounds good but is falling apart at the ball end.

 

[GIBrat51]

Absolutely, the ends will eventually fail. You know they sound great. Leave them alone.

Maybe you just need extra basses.

^THIS^ Absolutely...

 

[coy garcia]

On bass...once I go flats I don't go back