How Fast Do You Go Through Strings?

[FunkMetalBass]

When you purchase your next set of strings, buy some denatured alcohol. Soaking your strings in there fore 24 hours will rejuvenate them. That'll make the frugal-father-figure a bit calmer.

I play 6- and 8-string basses, and back when I gigged, I averaged about $75 per month in new string costs.

 

[HMZ]

I have been playing since 1982 and have only broken one sting. It was an EB set and the string that broke was an A string.

 

[Pilgrim]

Regardless of whether your strings break or not, you should change every 6 months or so to get a good tone. Unless the old string sound is what you dig.

The critical thing that post is missing is "IN MY PERSONAL OPINION..." at the beginning!

Many of us dislike the sound of new strings and don't think they sound good at all UNTIL they have been on the instrument for a few months. This is very common with flatwound string players. Personally, I think new strings of any kind sound unpleasant.

 

[clamNshaun]

I'll probably change my strings twice a month, but I play daily and I play hard. I'll change between lo riders and boomers . Right now I am on boomers which I replaced.... I think maybe 6ish days ago? Either way they will die soon lol

 

[kander]

I have hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating); I can kill a brand new set of DR Hi Beams after one practice/gig. Sometimes I can clean them off after playing and they'll sound "new" at least until the next practice/gig. I've used the denatured alcohol trick and it works wonders (for me). It's a pain in the ass changing strings all them time to get a good sound: I keep one bass at home (sweat free) and another bass for practice.

If I'm not sweating, I can keep the same set of strings on a bass for months.

 

[wmheilma]

I have seldom broken a string, but it happens every once in a while.

I play six string bass, so changing strings can be pricey! My favorite DR's are over $40 per set if I can find a six string set at a shop near me. I use strings as long as I can without my tone getting too dull. I also use two basses: one with new bright-sounding strings for slap and soloing, and another with broken-in-sounding ones for laying down a nice fat groove. That way I also get the most for my money, since most of the night I am not slapping or soloing but playing groove.
I also found a cheap source online at 'juststrings.com' to get a better price and more variety for matching six string sets.

 

[Munjibunga]

How long do your strings last you? I've just broke my second pair in a year. In reality, I just broke one string, but I buy a whole new pair every time I break one string. That way, if any others break, I just use an old one that isn't broken.

The pair I broke two minutes ago was my first ribbonwound pair, and my dad (I'm 15) gets angry when I have to buy a new pair. (He's really... erm... frugal.) Anyway, I'd like to know if strings last that long, or is it me playing too hard, or cheap strings, or a combination.

You have a two-string bass? Anyway, in answer to your question, I change strings about once every four years per bass. Then I hate the new strings for a year or so until they sound the way I like them.

 

[carlos840]

Strings dont come in pair!

Never broke a string in 9 years and change them once a year, maybe twice on my main players!
I have 14 basses so changing strings is a pretty big budget! I try to keep them on as long as possible!

 

[EricssonB]

You guys are all making me feel better about my only bass having the same set of round-wound strings since 2003, so thanks!

 

[cccy]

I change strings every 3 months. I play a lot and I like bright strings. Try coated strings if you're into bright tones, they just won't die out...

As for the breaking, I've broken my first (and last so far) string in 2006. Bad saddles, (which I replaced cause they were causing rattling as well), a very high action (more tension) and heavy fingerstyle playing.

 

[xUptheIronsx]

I am definitely in the camp of older strings are better sounding than new...

I have never broken a string in 30 years of playing, and change them in between 3-5 years. Have always used Ernie Balls or Rotosound Roundwounds...105-45 gauge. Play in a metal band...

 

[jabsys]

I try to make them last 6 months but if I was gigging I'd be changing them before every gig.

 

[Rama]

I've been playing my La Bella flats for over two years now, I should add that the strings are funky sounding and smelling...
40 bucks well spent.

 

[Pilgrim]

You guys are all making me feel better about my only bass having the same set of round-wound strings since 2003, so thanks!

Heck, they're sounding as good as rounds can sound now. They ought to last another 5-10 years!

 

[Tony In Philly]

flat pick = occasional string break risk

"slapping" (I hate that term by the way) = high risk if too much pulling on the string

raking or alternating fingerstyle = your strings will probably outlive you, tone notwithstanding.

 

[Mike M.]

I played full time from '71 thru '82, four sets a night for five and sometimes six nights a week and have never broken a string! While my touch isn't light it isn't like a jack hammer either! Roto Sounds, Di Addario's, Fenders, GHS....never had a problem. Sure, some sets went dead real fast but that was it.

To this day I've yet to break a bass string.

 

[THORRR]

I play very aggressively and with a pick and I never have broken a bass string. Mine last until I decide to change them to try another brand or gauge combination, etc.

I recommend wiping your strings off after each session with a clean dry towel. Even if you don't sweat (I don't either) it cleans off the dead skin cells left behind and any skin oils (which can be corrosive) and your strings will last longer and sound better longer.

Chances are your strings broke in one of two places:
at the nut or at the bridge. If yes, then you need to have a tech look at them for sharp edges, burs, or sharp corners on the nut where the string bends across. It's an easy fix with a rat tail file over the edges of the string grooves just to round them off a little. (coming across a really square edge can dig into a string's wrapping and break it.)

Best of luck to you

 

[FunkySpoo]

I try to make them last 6 months but if I was gigging I'd be changing them before every gig.

Bingo.

Now, having said that, I have a 70's hollowbody that I restrung about 5 years ago with flats and has that fat tubby sound I love from hollowbodies. But I also love the zing of bright new round wounds. So I used to change them on my SR5 before the last practice before a gig so they would settle in. Then I found Elixer nanowbs, They have the zing I like and stay that way for a long long time. Oh, and in 33 years of playing I've never broken a string.