How long do you play on a set of strings?

[GianGian]

I keep them until they break...they usually last a year or more.

 

[Pilgrim]

The strings on my basses range from 3 or 4 years to 36 years old. Once I get the strings I want on a bass, I don't change them.

 

[debassr]

Depends on the strings. EB Super Slinkies sound great when they go dead so those I leave alone until they just won't stay in tune anymore (which is many many years). Flats I also leave alone since they're pretty durable too.

Any string that I'm looking for a nice bright sound from usually lasts me about 6-12 months, then I change em out.

 

[madrob42]

Like most people it really depends on how much you play, your playing style and also the sound your going for.

I was going through strings on my fretless every 4-6 weeks when playing a lot in a local band. Those strings were expensive but I could tell they were done when I started turning up the treble on the guitar.

My old accoustic bass (Kramer Ferrington) has 15+ yr old strings. I put a new set on one day and hated the sound so the old ones went back one. These strings have been around the world and probably have some sand and salt in them from jamming on a beach in Australia. Now that's mojo.

 

[Slax]

I hate changing strings if I don't have to. As long as they still sound good to me, they stay on. That said my rounds usually stay on for 6+months and flats... well, I haven't had them long enough to change them.

 

[Surly]

Same here. I don't like doing setups so I keep roundwound strings on for 6+ months. Than I usually get the same brand...again to reduce any setup effort.

 

[Solarmist]

It's all relative to personal taste, and the type/manufacturer. Some like the "new string" sound, others like the "broke in" sound, and others like the "dead string" sound.

You know you can boil your strings in dishsoap for 1/2 hour as a temp fix (some use alcohol)

 

[tobie]

Thanks for the (very interesting) replies guys! I guess I'll hang on to my strings a bit longer. If there are various sounds coming from them based on age, I'd like to experience them all...

 

[x00ledhead]

i change mine like every 2-3 months and they sound just fine. i use ernie ball regular slinky roundwound on a thunderbird bass i love it

 

[ehque]

Same. My strings break about once every one to two years.

And, speaking of which, i just broke my E.

 

[ryognbass]

ive had the same rotosounds on my first ibanez for about a year now, and theyre still sounding great

 

[gjooro]

I like a really bright SS sound. So if i could I would change them every 2 weeks.
I normally change them every 2 months

 

[back as a wolf]

I prefer a fairly bright tone, so I change my Elixirs every month or two. Acid hands, man...

 

[Captain_Arrrg]

I do a seasonal setup tweak that also incorporates a cleaning of all components, as well as a string change.

And I look forward to it every time. I try to do it when I have some time for the strings to loose their zing before playing in front of people.

 

[carved czech]

I use flats and go for the big thump. My newest are 15 months old and the oldest are at least 6 years old. As long as The intonation is good, there's no reason for me to change them.

+1 (depends on pus!)

 

[Revmizery]

Not a big fan of the zing of new strings. I leave mine on until they feel extremely baggie or loose when tuned to pitch or when I break them.

 

[funkybass4ever]

It depends on their usage and sound - on basses that I play a lot I will change them anywhere from every month to two months, on basses that I don't play much every year or two or sometimes never. I use DR color coated and they can look fairly rangy with a lot of wear fast

 

[P-BASSLOVER]

Stainless- 6 Months +
Nickel- 3 Months
Flats- 1 Year +

 

[dave64o]

Flats: After installing a fresh set of flats I've literally never changed a set. They're either still on the bass or were still on it when I sold the it. The one exception might be the TI Jazz Flats that were on the Precision V I bought a few months back. I love the way they sound but I'm not sold on the feel yet.

Rounds: Rarely. I like the way rounds sound when they lose the zing and I only change them when I have a good reason to. The most common reason for me is replacing the strings that were on the bass when I bought it with a set that I prefer, which I usually do right away but I sometimes do after some time goes by just to see what I think of the original strings. I had a Jazz Deluxe V that I put a fresh set on after I bought it and those strings were still on it when I sold it 6-7 years later. I thought it sounded great.

 

[CatfishStudios]

I change my guitar strings monthly...my bass strings stay on till they break.."never happens"