not often enough - too much of a bite on the budget to replace four sets everytime i'd like to (around 10-14 days/20 hours of play)
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How long do you play on a set of strings?
- Thread starter tobie
- Start date
Most of my basses have Elixirs and I change them once a year. I will change the flats on my fretless and my P-Bass when they need it.
Ive only been playing for about a year and a half-2 years
I cant afford to change my whole set of strings too many times, so maybe once every 3 months
I do have an extra set of rotosound 66s in the closet, but those arent getting anywhere near my GL jazz bass for a while
I cant afford to change my whole set of strings too many times, so maybe once every 3 months
I do have an extra set of rotosound 66s in the closet, but those arent getting anywhere near my GL jazz bass for a while
I've been playing for about 4 and a half years now, and in that time I've gone through about 8 sets of strings. One was the original set that came with the bass, which i only used for a few weeks. Two sets were changed because i broke a string, one was a set of hartke strings i got for free and used for a month, i also have two sets of flats that I've taken on and off over the years as my mood changes.
I remember once i was at guitar center getting some picks or something, and the guy asked me if i wanted any strings. To which i replied. "Strings? I don't need strings, i play bass." He looked back at me and said, "wha? you need strings, dont you change them?"
I said back to him: "Flatwounds."
I remember once i was at guitar center getting some picks or something, and the guy asked me if i wanted any strings. To which i replied. "Strings? I don't need strings, i play bass." He looked back at me and said, "wha? you need strings, dont you change them?"
I said back to him: "Flatwounds."
get flatwound strings. the older they are, the better they sound
only time you have to change them is when they eventually fall apart...
only time you have to change them is when they eventually fall apart...
well im going on 9 months with the rounds i have and they cant stay in tune for 15 min it seems so they need to change but the stings before them lasted only 2 months before they broke
I usually go till they won't hold tune. Playing out a couple weekends a month and another couple Sundays a month at church that usually translates to a new set every 3-4 months. (I use Ernie Ball Slinkys.)
I used to switch 'em every three or four months.
Now I wait 'til I break one and replace the whole set. I have a set of Roto Swing66 on my Ric that I put on in '94. Still sound good - thumpier to be sure.
I have a set of LaBella SuperSteps that are 2 years old on my Jackson which I use for slap -- still plenty of zing.
I'm waiting for an 8 year old set of Roto66 on my P to break so I can try out some flats on her.
Just replaced a set of 10 yr old D'Addario Halfies on my fretless Ripper due to breakage. Now have GHS Brite-Flats on her. Flats (Blue Steels) were too thumpy on it.
Now I wait 'til I break one and replace the whole set. I have a set of Roto Swing66 on my Ric that I put on in '94. Still sound good - thumpier to be sure.
I have a set of LaBella SuperSteps that are 2 years old on my Jackson which I use for slap -- still plenty of zing.
I'm waiting for an 8 year old set of Roto66 on my P to break so I can try out some flats on her.
Just replaced a set of 10 yr old D'Addario Halfies on my fretless Ripper due to breakage. Now have GHS Brite-Flats on her. Flats (Blue Steels) were too thumpy on it.
It depends on the strings for me. When I use Ernie Balls I change strings rather frequently (3 weeks - 4 weeks) About 3 months ago I bought a pair of Dean Markley Blue Steels and Ive had em on since then. If you think the strigns sound bad they probably arent good anymore.
- Jul 14, 2006
- 204
- 41
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: SIRE Marcus Miller v7 Jazz bass, DR Strings HI-BEAM
When using rounds I change them once a month, but...
I use DR Sunbeams. I love a bright sound, but not that brand new "zingy" fresh out of the box sound. I like that initial brightness to fade a bit. Once the Sunbeams settle in, they sound tremendous. So I have two sets of DR Sunbeams that I alternate once a month.
I always wipe down my strings between sessions, and at the end of the month I boil my second set while I take off the first and clean and wipe down my fretboard with lemon oil (just a small drop). When I put the second boiled set on they sound like brand new (well, that "broken in" new sound).
I've been doing it this way for over a year now and every string change sounds like I bought a new set of strings and played them for week. They still stay in tune and sound perfectly bright to me. Saves me a lot of money instead of buying new ones every month.
I use DR Sunbeams. I love a bright sound, but not that brand new "zingy" fresh out of the box sound. I like that initial brightness to fade a bit. Once the Sunbeams settle in, they sound tremendous. So I have two sets of DR Sunbeams that I alternate once a month.
I always wipe down my strings between sessions, and at the end of the month I boil my second set while I take off the first and clean and wipe down my fretboard with lemon oil (just a small drop). When I put the second boiled set on they sound like brand new (well, that "broken in" new sound).
I've been doing it this way for over a year now and every string change sounds like I bought a new set of strings and played them for week. They still stay in tune and sound perfectly bright to me. Saves me a lot of money instead of buying new ones every month.
Just a couple of months if it's a bedroom bass, but if I'm recording or playing live I'll use a new set every time if possible.
