How often do you change strings?

[Marcus Willett]

I work in a show and play probably 35-40 hours a week. That and having 6 basses means I go through a lot of strings. At work I end up changing every 3 weeks...that's about as long as I can make a set last before it starts to get to me. Just wondering how often you guys change strings, and I guess in relation to how many hours/days/years...? (my sub at work hasn't changed the strings (rounds) on his P Bass in 4 years)

I've been using Ken Smith's mostly because they're OK, but damn cheap.

 

[sparktone]

It's averaging every 3 months. Sooner if I notice the tone going and I have a gig coming up.

 

[tplyons]

I used LaBella Hard Rockin Steels and replaced them every 2 months on my two main basses come hell or high water. Suddenly, I have car payments and flatwounds, so once a year tops

 

[Mudfuzz]

When I build or buy a bass, or break a string.

 

[00soul]

only if one breaks or if i buy a used bass. i dont like playing strings with other peoples funk gunk on them

 

[Marcus Willett]

Man, you guys are killin' me...I feel like a string snob. I thought I was doing good. I've tried going longer, but the tone just seems to really go before too long; though my strings do get a lot of miles.

 

[Mudfuzz]

Man, you guys are killin' me...I feel like a string snob. I thought I was doing good. I've tried going longer, but the tone just seems to really go before too long; though my strings do get a lot of miles.

If one was to use flatwounds..............

 

[Figjam]

Probably 3 months. I play ~7 hours a week.

 

[Nickthebassist]

It depends. I've had a set of D'addarios go for 6 months without changing, because I soaked them in ethanol.

 

[Ty_Boogie]

ethanol?

Ok...........no problem

 

[Beammeup]

Hi Marcus,

I change my strings before every LIVE Gig. This means about 2-3 times a month.

I use some very cheap strings, that excellent in my ears.
The company sends me a bunch of strings every year. That's nice

PS: If I keep them on my basses for more than 3-4 weeks, they tend to sound a bit dull.

 

[Juneau]

Since I don't gig, and strings for my bass run about $50 and have to be shipped from Canada, I only change mine out about every 6 months or so. Damn thing sounds like a piano when I do change em though. Its funny how you don't seem to notice too much tone loss over time (at least I don't), but when you change em, the difference is so apparent, you can't believe you didn't notice how bad they had gotten hehe.

 

[Wesley R]

I used GHS-Proformula tape wounds, gigged every weekend. I replaced them every 6-8 months. Stayed in tune forever and I loved them

When I used Labellas, every 5-6 months , but they were dead in 3 or less

Fenders tape wounds, the wrap would break before they went dead. Typicallyy lasted 2-3 moths. Would have been cheaper to replace the bridge! Very lively sound, lotsa harmonics

Currently, just installed RotoSound Tru-Bass


Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

 

[protoz]

Typically only yearly or when I go to record I'll replace them the week before and break them in gently so they will still sound good in teh studio. ~$40 for strings around here sucks.


My guitarists know better now than to complain about the price of their strings when one of mine costs as much as a whole pack

 

[bigtexashonk]

When I buy a new bass or break a sting, but I play flatwounds (Thomastik) and am going for that old style tone. At least I don't rub BBQ sauce in my strings like Stephen Stills used to do.

 

[HamOnTheCob]

When I used to gig a passive bass, I was playing a show every week and changing my strings for every show. I built up a heck of a lot of D'Addario points.

With active electronics, I can dial in more treble as the strings die out. I've had the same set of Warwick Black Labels on my Thumb 6 BO since December and I'll only change them if they break. The sound of a Thumb is so aggressive that new strings are almost too over the top. I don't like brand new stainless steels, but I love them once they're broken in a little. I mainly use nickel D'Addario EXL-170s, but Warwick bridges don't like untapered Bs. Off-topic: Does anyone know if D'Addario makes a tapered B? I haven't been able to find any.

Jake

 

[Marcus Willett]

If one was to use flatwounds..............

Truedat. My P Bass has flats that are 5 years old and counting. D'Addario Chromes, IIRC. Also have a fretless with TI Flats that are around 3 years old...just starting to sound good.

I've had a set of D'addarios go for 6 months without changing, because I soaked them in ethanol.

Yeah, I've done that in the past (well, boiling, but the same idea), but to me it only buys you a couple days. It'll get rid of gunk, but won't change the fact that they've been stretched a lot; losing their elasticity and flattened where they contact the frets.

Typically only yearly or when I go to record I'll replace them the week before and break them in gently so they will still sound good in teh studio.

I agree. I actually don't like the sound of brand new strings when I first put 'em on. Usually after a day or 2 of playing, then they feel and sound good.

 

[semborg]

I use elixir strings on my basses, and I change 2 times/ year. I want to change more often, but Its to expensive.
I play 15 hours/week

 

[Walcustomdude]

Hi
New here!
I've been playing for around 27 years and have a Wal custom which used to be a fretless. I wore the fingerboard down three times so decided to get frets. Ugh! I have a few regrets in life...
Anyway, I'm currently in a covers band doing Free numbers, namely trhe wonderful bass lines of Andy Fraser. I have gotten quite close to his sound ('middley') but coming from a fretless background I don't like the fell of roundwounds.
Can anyone recommend a make of flats the are pretty punchy and not overly dull?

BTW a quick 'clean strings' fix is the simple 'pull em up and let em snap off the fingerboard'!
I agree about boiling. A couple of gigs and all the tone evaporates.
Thanks!

 

[Mudfuzz]

Can anyone recommend a make of flats the are pretty punchy and not overly dull?

Ti Jazz flats
Rotosounds [can't remember which set]
D'Addario Cromes

Generally, I think punchiness comes more from the bass, I have D'Addario Cromes on 8 of my basses, and the sound is different from bass to bass.
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