How often do you change strings

As long as they still intonate true and they still get the sound you want, why change'm? The current set (of Animas) has been on my bass since I got a new bridge (and some other stuff) in September of 05/ The prior set of Animas had been on for about 2 and 1/2 years.

 

This varies tremendously from player to player and depends on sound preference, type of string as well as environmental factors including the oiliness of your skin.

I like the sound of newish strings so I tend to change mine every 6 months or so usually with the seasons. They sound lousy for a week or two and then settle in and sound great for an extended period. After about 6 months, they lose some of their overtones and I change them. I'm using a Dom G, Spiro Mittel everything else.

I know other guys with a similar set up who go many years without changing them.

My advice: when you don't like the sound of your bass anymore or you find it harder to pull off things you could pull off 3 months ago, try a new set of strings.

mark

 

I change mine every 3 months or so. Usually when they either go bad or I want to try a different kind. There's no set formula for changing strings, just change them whenever you feel like it.

 

I normally change strings every two gigs. Although it's never happened, I would freak if I snapped a string during a gig, since I dig in deep with a pick (yeah, bring it on, pick-haters).

 

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I change strings just about when I have the urge for GAS and want a different sound. Usually it's quite some time before the strings I currently have on my bass goes dead.

 

I'd be happy to score some of those.

On the other hand, it is kinda fun putting on new Spiros, playing a G on the E string, and just hearing "mwahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........................."

 

Ouay, je suis l'homme du alligateur avec le mains du jambon....

 

Ooohhhh...say that again.....

 

Shouldn't this be moved to "Cajun Recipes"?

 

I use flats so I don't change them. The older the gunk, the heavier the funk ...Unless they don't hold a tune any more, but honestly with how I've gone through basses, I've never owned one long enough to let the flats get really dead.

When I used rounds I'd change them about every 3-4 months or so or whenever they sounded lifeless. Dead flats are great, but I don't care for dead rounds. Broken in, yes, dead, no.

 

(BTW.... I do agree with your take on dead flats on a P-bass.... but that's another forum)

 

Marcus on a roll!

 

He's here all week folks! Try the veal!