How often do you change ur roundwounds?

[Mayers]

I change them ... maybe once a year or maybe more hahahaha .... seroulsy I can't remember when the last time I changed them on my 6 strings but they still sound good so.

For the record I only use Elexir strings

 

[Dangit]

1-2 months, depending on how often I'm playing live shows where the sweat really pours out. That's mostly with GHS Boomers. I'm trying out some DR nickel lo-riders which seem to last a bit longer.

 

[basswalker2004]

In the early days when I was using Roto Sounds on my '64 p-bass I changed them every week. And, even then, I boiled them in between. It was crazy but, the sound through the SVT was to die for... Oh and the side effect was several fret jobs... LOL

 

[Jazzbassman23]

I change strings as needed. That can be 1 day or 1 year. If I play on a hot humid day and sweat a lot then I can ruin a set of strings in 1 day. But if I play a bass once in a while the strings can last for months.

Seems to me that if you feel you "ruin a set of strings in 1 day" simply by sweating while playing, that set would be a perfect candidate for soaking in denatured alcohol. In one day, you likely haven't done any significant damage to the metal, so any perceived loss of crispness can only be due to the sweat/skin that's built up on the string, and that can be easily removed. Just a thought.

 

[HMZ]

I use D'Addario XL's and change them about every other month. I would change them every month but that would get very expensive.

 

[RedLeg]

2-4 months, depending on which bass I play. I tend to like dead strings though.

 

[amroach]

Every 3-4 months.

 

[darkstorm]

Been changing about every 3 and half to 4 months. But now sure with the new ones I'm useing now, DR neons. Had these one bass since late October. Will see if I can get good 7-8 months out of them. Theyre supposed to last much much longer then regular strings.

 

[abstractart06]

One of the best bass tones I have heard live was a Reggae band here in Atlanta. The Bass sounded round and deep with out all the overtones and metallic sounds you usually hear. Between sets I asked the bassist if he was using flats on his bass. He said No, they were very old round wounds. That made me rethink changing strings.

 

[BongoBoyLA]

Don't throw away your old strings though...

A buddy of mine out here who is a session guy out here says that if you boil your old strings on the stove for 15-20 minutes, it restores a lot of the initial brightness. They won't last quite as long as a fresh set, but you can get a good half-dozen cycles out of them.

 

[seanm]

How about going the other way? Try to find cheaper strings? If you play a five, switch to a four... that will save you a lot Try cheap internet only strings such as http://www.knucklehead.com/ , less than $20.

And I am kidding about the five. If you need a five, you need a five and have to live with the price consequences.

 

[jazznfusion]

I found wiping them down after everytime you play helps for sure, as well as keeping your hands clean. I dont like coated strings personally. In general once per month, and theyre beat, but i practice several hours some days.

 

[maturanesa]

I change it only when i have a recording or special gig/concert. Really dont understand why changing it for practice/jams

 

[Zitch]

changing my diet so that i can prevent my strings from dying sooner? sorry bro, think thats takin a step too far!

Ive tried the pink coated DR strings, they sound horrible dead. Even worse than regular hi beams.

Im thinkin of sticking with rounds that sound decent dead, and only get a new set when i have a gig.

My bass is strung with dead fatbeams now, even though they dont sound amazing they dont suck as much as some other strings.

I change my SIT rockbrights at most twice a year, keep in mind I dont gig out anymore. someone with a regular weekend gig schedule I think could go quarterly. daily gigs more often but if your getting paid daily it wouldnt be much of an issue.

 

[Buxtehude]

I usually change rounds every 6-8 gigs. That's pretty much every other month.

Me too. As often as possible. Daily if i could afford it.

 

[Buxtehude]

Unless I am going into the studio and need the brightness they normal are changed after 6-8 months

In the studio, one set per every 5 tracks recorded.

 

[BrandonBass]

Actually what turns me off a set of dead strings is the feel of it rather than the sound.

Its ok if i playing pop rock, but when playing with fingers and doing stuff with lots of string skipping, its a handicap for me with strings that are too rough and stiff

 

[Batmensch]

At this point, as little as I play my Jazz, I haven't changed the strings (DM Blue Steels) since I got the bass back in March of '09. I kinda like the sound of them when they go somewhat dead.

 

[onda'bass]

I change to new sets maybe once a year. I wash my sets in the dishwasher and rotate once a month. Don't laugh It works great, that detergent stuff takes off baked on junk, so finger shmeg is not prob. So I always have a good sound, but not brand new sound which I don't like anymore. I'll get a year with 2 sets this way, more if wanted to, obviously there is a limit to the string being abused.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

Can somebody please PM me how to restore your strings (with denatured alcohol or boiling or in the dishwasher, whatever you think is best)?

I have a genetic issue that causes my hands to sweat profusely. On top of this being potentially awkward in social situations, it's extremely expensive as a bass player. I LOVE the sound of brand new strings (just my luck). I honestly find that I need to change my strings every month (I'd do it every day if I could).

I would love to be able to maybe extend the live of my strings. They die due to the sweat and oil from my hands. I do wash my hands before playing and I wipe my hands and I wipe the strings almost obsessively. I've even started doing the Jeff Beck trick and using baby powder no my hands to curb the sweating (GREAT TRICK BTW). My hands still sweat right through it more often than not and I don't like the idea of coating my strings in powder.

A) What are some good sounding coated strings?

B) What are some good sounding cheap strings? (Dunlop seems to make very inexpensive strings)