How often do you change your flat-wounds?

[danielfnj96]

Well in light of the relatively recent thread on how often people change strings it got me wondering about flats specifically. From my experience flats seem to be more personal when it come to how often people change them as opposed to round-wounds. So my question is who often do you change your flats?

 

[puddin tame]

you're supposed to change flats?

 

[Violen]

i would guess only if they break.

 

[Gorn]

After going through 4 or 5 different sets trying to find the right sound, I've settled on ghs precision flats for my sg. They're staying on there till one breaks

 

[AaronVonRock]

I just put on my first set of Chromes in December. I'll change them when one breaks.

 

[SasquatchDude]

Same set of LaBellas for almost a year... haven't ever felt compelled to change.

 

[harmendebresser]

Keeping them very clean, maybe changing them about every year or so (depends on the amounts of gigs really) I'd say more than the average flatwound player.
The zing needs to be there, at least at my disposal using the treble knob, and also because I find that once the overtones start to go off-centre I become more displeased with strings in general.
Only using tapewounds on fretless basses, don't mind it so much because I can adjust the intonation on the spot & they last me as long as they'll hold!

 

[JTE]

Same set of GHS Precision flats have been on my P bass since at least 2005, probably longer.

John

 

[superheavyfunk]

I have a set of 5 year old flats on my bass that are never going anywhere (unless one breaks, god forbid).

I don't even sell my basses with strings on them... I keep them and the new owner can buy their own. The only time strings get changed is when I'm trying new things, like these tapewounds that I just bought, or if I'm playing with a band that needs a certain sound.

For me, strings are definitely personal. It's hard to find a set that meets your needs and feels right. When I do, I keep them as long as possible.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I had had the same LaBellas on a P-Bass since 1996 or so. No plans to change 'em anytime soon.

 

[rodl2005]

Rounds I change when they "wear out", get too dull etc.
Flats I change when I want- when one breaks, when I wanna change a particular bass's feel/tone etc..
Tapes- same as flats.
I have basses with same flats on for 4 or more yrs, I also have one P bass with the same rounds on for a couple yrs too. I like OLD rounds too.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

I think I've only changed them when I wanted to try a different brand, gauge, etc.

 

[Doner Designs]

For me, strings are definitely personal. It's hard to find a set that meets your needs and feels right. When I do, I keep them as long as possible.

Interesting thread. I voted to change only the broken one when one breaks, but if a set is $30 or less (like GHS) I would probably replace the set. If $50+ like LaBella or Pyramid I would probably only replace the broken one and have done so a few times. It depends which one breaks too. Usually the G or D breaks and those are already too zingy relative to the E and A (often) and a mixed set can make matters worse.

I broke about a 5 or 10 G strings on my Stingray when it was new. Even got a replacement tuner from EBMM. Still the same problem. Those Schaller tuners seem to eat strings for some reason. Eventually I solved the problem by crimping the end of the string (not just an L shape, but a complete round-trip crimp like a hairpin). Apart from that issue and super-thick pure-nickel flats which are prone to breaking I probably have most of the flats I have ever bought. I keep them in a box and rotate from time to time (for different tone). Top loading bridges help.

I have not sold or traded a bass without strings, but always take the flats off and throw on a set of rounds (sometimes the same ones that it came with) which is what most buyers want anyway.

I wish you could buy aged flats - sort of like prewash jeans. They take a year or so to break in sometimes.

 

[shawshank72]

you're supposed to change flats?

+1
I only change when im experimenting but after i find the right string with the bass it stays.

 

[Gravy4001]

I'm playing a set of La Bella's for a year and a half now. I play pretty hard on them with all-nighter rock gigs 2 to 4 times a month plus pretty heavy rehearsals too. They still feel and sound great, tune easily, but I'm thinking it's gonna be time for a fresh set soon. Not sure tho as this is my first time with flats. Wondering how long they will last???

 

[shawshank72]

I'm playing a set of La Bella's for a year and a half now. I play pretty hard on them with all-nighter rock gigs 2 to 4 times a month plus pretty heavy rehearsals too. They still feel and sound great, tune easily, but I'm thinking it's gonna be time for a fresh set soon. Not sure tho as this is my first time with flats. Wondering how long they will last???

almost forever unless you break them.

 

[iamdenialNJ]

I'm going on 3 years now and I don't expect to change them anytime soon.

 

[chuck3]

you're supposed to change flats?

lol, my first thought too.

 

[bassbully]

Most of mine have been on for years and I plan to keep it that way unless they break.

 

[Duckwater]

As long as they retain their sound I keep them on, I've never had a set last longer than a few months without breaking a string though.