How often do you change your strings?

[flameworker]

I would change Elixers every 3-4 weeks of heavy playing, diadarrio weekly or before every gig, and I haven't tried DRclo riders yet,looking forward to it.

 

[Kmonk]

I have been using Ernie Ball Cobalts for about a year. I practice every week and my band has weekly rehearsals in addition to several gigs per month. I change strings about once per month which is about how long it takes for them to lose their brightness.

 

[Ric5]

I have ruined strings in one day and I have had strings last a year ...

On a hot humid day I can produce enough sweat and oil to ruin the strings, and when a bass sits in my climate controlled basement then the strings last a long time.

 

[Humbled]

When they won't tune to a stable pitch.

...so every one to five years more or less.

 

[AdamR]

I voted when they loose their brightness which on my main bass is probably around the 1 month mark. My back up I changed today, last string change was when we went into the studio in April

 

[Lo-E]

Not nearly as often as I should. I'll second Humbled, though; when I can't keep them in tune any more they have to go. Sometimes that's as much as a year. Sometimes even more.

 

[McFarlin]

10 years ago I changed them (steel rounds) whenever they really started sounding dull, which was every 1-3 months. I wiped them down after playing, washed my hands before touching...yeah...

Now I'll change any time they (flats or nickel rounds) need regular retuning during a set, which varies quite a bit. No wiping, no washing... Sounds much better.

 

[flameworker]

The person who inspired me to take up bass taught me to wipe the strings after every time I played and to always keep my bass in hardshell . If I remember to take the time, strings last way longer.

 

[telecopy]

I would change Elixers every 3-4 weeks of heavy playing, diadarrio weekly or before every gig, and I haven't tried DRclo riders yet,looking forward to it.

When one breaks.

 

[skruch]

Roughly yearly. I had one set on a bass for 20 years.

 

[Dominic D]

If I could afford it, I'd replace my strings at least once a month. For now, I force myself to wait at least 3 months before I replace them.

 

[AdamR]

I couldnt afford to do once a month when I was using DR, Ive switched to D'Addario, $15 a month isnt bad. I just scored 10 packs for $50 on ebay.

 

[stratovani]

Never. La Bella flats sound better the older they get.

 

[scotch]

It varies with the instrument, type of string & what tone I want. Flats generally last years for me. Roundwounds under heavy use maybe 3 months on average.

For about a year I've been using coated D'Addario EXP nickel rounds on a few of my basses. I LOVE them! I get a slightly more 'broken-in' tone straight out of the gate & I'm getting closer to year on heavily gigged instruments. Love 'em!

 

[StyleOverShow]

On my actives, DR's last about a month with normal play everyday. The passives perhaps a year max.

 

[Liam Wald]

Just a guess, but it seems like someone posts a "how often do you change your strings" thread about once a month.

 

[Ronbassman]

About every lunar eclipse or so.

 

[flameworker]

Oops, didn't read the rules about polls. I don't have a darn good reason, just curious, thought others may be as well. Andi Was hoping to share how long different brands seem last .

 

[Lee Moses]

I've never changed strings as often as monthly. Back when I was gigging regularly, I would change them about every month and half-two months. But now that I'm not gigging, I don't change them once a year.

 

[ColtWitch]

I love the worn out sound. I've had my Rotosound flats on for nearly two years now. The only time I'll change my Rotosounds is if I was to break one.