How Often?

[RandomBox]

Usually every half a year.

Something I've noticed though is that even when the rest sound fine, the E string usually starts sounding dead first, even though I don't play that string too often.

 

[gregmon79]

I probably change them every two to three months. I love the way a new set of strings feel and sound. Especially DR's. Up until about a couple months ago I was changing them every other week. I was trying to find "my" string. I found it with DR Lowbeams or Low riders. Awesome strings.

 

[el murdoque]

My tapewound strings on my fretless will stay a long time, so far they've managed two years but i expect them to last forever.

My roundwounds are elixir strings on all my basses. On my main Instrument they easily last a Year. On the others much longer.

 

[roden]

3 months or when bored off the curent set,
Right now i got a set of fender/d'darrio flats really like them alot but i miss the growly bite from roundwounds so probly gonna go back to round on My p-bass

 

[AaronVonRock]

I use flats and change them if they break. No breaks, no changes.

 

[DriesG]

About every 2-3 months. I use DR lo riders on my fretted Fender jazz and Sunbeams on my fretless jazz.

 

[Projectile]

There is a point after about 3-4 months of regular playing when a set of strings just starts to "feel" dead and old to me. It's almost like it's some kind of chemical oxidation process takes over, or maybe it's just when enough crud has built up in the grooves. I don't have a scientific explanation, but regardless, it becomes really apparent to me that they need to be changed, and that's when I do it.

 

[fourstringdrums]

I don't know. I've never owned a single bass long enough to have to change strings.

 

[Josh Thatguy]

Oh. Clicked on this thread because of the title.
"How Often..."

Didn't realize it was about strings.


HA!

 

[srayb]

Lately haven't been playing much, but still change about every 6 months. When I was younger and times were tough, I had D'Addario XLs on for over a decade and played with a band at least every week. EMG pickups might have helped, because they never sounded dead. I always make sure to have clean hands (probably helped also).

 

[Daedraziel]

Yeah there are too many factors in giving an accurate timeframe on string lifespan... here is a small breakdown on lifespan before i feel they are too "broken in" or lost the good feeling.

-I play primarily Elixir 4s
-1-3 shows a week at 3hrs each, in bar setting and wipe down afterward
-couple of rehearsal hours every other week
-I may break 1-2 strings a year but I think its the bridge on my BTB570fm. always the E

I change them once every 3 months or so. At roughly $40 a pop... it sucks but they play so nicely and last longer than any set of Daddarios ive ever used

 

[u84six]

Never.

I have never broken a string.

My oldest flats have been on a P-bass since 1972.

Wow, given that info, I'm surprised you even bother to read the strings forum.

 

[alexlocurto]

When they break. I love the tone I get with strings that have been on a bass for a while

This.

 

[darius8]

I never change my bass strings. I replace them if they break, but they've never been broken, yet.

 

[Clammy]

Varies. I always change them 2 rehearsals before a gig/tour. So sometimes I'll go months between changes and sometimes it's weeks. The DR green Neons I play last a LONG time before they noticeably start sounding dead to me.

Cheers!

 

[Steve]

I used to change them once a week* when I was using D'adarrio's. Then they and what seems like everyone everyone else stopped making strings that fit a Sadowsky properly except Roger and a very few really high end makers so, now I buy Rogers and change them every two weeks.


* a week is 5 gigs plus practice so...20 hours or so playing time.

I like zing.

 

[HMZ]

I use D'addario XL's and do about 3 gigs a week. I change them every month or two.

 

[Humbled]

When the little voices tell me to.

 

[Sheffield]

I change my rounds really often - about every 12-18 months.

... I change my rounds really often - about every month (approximately 30-40 hours playing time).

 

[DJ Bebop]

I used to change them once a week* when I was using D'adarrio's. Then they and what seems like everyone everyone else stopped making strings that fit a Sadowsky properly except Roger and a very few really high end makers so, now I buy Rogers and change them every two weeks.


* a week is 5 gigs plus practice so...20 hours or so playing time.

I like zing.

Send the dead one to me please?