How to break in strings faster?

[Leo Thunder]

When you buy a used guitar, you don't expect the strings to need stretching. Yet they clearly did, went right out of tune as I did.
Of course I used the EQ but even with the highs turned all the way down, that metallic feels remains unless you dull out everything else too. I would need a finer equaliser to do the job.

 

[micguy]

Bright strings are the universe's way of telling you you need to practice this week. A lot. I always put strings on at least a week (usually 2) in advance of the next gig I'm going to use that particular bass for. It helps to have few gigs, or (in my case) multiple basses so you don't have to gig the uber bright one.

 

[Kro]

Slapping would be my first gut reaction too, but I'm not sure if that's a misconception. Maybe others will chime in. Other than that, just get a lot of play time in, maybe just futzing around while watching TV, playing whatever.

I believe that the majority of "breaking in", at least as it pertains to zing comes more from the fretting hand. Skin and oils work their way into the string which dampens it.

As far as tuning and intonation, stretching and beating on it might work, but in terms of tone, IMO the best thing to do is just to play - maybe something with loads of slides.

 

[arbiterusa]

I have a friend who has corrosive finger oils capable of making brand new zingy strings sound six months old literally overnight.

I'm that guy. It's gotten better since I hit my late 40s, but there were two decades of my life where people who knew me well would not let me touch their guitars, and I could not blame them.

I found by accident that tuning a new set about a full step over normal and letting them sit for a couple of days (I was trying to get the bass ready for a new gig and have the strings stay in tune) tends to take all the zing out of them. That was not a desirable outcome for me, but would be for the OP.

 

[gln1955]

Finish this off while you are playing.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Eat Buffalo chicken with your hands and then play the bass without washing your hands. Strings will go dead in a minute.

 

[The_Lucek]

Used engine oil?

 

[hintz]

I'm that guy. It's gotten better since I hit my late 40s, but there were two decades of my life where people who knew me well would not let me touch their guitars, and I could not blame them.

I found by accident that tuning a new set about a full step over normal and letting them sit for a couple of days (I was trying to get the bass ready for a new gig and have the strings stay in tune) tends to take all the zing out of them. That was not a desirable outcome for me, but would be for the OP.

I'm still that guy!! LOL strings die in hours with me no matter how much I wash my hands!?

Finish this off while you are playing.
View attachment 3169230

According to legend Jaco would do this! He'd eat fried chicken and not wash his hands before a performance

 

[Leo Thunder]

Used engine oil?

Stinks

 

[onamission]

Eat a bucket of fried chicken and play, don't wash your hands.

 

[Gully Foyle]

Ground wounds, should be all set?

 

[mikewalker]

 

[WardEarth]

haha, you mean you haven't tried this?

This video....the guy is no expert.

 

[rendevouz]

Fried chickendrool

 

[pellomoco14]

When I put new strings on my bass, I literally pick my bass up by one string at a time and shake it back and forth.

Yes, you are reading that correctly. I grab my A string, use it to pick up my bass out if my lap, and shake it back and forth.

The only one I can't do that with is the G. But I still yank that string around quite a bit.

Instant break in.

Not joking.

+1 This is absolutely true.
The video presentation wasnt great and over aggressive but basicly the same.

 

[lfmn16]

Just play them, it doesn't take that long.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

I do the stretch and play method as well.
I liked the suggestion of taking it to a jam night and letting everyone play it, sounds like a good time, seeing others and how they play your bass!

 

[707GK]

2 hours of nonstop practice each day in warm conditions (so your fingers are sweaty) and the metallic zing will be gone in no time.

I have made the mistake of putting new strings on right before a gig. But halfway through the set, with all the stage lighting and whatnot, I was sweating enough so the metallic zing was gone.

Sometimes I wonder...the people who like their strings nice and broken in that say the strings sound perfect after years of being on the bass...how often do they really play? I get dead strings within 6 months of practicing 1-2 hours per day and multiple gigs per month.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Pick whichever activity you prefer that makes you sweat, rub it on your strings and then play. Fringe benefit: it curbs the amount of people that ask to play your bass

 

[jasonrp]

When I put new strings on my bass, I literally pick my bass up by one string at a time and shake it back and forth.

Yes, you are reading that correctly. I grab my A string, use it to pick up my bass out if my lap, and shake it back and forth.

The only one I can't do that with is the G. But I still yank that string around quite a bit.

Instant break in.

Not joking.

That is EXACTLY how I do it too.