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I think I'm tone deaf

R

Robroy

Guest
Jun 21, 2006
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3,605
#1
Not that kind of tone, the other kind.

I was listening to one of those funny SMG videos on how bass players suck and again he seemed so adamant about using new strings before recording. Obviously it is a "tone" thing

So here's the deal: I've been playing since 1998 and played in pretty much any kind of band you can think of, except rap/hiphop. I have seven bases, all of which I own for a specific function. But since 1998 I've only replaced strings three times, two of which because a string broke and the third because I wanted black tape wound flats on my five string fretless.

Sure, strings have that "new string" sound for a week or two, but then they just sound like all the others.

At least to me.

Hence the thread. I see a lot of angst from people about this string or that, but due to the cost and hassle of string replacement, I think of them as like the tires on my car. Of course, those tires are either Michelin PSS or Bridgestone Potenza RE11's, but I don't replace them until they get dangerous in the rain, usually about 10k miles. And I approach string replacement kind of the same, except when they fail it is not dangerous, so I just wait until they fail.

Am I just a neanderthal when it comes to string tone? Or is it those guys on the other side of the spectrum that are just too anal? Or are we both right - and wrong?
 
#3
TheDominoKid said:
I don't think there's anything wrong with what you do... I replace when I break one, when the bass goes into the shop for a major tune-up (whole new set) or if I feel like trying something new (flats, halfwounds etc.). To me it's more about the feel of the strings under my fingers--similar to tires on the road.
Click to expand...
Got you. That reminds me that there was one other time I changed strings. It was to replace, on my Dean acoustic electric, the bronze round wounds with flat wounds. Drastically changed the way it played. Like going from the oem tires on my FR-S to the RE11's. i.e. it was like a different bass. And a much better one.

So we seem to agree about the playability difference that definitely matters.
 
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#4
I don't think that you are tone deaf. You have a different idea (tonal goal) of what you want your bass to sound like compared to someone who likes playing lively strings. My preference is stainless steel rounds and I restring every six weeks or so. Occasionally, I get in the mood to play some flats, but eventually go back to rounds. I have never found any nickels that I like the sound of. I have also tried tapewound strings. Cool, but ultimately not what I want to hear. We all have different preferences and I think that is a good thing. :cool:
 
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#5
spiritbass said:
I don't think that you are tone deaf. You have a different idea (tonal goal) of what you want your bass to sound like compared to someone who likes playing lively strings. My preference is stainless steel rounds and I restring every six weeks or so. Occasionally, I get in the mood to play some flats, but eventually go back to rounds. I have never found any nickels that I like the sound of. We all have different preferences and I think that is a good thing. :cool:
Click to expand...
RE: restringing every six weeks or so - This is where i'm just the cheapskate among us. :)
 
#6
Robroy said:
RE: restringing every six weeks or so - This is where i'm just the cheapskate among us. :)
Click to expand...

I hear you, brother. This is the reason I limit my 'tool box' to three instruments. It's about pleasing my ears. I love the highs and harmonic content of lively steels. Most who would hear me play probably wouldn't notice if I wasn't playing strings that aren't lively enough for me. :)
 
#7
I have trouble catching dead spots, and i think the sound is similar to older strings ... they just lack sustain. The fact that they die slowly makes it quite apparent when i do change them ... which is approx every 3 months.

I'm more surprised to read that you change the tires on your car around every 10k ... that seems excessive. i think i put 3 new sets on an AWD vehicle in about 120k total.
 
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#8
I believe different strings have different tonal characteristics but when push comes to shove nobody in the audience will no the difference. In the years that I've played not once did anyone come up to me and complement me on my sound after a string change. Recording is a different story I'm sure, and I think string feel is probably more important than the sound for the player.
 
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#10
I will leave flats on a bass forever, but I change my SS rounds out pretty often when I'm playing a lot. Just playing a gig or two a week will keep me in a set of strings for about the same six weeks before I notice the growl starting to lose it's bite. I'm working with two bands right now, one that tunes down a half step, and one that runs standard tuning. One of them I play a lot of funk and slapping, and I can really tell a definite difference in the feel and response when the strings get worn some.

The flats I'm only running on fretless basses right now, and a jazz occasionally. They always sound great and I don't have to worry about the sound changing on them.
 
#12
I change my ss strings about a year or so, but I'm lucky because I hate that break in period when it's mainly clanks and noise, and I have dry (and clean) hands that preserve the strings.
Recently I discovered flats on my jazz and I'm quite a converted. They are comfortable and toneful. The la bella 760fs give to my jazz the best aggressive classical jazz bass powerful tone I always attributed to rounds, whereas the GHS precision flats sound thumpy and woody....considering that flats are supposed to last, I should have ended buying strings
 
#13
Many folks have probably heard that Steve Harris changes his flats before every gig, but I read somewhere that Anthony Jackson changes the rounds on his (six-string) bass between every take in the studio..

I play flats only, but I still change strings around alit. To me, it is the quest of perfectly matching my strings to my basses.
 
#14
catcauphonic said:
I'm more surprised to read that you change the tires on your car around every 10k ... that seems excessive. i think i put 3 new sets on an AWD vehicle in about 120k total.
Click to expand...
Sorry to continue the derail.

I am with Rob on this one. I have found that the summer compound performance tires like the ones he references tend to wear out quickly...especially if you like some "spirited" driving. In my experience, due to more conservative driving and lower cost tire compounds, the tires on my Audi last a long time...on my G8, not so much.

Back on-topic:

I change strings (rounds specifically) after about 3 months of moderate playing time or if I'm actually practicing regularly and gigging I change them every 3-6 weeks. There are 2 basses in my stable that I can't bear to change the strings on though. The Ibanez with flats because I need/like the thump and the Peavey with compression wound strings because they still sound so good and new rounds on that one don't.
 
#17
As for the string thing, nobody's right and nobody's wrong when it comes to things like "how often should I change my strings." The SMG dude is a recording/mixing guy, so maybe newer strings on a bass make it easier to mix for him.
I change my strings very sporadically, no set schedule for me. I do tend to keep the old strings as backups though, just in case I need them for something.
Edit: that's is, unless the strings are totally trashed, then they GET trashed.
 
#18
+1 to the comments, above, that tone goals are personal.

As strings get played, the harmonic content (the overtones) decline, and finally even the fundamental and first harmonic decline. I like to have a good response coming from the strings so I can shape my tone with the amp's EQ--I don't want to sound clangy, but I do want a clearly defined upper midrange. I'll change strings every couple weeks.

That might sound costly, but I can get three separate passes out of a set of strings with the alcohol soak method of cleaning them.
 
#19
To me this falls into the "whatever smokes your shorts" arena of bass etiquette. I have a very heavy percussive style but don't use a pick (go figure) and don't slap. All fingertip.
I play both flats and rounds. My only tonal requirements are
1. I want to hear my fingertips drag on the strings
2. If rounds, I don't want it to ring like a piano

I have a set of stainless flats that have been on my LP Signature since 1984-85, and rounds on used basses I bought that I don't know what the are. But: I do wipe strings and periodically clean them with "intentional " alcohol.

I will also replace rounds if they go flakey and pick up odd harmonics. Never had that issue with flats <☺>
 
#20
I play nickels or hybrid nickels, after they lose thier zing then there is a second level of zing that lasts about a month or so depending on how much I'm playing. Once that zing is gone I replace them. Strings stay on backups for years though. That said, I like really low action and I slap a lot. So it's not necessarily a typical set up.
 

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