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Killing my bass strings too fast
- Thread starter ThodorisKar
- Start date
Other than wipe-downs, there ain't much you can do to make strings live longer. I've tried boiling, submersing in solvents, ultra-sonic cleaning... just doesn't work.
IMHO coated strings are a waste of money. They look pretty, and those coatings fail (at least in sections) within a couple of weeks.
Elixir is one of the greatest marketing-programs in the history of musical equipment. They are made in the Dunlop factory, on the same machines that makes the Dunlop branded strings that can be bought for $14/set.
It might be worth looking at a set of [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. They are ground-wound strings and don't tend to collect crap in them as badly as true round-wounds
IMHO coated strings are a waste of money. They look pretty, and those coatings fail (at least in sections) within a couple of weeks.
Elixir is one of the greatest marketing-programs in the history of musical equipment. They are made in the Dunlop factory, on the same machines that makes the Dunlop branded strings that can be bought for $14/set.
It might be worth looking at a set of [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. They are ground-wound strings and don't tend to collect crap in them as badly as true round-wounds
Weird - the boiling thing seems to work for some but not for others. It definitely works for me. Maybe it has something to do with the length of time between boils?
Welcome OP. TB is an unforgiving place, and a place that also has stupendous input. It's both. Just go with it.
One answer is: "Switch to flatwounds".
See what I mean?
Peace.
One answer is: "Switch to flatwounds".
See what I mean?
Peace.
Sorry, I guess I don't have the patience to go past the early second page of these posts. I see early on, you are a metal music player. If you are "pounding" the strings (I do not imply any negative connotation to the style), I have found that the more physical playing style affects string life duration. Round core strings, lower tension, are the most at-risk. Hex-core, higher tension less, but easily beaten to death in a practice or performance. The other thing I have discovered through time and experience (many string types used) is that the lower note strings, larger diameter strings are the most susceptible to short life via "beating". So, the more you pound them, the more you will spend to replace them to get the string timbre you desire. Same applies to aggressive slappers, too.
Boiling works, it just doesn't last long, so it isn't super worth it. Plus, the only string I've ever broke was a boiled one. I've had mixed results with alcohol. I bought a harbor freight ultrasonic cleaner (the one recommended by many) and I tried and tried to make it do something, and it did _nothing_. Zilch, so I took it back.
All the logic in the world doesn't mean anything as far as Elixirs. If it's a huge deal, I will gladly prove that they last a lot longer, for me at least. Elixirs last months, any other string, one gig. They are not a scam.
is it possible when you think a string is rough on your fingers it just means you have to build callus's to fit those strings. like obviously you've been playing enough but with rougher strings you'll need to work your fingers up. The only roundwound string I go to is dr high beam because all other rounds die too soon. i say try them but also wipe strings down and wash hands. Not much else you can do.
It's definitely worth it for me. I get two gigs out of each boil and will boil approximately ten times per set. That's twenty more gigs than I would get if I just tossed the strings after they first went dead.
Wrist sweat bands might help. Over the years I've played a fair amount of gigs outdoors. I look like John McEnroe playing a bass, but it seems to help. One other thing to watch out for is sweat running down to the electronics, like the pickups and pots. Not a good thing.
Welcome to the board!
Maybe worth a try.
"DR's Stringlife™ liquid polymer coating bonds to strings by causing the positive charge of electrons in your strings to attract to the negative charged polymer. This creates a process called electrovalent bonding.
This is not the same old same old. DR's Stringlife™ is a molecular bonding liquid polymer that forms a barrier between strings and the elements (like acid, dirt and grime) that steal their life. It is not mineral oil or silicone. Stringlife™ is as effective in prolonging the useful life of strings as factory coated polymer strings. Players can coat their favorite set of strings to make them last longer.'
I used to wipe my strings down after every session with cloth and alcohol. It worked for me.
A New pack of Slinkys or Superbrights every week cost less than a lot of people spend at Starbucks in two or three days. Both are nice sounding strings.
Same here... with a show or two a week, and a rehearsal or two sprinkled in, I was changing Rotos weekly on two basses.
Certain sound requirements greatly affect string life. Some like them so dead, they only change them when they break, others are constantly changing for an extra bright tone.
My current usual preference is about 40-50 hours of playing on Daddario XL, and never on Chromes. I'm sure I'll do something else sooner or later for a specific tone at the time.
If you want more zing turn down the bass and turn up the treble, or overdrive.. Metal or hardcore new strings only count in a studio.. A common smoooooe can't tell the difference.. If they can't hear you it's because you're or sound guy are doing it wrong..
I don't have any experience with Elixers, but I've used countless sets of Rotosound Swing Bass 66's, D'Addario XLs, GHS Boomers, and Ernie Ball Slinkys over several decades.
I recommend that you experiment with a couple of readily available and affordable name brand sets of roundwounds. Once you find the brand that has the tone you like the best, change them often.
Best regards!
I very much agree. A slight amount of overdrive makes a huge effect on how audible your bass is with your band. You may even find that you don't need to turn up amp up as much, and you may even be able to dial your high end down a bit, while still being able to slice through the live mix.
This is why I love (and depend on) my preamp pedal. Love it!
