Longest time without changing bass strings; share your experiences.

[Gaolee]

I'm not sure how old the strings on my EB-2 were when I finally changed them. They were on it when I got it in the early 1980s, and stayed on it until around 2012. They were some kind of rounds. It's got some kind of used semi-rounds on it now. It's got a warm, dry, woody sound that shines with thumpy dead strings. I'm about to change six month old strings on a Thunderbird that I don't play every day. Mostly, I just don't like the way they sound. It's going to get EB Cobalt Flats. Those seem to last a very long time. I may end up with those on everything.

 

[Pbassmanca]

When I first started playing, I didn't know you you were supposed to change the strings unless they broke. And I didn't live anywhere near a music store, and internet stores were not a thing then, so I went years on the factory rounds that came on my Epiphone Accu-Bass. Then the G string broke, and I played it as a three string for a couple of years.

Nowadays I am changing strings every couple of months on multiple basses. Kinda an expensive habit...thank goodness for BSO.

"Then the G string broke and I played it as a 3 string for a couple of years!" Ha!

 

[garmenteros]

I change flats every 4-5 years. Regular roundwounds every 3-6 months.

 

[crucislancer]

I had a set of Roto RS66s on a Jazz bass for nearly two years once. They had lost the new string zing but still had a strong tone. I babied that set for as long as I could before replacing them.

 

[John B jr]

I put these strings on before I knew how to put strings on. Mid-70s bass with mid-80s Swing Basses. They're still on there. It became my number 2 and has sat in its case except as a stage prop for the most part. It's still playable but you can probably see the bow in the neck.

My second bass and the first that I bought for myself at the age of 16. The filth is genuine! The only change to it other than strings is the little felt mutes were replaced with rubber bumpers that you'd put under a lamp or whatever.

 

[Kmonk]

I like fresh strings. They sound better, have more punch and cut through mix better. I usually change them about 4 to 8 weeks depending on much I am playing.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I've probably gone 5 or 6 years where I was playing a bass semi regularly. I've had some on longer, but realistically on basses that were only played every few years

 

[MobileHolmes]

I had a set of Roto RS66s on a Jazz bass for nearly two years once. They had lost the new string zing but still had a strong tone. I babied that set for as long as I could before replacing them.

My sense is that Rotos lose their zing in a hurry, but continue to work more or less forever.

 

[matante]

My sense is that Rotos lose their zing in a hurry, but continue to work more or less forever.

I used to change my Rotos every 6 weeks, same as D'Addarios. But that was a long time ago and judging by recent youtube videos, it seems they last a lot longer now.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I used to change my Rotos every 6 weeks, same as D'Addarios. But that was a long time ago and judging by recent youtube videos, it seems they last a lot longer now.

Oh, they were way dead sounding, but they still stayed in tune and made notes

 

[GIBrat51]

My Epiphone EA-260 doesn't exactly match your criteria; since it's wrong handed for me, it doesn't get played much. But, it does get played every so often. I've had it for about 12 years now, and the La Bella DTF's that are on it, had been on it for about 3 years before I got it. So, they're 15 years old, give or take... And, I hear no reason to change them...

 

[Doner Designs]

I use flats but change every 1-2 yrs either to try something new or add back some brightness.

Another reason I switch is a combination of the fact that I hate frizzy silks and that they are so much easier to remove if you cut them off at the tuning posts. Also, with 130, 110, 95 gauges it can be hard to get them off without scratching the body.

 

[eriky4003]

I've got a set of Lo-Riders on my BB300 that are pushing three years. I recently bought another set to replace the old set, but the strings still sound good. Help!

 

[crucislancer]

My sense is that Rotos lose their zing in a hurry, but continue to work more or less forever.

That depends on what you are after as far as tone, playability, and so forth. That set was losing sustain and tone was becoming less desirable after that long.

 

[MobileHolmes]

That depends on what you are after as far as tone, playability, and so forth. That set was losing sustain and tone was becoming less desirable after that long.

Well, to clarify, not just the new string zing, but a lot of top end. No other issues though.

 

[zontar]

I've often gone 3-4 years--and sometimes longer--but then at times I didn't play much bass--when I played more often I would--I normally change them when I have trouble keeping them in tune or the tone just turns on me.