My strings die out so quickly. Help!!

[rodl2005]

there's always Boiling 'em too. This works-for uncoated strings- & makes 'em sound as good as new for a little while( it gets all the sweat & acidic dirt out from between the windings) they don't stay soundind new for as long as when they ARE new, but it definately helps & has saved me buying a new set MANY times.
After boilingfor 10 mins or so-longer if U want or are reallt dirty- seriously wipe 'em up & down the length of the string many times-you'll see the cr*p come off onto the rag- until they wipe cleanly.
Wipe down with metho dampened rag after each gig/prac. helps heaps too! Do this to rear of bass' neck too-get the sweat & grime off that- in fact good to do this to anywhere your sweaty hands touch on the bass-knobs, tuners, neck, frets, body..... then wipe over with a clean rag.

 

[geoffkhan]

Boiling them will make them weak though and they won't last long before breaking. Better yet soak them overnight in denatured alcohol.

I think the bass itself has a lot to do with how long the strings last. For example, even Elixirs would only sound new for the first week or two on my old bass. My new bass is much nicer, and they keep that new tone for much longer.

 

[improvpwnd]

search this forum for Denatured Alcohol. I'm one of those ph freeks I guess, as a set of strings only lasts 1 gig or about a week of practice plus a rehersal.

Roatating a few sets of strings (I have 4 sets going) in denatured alcohol has saved my life and my wallet. It's like having a new set of strings at your disposal at any time.

I can't believe it took someone this long to say this on this thread!

I do not use alcohol, but I do boil my dead strings back to life! It works.

 

[improvpwnd]

Boiling them will make them weak though and they won't last long before breaking. Better yet soak them overnight in denatured alcohol.

I think the bass itself has a lot to do with how long the strings last. For example, even Elixirs would only sound new for the first week or two on my old bass. My new bass is much nicer, and they keep that new tone for much longer.

Never in my life have I broken a string on a bass (though many on guitar) and I've been playing for 11 years...

 

[Liko]

Never in my life have I broken a string on a bass (though many on guitar) and I've been playing for 11 years...

The only time I have ever broken a string on either bass OR guitar was while stretching them after I'd just put them on. I've learned just to tune the unwound strings on my guitars up a third and leave them there for a while rather than trying to snap them like a bass string, and I've learned NOT to uptune bass strings; snapping them works far better.

Maybe I just think I'm more spoiled than I am, having only recently discovered D'Addario strings, but the XL nickels last a hell of a lot longer for me than any other nickel string I've tried, including Fender, Ernie Ball, GHS and even Rotosound. Of course stainless is going to last even longer (I use DM Blue Steels on two basses and one guitar; might try a set of D'Addario ProSteels when one of those sets finally wears out), but for the warmth of nickel, I haven't found a better all-round string than those XLs. People have mentioned Elixirs; since you like and can get D'Addario strings you might consider EXPs. They're basically a coated XL string. They still have plenty of brightness unlike some coated strings, and still have nickel's warmth compared to all-stainless.

 

[BassPrivateer]

Stainless Steel will last longer

 

[Asa Samuel]

rotosound swing bass 66 steels, orange packet, they last for ages, i once thought mine were dead but didnt have time to change them before i went to my mates house and tried his bass, his were dead and mine in comparison sounded new, i love them to bits!!

 

[rodl2005]

The only time I have ever broken a string on either bass OR guitar was while stretching them after I'd just put them on. I've learned just to tune the unwound strings on my guitars up a third and leave them there for a while rather than trying to snap them like a bass string, and I've learned NOT to uptune bass strings; snapping them works far better.

Maybe I just think I'm more spoiled than I am, having only recently discovered D'Addario strings, but the XL nickels last a hell of a lot longer for me than any other nickel string I've tried, including Fender, Ernie Ball, GHS and even Rotosound. Of course stainless is going to last even longer (I use DM Blue Steels on two basses and one guitar; might try a set of D'Addario ProSteels when one of those sets finally wears out), but for the warmth of nickel, I haven't found a better all-round string than those XLs. People have mentioned Elixirs; since you like and can get D'Addario strings you might consider EXPs. They're basically a coated XL string. They still have plenty of brightness unlike some coated strings, and still have nickel's warmth compared to all-stainless.

+1 on above comment. I'll admit boiling strings MAY make 'em weaker - a BIT... But in MY 30+ yrs of playing- I've boiled a LOTTA sets-espesh in my poorer youthful days, & I think I've broken one or two after boiling.....but then.....I've broken 1 or 2 that hadn't been boiled too!

I found the D'addario EXP-coateds- to be GREAT!!!! I thought they lasted longer than Elixirs & with the method of coating they use-they stay sounding 'alive' for ages-even with MY sweaty hands. They sound like a regular uncoated string after it has been "played in", or after a gig or 2.
I like this sound better than a FRESH-outta the pack -super brite string sound anyway.
But am gonna try some DR coateds next! Will post my thoughts on 'em after I do!

 

[the JT]

Hi guys. sorry it took me so long to reply.
I mainly play funk and jazz. A lot of slap and finger, never pickstyle.
and i havent tried flats.
Thanks for all your advice!

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

i agree with the EQ suggestion. there are lots of big names that play with older strings and just change the EQ to compensate.

i too kill strings quickly. sucks. but... i use DR Black Beauties, which are coated, and they last a while and have good tone while doing so. i've used other coateds, and they just didn't sound as good. mind you, my ideal tone is a nickel string and the Black Beauties are steel, but it's a price i'm willing to pay for strings that last. yes, when i record i throw nickels on. i wash my hands religiously as well. that kinda helps.

 

[meev992]

try tapewounds

has this been mentioned yet?

 

[the JT]

Yeah i usually boost the highs and switch to my back pickup. I think part of the problem is the pickups on my ibanez srx505. They are passive MM style with a low output. Do active pickup basses generally have a better effect on the sound of the string?

 

[meev992]

Do active pickup basses generally have a better effect on the sound of the string?

bright strings can sound really bright...and thuddy strings can sound really thuddy. My opinion is, if the strings don't compliment the pickup choice, and if they're dead, they're not going to sound as great as they could.

 

[basslyon]

I had the same problem with the same strings and here is your solution.

Search GHS Strings on EBay. World of music sell the for $33.50AUD with $5 Express Postage.

Bec is the girl that handles their ebay account and she's a really nice lass. They sent me a free fender bottle opener.

Now you have better more durable strings for cheaper; problem solved.

45-100 gauge.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GHS-Bass-Boo...ryZ20987QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

 

[the JT]

Hmmm...
I'm pretty sure im happy with DRs. Im not sure what my problem is exactly, but i think it isnt to do with the brand of strings themselves. Theyre good strings!

 

[markdavid]

I think you should try D'addario chromes flatwounds , being flatwound they last for months and they are very bright for a flatwound so they are kind of close to a roundwound sound.

 

[maconbass]

search this forum for Denatured Alcohol. I'm one of those ph freeks I guess, as a set of strings only lasts 1 gig or about a week of practice plus a rehersal.

Roatating a few sets of strings (I have 4 sets going) in denatured alcohol has saved my life and my wallet. It's like having a new set of strings at your disposal at any time.

Exactly. Same story here. It doesn't matter how good the strings are because finger crud makes them go dead long before they are worn out physically. I always keep 3 or 4 sets soaking and rotating. It really does work.

 

[bassrique]

Hope this helps.

 

[DougD]

Hope this helps.

I've been using the same method for over a year and it works great. The whole set up cost me less than $20, I'm constantly trying new strings so I keep a set couple sets of DR High beams for cleaning just incase I don’t' like the new brand of strings. I've cleaned the same sets of strings for about a year now and they come back as good as new every time If it were not for my wander lusting string gas, I’d be saving a mint. As was said before, Wash your hands before you play and wipe down the neck after. If you follow this method, you will most likely never have to buy strings again. Unless you like to try out different brands like I do

 

[lowendgenerator]

I've been using the same method for over a year and it works great. The whole set up cost me less than $20, I'm constantly trying new strings so I keep a set couple sets of DR High beams for cleaning just incase I don’t' like the new brand of strings. I've cleaned the same sets of strings for about a year now and they come back as good as new every time If it were not for my wander lusting string gas, I’d be saving a mint. As was said before, Wash your hands before you play and wipe down the neck after. If you follow this method, you will most likely never have to buy strings again. Unless you like to try out different brands like I do

+1! The only time I buy a new set of strings is when I get a new bass, so that I have enough in the rotation to keep fresh strings on every bass. Now if I could just stop buying basses!