New Bass - Stock Strings

[Isaac_James]

I'll use them for a week maybe, but generally I'll swap them out pretty quickly.

Off-topic but adjacent.....I have a pet peeve when people have a bass for sale and express that they have just changed the strings. Unless it is exactly what I use, I'm going to change those out. You aren't enticing me to buy by putting me strings on it.

I also realize that this probably is an irrational pet peeve. Thanks for listening

I agree with you on that last point, but even here on TalkBass (which is a subset of bass players who probably spend a lot of time thinking about things like string choice and tone compared to other bass players) a good quarter or so of us just use the strings that come with the bass. If I had to make a wild guess I'd say that number is likely more than half of all bass players who don't care enough about the type of string to be bothered that the strings on a used instrument aren't their normal brand, and would therefore appreciate the consideration of a fresh set. I think it also indicates that the seller is taking some time into making sure the instrument is in good condition before selling it in general.

But like I said, if I bought a used bass I too would not consider it exactly a selling point unless the seller happened to pick the strings I prefer.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

Not me. Hofner puts stupid, rubbish quality, round wound strings on some of their low priced basses, like the Ignition series.
Labella flats went on right away.That fixed the situation.

 

[GIBrat51]

I'm always content with the stock strings on a new bass.
Anybody else like that?

Unless the bass comes from the factory with flat wounds on it - like, say, my German-made Hofner 500/2 Club Bass? Oh, Hell no. Most new basses these days come with D'Addario strings. While they don't sound bad, they're a little coarser than I want to put up with. The main problem with them, however - and the reason they never last longer than a 2 minute function check? D'Addario finishes/polishes their strings with something that I'm very allergic to. And, that simple wiping down - with anything - can't get rid of well enough to keep my fingers from itching for days. It takes scrubbing with nasty, dangerous solvents - and cleaning those chemicals off with more chemicals - to make those strings safely playable. I have a very long list of much better things to do with my time; so, into the nearest dumpster they go - quick as a bunny... The basses that come with EB Slinkys? They might stay around for a little while, since Slinky's are one of the few rounds I'll play - if I have to. But, they'll get replaced with flats - as soon as I decide which ones. As for basses that come to me - new or used - with "mystery rounds"? This ol' Combat Engineer didn't live this long by taking unnecessary chances. Those strings join the D'Addario's in the same dumpster; for the same reasons - and just as quickly...

 

[Marko 1]

Typically I'll leave them on for a while, then eventually change them when I feel the desire to do so; no specific calculation on that.

Then either DR Nickle Lowriders or E.B. Cobalt Flats.