New Strings Day of a Show?

[Fuzzbass]

i've done it lots. Just make sure you play it for a while and re-tune a few times prior to the show.

+1

If you're that nervous about it then don't bother, but I love new string zing and have changed strings the day of a show plenty of times. If you know what you're doing and break 'em in a little then you shouldn't encounter much (if any) drift.

 

[WayneS]

If its with the same brand, make and gauage as youve been useing. Its ok to do. Otherwise Id wait till after. Since could otherwise need small truss rod tweak or other action change. For first gig, Id say no even if same strings. Just raise the treble around 6k a tad if wanting more top end zing. Dont need to be thinking about new strings for first show. Hope your gig goes well for the whole band.

While I agree with most of your post, I dont agree with whats in bold. Raise the treble all you want, it still wont have the 'zing'.

Back to the topic... If you do it right, you can change strings 30 minutes before a show. I've done it countless times. You just have to be sure they're stretched.

 

[grifff]

I personally prefer the sound of slightly settled in strings, I am not a fan of that new string zing. I change my strings a few days prior to a show.

 

[queevil]

I wouldn't do it but I hate the sound of brand new round wound strings. I like them to nice and broken in having lost some of that brightness after being played for a week or two.

 

[gastric]

I seriously doubt anyone but you will be able to audibly tell the difference between new and old strings, or different brands or models for that matter. Most rock type shows I go to you can simply tell there's bass there, but can't really pick out much else once it's set in the mix, EQed by the sound guy, and pumped through obnoxiously loud subs, then reverberated through the tiny, misshapen, usually cement or brick bar/club.

 

[russellmania]

Personally, I'd wait til after the show, especially since it's your first. It also might give you a certain level of comfort keeping everything consistent from practice to the show.

That being said, as long as you have a floor tuner, there really aren't any reasons not to do it, especially if you like the sound of new strings.

 

[Stinsok]

I played with a guitar player that would literally be clipping strings before walking on the stage. Of course, there was endless tuning going on!

 

[Meatbass]

When you put on a new set of strings, tune them to pitch (be careful not to go past pitch), stretch them, play the hell out of them, stretch them more, then tune to pitch. Keep repeating being careful not to tune past pitch and everything should be all ready to go.
Just as long as the strings are all stretched out and you haven't tuned past pitch, you wont go out of tune. I've done this for years even on show days.

 

[MegaSwing]

If you don't like it, don't do it again.

It's a simple game, really.