Replacing strings one at a time (poll included)

[Ostie]

If the difference in tone works for you, do it. I wouldn't unless a string broke and the set was still pretty fresh.

This. The new E and A are going to sound fresher. Just change them all. They’re all old.

 

[Krakmann]

Salud!

We bass players can be cheap basstards.

 

[LonesomeKris]

Wait we’re supposed to change strings?!? Blasphemy! My basses will wear out long before my TI flats!!

 

[2thAche]

I feel like E goes dead long before the others.

 

[Slevage]

Only if broken, otherwise replacing only one string will be very noticeable in sound.

 

[HardNHeavy]

change them all at once.
-but i have used old extras if one string broke...If by any chance i broke a string at a gig, im not changing out the whole set, i keep spares. Fresh set before every gig usually.

 

[GrayGoesBlack]

Faster to cut them all, clean the entire board, polish the fret, put new strings, especially if it's the same size/tension

I doubt it's faster, but yes, if strings need changing, it's a good time to give the whole instrument a good cleaning and polishing. I put on some nice jazz, pour myself a glass of single malt and go to work.

 

[superheavyfunk]

One exception to the rule is the low B strings on my two 34" scale 5-strings basses. I do mix and match the low B in order to achieve better tonal balance. I find the low B in a typical factory 5-string set ends up sounding different (as in darker and not as clear) from the other four on the basses I have. In these instances, I don't necessarily change the whole set (as in all five). Sometimes I just change the low B and keep the rest; other times, I change the four and keep the low B, depending on how they're doing in terms of overall balance in tone.

Came here to say basically this. Your needs are unique to your situation and the sounds that you want to make. My B string is from a different brand than the rest of my strings and it’s also older than the other four. I love the sound I’m getting, so that’s how the bass stays.

 

[in tune]

I always change the whole set for the sake of tone and intonation..

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I haven’t bought single strings in a long time, but they used to be much higher individually than they were when part of a set. If that’s still the case, money savings is relatively small.

I also haven’t experienced strings going dead at different rates. That could be playing style or string brand or both, but it’s not something I’ve noticed. I’ve had dead strings out of the package a couple times, but that was just a bad string. I see no harm in replacing one or two strings at a time if you have the need & resources.

 

[FullumMusic]

It could be fine if...

• You don't care about tonal differences
• For some reason you're replacing the string within the first couple weeks of putting on a new set.
• You're in a financial situation where frugality is extremely prudent, and unless it's absolutely vital to replace a set all at once, only replace the strings as needed to save money.
• You want to drive other bassists crazy when you tell them you only change one string at a time.
• You're a nihilist, and nothing matters, and music is chaos, and life is chaos, and re-stringing a bass is chaos.
• You're lazy and can't be bothered to replace more than one string at a time, and you're ok with that.
• If your frienemy breaks a string and asks you to replace it because they don't know how to, and so you low-key sabotage their tone by only replacing that one string for them.
• You play a 1-string bass.

 

[Diminishedfilth]

I always replace with a whole set. Replacing one string seems to me like when a shoelace comes untied… you retie it and it feels so snug that you undo the other one so it feels the same.

 

[RGerhart]

I usually replace a whole set at a time, but I understand your dilemma. If you're going that route (single or double string swap), I would suggest checking out StringJoy. If you're consistently changing the E and A strings, you can purchase a custom 4-string set from them, and simply make it two Es and two As. That way you're not piling up on spare D and G strings.

 

[rashrader]

I’ve never done this, but if you’re okay with it, knock yourself out.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Hello,

I notice that my strings (rounds) usually do not age at the same rate (E and A usually get dull faster), which means that when I change strings I would throw away strings that are still in good enough shape by changing the whole set, which is obviously a waste of money, resources, and time.

I'm wondering how good (or bad) of an idea it would be to replace a string only when I start noticing that it has lost most of its sparkle.
With the various options available for purchasing single strings, that would also be a great opportunity to try different manufacturers, or maybe different ranges from the same manufacturer.

I would most likely not mix different "archetypes" of strings (flats / rounds, steel / nickel) to keep a certain consistency in the tone, but playing mostly alone or composing with the band (not gigging a lot or recording at the moment), a reasonable difference in tone would be acceptable to me.
I know that some of you mix and match strings from different ranges / manufacturers, so it is kind of a related topic, but not really the same.

Any good reason not to do that ? Is it common ?
Only issue I can think of would be a large difference in volume output, but everything else I think I can live with (the new string will be brighter for a certain period of time, truss-rod might need a slight adjustment).

Please share your opinion Thank you !

I string my basses with TI flats, which cost around $100 per set. I probably change my strings about once per decade. And if there are strings that are still viable when I change strings, I save them just in case a string breaks.

 

[Killing Floor]

I wouldn’t call it “stupid”.
But if you know a string needs replacing the others probably also need replacing, maybe not as obviously. So do the set.

In my case string changes are when I do all my maintenance and checks. It’s an excuse to shine things up.

 

[rtslinger]

If you break one It's fine to do it, as long as the gauge and string material is the same.

 

[XLunacy]

Wow ! First off, I want to thank you all for sharing your thoughts
According to the poll, most (~2/3) of you would never consider it, which I can understand, this is a very specific situation, and an idea kind of new to me as well.

I'll try my best to answer most points that have been raised.

That said, I normally replace the whole set. Having a pile of spare D and G's around would drive me nuts.

Plus knowing me, I'd wind up with all these three-string-leftover strings sets, and then I've got to track down singles to make them whole.

I am already considering getting singles because I'm playing a multiscale 34.5-36.5 tuned ADADG, and I like even tension, so apart from very specific manufacturers that make fitting sets (Dingwall, Payson) I either have to go custom or get singles from D'addario and the likes, so we're looking at 35 to ~60 $/€ per set

If you like it, I love it. But, how cheap can you be?

I do believe that refusing to waste resources unnecessarily and saving money at the same time is not being cheap That money is going elsewhere anyways, bass-related or not. But as mentioned in my first post, when it really matters (gigs, studio recording), the bass gets a fresh set, no matter what.

I also haven’t experienced strings going dead at different rates. That could be playing style or string brand or both, but it’s not something I’ve noticed.

I guess I mostly play on the E and A, hence the faster decay of those, but I have to try different manufacturers and see if it's consistent.

Another reason for changing the entire set is that it enables you to oil the fretboard (if needed) without making a mess.

I doubt it's faster, but yes, if strings need changing, it's a good time to give the whole instrument a good cleaning and polishing. I put on some nice jazz, pour myself a glass of single malt and go to work.

Agreed. I would still change the whole set once in a while (albeit less frequently, let's say once a year maybe ?) for cleaning and maintenance reasons. I also want to add that I systematically wash my hands before playing and wipe the strings/fretboard afterwards so the instrument collects minimal gunk.

If I was gigging, I’d have spare sets on hand for sure.

Of course ! In a gigging or studio situation, the bass would obviously get a fresh set to start with.

Only if broken, otherwise replacing only one string will be very noticeable in sound.

This. The new E and A are going to sound fresher. Just change them all. They’re all old.

I hear you, however the E and A already stand out, and in a bad way, so if I have to choose one or the other...

I guess I have a clearer idea of what to expect thanks to you, so I will try that and see for myself. Thank you all again

 

[fretlessguy]

If the string goes dead prematurely or bteaks, then yes, I replace the single string. Other than that , I replace sets