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Should I change my strings?

Should I change my strings?

  • Yes

    Votes: 34 33.7%

  • No

    Votes: 35 34.7%

  • Carrots

    Votes: 32 31.7%
  • Total voters
    101
  • Poll closed .
#21
If I don't have anything lined up, I don't change my strings. I can practice just fine with dead strings. But if I'm going to do any recording I'll replace them right before, and if I'm getting regular gigs I'll get new strings every 3 months or so. I'm a big fan of the DR strings as well, low riders and their DDT sets are great if you like something a little stiffer without going up to a larger size.
 
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#23
NotHereNow said:
To add a little context, I’m getting a new bridge so the strings will be off anyways. I’m thinking about this in the same way you change your oil every “X” months or miles. Do you change strings based on lifespan or by relying solely on your perception of how the strings sound?
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When changing the bridge the point on the string where they go across the bridge saddle and through the nut will likely change, as well as the spot where the strings touch the frets. Because of that I'd go with the string change - those "wear" spots changing could impact both the tone and life of the strings.
 
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#24
I change high beams after a few days of playing. They seemed to stretch out too much and get clanky. I like SIT powersteels better---less clank and tension is rock solid. Been liking the SIT Fusions too, for the same reason. I have a heavy picking hand, but some people leave high beams on a long time. I guess, It really depends on your attack/ touch and what you want from a string.
 
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#25
NotHereNow said:
To add a little context, I’m getting a new bridge so the strings will be off anyways. I’m thinking about this in the same way you change your oil every “X” months or miles. Do you change strings based on lifespan or by relying solely on your perception of how the strings sound?
Click to expand...

Is the bridge different than the original one, like going from a standard bent plate to a high mass? If so I might be tempted to keep the same strings at least temporarily to see if there is any difference in sound and feel. Maybe just clean the DR's while they are off like has been recommended.

I change strings based on feeling, not set amount of time. Sometimes its logical sometimes it isn't.

On the extreme end there's a bassist I follow on Instagram that's had the same rounds on his bass for 25 years. That's literally how long I've been playing bass. lol. So there are no right or wrong answers. If it stays in tune and can be intonated and you like the sound then there's really no reason to change them other than wanting to try something new.
 
#26
NotHereNow said:
Should I change my strings? Current strings are about 3 months old with daily playing. DR Hi-Beams 45-105. This was my first experience with DR strings, and I enjoyed playing this set. Feel free to drop your favorite string recommendations as well if you think it’s time for a change. Rock on!
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Yes, but only when you no longer like the way they sound. I play DR Lo Riders, and swap them out at somewhere between 75 and 100 hours of play on the average. I would recommend using hours of use as a guide as opposed to months as a better reference tool, because your usage is likely going to change from day to day week to week months to month. One other thing to consider, is like any thing else mechanical, the harder you beat on it, the sooner it will fail.

The other thing you can do is to check the amount wear on your strings where they rub on the frets. If it is significant, you may notice some buzzing or intonation issues, or they may sound dull or clunky. When that shows up, it’s time to replace them. At $25 a set or there about there is a cost factor to consider for sure but for most not cost prohibitive.
 
#27
3 month are about the absolute max you should expect to get out of non coated roundwound strings, and 2 months is probably more common, before they have grown too lifeless to be worthwhile.

That said some actually like the tone of dead roundwound strings.

As I don't know your preferences I can't tell you whether you should change them or not.

But I would say it is probably a great idea to swap them out now for a new pair regardless, to find out yourself whether you prefer them fresh or dead.
 
#30
I’ve got SIT Nickel Foundations on my Yamaha TRBX beater, I still like the sound after a year of use. If you are happy with the sound of what you have then resist the urge to change. However, if you want to try different strings to see how you like them or change the sound of your bass then you have many choices. Good luck.
 
#32
NotHereNow said:
Should I change my strings? Current strings are about 3 months old with daily playing. DR Hi-Beams 45-105. This was my first experience with DR strings, and I enjoyed playing this set. Feel free to drop your favorite string recommendations as well if you think it’s time for a change. Rock on!
Click to expand...
Depends on what sound you want.

If you like the sound, then keep them. Do nothing.

If you don't like the sound, take them off, boil them, dry them and return them to the bass. The bass will sound and feel so different. And... you haven't spent a dime to try a different sound- IE- the original sound of strings.
 
#33
Mark King changes his strings daily.
James Jamerson had to be forced to change his after 15 years.
I'd go for somewhere between those extremes.
My body chemistry kills Rotosound rounds upon contact, Ernie Ball Slinky in about a month, and seems to have no effect on Fender NPS 7250ML or D'Addario Chromes. What your ears hear, and what your chemistry does to strings is for you to experiment with. Good luck.
 
#35
Never had a problem with boiling strings that are SS. Threads may unravel but other than that, they've always sounded great afterwards. After boiling & drying, I always lubed `em up also. No rust or any other problems. My experience after 40 years of playing and being the tight-a** I am.
 
#37
Round wound strings (We'll leave flats out of this, or we'll get arguments) all follow the same shaped curve in terms of their brightness. Initially, they are their brightest, but some of that fades quickly. After that, they settle into a long period where they are very stable - they are getting duller, but VERY slowly. At some point, you decide "I'm changing them" because they're fighting you a bit.

So, the real question is: How do you know you have the right strings for you? Unless you're an artist with an unlimited supply of free strings from an endorsement deal, what you want are strings that are (initially) too bright. Maybe even a bit painful. That way, when they settle in, they'll be bright enough for a good long while. If you put a set of strings on, and they sound great out of the pack, you've chosen poorly - when they settle in, they'll be too dull for you, and you'll come on here and complain that they "died quickly". No, they didn't - you just bought the wrong strings.

I have more than one bass. I keep a record of what strings I have on what bass, and when they went on. As I'm rotating basses, I get more life out of a set of strings than I would get if I only had one bass, so that changes things a bit in terms of what is typical, but if I get to where I want to change strings on a bass, and it hasn't been very long, I know I have the wrong strings on that bass, and I'll go to a brighter set of strings.

So, to the OP's question" If they sound good, keep 'em on. If they're dull, change 'em. If they haven't been on very long, and they're dull, get brighter strings. If they've been on a good long while, use the same brand and model again.
 
#38
i hate new string sound, but if you like it, changing your strings frequently is the way to go.

my husband is a guitar player, and he used to change his strings (extra light pure blues) every week to keep the sound he wanted.
 
#39
NotHereNow said:
Should I change my strings? Current strings are about 3 months old with daily playing. DR Hi-Beams 45-105. This was my first experience with DR strings, and I enjoyed playing this set. Feel free to drop your favorite string recommendations as well if you think it’s time for a change. Rock on!
Click to expand...
Well...
In my world, there are only 2 reasons to change strings:
1. I get an overpowering urge to try different strings on a particular bass;
2. The strings don't want to stay in tune for very long, and/or they don't want to intonate. Which means they're about to DIE, and need to be replaced with a new set, muy pronto. Which might be a good excuse for #1 above, too...
Yeah, I know that most round wound players change their strings when the new wears off - and call those strings "dead". They actually are not "Dead"; they're "broken in" - and sound like they're supposed to sound. Until they get to #2 above. But, they're not my strings - and it's not my money... I only have one bass - out of 27 - that wears rounds; TI Jazz Rounds on a Gretsch Broadkaster. All but 2 of the rest (tapes), wear flats. Which mostly sound like :poop: when they're new. And, when they're broken in? Well, the Fender 9050L's on one of my Dano DC59 Pros are at least 15 years old - and still sound good. The TI Jazz Flats on my Alembic Epic are almost as old; I'll probably die before those things do. And, those TI Jazz Rounds are at least 6 years old; I imagine they'll last almost as long as the Jazz Flats will...
So; bottom line? Change your strings if you want to try something else. Which strings? I dislike rounds - a lot; in 50+ years of playing bass, I've played flats about 98% of the time. I'm not the person to recommend other rounds, although I have played - and liked - GHS hex-core Bass Boomers. And, the TI Jazz Rounds... Flats? Whole 'nother story...;)
 

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