All my basses have strings that are at least 5 years old. I have some new sets around but I am too lazy to take the time and change them. Current strings still stay in tune, no corrosion and they sound great, without the clanky zing of new strings that I don’t like.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
String change !!
- Thread starter revd
- Start date
If you like that “old string” sound …… why change them ? Do they get to a point that they stop going “dead” and just hold ? I change my strings I’ll say, very often and for sure before every show so I really don’t know. So unless your changing because they might break then …….. I’m not judging anyone on their likes on gear or how they use it, just wondering.
When I was a kid, mom used to say...
Always put on fresh strings 'cause you never know when you might get a gig. You don't want them to see your dirty strings do you?
At least I think that was it?
Always put on fresh strings 'cause you never know when you might get a gig. You don't want them to see your dirty strings do you?
At least I think that was it?
Yes! Do your thing man.
New string day is always a good day. I know a lot of guys have suggested flats. If you ever get the urge to experiment pressure wounds get a good medium between snappy new and broken in. They are a little bit roundwound and little bit flatwound. Just the same if you already know what you like stick with that.
New string day is always a good day. I know a lot of guys have suggested flats. If you ever get the urge to experiment pressure wounds get a good medium between snappy new and broken in. They are a little bit roundwound and little bit flatwound. Just the same if you already know what you like stick with that.
If he changed an aged buttercream bass to tapewounds would it have been a Deep Banana Blackout?
I change mine every 3 months if not sooner, I love the zing of new strings....I can’t stand the sound of old lifeless ones, but based on what I see around here I’m in the minority on that one LOL
Yes, you are allowed to change them. I hope it improved your tone. If they are too bright, just dim the tone (amp and or bass) until they mellow out a bit.
On the average, I go through a set of rounds somewhere around 75 to 100 hours of play time. I get a lot more time out of them just practicing at home than on a gigs. On most recording sessions unless they are fairly new, I install a new set. That averages about 10 sets a year.
Enjoy.
I used to be all about changing strings on the regular, but the older I get, the more I like the sound of really dead strings. Still, it’s good to do it if you haven’t done it yet just to get a new perspective on the tones you can get.
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,796
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
I get 9 months to a year out of a set of strings. But that' s only because I spread the use among a few basses. If I only had one bass, it'd be 3 months - maybe.
I change strings on my 5-string reluctantly, because I liked the sound of the strings, Dunlop Marcus Miller's Super Brights even after some time.
Put the new set on and it still had that sound, full and clear but not too bright.
Put the new set on and it still had that sound, full and clear but not too bright.
that’s because your ears are shot and you can’t hear the crisp bright sound of new strings… LOL
Last edited:
Any of you ever tried the boiling water "trick" to restore life to older strings?
I was a huge skeptic for the first fourteen years of my life as a bass player but finally tired it last summer... and couldn't believe how happy I was with the results. It's saving me a lot of money on strings.
Jeez!!
I was a huge skeptic for the first fourteen years of my life as a bass player but finally tired it last summer... and couldn't believe how happy I was with the results. It's saving me a lot of money on strings.
Jeez!!
I practice 1-3 hours a day and gig 1-3 times a week. I change strings on my primary bass ~every 4-6 weeks. 45-100 Boomers. I like the way new strings sound. The harmonics come out better and the intonation stays better. 
