i bought a very cheap bass a year ago and haven't changed the strings yet.. they are rusty and filthy. Will changing the strings make things better?? Bacause i am conserned i might have a problem with both my arms because of the uncomfortable playing and the old strings. Enlighten me please
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String changed in quite a while.....
- Thread starter PR_Bass
- Start date
Rusty strings will eat the fretboard as well as the frets. 
Replace them by a good brand, so they won't rust again. Treat your bass like it were your child.
Replace them by a good brand, so they won't rust again. Treat your bass like it were your child.
If you have been playing for a year, you shouldn't be having arm pain. You might talk to a teacher, or another bass player to check you playing techniques. Of course you should change strings if they are rusty. Did you really have to ask?? And BTW, get a tetanus shot while you're at it. 
If you're "getting stuck" while playing runs, it's probably because of the rust.
If the strings feel higher off the neck and hard to press down, the bass most likely went out of whack from changes in humidity and temperature over the past year.
Definitely change the strings and then do a setup or have one done.
If the strings feel higher off the neck and hard to press down, the bass most likely went out of whack from changes in humidity and temperature over the past year.
Definitely change the strings and then do a setup or have one done.
There are a zillion strings to choose from. Gauge (diameter) and type (flat, round, etc) are more important than brand.
I use Ken Smith Nickel Plated Medium-Light Bass Burners. They're round wound.
What kind of bass is it, and what kind of strings are on there now? You could go ahead and put your Warwicks on there if they are the right size.
I use Ken Smith Nickel Plated Medium-Light Bass Burners. They're round wound.
What kind of bass is it, and what kind of strings are on there now? You could go ahead and put your Warwicks on there if they are the right size.
Go for it. Put the Warwicks on. Then do a setup (Adjust trussrod, bridge saddle height and intonation). If you don't know how to do that, read up on it or take it to a shop. It should cost under $25.
This is all preference... I haven't changed my strings in 6 years, and there are some people who change every couple weeks.
That's what I'm saying... I haven't bought strings in 6 years. Some people change theirs out every couple weeks.
PR_Bass said:
Not all strings will rust if kept well. But most rounds will go dead between roughly 1 month to 2-3 months.
On my Geddy Jazz bass which I like to keep with sharp and bright tone I'll change strings each 1-2 months. On my p-bass were I like the warmer tone I'll change a bit later, 3-5 months. On my Hofner copy I still have the same strings for over 2 years, the dead strings on this bass is quite ok for it.
I use only nickel plated rounds. I've got also a Westone Thunder 1A fretless with EB flats, but I use this bass seldom.
I play my bass a couple hours per day... I last bought Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings I believe. The older the string, the better, in my opinion. The brightness of new strings is so annoying to me that I basically refuse to buy new strings unless one happens to break (which hasn't happened yet).
I use rounds, but I believe James Jamerson (who used flats, which people think last a lot longer... I've never tried them) never changed his strings once. Or something like that.
i pretty much don't get this. i mean how is this possible? i play a couple hours a day for like 8-9 months and my strings are useless. they rust on the first 7 frets and they are all greasy and changed colour where i play with my right hand! i mean was the quality of my srings so low?????
New strings will certainly improve the sound and playability. Getting action setup correctly for low action will benefit playability a lot as well.
A couple of things...I play flats, which don't really get to the sound I like until you've played them regularly for at least a year. But, I also wipe down my bass, and especially the strings, every single time I play it, if only for a few minutes. The sweat and oils that come from our skin can accelerate the process of oxidization (rust). I also wash my hands well before I pick up my bass.
I keep my bass cased when not playing it, so it is not exposed to sudden changes in temperature and humidity. I also regularly check the action and intonation, and adjust as may be required by the season or conditions.
Everybody I know who plays flats uses their strings for years. The brightness that rounds use after a month or so is never a part of the flat wound sound.
The same goes for tapewounds. I have a set on my Geddy Lee that I've played for three years now, with no plans to change them anytime soon.
