Using old strings?

[Oratorio]

Hey TB, I got a quick question.

I just recently bought a set of Thomastik-Infeld flats and I really like them. But I'm currently doing two gigs this weekend where I need a rock sound, so I have to switch to Rotosound rounds, which I've already done.

Now, I've kept my flats which was only on my bass for a week, cause a friend of mine told me I could put them back on when the rounds were eaten up and it would sound okay. Probably not great, but okay. Is this true? You see, I'm on a budget and all, so yeah. Thank you very much TB!

 

[Mushroo]

They will sound just fine--why wouldn't they?

 

[Oratorio]

I was thinking that taking off strings and putting them back on later was a no-no..

 

[StyleOverShow]

I was thinking that taking off strings and putting them back on later was a no-no..

Can't think of a reason why? The metal is design to be stressed and stretched a bit. Re-tensioned the strings shouldn't be out of their operation envelope's limits.

 

[EclecticElectrk]

yea i have heard you shouldnt reuse strings, but 20 bucks a pack and i have 3 basses? yea right. sometimes when i restring one of my basses, if the set i just took off are newer then the ones ive got on another bass, ill change them up. maybe its not the greatest thing but it sounds ok. i use DR roundwounds

 

[BillyRay]

It's a myth, plain and simple. I've seen guitarists slap light gauge strings from one guitar to the other without any difference in tone.

Strings don't age 10 years once you take them off an instrument. The only thing that might happen is that they are difficult to put back on if the ends are too short or too crimped, but if you know how to change strings, this won't happen.

 

[Cthulhulahoop]

Yeah, I keep all my strings when I change them. There was a case when i had to break out the O.G. strings that use to be on my guitar (about 5 years old) and the held up for along time, I think they're still on it.

 

[dropbass]

i when i was poor (when wasnt I?lol)ive boiled bass strings to get all the skin, oil and stuff out . it will make them brighter like new for a bit . and reused them... they are only coiled metal wires that get streched and dirty.. i do keep a set of lightly used rotosound flats around to put on the P bass if i need the tone for a session...seem to be fine...usually the slap gig or heavy rock is where ill actulaly hit so hard the string will over strecth and then its really thuddy and dead like night and day to the others...sorrry i rant