When to replace round wounds

[Jeff Hughes]

Save the old ones in case you don’t like the fresh set.

Bass strings can be swapped pretty easily.

 

[LowendG]

I'm a big "old dead roundwounds" guy like some other folks here, but if I'm taking a bass to my tech for a long-overdue setup, or a new-to-me bass, I almost always have him set it up with a fresh set of strings. After that I never change 'em unless I absolutely have to!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

As an engineer, dead strings can be annoying.
If you put brand new strings and aged strings through an analyzer, the new strings have content that the olds don't. Some older strings don't just get duller, they actually completely lose top end. As in gone gone. And once its gone, you can't put it back no matter how much eq you use. You can't boost something that isn't there...

Agreed. Thanks for posting.

 

[QuinnyB]

So I ended up watching a few videos and doing a basic adjustment myself. The action is way better now. I just kept the stings on for now. The sound isn’t too bad, and it’s not like I’m going to be gigging or recording anything with the bass anytime soon. I’ll put some new ones on when I’m not broke ‍ “shrug”
Thanks for all the replies!

 

[GIBrat51]

First post here, hopefully I don’t embarrass myself too much

So I picked up my bass for the first time a while and I’ve been practicing with it for a few weeks and taking up some lessons again. It really needs the action adjusted so I’m planning on taking it in for an overall setup/adjustment.

My question is should I replace the round wounds with new strings? I initially thought “definitely” but I’ve been hearing a lot about how “dead” older roundwounds can be appealing. And these are older! I played it a lot in 2012-2014 and only played intermittently until now and never changed the strings I’ve only heard before about flatwounds aging nicley, so I’m not sure if these are WAAAY over due or if they have character now. Thoughts? Please go easy on me…

I personally like roundwound strings that are "well worn in" but not "worn out".

You should replace them when...

1. They start to sound dull and lifeless to your ears. You be the judge as to what sounds good and not so good.
   
2. They are harder to keep in tune.
3. They don't intonate properly. Notes start to be either sharp or flat even when open strings are in tune.

You're talking about roundwound strings that are 10-12 yrs old. I would say change them and start fresh.

Well...
If you like playing round wounds? Then, I'd have to agree with michael_t's advice.
But, if you're like me - someone who's played flat wounds almost exclusively since learning to play in 1968, on a Rick 4001 - with it's factory flats? You should replace them with flats, about 5 minutes after you finish your function check on any new-to-you bass...

 

[hasbeen]

IMHO, it's really up to you (OP) as to what tone you're after. For me, on fretted basses, I change the strings out after about 12 hours of play. On fretless, which I also use rounds on, I can get MUCH more than that. So much more, that I can't really tell you how many hours.