How often do youchange strings?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Atwork
  • Start date Start date
sting changes on my basses...

Hmm...I change 'em when I feel like it. The cool thing about my basses is that they can sit out of or in the case for weeks, or months, stay in toon, and sound good. I usually change them when they start to sound dull and boring to me. One of my basses occasionally breaks a string...then it's time. A set of strings can last me over 6 months, especially the 2 4-stringers, since I play the 5-string far more often!

I tell you, no matter how old these strings are, they sound pretty hot when I record direct!

Tom Kemp
 
When a string breaks, that's Gods way of telling you it's time to by more.

Do what God sez, or there'll be trouble.
 
Well........ strings are like underware......when momma said change your underware..... she didnt mean with your brother....So if you play often you will reconize the signs..they will slowly stop stretching...I play every day...so once a month is nice.. some guitars I dont play all the time much less. The best tips I can give you with strings is: Winding them. Wind them and make sure its at least 3x on the bottom E {guitar} and more on others....but knot overlaping the winds {they should stack nice} this will make the stretch last longer and hold better.. another tip was already mentioned was to use them 2 days before recording to allow them to "seat". ..I believe when they boil them....that this is a way to soften the steel. And when putting a guitar away for awhile ...tune it down ...this will preserve the guitar better/longer..
 
......really?.......well.......gee whizz...........i never thought of it that way.
 
Just a little tip, which I ignored to my chagrin. Take the strings off of the guitar before boiling them. Easy to forget.
 
Just a little tip, which I ignored to my chagrin. Take the strings off of the guitar before boiling them. Easy to forget.
Click to expand...
My God! Do you guys think maybe that's how the headstock on my Martin snapped off????
:eek:
 
records4u said:
Well........ strings are like underware......when momma said change your underware..... she didnt mean with your brother....
Click to expand...

Exactly. As you change your underwear before it gets crusty and you develop a rash, you should also change your strings before they get crusty and break.

New strings add so much to brightness, clarity, and sustain.
 
I hate to record with new strings because if you go to re-record a part a week later, you have to change them again to get close to the tone....and im too much of a cheapskate for that....so i change them if one breaks or if it just doesnt stay in tune......
 
Gidge said:
I hate to record with new strings because if you go to re-record a part a week later, you have to change them again to get close to the tone
Click to expand...

Gidge, get it right the first time, and you won't have this problem...
:D
 
i don't know...but...if your crazy enough to actually boil bass strings, i would say to boil them until they're tender and the juices run clear.
 
I totally suck at guitar lately so there is no getting it right...i just settle for close enough......
 
Gidge said:
I totally suck at guitar lately so there is no getting it right...i just settle for close enough......
Click to expand...

I have been having that problem with Drums...... Im usually good, but this past week, Im so lazy.... If I hit a snare to early or late, I just say screw it!... I will fix it in Pro Tools....

I don't really like doing that,, I like to have the performance there....

Must be the holidays....:)
 
(for guitar) in the old days when gigs were 6 nights of the week, i'd change my strings every 3 nights (2wice a week) if i am gonna try recording, it makes sense to change them the night before and play for a couple of hours to stretch them out....... records4u hit a good note on winding a guitar.....somebody up there said they changed there flat top strings before recording, which is my taste also. make sense eh....as a guitar player, i'd never boil my strings or my guitar, lol, but it does make sense for the money pinching bass player, the bass strings cost big bucks!!! but i'd never recommend sacrificing tone so don't get me wrong on that. merry christmas eveyone.
 
I don't think God wants you to boil your strings, but if you do don't forget the oregano. Might spice up your playing.

BTW: Boiling water is very hot, so please, please be carefull!
 
I always restring when Ihave a gig, or record. But I try to get the best deal on strings I can.

I bought some electric and acoustic strings at http://www.stringthis.com/ for about $2.25 a set in bulk.

If anyone knows of better deals on the net, I would be interested.

Happy holidays.
 
I can hear my strings die after about 3 hours of tracking. I hate it.
 
Slackmaster2K said:
I change strings when they start to sound or feel bad...simple as that!

Slackmaster 2000
Click to expand...

Amen.

(or if one breaks I will change them all too.)
 
A better alternative than subjecting the bass strings to heat by boiling is to use a 25/75 mix of white vinegar and water. Leave the strings in it overnight. In the morning the mineral deposits and oils that get trapped in the windings have been broken down. After a good rinsing with cold water, hang them to dry, and you have your harmonics back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top