Strings - do you routinely replace?

[Nicko]

My main bass is getting on for a year old, and I've never changed the strings. My other bass had a set up and strings replaced about the same time. On my six string guitars I only really bothered changing strings if I couldn't keep them in tune - normally the unwound ones would get dirty or corroded but on my basses the strings still sound OK. Do you regularly replace strings? Am I just a lazy slob?

[discreet]

Depends. Generally rounds need changing more often than flats, but there are some that like the sound of old rounds. It's a very personal thing and whatever works for you is right. I don't bother unless I want to try a different brand or gauge - which I frequently do - but I have a bass with flats on it that haven't been changed for years and it sounds great.

[Drax]

Everyone has different tastes on the sound - and you'll get a wide variety of answers here.

Depends how much I'm playing, but for the sound and stings I personally like, it's every 8wks or so.

[skywalker]

I have just replaced two year old TI Jazz Flats with new TI Jazz Flats (on a Squier CV Jazz) and the difference is remarkable.

[charic]

Just ordered 3 new sets now I'm back in a gigging band. I don't expect each set to last more than a month to be honest :/

[Cameronj279]

I like really bright sounding roundwounds but I find if I use Elixir strings they tend to sound "fresh" for a good 6 months before I notice any real decrease in sound quality.

When I used other brands though I found myself changing regularly (practically whenever I could afford a new pack of strings). It's all relevant though. If you don't like a less bright zingy sound there's no real need to change strings often.

[nick]

Nickel rounds, about every six months when I feel the intonation or tension maybe going.
Flats, until I break a string or fancy trying something different. About four years now on Sadowsky's, and still sounding good.

Edited February 4, 2015 by nick

[Nicko]

I think what I'm getting at is whether you change because you think you should, not because you've noticed a problem with tone/intonation or bits of festering dead flesh hanging off the old set.

[Coilte]

[quote name='skywalker' timestamp='1423053803' post='2680004']
I have just replaced two year old TI Jazz Flats with new TI Jazz Flats (on a Squier CV Jazz) and the difference is remarkable.
[/quote]

Two year old !!!!?? They have only just broken in. I had TI Flats on my bass for a little longer....ten years.

As has been mentioned, strings are a very personal matter, both in terms of type, brand and when you change them.

I'd gladly take your "old" TI's off of your hands.

I have another bass strung with rounds and I replace those after about four to six months.

[KiOgon]

Routinely? Yes every time I get a bass I always fit a new set of flats & that's it for a very long time.

I like to match my string to the feel of a bass - usually that's GHS Precision Flats 55 - 105 on a P-bass 1&3/4" neck. Status HotWire Flats 45 - 105 on P-bass 1&5/8" neck & TI JF344 43 - 100 on Jazz bass 1&1/2" neck. I love the Nylon Tapewounds on Fretless, GHS or LaBella, (Black or White), 50 - 105.

It's not a strict formula I stick rigidly to - but it works for me & I can't remember last time I replaced a set, I don't play as much as many folks though

[KevB]

If I'm gigging reasonably regularly (still only about 3 times per month for me) then I find I change rounds every 6-8 months as they begin to lose their 'zing' by then.

[discreet]

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1423054359' post='2680018']
I think what I'm getting at is whether you change because you think you should.
[/quote]

Well... I do change them when I think I should, but the answer you're looking for is 'no'.

Edited February 4, 2015 by discreet

[Roland Rock]

About once a year for me. I do it because I think it's about that time. The deterioration in sustain/timbre is a very gradual thing, so it's only when I change them do I really appreciate the difference.

[Paul S]

I usually only change strings if I want to try different ones, rather than because the ones fitted have aged. I've been wavering between flats and rounds for years - I hear and feel the advantages of both so it has largely depended upon what type of band I am in which I have used. Currently I've decided that I want the sound of old rounds that have lost their zing but still more attack than flats, so I'm not changing any of my strings any time soon. Well, not until the band situation changes again, anyway.

[Weststarx]

I dont routinely change my strings I will only change the strings when I feel like my sound doesnt have enough 'Zapp' and 'Zing' and the tone starts to sound boring to me.

[40hz]

Every 3-4 months with D'addario Flexsteels (and Prosteels) I find they keep that fresh sound and feel for that timespan, but then again depends on brand. I find Rotos and Ernie Ball Slinkies die within a week.

Edited February 4, 2015 by 40hz

[Mudpup]

Gigging every weekend and lucky to get 3 gigs and a rehearsal out of a set of most steel rounds. I must have acidic sweat or summat and as soon as they start to dull they have to go.
However, i have recently discovered a new brand that stays lovely and zingy much longer than usual so have switched all my basses in to those. Getting about 5 gigs out of them it seems. Happy days.

Edited February 4, 2015 by Mudpup

[EssentialTension]

I use flatwounds of one kind or another and I only ever change them if I get a new bass or if I want to try a different string.

No strings get thrown away they just move between storage box and bass as and when I fancy it.

[Mr Arkadin]

[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1423067252' post='2680284']
However, i have recently discovered a new brand that stays lovely and zingy much longer than usual so have switched all my basses in to those. Getting about 5 gigs out of them it seems. Happy days.
[/quote]

Is the make a trade secret or summat? Go on, you can tell us, no-one else will know.

Edited February 4, 2015 by Mr Arkadin

[RockfordStone]

i like my strings a little duller, so i usually keep mine on for about 6 months maybe unless i feel they need to be changed

[RhysP]

I only change them when absolutely necessary, which since I stopped gigging is hardly ever.

[JTUK]

I'll change my stainless rounds when they feel off..and that is normally before they go off totally soundwise.
So, in terms of time, that is about 6 weeks, altho cleaned up strings might go earlier.
Once I've cleaned them a few times, I'll throw them out.

[Bigjas]

I have just reached 2 years out of my Elixirs. I gig on average twice a month and rehearse every week for about 4 hours, so they get used a bit. I still like the sound and feel of them, so I'm reluctant to change them just for the sake of it. Although I feel like I should, 2 years seems far too long?

Jas

[SpaceChick]

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1423053873' post='2680007']
I like really bright sounding roundwounds but I find if I use Elixir strings they tend to sound "fresh" for a good 6 months before I notice any real decrease in sound quality.

[/quote]
^
This

I have elixirs that are 6 months old now, and I am noticing they have lost their "zing" and the tension is feeling dodgy, so I will be replacing them once I've got my money from this weeks gig.

My fretless I use flats and they just go on and on and on!!!

[Lozz196]

I like the sound of dead Roto Steel Rounds, so as long as they hold tuning, they stay on my basses as long as possible. I keep tinkering around with flats, but I also prefer the feel of the Rotos under my fingers so Rotos it be.