How often do you change your strings?

[Mr Fudge]

It's a Father Ted reference. I think the original answer was probably a fridge.

[Jase]

I'm not getting involved with you, last time I did my eyes were like piss holes in the snow.

[MythSte]

I use elixirs, so never

[ARGH]

Every 6 gigs,regardless of state,I break strings like no-ones business.

Its metal.....PUNISH YOUR FEEBLE INSTRUMENT!

[rhino]

I change mine when I have had to drastically alter the EQ settins on my amp.

Use a string cleaner regularly and boil them in vinegar & water. (once is usually enough)


Rhino.

[Sarah5string]

Thanks everyone I don't think any of the replies have been useless at all, completely the opposite. It's great to see that it really is a case of personal choice. Think I'm going to change the strings on my Dean on sunday and see how it goes.
Cheers guys!

[phil_the_bassist]

[quote name='kevbass' post='269851' date='Aug 25 2008, 10:41 PM']If you have two basses why not have one that you dont change the strings on and one bass that you do change them on, that way you have a bass to call upon if you want a mellow'd softer sound![/quote]

It's probably a bit late, but I've not changed the strings on my SUB5 in 3 years (and it's got a heavyassed set of rotosounds on, great for Motown) whereas my 'Ray I changed to EB Superslinkys about 6 months ago and they've just started to bed in nicely now.

[stingrayfan]

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='269850' date='Aug 25 2008, 10:40 PM']As you may have gathered from the useless replies you have received so far - its up to you to decide when to change them.[/quote]
Thank you Simon Cowell.

[OutToPlayJazz]

Obviously, depends on how much you play. I change strings when the nice clean "zing" has gone. Sometimes a couple of months, sometimes after 3 gigs.

[Dubs]

at least once a month...possibly more if I'm playing a lot of gigs :brow:

[Adrenochrome]

[quote name='Sarah5string' post='269811' date='Aug 25 2008, 09:52 PM']I keep my strings fast fretted regularly and it keeps them clean and in good nick. [/quote]

+1 and I only change them when they break or are completely worn.

[CHRISDABASS]

[quote name='ste_m3' post='269949' date='Aug 26 2008, 01:41 AM']I use elixirs, so never [/quote]


ive been a very happy elixir user for about 5 years!! tried some on my NYC sadowsky.........did not like the tone at all!!

sounded dead!!

when compared with the sadowsky blue label steels the elixirs dont come anywhere near!! it was almost like having earplugs in when listening to my bass tone with them coated things on!! put the blue labels back on.........WOW!! AMAZING!!


so now i'll probably be changing my strings once every 3 weeks to a month but hey the sads are way, way cheaper than elixirs!

[chris_b]

John Entwistle used to put a new set of strings on for his pre-gig warm-up, and then put another new set on for the gig! Bernard Edwards and James Jamerson never changed strings unless they broke! Ideally you should aim to be somewhere in between.

[Bay Splayer]

i change them after about 3 or 4 months

i dont boil them

soak them in meths for a day, wipe dry, sound as good as new

try this link for tips [url="http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/bass_guitar_strings_faq.html"]http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/bass_gui...trings_faq.html[/url]

[bass_ferret]

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='269850' date='Aug 25 2008, 10:40 PM']As you may have gathered from the useless replies you have received so far - its up to you to decide when to change them.[/quote]

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='270032' date='Aug 26 2008, 09:50 AM']Thank you Simon Cowell. [/quote]
Well it is a bit like asking how often we change our pants - but I dont wear them that high

[Rodders]

Every 2 years unless i break one

[escholl]

about once a season (every 3 months) but hopefully these status roundcore's will last about 6. after about 3 months, strings just sound horrible to me, but i think it may be to my ultra corrosive hands....where most people take a week to get the "zing" of off strings, i can do it in an hour

[Jase]

I love zingy, loud ringing strings, so I change them after every 2, maybe 3 gigs. I used to be quite obsessive about it.

[WarPig]

Not very often at the moment (no band ), back when i was gigging it was usually every 3 months

[johnnylager]

[quote name='uptonmark' post='270183' date='Aug 26 2008, 12:57 PM']try this link for tips [url="http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/bass_guitar_strings_faq.html"]http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/bass_gui...trings_faq.html[/url][/quote]
What an excellent idea, ta.

[lukeward2004]

Since switching to Elixir Nanowebs about 2 years ago, once a year seems about right. I do find that they only start to sound good after about a month or two of regular playing wear though.

As with anything in music - go with your ears!

[Protium]

Approximately every 3 months or after a few gigs when I need some extra "zing".

[lowhand_mike]

[quote name='lukeward2004' post='271338' date='Aug 27 2008, 09:27 PM']Since switching to Elixir Nanowebs about 2 years ago, once a year seems about right. I do find that they only start to sound good after about a month or two of regular playing wear though.

As with anything in music - go with your ears![/quote]

yep same here, and even when the coating starts to come off you have a good couple of months in them, like normal strings really. certainly worth the extra moola

[NeonMig]

I play loads, so every month or so is what I should do, but in reality I change them like every 3 months.

Money, I don't has it.

[alexclaber]

As infrequently as possible. I don't like the new string sound but I've noticed that after a year or two, depending on the amount of playing, roundwound strings rapidly die by losing their sustain and getting rather boomy sounding. Having a bass with a very stiff neck, hard fingerboard and stainless steel frets means I don't need a fresh string to get a bright sound when I want one.

Alex