Played bass few times in 3 years - when do I change my strings?

[Chrisbassboy5]

Hi All, 

 

I have an Ibanez SR655NTF and have a 5 string set of expensive flat round bass strings (Thomastic-Infeld roundwound jazz). I have played the bass for a few times in 3 years, never gigged (bedroom practice for a few mins only, maybe 10 mins ocassionally. The strings were £80 quid so reluctant to replace unless necessary? This might be a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question but should I replace them as I want to play more now.

 

what should I be looking at to see if they are dead?

 

The strings were top of the range ones and reputed to last a few years before replacement…. I’m stuck. Any advice appreciated. 
 

cheers Chris

Edited October 30, 2021 by Chrisbassboy5
Typo

[Trueno]

I wouldn’t change them.

[naxos10]

With flats you will probably never need to replace them😁

[Chrisbassboy5]

1 minute ago, naxos10 said:

With flats you will probably never need to replace them😁

Really? Really surprised, why would that be?

[Reggaebass]

Imo, flats get better with with time and mellow nicely, I never change mine unless I sell the bass and then I take them off and fit them to the new one 🙂

[naxos10]

It's due to their construction. Being made from flat metal they do not attract dirt into the windings like roundwound so last longer.

There are many stories of pro bass players not changing flatwounds for years, decades even.

[Chrisbassboy5]

Wow, the B string sounded a bit deader than the others hence the post. cheers all. Lot of £ to replace so hesitant to do on a 5 unless necessary. Believe the string make are pukka so should also last longer.. 

Edited October 30, 2021 by Chrisbassboy5

[Reggaebass]

What strings are they 🙂

[Chrisbassboy5]

1 minute ago, Reggaebass said:

What strings are they 🙂

Did have the packet but misplaced  just now.. are the Thomastic Infeld. 

Edited October 30, 2021 by Chrisbassboy5
Update

[Chrisbassboy5]

15 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Imo, flats get better with with time and mellow nicely, I never change mine unless I sell the bass and then I take them off and fit them to the new one 🙂

Lol, jeez. Unbelievable as you hear all the time about the need to change strings regularly….

[Chrisbassboy5]

16 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Imo, flats get better with with time and mellow nicely, I never change mine unless I sell the bass and then I take them off and fit them to the new one 🙂

Played upright/double bass so hate the cheese grater strings most put on. 

[Reggaebass]

Just now, Chrisbassboy5 said:

Did have the packet but misplaced  just now.. are the Thomastic Infeld. 

They are really great strings, if you’re happy with flatwounds , don’t change them 

[Chrisbassboy5]

Just now, Reggaebass said:

They are really great strings, if you’re happy with flatwounds , don’t change them 

Will look for the box and update, loft visit tomorrow! Watch this space…

[hooky_lowdown]

The great James Jamerson played only one set of flatwounds, never changed them. He did alright!?!? 🤣

[hooky_lowdown]

Folks who like super bright round wounds are the ones who change strings most regularly, flatwounds if wiped down now and again, or never if you thats your thing can just let it be. Flatwounds get better with age!

[EssentialTension]

If you are going to change the strings, then many people here will volunteer to take the old ones off your hands.

 

But the usual advice from flatwound users is don't change them.

[Reggaebass]

I change my strings regularly, once in 1984 then again in 2004 😁

[EssentialTension]

I had a set of Thomastik flats on a Precision bass for nigh on ten years and then I broke the A string. 🥴

 

The replacement never sounded the same. 😕

[Lozz196]

30 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

I change my strings regularly, once in 1984 then again in 2004 😁

Wastrel, plenty of life still left in those!

[Reggaebass]

27 minutes ago, EssentialTension said:

I broke the A string.

 I’ve never broke a string before, I had something fall against my jazz  and put a Nick in a couple , so I had to change them 

 

5 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Wastrel, plenty of life still left in those!

your right Lozz 👍

[Chrisbassboy5]

1 hour ago, hooky_lowdown said:

Folks who like super bright round wounds are the ones who change strings most regularly, flatwounds if wiped down now and again, or never if you thats your thing can just let it be. Flatwounds get better with age!

When played double bass we wiped down with old aftershave as it dries quick, what would you suggest?

[Chrisbassboy5]

59 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

I change my strings regularly, once in 1984 then again in 2004 😁

Omfg!

[hooky_lowdown]

1 minute ago, Chrisbassboy5 said:

When played double bass we wiped down with old aftershave as it dries quick, what would you suggest?

Baby wipes work perfectly well. 👍

[Boodang]

1 hour ago, Chrisbassboy5 said:

Lol, jeez. Unbelievable as you hear all the time about the need to change strings regularly….

Players change roundwounds regularly as they can lose their top end quite quickly. Flatwounds don't have so much top end so not really an issue.

[Chrisbassboy5]

1 hour ago, EssentialTension said:

If you are going to change the strings, then many people here will volunteer to take the old ones off your hands.

 

But the usual advice from flatwound users is don't change them.

Incredible to not have to change them, why the hell don’t others do the same? Guess cos of the sound they want although so much more expensive in the long run to do that eh?..