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New Strings
Sat, 01/01/2011 - 11:40pm
I just restrung the Yamaha TRB 5 string with a fresh set of DR Flatwounds.
Question: How often does everyone change strings on their sticks? With guitars I would go from once every 3-4 months on a guitar that I was playing regularly, to once a year on one that didn't get regular playtime. but strings for guitars ranged from $5. for a set of Martin bronze strings for my Ovation to $14 at the high end for the DR Rare Earth set that goes on my Guild 12.
Now I'm looking at $35 / set for the DR Black Beauties on my Fender to the Yamaha's flatwounds were $45 for the set.
I picked up a replacment set for the fender but havent installed them. They still sound good & I wipe them down after I play. What's typical for bass string changeout?
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 1:26am
#2
depends
depends on the stick, the desired tone, etc. My six string has a custom set of ultra lite strings... tapping and chordal usage mainly... my fiver has a beast set of Rotos on it... drop tuned A C G C F#.... my four wire is right in the middl of the road standard tuning and the strings on there are close to 4 years old! They sound GREAT! Big time thumpaliciousness. My acoustic 4 wire though has a brand new set of bronze stock strings on them... don't hate them... just can't wait for them to get gunked up and lose the twinge of new strings.
I know cats who change their strings less often, some who change them before a gig, some who change them with every paycheck! It really depends on what it is you are going for in terms of sound, feel, tone, etc...
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 8:31am
#3
I use the med gague Dean
I use the med gague Dean markley Blue Steel cryo activated strings , at 45 a set its not an option to change all the time , I can usually bet on every 2 months or sooner , i have a habit of tone bending second string a lot and tend to snap that string occasionally
Sun, 01/02/2011 - 9:07pm
#4
You might not ever change
You might not ever change those flatwounds. Viva la flats.
When I was playing hard, loud, fast, and often, I changed strings about once a month. They were deader than dead, though.
Now, I rotate basses and rather enjoy a dead roundwound sound so I change, maybe, once a year. Maybe.
You'll know. For me, it's when they quit responding and feel like rubber bands.
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 4:11pm
#5
I''ve been well into the
I''ve been well into the cooiling them up and slinging them into a sandwich tub of methalated spirits (possibly denatured alcohol on other side of the pond). Few days in there, shake them off, air them outside and they are bright again, as the finger jam has dissolved out, and it doesn't mess with the temper/corrode like boiling. Eventually the tuning peg ends break though.
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i don't really have a time frame on my strings, it really depends on how they sound and feel. Once they start sounding very dull and worn down then I'll go ahead and change them. If i've got a show coming up, I'll change them just about a week out so they'll have some time to break in yet still sound pretty bright.
All you have to do to be original is to actually have the balls to be yourself. Let it come out and it will come out differently. It is not hard to be original; it is fear that keeps us from being original. ~Oteil Burbridge