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Post subject: How often do you change your strings (and other questions)?
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:15 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:12 am
Posts: 212
I am looking to learn more about string usage among bassists: specifically,

1. type of strings (flat,round,tape,etc.)
2. heavy player, or light player (time-wise - hours daily, or 1/2 hour per week, etc.)
3. how often do you change them?
4. Do you clean them with a cleaner/lubricant, or just put it away without a wipedown?
5. Ever had one break on you for no apparent reason (you weren't playing rough, or popping and the thing just snapped during normal use)?

Thanks for your input!!


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:51 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:53 pm
Posts: 53
Location: UK
I like to use roundwounds, rotosound mostly, but i'm looking to try out some flats soon, just for a change.
I don't clean them often, maybe a wipedown every week or so.
I play about 1 and a half hours a day, and change my strings about once every 6 months. the only time one snapped by itself was when i think i tightened it too much at once and when i put it down it just broke.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:09 pm
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Amateur
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Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 9:53 am
Posts: 128
Location: Cheshire, UK
1. [flat] 4 string: Rotosound 45-105
5 string: Ernie Ball 45-130

2. heavy player (2-4 hours a day)

3. I change them weekly but they could last longer

4. I use a "Swipe" card to clean off any fretware and dirt after use but lemon oil on the fretboard when i restring.

5. Never normally but when using old strings or playing the sh*t out of them, than yes.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:57 pm
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:52 pm
Posts: 2588
Location: Out there on the road
1. Flats - D'addario Chromes and Rotosound 77's.
2. Heavy.
3. Never.
4. Very seldom.
5. No, both have been strung-through body also.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:07 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:20 am
Posts: 805
With round-wounds, every recording session.

Live: when the round-wounds loose their zing. This happens a little faster with a contra B. So, I have extra B's for that purpose.

With stainless steel flats, the longer they are on, the better they get.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:32 pm
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:18 pm
Posts: 1921
Location: Upstate, NY
In my punk band I use my 78 Precision strung with Dean Markley Skullbusters. The Misfits sig. strings. They are very gnarly rounds and last me a good 3-4 months.

In my roots rock band I use my 51RI Precision strung with Fender 9050ml Flatwounds...and I never change or clean them.

I have back up P bass that I use when our practice space gets either too hot or cold, it's made up of a mix of CIJ parts, on an MIM body. I string that with EB Regular Slinky's, and they last me a good 6 months or more.
With that set up the bass can pull double duty for either band.

The basic "rule" is that when they stop playing, or sounding like you want them to...change 'em.

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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:05 pm
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:31 pm
Posts: 42
In a week or so I'm moving back to Rotosound Swing Bass '66 strings, standard guage. I play from an hour to two hours a day, but I have really dry hands and I typically don't sweat up at all during that time. I do wash my hands before I play though, and whipe the strings down thoroughly after each practice set.

I play with a soft touch, never slap, and I imagine I'll change them every month or so, probably more often when my bands starts getting gigs (...). Never broken a bass guitar string in my life.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:11 pm
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:50 pm
Posts: 1
I play flatwounds on my P Bass and round wounds on my Jazz Bass. I like the flatwounds to play blues and jazz...seems the tone more closely resembles a stand up bass. The J Bass is used for rock, hard rock and I like the ability to get more tone and harmonics from the round wounds. I play about an hour a day, generally wipe down after playing. The flatwounds get changed about twice a year, the round wounds about 4 times a year. For what it's worth, flatwounds are much easier on a fretless neck (which I sometimes use)


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