On the subject of bass strings changing...

[GreyDad]

I wonder how much pull it takes to damage a bass string...

In 30 years of playing I've snapped two bass strings... each time slapping (well, technically, popping)

 

[keko]

I have a brand new bass, so strings change can wait for a while , but I can explain my way of strings changing on previous basses.

Well, I always start from hugest string to thinner one by one, that means remove for example E string on 4 stringer, measure length with old string to the new one and cut the new one on the same length. Than I put the new one and tune it by the ear with other old strings on!

Than I repeat that with other strings, one by one, and at the end tune whole bass with digital chromatic tuner!

And that's all folks!
Simple as that , quick, not disturbing neck setup and tension ...etc.

You can do that during the break in session set, and bass stays in tune and is ready for use at that moment!

 

[drTStingray]

I used to stretch the strings but don't bother anymore - except the B string on my Stingray 5 - I occassionally give that string a good tug and then re-tune. However it's had flats on it for about 18 months, so they may be getting a little worn.

 

[MingusBASS]

Regardless of your thoughts on stretching strings, everyone out there should pick up an Ernie Ball Power Peg. I purchased one last week and changed the strings on three of my basses and it made the process much faster than using a standard peg winder.

Ernie Ball | Products

 

[phatduckk]

i change em one at a time or all at once... depends on my mood. then ill toss on the new strings, tune em and play.

ill stretch guitar strings but not bass strings. works for my stainless steel slinkys

 

[Psychicpet]

Partial Pictorial

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Regardless of your thoughts on stretching strings, everyone out there should pick up an Ernie Ball Power Peg. I purchased one last week and changed the strings on three of my basses and it made the process much faster than using a standard peg winder.

Ernie Ball | Products

+1

 

[kylierider]

Never streched my strings or used a winder. I'm picky about having my winding even. So I put them on nice and slow.

I put them on tune them up, let the bass sit a little, tune again. Always fine.

I use flats so string changing does not happen too often.

 

[ZiggyDude]

Is this one of those things like what pants leg do you put on first?

I don't stretch. A couple of snaps maybe. Just tune and prune. I wind from the top down.

Now - how many boils strings from time to time?

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Is this one of those things like what pants leg do you put on first?

I don't stretch. A couple of snaps maybe. Just tune and prune. I wind from the top down.

Now - how many boils strings from time to time?

Well you're right, stretching strings is a very personal view point, I just became puzzled by a freind luthier who told me that thanks to new technology in high precision winding of bass strings, specially those brands with hexa-core etc, that strings are now so much better built that to stretch them can cause them a shorter life. And I was wondering if BP could shed some light on the verification of this theory.

Oh and as for boiling strings there is a thread as long as my arm somewhere, the geist of it is that boling strings is a waste of time you can remove grime but you can't reshape an ovalized string, and the effect of the boilng "apparent" clean sound only last 10 min and strings will sound dead again.

 

[CFA]

I wish I had of thought of this when I got my Bongo... I would have loved to have boiled those strings just to see what would happen

They were starting to rust... so I somehow don't think that boiling would have saved them