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Bongo 2026 Collection

String change conundrum

adouglas

adouglas

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Aug 12, 2005
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On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
Bored waiting for the next post in the "Sell a kid" thread, so I've got a question for you all, prompted by my semiannual string change (got a brandy-new set of Reg. Slinkys on Da Bongo, and it's a happy bass).

I've heard two things about changing strings:

1) You should take the opportunity to clean and oil your fretboard.
2) You should change one string at a time, or at least avoid removing all the strings at once, because (I guess) only removing one string at a time will keep tension on the neck...which is (I guess) a good idea for some reason or another.

I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but it strikes me that these two directives are contradictory.

So, what's the "right" way to do this?

Strikes me that it doesn't matter a whole heck of a lot if you take tension off the neck by removing all the strings. This thing isn't Waterford crystal or anything.
 
While I wouldn't cut all the strings off at once, taking them all off one after another will not be the death of your bass, especially if you loosen the truss rod a little bit beforehand (although it may not even be necessary).

I restring most of my guitars with all the strings off, and if I had a bass I would do it the same way. No problems yet after hundreds of string changes and setups.
 
Hmmm...

Interesting question to pose. I usually take all of the strings off in order to clean and condition the neck... No problems here... At least none I've been able to detect... My intonation needed to be adjusted last month when I changed my strings last... But that's a separate issue... Right? :confused:
 
Step 1: Loosen all strings

Step 2: Cut-off all strings

Step 3: Clean/treat body & neck

Step 4: Install new strings


Generally, this is all I do when installing a new set of the same brand/gauge strings.

Just me...
 
I change my strings about once a month. I generally loosen, pull out all of them, clean fretboard, restring... never had any problems.
 
I change 'em one at a time. If the board looks dirty I'll take 'em all off and clean it.

Cleaning a rosewood board once a month seems a little pointless to me unless you sweat that profusely or don't wash your hands very often.

But then I do understand that as long as you have the strings off.......why not?
 
I was once told by someone at EBMM customer service it was NOT recommended to take all off at once???? I always want to but refrain in doing so:confused:
 
When I restrung my SR5 with Slinkys I removed the old strings entirely. I then made a 1/4 turn adjustment on the truss rod wheel (although I've heard you are supposed to do this with full tension?!) and put the new strings on. The funny thing is, I did not have to adjust the intonation as it was dead on. I did lower the action a tad and the neck just has a slight bit of relief. I should have treated the fingerboard but was not sure what to use. What do you guys use?
 
Just to make it even more confusing: When the fretboard is dry and the strings are due for swapping, I loosen them all and then loosen the truss rod completely. Seems to work, but... well, wat do i no durdurdurrrr :p
 
Weheeell

If you change strings once every second year, You'll prolly want to clean and oil the fret board as well, and then you'll obviously want to take all the strings off at once.
But the neck will bow quite some way (unless you loosen the TR), and while I do not think that it is a problem in itself, it's not something I'd want to do if I had a gig in an hour.
When adjusting intonation from flat I detune about half a turn, just so the saddle can move more easily.
I cut strings, nowadays between the pick ups (Thanks to JB1 & Figgy). It makes for easy removal, and those of us with dual pick up basses also benefit form the fact that after cutting both pieces of the string will be held in place by a pick up.
 
good on ya Mark, ive always changed all strings at the same time from snowy to tropical climates and never had a problem on any of my basses
 
adouglas said:
Biannnual = once every second year
Semiannual = twice a year
Click to expand...
I can never remember the difference between the two!

I take all my strings off at once, don't worry about the truss rod, clean up the fingerboard, & install new strings. Then, I tune them to pitch & check action & intonation. After any adjustment, I bring the string back to pitch & make additional adjustments if necessary. Works well for me.
 
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