string problem

[fifthorange]

hey guys
i have been noticing that once i put a fresh pack of string on my bass, only in a couple days of playing, my e-string dies on me. it is so flat, and after only like 5 days. and it keeps happening. all my other strings are pretty fresh still, i have a good punchy and crisp tone, but e-string always dies automatically. what is the problem?

 

[spectorbassguy]

hey guys
i have been noticing that once i put a fresh pack of string on my bass, only in a couple days of playing, my e-string dies on me. it is so flat, and after only like 5 days. and it keeps happening. all my other strings are pretty fresh still, i have a good punchy and crisp tone, but e-string always dies automatically. what is the problem?

It's probably the oil from your hands reacting to the strings. I recommend using "Fast-Fret" religiously after EVERY time you even touch the bass. It helps keep strings clean and lasting much longer. And make sure to get as much of the fingerboard as you can; You'd be surprised at how much gunk builds up there. Also you may want to try a different brand of strings; Rotosounds used to do that very badly when I used them. Now I am T-I all the way and not looking back!

Fast-Fret link:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...2092648/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/420451/

 

[JB1]

Or try Elixir strings my man.

 

[Ben Clarke]

Seems strange that it would only be the E, though...

Any physical defects like burrs on the bridge? Usually that would cause a string to break, though. I think the advice to try a different set strings is right on. Could be a strange production run, where some stainless strings got mixed in with nickel or something. I've seen stranger things happen in mass produced items.

 

[spectorbassguy]

Seems strange that it would only be the E, though...

Any physical defects like burrs on the bridge? Usually that would cause a string to break, though. I think the advice to try a different set strings is right on. Could be a strange production run, where some stainless strings got mixed in with nickel or something. I've seen stranger things happen in mass produced items.

It's always the worst on the lowest string, maybe because your hands naturally touch there the most.

 

[Ben Clarke]

Ahh, that makes sense. I thought of that, but quickly dismissed it, thinking, well why doesn't the B-string go too? How quickly we forget our roots....

 

[spectorbassguy]

Ahh, that makes sense. I thought of that, but quickly dismissed it, thinking, well why doesn't the B-string go too? How quickly we forget our roots....

I s'pose it depends if fifthorange plays 4 or 5 string. If 5, please disregard previous posts by me on this.

 

[Ben Clarke]

Well, I just assumed that since I play 5-string....

Why wouldn't everyone?

 

[spectorbassguy]

Well, I just assumed that since I play 5-string....

Why wouldn't everyone?

Beats me. That's all I play now too.

 

[xshawnxearthx]

finally, someone besides me has this problem.


ok, first off, dont use that fast fret ****. it will make things worse.


i have very acidic sweat. i went through a pack of strings in like 3 gigs.

someone suggested me elixir polyweb bass strings. since i tried them out, i have not bought anything else in over 3 years.

best bass strings around.

if you use a pick, get polyweb(which is the thicker coating, harder to find string) or if you use do not use a pick, and want the feel of non coated, get the nanoweb.


once you have them on for i would say 2 weeks, just take a rag and clean them, snap them a few times, and the strings is almost as good as new.

 

[The Kurgen]

Strings

I use Rotosound steel roundwounds on my fretted SR5 for my rock gig, and Elixir nickels on my fretless SR5 for my jazz gig.

Both are great strings, but the Elixirs are out of this world. I've had one set on for the last year (3 tours ands regular gigs/rehearsals/practice) and only now are they really going off. Their tone is great too.

The Rotosounds are great for rock as they have real bite and a lot of attack. I think I'll try a set of Elixirs for this gig next time I change though.

IMO they are well worth the extra expense as I change them far less frequently than other brands I have used and they have great tone too.

 

[bovinehost]

People, let's try to keep in mind that everyone will have a different opinion on strings and maintenance and so on, and try to be a little less....caustic with the responses.

If, just as an example, I say something like "I love my LaBella Flatwounds blah blah blah" and someone responds with, "LaBellas are the biggest piece of garbage string in the universe", my first response is not a search for the truth, but a release of chemicals in my brain that makes me want to punch you in the head.

I think this is true of most people, don't you?

So please - remember your manners. This isn't a tea parlour or anything, but a bit of respect would be nice.

Mmmmkay?

If this applies to you, please read and heed. If it doesn't, ignore me.

Jack

 

[tkarter]

I guess it is left over from the days I played and setup my own guitars, but I always take a #2 pencil and color the nut slot good for lubrication when I install strings. Any string seems to last longer to me when I do that too.

tk

 

[xshawnxearthx]

People, let's try to keep in mind that everyone will have a different opinion on strings and maintenance and so on, and try to be a little less....caustic with the responses.

If, just as an example, I say something like "I love my LaBella Flatwounds blah blah blah" and someone responds with, "LaBellas are the biggest piece of garbage string in the universe", my first response is not a search for the truth, but a release of chemicals in my brain that makes me want to punch you in the head.

I think this is true of most people, don't you?

So please - remember your manners. This isn't a tea parlour or anything, but a bit of respect would be nice.

Mmmmkay?

If this applies to you, please read and heed. If it doesn't, ignore me.

Jack

dont beat around the bush dude. i know this is directed towards me. dude said he had chemicals in his sweat, dude wont have a problem again if he gets elixirs.

 

[dlloyd]

dont beat around the bush dude. i know this is directed towards me. dude said he had chemicals in his sweat, dude wont have a problem again if he gets elixirs.

Nope, someone else suggested it was oils from his hands reacting with the strings

I actually like deadened strings, but in my experience it is the actual physical coating of the strings by oils (and other finger gunks) that does most to deaden them, not oxidation of the string. You can deaden a new string by wiping vaseline on it. Wiping these oils off with a suitable solvent will remove the deadness of the string. Doing this regularly is more effective than waiting for gunk to build up.

My guess is that he plays on the E string more than the other strings, more gunk builds up on the that string causing it to go dead quicker.

You said:

ok, first off, dont use that fast fret ****. it will make things worse.

How will it make it worse?

 

[xshawnxearthx]

Nope, someone else suggested it was oils from his hands reacting with the strings

I actually like deadened strings, but in my experience it is the actual physical coating of the strings by oils (and other finger gunks) that does most to deaden them, not oxidation of the string. You can deaden a new string by wiping vaseline on it. Wiping these oils off with a suitable solvent will remove the deadness of the string. Doing this regularly is more effective than waiting for gunk to build up.

My guess is that he plays on the E string more than the other strings, more gunk builds up on the that string causing it to go dead quicker.

You said:



How will it make it worse?

when i used to have a rosewood fingerboard, i used fast fret alot. to me, it was never good.

 

[JB1]

You could try elixir strings. I put my first set on last night and my guitarist says they are great - stay bright for 3-5 times as long.

They're also less abrasive on your fingers.

But 3 times the price! Worth it though I hope.

 

[dlloyd]

when i used to have a rosewood fingerboard, i used fast fret alot. to me, it was never good.

What were you using it for? It's primary use is for cleaning off gunk.

How did it make dead strings worse?

 

[xshawnxearthx]

What were you using it for? It's primary use is for cleaning off gunk.

How did it make dead strings worse?

thats what i was using it for. i guess ive just never had good luck with strings.

 

[dlloyd]

thats what i was using it for.

It didn't clean your fingerboard?