Bass Strings

**JesusFreakGirl** · 05-11-2011, 04:00 PM

Hey guys,

I've had my bass for a year now, and I've yet to change the strings. They're still staying in tune fine and the sound quality hasn't changed yet, and I clean them now and again, but don't over clean. I have noticed lately in a few spots there's a thin plastic or something peeling off from the strings.When i first saw it I thought it was dead skin or something that had caught in the strings but quickly realized it was something like a coating or what not of the strings peeling. Whats up with that? Is that normal? Do I need to change my strings? I've been playing for about two and half years now and have never seen that before.

**thesteve** · 05-11-2011, 04:13 PM

Do you know what type of strings they were? It's possible if they were coated strings for the coating to be coming off. I've never used coated bass strings though.

**JesusFreakGirl** · 05-11-2011, 04:27 PM

they were Elixers is all I remember. I'm assuming they were coated strings. It really looks like its coating wearing off in the positions I use most and play roughest on.

**thesteve** · 05-11-2011, 04:39 PM

Elixir's strings for their other instruments (acoustic, electric guitars) are coated and their coating does wear off over time, so that's probably what it is.

It doesn't really mean that you need to replace the strings, just that the coating is wearing off.

**JesusFreakGirl** · 05-11-2011, 05:32 PM

Sweet. Well, then until they start to not stay tuned or the sound quality starts to diminish cthe strings are staying

**Sean.thomson** · 05-11-2011, 06:02 PM

Well, you could pull a James Jamerson and never change your strings for the rest of your life...

**thesteve** · 05-11-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean.thomson

Well, you could pull a James Jamerson and never change your strings for the rest of your life...

Didn't he use flats?

**Sean.thomson** · 05-11-2011, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

Didn't he use flats?

Yep.

waveofthinking · 05-11-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean.thomson

Well, you could pull a James Jamerson and never change your strings for the rest of your life...

I was shocked when I had first seen a similar interview.

rexherring · 05-12-2011, 09:15 PM

My 1981 G&L bass still has the original string on it. Sound great but softer sounding than new ones.

waveofthinking · 05-15-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rexherring

My 1981 G&L bass still has the original string on it. Sound great but softer sounding than new ones.

Wow, hows the feel?

funkStrat_97 · 05-16-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rexherring

My 1981 G&L bass still has the original string on it. Sound great but softer sounding than new ones.

Ummm; my man....I think it's time to be changin' dem strings

.

rexherring · 05-17-2011, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waveofthinking

Wow, hows the feel?

Smooth............funny though, they're not dead, just soft and smooth sounding. I have very dry hands and wipe them down after each session. I may have to change them someday.

I do change the strings on my 5 string basses more often, it seems that the low B string goes dead quicker than the others.

waveofthinking · 05-24-2011, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rexherring

Smooth............funny though, they're not dead, just soft and smooth sounding. I have very dry hands and wipe them down after each session. I may have to change them someday.

I do change the strings on my 5 string basses more often, it seems that the low B string goes dead quicker than the others.

Man, this is something you don't hear everyday..lol. But hey, as long as its not your main bass I would leave the strings on. How often can one say they have 20 year old strings on their bass?