Fresh Strings?

[Ken Smith]

How often do you guys and gals change your strings and why? What do you look for in your strings as far as tone and feel and at what point to do you feel you need a new set?

[Tim Bishop]

How often do you guys and gals change your strings and why? What do you look for in your strings as far as tone and feel and at what point to do you feel you need a new set?


Because I am a freak of cleanliness, I make it a point to keep my hands clean before playing, I can get some pretty good mileage out of the Smith Medium Taper Cores. Given this, it is hard to come up with a typical "life-span" for the strings I play, however, as soon as my ear hears a loss in that "sparkle" and tone (i.e. that "grand-piano-like" resonating clarity, sustain and brightness) or that "fresh feel", I change them.

I really hate setting up a bass with a "fresh" set of strings only to learn that a string or two are DOA. It's rare this happens, but I have experienced this on occasion, but then I go through many sets of strings each year. I keep a large supply of strings on hand in my climate controled room, so fresh sets are always near-by.....which begs the question.....

Ken, is there an average shelf-life for strings?

Thx,

Tim B.

[Ken Smith]

Maybe? Don't know. But air, dirt and grease will kill the tone in the windings. That's not the same as the Strings being worn or stretched out. Also, how the are packaged may mean something. If you over bend a string, you can hurt it. Storage is also to be considered. Room temp., not to dry or moist.

We don't have too many problems with bad strings out f the pack. Anything is possible but a few calls a year at most is all we hear about. If contacted before they are used, we usually replace the string that might be sub-par.

[Bob Faulkner]

I'm notorious for using strings a long time. I've gone 2 years without replacing strings on my Smith. I tend to use mostly the slick rounds which really don't degrade tonally that much over time. I've started using compressors lately which degrade a little more, but I'm at about 5 months now on my current set and still going strong.

[Tim Bishop]

I'm notorious for using strings a long time. I've gone 2 years without replacing strings on my Smith. I tend to use mostly the slick rounds which really don't degrade tonally that much over time. I've started using compressors lately which degrade a little more, but I'm at about 5 months now on my current set and still going strong.

James Jamerson never changed his DB Strings. :eek: While that's hard to believe for me, there are many players that like the tone of "dead" strings. Go figure. Who am I to question the great James Jamerson...:rolleyes:

[Amit Shtriker]

I've been using coated Elixir strings for 2 years, and they usually last 3 months before I replace them. They only lose a bit of their freshness after 3 months. Every other string I tried was dead flat in tone normally after couple of weeks to a month. Anyway, the last month was one of the busiest in my life (yet..). The coating on the Elixir already peeled off and the E string is almost unresponsive, very dull and lifeless. As you may have noticed, I like my strings as fresh as can be, and if I had a lot of money to spend on strings, I am sure one week was my average string life.

Because I am a freak of cleanliness, I make it a point to keep my hands clean before playing

Like you, Tim, I can't put my hands on the bass if they're not perfectly clean, but still, I couldn't prevent the black dirt from ruining my sound this time:) . I am taking my bass to a guitar tech in a couple of days for a setup, I will have to change the strings now, in about half of my usual time, and I think I will try a new set. Do you guys have any recommendations for me? I like them very crisp and smooth:cool: And long lasting as can be:)

[Tim Bishop]

I've been using coated Elixir strings for 2 years, and they usually last 3 months before I replace them. They only lose a bit of their freshness after 3 months. Every other string I tried was dead flat in tone normally after couple of weeks to a month. Anyway, the last month was one of the busiest in my life (yet..). The coating on the Elixir already peeled off and the E string is almost unresponsive, very dull and lifeless. As you may have noticed, I like my strings as fresh as can be, and if I had a lot of money to spend on strings, I am sure one week was my average string life.



Like you, Tim, I can't put my hands on the bass if they're not perfectly clean, but still, I couldn't prevent the black dirt from ruining my sound this time:) . I am taking my bass to a guitar tech in a couple of days for a setup, I will have to change the strings now, in about half of my usual time, and I think I will try a new set. Do you guys have any recommendations for me? I like them very crisp and smooth:cool: And long lasting as can be:)

My Recommendation on strings: Smith Medium Taper Cores. Be sure professional set-up is achieved. Also, this would be a great opportunity to make that adjustment to your bass' output gain.

[Bill Doss]

How often do you guys and gals change your strings and why? What do you look for in your strings as far as tone and feel and at what point to do you feel you need a new set?

I use your Taper Core Mediums. I change my string once a month -sometimes a month an a half. The Smith taper core's have a good feel and balanced sound across the spectrum.

I used DR Marcus Miller's on my other basses (mostly jazz style basses) with good results. The only problem is that they buzz a lot more than most other brands (I hear its because the are wrapped in a diffrent way around the core????). This problem is more obious if you are using a maple neck with maple fretboard.

My guide as to replacing string is the loss of very high frequencies and/or dirt and build up

[Darren Lipper]

I really like the way Smith basses sound in a live mix with new TaperCore mediums on. New taper cores give a nice tight defined growl that sounds great when mixed with drums.

Also, with new strings, I feel you can get more variety and nuance in the sound... think that stringy bright but massive sound a la Anthony Jackson.

I change my strings when they start to get mushy sounding. I can usually tell first on the E string. I'd say I change the strings every 2 to 3 weeks.

[Ronson Hall]

I used to get by on strings for 3 - 6 months. Although I preferred Smith or DR Strings even before I got my first Smith, the bass I was playing made changing the strings frequently not the biggest deal in the world (Note: When my strings were just too dull even for me to stomach, I was not above boiling them!).

Now that I have my first Smith in the house, I've noticed that my tolerance for that kind of thing has gone way, way down. I MUST have the sound I first heard when I first pulled my Smith out of the box. Nothing else will do, ever again. Therefore, I see myself changing strings no later than 6 - 8 weeks into a set, and probably much, much sooner!

See what you did to me, Ken? I'm a high-maintenence guy now! ;)

[Albert Smith]

I used to get by on strings for 3 - 6 months. Although I preferred Smith or DR Strings even before I got my first Smith, the bass I was playing made changing the strings frequently not the biggest deal in the world (Note: When my strings were just too dull even for me to stomach, I was not above boiling them!).

Now that I have my first Smith in the house, I've noticed that my tolerance for that kind of thing has gone way, way down. I MUST have the sound I first heard when I first pulled my Smith out of the box. Nothing else will do, ever again. Therefore, I see myself changing strings no later than 6 - 8 weeks into a set, and probably much, much sooner!

See what you did to me, Ken? I'm a high-maintenance guy now! ;)

I beg the differ with you Ronson, your not high maintenance you just wont settle for less than the best when it comes to your new Axe. You now belong to a distinguish list of players that own Smith Basses embedded with that clear cut Smith tone and playability. The days of boiling strings are now just memories of the Ibanez days, not the Smith era.

[Desmund Nichols]

I'm not lazy or cheap or anything, but I am busy and I put a lot of things on the back burner. I got my bass in Nov of 06, and I have yet to change my strings. I REALLY NEED TO BECAUSE I JUST ABOUT LOST ALL OF MY TONE, but I just forget. I have been trying to change them recently, but all the music stores I go to don't have Smith Strings. I guess I have to order them off the internet or get them from the place that sold me my bass. But I am trying to change my strings.

[Ken Smith]

I'm not lazy or cheap or anything, but I am busy and I put a lot of things on the back burner. I got my bass in Nov of 06, and I have yet to change my strings. I REALLY NEED TO BECAUSE I JUST ABOUT LOST ALL OF MY TONE, but I just forget. I have been trying to change them recently, but all the music stores I go to don't have Smith Strings. I guess I have to order them off the internet or get them from the place that sold me my bass. But I am trying to change my strings.

Easiest place to get them on line and save gas money is either directly from us or juststrings.com.

[Michael Stram]

If I go out on the road for a while, Ill change them before each show.

at home..when that sheen goes away. Live I have corosive sweat so if i could change strings everyday i would.

[Desmund Nichols]

I just changed my strings on my Black Tiger 5 and WOW, it sounds like a whole new bass. I mean, my strings had ZERO tone, I played those strings to death. My strings had such no tone that I thought my amp was bad and I literally went out and bought a brand new amp. But now, my bass sounds like a bass again. I mean, my bass had NO slap tone. Can you imagine a Smith Black Tiger 5 with no slap tone, it is such a bad feeling. BUt now, its like a brand new bass. Ima change my strings more often.

[Andy Pyatt]

I have used either Smith or DR strings for years. I have always liked the sound of stainless steel, bright but consistent. I prefer light gauges and have many times used the Smith 30 to 90 set. These usually don't last very long and I will change in 2 to 4 weeks depending on how often I gig with them. Light medium strings usually go 4 to 6 weeks or if I'm tight on money or just lazy maybe 8 weeks. Strings are usually pretty dead by then and when you pull out the new string and set it next to the old you can see the difference between each. Its no wonder that the new ones are brighter and snappier- cause they are brighter. I will boil strings on occasion but they usually seem a bit lifeless and I can't take them for more than a week before new ones have to go on.

[Willie Williams]

On the 4 different Ken Smiths I have had it just seems like they sound best with Ken Smith strings on them.

[Tim Bishop]

On the 4 different Ken Smiths I have had it just seems like they sound best with Ken Smith strings on them.

I agree Willie and to take your observation a step further....I would also argue that Smith strings sound best on ANY electric bass. I know this because I have and have had a few. :rolleyes:

In case there are those of you that don't want to take my word for it. Put in an order and discover this for yourself. :rolleyes: Just make sure you choose the right set for the right bass with the right set-up. Length, guage, sound and feel you are seeking, type of bridge and nut used on the bass are all important considerations that need to be made before ordering any set of strings.

Ken has a great selection and I know he can help you out. ;)

[Jack Jackson]

I used to use Roto's light-gauge, but recently ordered Elixer's. I haven't put them on yet. As far as changing strings, it depends on how often you play and how much you sweat. I typically change out about every 3 months if I'm playing in churches or other "clean-air" places, but when I played smoky clubs and worked up a sweat, it was every 10 - 12 jobs between changes. I know most of you probably don't use finger-ease or anything, but down here in the deep south, it's hot and humid, especially in the 5-month summers we have. :eek: I take WD-40 and spray a little in my palm and rub it on the back of the neck to keep the inside of my index knuckle and my thumb lubricated. Several players down here do that. I guess it's just the way my hands sweat. Does anyone else have this problem? I'm concerned that maybe I should use a guitar polish or something safer when I buy a Smith...

[Bob Faulkner]

Please don't do that to a Smith!!

I've never had a comfort problem playing my Smith, and I live in Atlanta so we should have about the same climate..

[ramon ramos]

bob, should smith basses alway's be strung with smith taper core's because i'm thinking that no two smith basse's are alike since their hand made and the brass nut is hand shaped to that specific bass? and my other question is by not using smith string's on our smith basse's are we not getting that unique smith tone? that ken is known for. i personally believe that i should only use smith's because ken designed them specificly for the brass nut's and using another string gauge will probably damage the custom scalloped nut. but then if i'm wrong bob do let me know thank's. ramon

[ramon ramos]

ken you got me wrong here if you look at the post you'll see that i said that i only believe in using your taper core's on my bass and that using other brand's can probably damage my smith cause the scalloped nut is custom fit and that no two smith's are alike since thier hand made,beside's i love the purple color you selected for their design. i hope you read my post ken and clear me on this one. i did not spend $2200 on my smith and then decide to use non-smith string's no sireee, i'll stick to your brand. thank's ken:D

[Bob Faulkner]

You *can* use other strings, and they will color the sound the way that brand would normally color any bass's tone. That said, I've settled on Smith strings even on my non-Smith basses because, well, they are really good strings and I love compressors.

You're not going to harm the nut or saddles with non-taper-core strings. I've been using smith slicks and compressors on mine for 7 years and neither of those are offered in taper core versions (though i've asked ken for em!)... You may need to resetup the bass for normal strings. Ken would suggest you have the nut and saddles recut if you're not going to use taper cores.

[ramon ramos]

yes i will definitely stick to using ken smith tapercore's for my 6M i wouldn't have it any other way bob. I also like the royal purple color on the string's it compliment's his basse's appropriately:). when i got my smith bass it came with some gold colored string's instead of ken's purple and down here in san diego there's practically no smith dealer's in town and i haven't been able to change them out yet. i'll have to keep searching. thank's bob for your input.:)

[Ken Smith]

yes i will definitely stick to using ken smith tapercore's for my 6M i wouldn't have it any other way bob. I also like the royal purple color on the string's it compliment's his basse's appropriately:). when i got my smith bass it came with some gold colored string's instead of ken's purple and down here in san diego there's practically no smith dealer's in town and i haven't been able to change them out yet. i'll have to keep searching. thank's bob for your input.:)

We can't force stores to carry our Strings or tell them what to buy if they do. What I always suggest and say is this:

Stores carry less that they used to because of Internet, mail order and super stores. We do not sell to any of the super stores because of their unfair business practices which I wont get into here.

Gas is expensive and so is time. To save time and money, just call and order either directly from us or an on-line dealer like www.juststrings.com We sell to a few other 'Net Stores but JustStrings is the main one that buys and sells the most on-line Strings of ours so it's us or them for ordering.

Also, you will usually save the sales tax as well. We also have This Special on the Forum (http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?t=109) for Members..;)

[Craig Courtney]

How often do you guys and gals change your strings and why? What do you look for in your strings as far as tone and feel and at what point to do you feel you need a new set?

I'm still playing the strings that came with my Black Tiger. They are going on 5 weeks. I just ordered 2 sets of medium taper core from you today because my local music store doesn't carry your strings. These strings are just getting to the point of having that *sweet sound* between brand new and when they start to die off and lose their tone.
I'm curious how long these string will hold that sound.
I always change my strings when they start to lose their tone and ability to sustain a note. That's usually right before the feel of the string gets annoying.

[Tim Bishop]

I'm curious how long these string will hold that sound? I always change my strings when they start to lose their tone and ability to sustain a note. That's usually right before the feel of the string gets annoying.

Craig,

I think you answered your own question. :)

This will be different from player to player depending on amount of time playing the strings, style, oils and acids from fingers, cleanliness, on and on I could go. :rolleyes:

I find I get the most mileage out of my strings when I store my bass in its case when not playing and most importantly; keeping my hands very clean before I play. ;)

Bottom line: If you have an ear, listen carefully and you'll know when it's time for the change. ;)

Tim B.

[Craig Courtney]

Craig,

I find I get the most mileage out of my strings when I store my bass in its case when not playing and most importantly; keeping my hands very clean before I play. ;)

Yes Tim,
Sad to say I can relate to clean hands.
I played a "crawfish boil" last weekend and made the mistake of bringing my Smith bass. I don't know if you are familiar with one of or favorite spring rituals down here but the water that you boil the crawfish in can contain anything and everything from lemons to cayenne pepper.
As a result, I was unable to eat any crawfish due to fear of getting cayenne pepper and other "juices" on my hands.
Lesson learned? If I want to eat crawfish, take the Ibanez to the gig and leave my Smith at home.:)

[Tim Bishop]

If I want to eat crawfish, take the Ibanez to the gig and leave my Smith at home.:)

Yeah, or thoroughly clean your hands before you play! ;)

[Zdenek Tichota]

I use strings for 5-10 gigs than I do string wash http://www.wimpy.cz/English/strings_care.htm :o

[Jeffrey Abbott]

I've seen a few posts on other bass forums that recommend www.bassguitarstrings .us (http://www.bassguitarstrings .us). I've not bought from them, but they do offer free shipping on (U.S.) order over $75. At least at one time, they offered a discount to talkbass.com members. Also, they apparently offer all of the Smith Strings catalog. I have no connection to them, just a suggestion for a Smith Strings online source.

Take Care,

Jeff

[Tim Bishop]

Or, just contact Ken directly and put your order in. ;)

[Bob Faulkner]

Ya I buy directly from Ken. They have a special for forum members where if you buy 2 packs of strings the shipping is free or you can get a Smith strings shirt.