To re-string or not re-string a bass?

We're going into the studio to record our bands first (proper) demo. Just wondering your opinions on re-stringing a bass beforehand. We all know the sound is mucho different with a fresh strung bass, but I'm afraid of losing the lovely tone the strings I have on (8 weeks) if I change. The problem being... if I break a string (5 two weeks ago!!!!) I'll have to change over anyway!!!


Any thoughts welcome


Regards,


Papa

Doctor J

New strings translate better into a mix IMO, unless you're playing Motown or summat like that and just need low end and little else.

Zapp Brannigan

I love the tone from a freshly strung bass. too bad i can only afford the strings now and again

Zombienosh

the sound of fresh strings after being played for a couple of days is perfect, imo. smoothes them down a bit but still sound fresh.

magpie

If you like your bass to sound like a hammer dulcimer then go for new strings. People put too much emphasis on things sounding 'clean' these days.

unless you're playing Motown or summat like that and just need low end and little else.

Or Stax, I bet Donald Dunn never changed his strings yet.

The problem being... if I break a string (5 two weeks ago!!!!)

What are you using as a plectrum? A coin or something? or do you annihilate the G string in a slap-bass-oddysey pluck-a-thon?

Mr. CooL ICE

How the hell did you break strings that quickly? I changed the strings on my first bass after 2 years, and between loads of downtuning and back, the E string finally gave way. On my second (and current) bass, a 5 string, ive had it almost a year and still have the original strings, but i do need to change them badly.

If your strings break that often, there has to be something wrong with the bass itself (or the playing). The bridge may need to be filed down. Anyone got info on filing down?

Zapp Brannigan

I have to say in my 4 years ive playing bass i havent once snapped a string. go figure!

God jesus!!!
Yeah I kinda run through strings like wildfire. I played a gig a few years back and the E broke and popped up, slapped me in the forehead... blood everywhere! Carried on, did the show Rock n'f'n Roll etc...

Anyway, yes I use a pick and play very hard (all that boll1x about bottling up stuff to let it out on stage works for me ) on the strings. I use 40's at the mo, but am considering changing soon.

Finished recording all the instruments for the demo. Played a Fender precision with new strings and a Gibson with old (10 weeks) strings. The contrast was very nice but the big problem I had, and this is my problem having miniscule hands, was on one song I got a "streaking" effect on the new strings. This wasn't there with the old strings, so I have to get better at that. Thanks for all your input anyway, I will look at getting the demo up on the web when its ready. Mixing is on 21/22 July.

magpie

this is my problem having miniscule hands

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