The older the better?

0scar · Little Guppy Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 39

Is it just me, or are older strings easier to manipulate, and better sounding. I dont mean too old with seperated colis, I'm talkin about 8 month old ernie balls. I recently changed the strings on my g&l from HEAVY gauge slinkys to regular gauge d'addario's and am seriously considering putting the old ones back on. I've tried stretching them and sprayed finger ease all over them, but still I'm not satisfied.

any tips, ideas please share!

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scorpionldr · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 10:03 am Post subject:

I would really say, in what I've tried, Dead E tuning does not really work great with the playability, fingerstyle or pickstyle, however, Drop D works great with these strings. Gives a really good thump with clarity.

Neil Gray · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 10:22 pm Post subject:

New strings always suck.
There is a sweet time with strings, and it's about three weeks between too old and too new. The only way to get that new string buzz and tinny sound out is to keep playing. Old strings are not better, though, as they sound dead after a time. You may be interested in the talk about 'boiling' old strings to give them a bit more life. In my opinion, if you're strings are on your bass long enough for you to consider boiling them, then you really should play more often. I usually break them before they are in that sweet time frame, so I don't know about boiling strings, but try slapping fast and furious with an old set of strings and you will see what I mean!
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rexherring · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:24 am Post subject:

Old post but I hate new strings, I know some bass players who change every month or so. I still have the original strings on my 1981 bass and they sound great. I have very dry hands and wipe them down after playing. Never had them off the bass to clean or boil. I just ordered SIT Power Flats for my 5 string, they are supposed to be brighter than normal flat wounds, we'll see.

Meker · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:33 pm Post subject:

Hey Rexherring----You blew me away with your strings on since 1981! You are a compadre!---I have had the same set of D'Addario Half-rounds on my (I bought it new) 1980 Washburn SB-40 since 1984! It is only recently that they have started to sound crappy Sad

For the years and years they sounded--well--say mature and rich IMO. I did nothing but always play with clean hands and do a wipe down. Last year I emailed D'Addario and told'em about it (honestly, I was hoping they'd give me some new strings for free for my "testimonial") but they just emailed back "Cool!" Grrrr.
They bent a little easier of course but strangely never lost proper tension or sound and stayed in tune big time. Kinda like the light bulb put in a socket back in 1933 and is still burning brightly sort of miracle.
I do keep strings on until they simply sound crappy and that may be for a year or two or, in extreme cases, 24 years! And I prefer a quality, matured string instead of the overly bright new strings.

rexherring · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:29 am Post subject:

I used the half rounds on other basses and they were great, I hate the new noisy roundwound strings but don't like pure flats. Give the SIT Power Flats a try. They sound like good aged string right out of the box and stay in tune well.

Meker · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:35 pm Post subject:

I'll look those strings up, Rex. Thanks for the tip. I do have a new pair of GHS Flats on my 2nd SB-40 and like'em a lot. All else has the Half-rounds at this time but I will say even they are a tad bright for me when new. Merry Christmas to you and yours! Smile

Tucson Bass Player · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject:

Maybe I am a little strange. I love a set of new strings! They are best after they have been played hard for few hours. There is no way I can get more then a couple of months out of a D or G string. Rolling Eyes

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