When To Change Your Bass Strings / Anthony Crawford

Often times it can get expensive changing bass strings. In this video I give you things to consider before changing out your strings.

#bassstrings #bassguitar #bassplayer

[stoichr]

The more I listen to this clip the more it begins to make sense why some people own more than one bass. The sound the music it really depends on what I want Togo for. Thanks!

[thumb_bass_guy]

Cool perspective from a pro musician. Always thought that being "pro" = brand new strings on each recording but you made a ton of good points.

[adam]

As I've gotten older and played more and more music I've changed my philosophy a bit. I change my strings a lot less than I used to. I'm lucky enough that my hand oils and sweat don't cause the strings to corrode and rust. I also wipe them down. That helps too. I'm growing to love that thumpy sound.

[billyroberts]

Thanks!! What a relief! I have one of those old metal milk canisters with 15 years worth of used bass strings in it. So now It's like I have a life times worth of "new enough" strings I can pass on to some kid some day ...with a link to your video.

[ALIASZARDOZ]

Many thanks for these explanation. I am an amateur and I change strings when I feel I have to do it. Personally I change in 3 or 4 month... But it is not regular... It's depend of my feelings and music. OK I love and play Slap and also the "Pastorius" sound... I love both... As you said is depend of music and feelings.

I want to congratulations you for all music works you did and you do. I love your playing with Allan HOLDSWORTH (I miss he a lot). I love your musical bass lines in RUINATION and IN THIS LIFE from Virgil DONATI's albums. Perfect and beautiful... I am speechless !
Hope to see you in France.

Love from Dunkirk.

Kinds regards,

Phil.

[robertobrien]

If I can't keep the intonation at the 12th fret perfected I know it is time for new strings. If I like the feel and tone I will keep them on until then and replace them with the same set. If I don't like the feel and tone they will be changed as soon as I can afford a different set and a new set up. I have no timeline; just the tone, feel and intonation.

[RitchieRosson]

You just saved me a lot of money. Thank you! Great video Anthony. Happy new year.

[Bayan]

I remember the story behind Geezer Butler from Black Sabbath when they recorded the song N.I.B. and the whole reason that bass line sounds the way it does, is because the strings on his guitar, which I believe was a Fender jazz bass, were old and almost to the point of being worn out but he couldn't afford new strings.

[titanoboaoficial]

Nice video man and brutal bass and music skills.... I play guitar and hate with passion the zing new strings have... I love the 3 month old sound... Mellow... Unfortunately the high e and b strings lose intonation like in one month so i gotta change Wound strings last for like 10 months until intonation sounds Bass players are lucky they can make strings last a long time!

[ronaldmorrow]

GREAT INFORMATION YOUNG MAN.... WHEN YOU FIND YOUR STRING GROOVE SOUND, AND IT SOUNDS GREAT.... KEEP THE ROUTINE GOING... I LOVE OLD STRINGS FOR JAZZ ..

[tadmorargolo]

Thanks! Is good to hear that from you!

[patrickr]

It depends what type of music your playing.. Personally I play Ambient Bass mostly so I change my strings once a year because I need crisp bright long sustain tones through single coil pick ups drenched in delay/modulation and reverb effects..however if I noodle in Funk, rock or dubby stuff worn in strings are excellent for that because Id play through double coil pick ups with high bass and low middle/treble EQ settings....

[NightOwlGames]

i had 20 year old stings on mine they were rusted and didnt feel good i barely used the bass in all the time i had it it just sits there, now im getting into a 6 string strat its give me the urge to blow the dust of my bass and try play that too. im enjoying the 6 string strat.

[williamurg]

I dont know if i should change my strings i bought it around half a year ago but i really feel like my strings are really loose and when i play they sometimes sound like the string is hitting the metal under it but still i have only played bass a year so i might just be bad at playing at it

[gardenerstheorychannel]

Good article! Yes its always been an unwritten the older I get the less I've changed strings! Not for money reasons...just the fact, if they sound good don't change them!! Sometimes the tuning can get a bit off so that's when I put a new set on .
New strings have a lovely sweet zing that is great on funk and stuff like Yes, Rush etc but that goes very soon

[hummarstraful]

Always change them before you record. That's the only rule in my opinion. When gigging or playing at home, it's up to you. But fresh strings will help you cut through on a recording in a big way. Next time you buy strings, record your self playing first with the old strings. Play a riff with a drum machine. Then record same riff with the new set. Save the recording to remind yourself what a night and day difference and how easily you can hear the new strings on the recording compared to the old strings.

[mustafaalpcigman]

Danny Mo Morris, professor of bass guitar at Berklee College of Music, posts a lot of clips on ig playing a P-bass with 10 ten + years old Tomastik flats. Killer tone. I’m no professional or anything, just an enthusiast. I am playing an American Fender P, with factory Fender taperwound strings on it still, and I’m loving the dark dark tone. But on my Fender Jazz (I use for more funk, metal, rock etc) I can totally see the benefits of having brighter tones with new strings. But again, I’m only a bedroom player.

[nobodylifts]

New strings are way too bright for me. I often wait a year to change strings.
The only string I ever broke was a Dean Markley Blue Steel G string. That was almost 20 years ago.

[-whiskey-]

Depending on what sound you’re going for and the type of music. For me, both because I like the sound and it’s kind of required to cut through the mix in metal, I change em 1-2 times a year. Mainly because I love that metallic clanky sound, also why I use Norstrands, the combo together works perfectly, at least on my SR605e. I do have a 6 string that I like the more muted dull sound for more soft expressive stuff. I have cheap 5 string Rogue bass. I typically keep newer strings on that because I travel with it and play without an amp on the go and it just helps me hear what I’m playing more. I say just do what works and feels good to you, what’s really important to me is just maintenance of the instrument itself.

[kaplanyx]

I like the sound of broken-in roundwound strings but after 3 month or so sustain gets worse. Time to clean them in ultrasonic bath. This works 2 times, then mechanical wear causes the tuning get difficult.