Replacing the Bass Strings on Your Bass Guitar
When bass guitar strings are new, they produce brilliant highs and resonant lows, and are extremely responsive across the whole tone spectrum inherent to their size and length. As strings age, the dust, grime, and oils from the player's hands stick to the strings, dulling their response and tone. Oxidation can happen to bass strings as well, making their stainless steel makeup lose its brilliance in color and resonant response. Depending on how often a bass guitar is played, strings might need replacing as often as once every couple months for the professional player or as little as once a year (especially if kept in the closet).
Provided a player has found a brand of string and thickness that he or she is comfortable with, and unless experimenting with new strings to find new tones or response, we will take as a given that the same manufacturer and style of strings will be used when replacement time occurs. Because strings are tightened and continually placing stress upon the neck and body of the bass guitar, it is advisable to not remove all 4 (5, 6, or 7) strings at once. A balance should be kept in order to keep the neck straight and true and to make sure intonation is not affected because of a quick release of the stress that the strings provide when on the bass guitar.
Lets begin with the lowest resonating string, E, on a 4 string bass guitar. Notice how the string is wound around the tuning post on the headstock, which direction is it wound around and how many times? This should be mimicked when replacing this string. Slowly turn the tuning key in the direction that loosens the string so as to not shock the neck with a quick release of tension. After the string is loose of the tuning peg, see how it is fed through the bridge at the base of the bass. Some bass guitars allow strings to be fed through the body and then through the bridge, while others are merely fed through the bridge. Again, take note, as this should be mimicked when putting on the new E string. While the string is off, it is good to take a rag and wipe off the grime that has collected on the fretboard before replacing the new string. Feed the new string through the bridge (and body, if applicable) and then through the tuning peg, holding it in place while winding the peg until enough tension exists to hold the string. If so desired, the E string an be tuned to E before proceeding, but just a relaxed tension is all that is necessary, fine tuning can be completed when all strings are replaced. This process should be repeated until all strings are in place, and then tuning can begin.
To find the bass strings and bass, for that matter, that suits your needs, it is in your best interest to try the different types offered at your local guitar shop. Austin's Strait Music Company and other local shops stock many types and styles of bass guitar and bass guitar strings to choose from. Local stores are also a wealth of knowledge for musicians so get on down and ask and play away!
Provided a player has found a brand of string and thickness that he or she is comfortable with, and unless experimenting with new strings to find new tones or response, we will take as a given that the same manufacturer and style of strings will be used when replacement time occurs. Because strings are tightened and continually placing stress upon the neck and body of the bass guitar, it is advisable to not remove all 4 (5, 6, or 7) strings at once. A balance should be kept in order to keep the neck straight and true and to make sure intonation is not affected because of a quick release of the stress that the strings provide when on the bass guitar.
Lets begin with the lowest resonating string, E, on a 4 string bass guitar. Notice how the string is wound around the tuning post on the headstock, which direction is it wound around and how many times? This should be mimicked when replacing this string. Slowly turn the tuning key in the direction that loosens the string so as to not shock the neck with a quick release of tension. After the string is loose of the tuning peg, see how it is fed through the bridge at the base of the bass. Some bass guitars allow strings to be fed through the body and then through the bridge, while others are merely fed through the bridge. Again, take note, as this should be mimicked when putting on the new E string. While the string is off, it is good to take a rag and wipe off the grime that has collected on the fretboard before replacing the new string. Feed the new string through the bridge (and body, if applicable) and then through the tuning peg, holding it in place while winding the peg until enough tension exists to hold the string. If so desired, the E string an be tuned to E before proceeding, but just a relaxed tension is all that is necessary, fine tuning can be completed when all strings are replaced. This process should be repeated until all strings are in place, and then tuning can begin.
To find the bass strings and bass, for that matter, that suits your needs, it is in your best interest to try the different types offered at your local guitar shop. Austin's Strait Music Company and other local shops stock many types and styles of bass guitar and bass guitar strings to choose from. Local stores are also a wealth of knowledge for musicians so get on down and ask and play away!
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