Replacing strings to record...

[Stuart]

My music buddy, Andrew, & I are at odds on this topic, so I’m bringing it to the €pi-Brethren Supreme Court...

 

[Biddlin]

I like fresh strings to record. I put 'em on, tune 'em up, pull the wraps on the tuner posts tight, tune 'em up again and play.

 

[Paruwi]

I've never recorded anything...

though I do chance the strings a few times each year on any guitar

 

[Cam.man67]

Interesting question. The one time I ever sat in on a recording session, I changed my strings right before. With my SG (with HBs at the time), I felt the guitar has the best treble “feel” immediately after changing strings.

However...I don’t know that I agree with that anymore. Both my 335 Pro and SG (both now sporting p90s ) sound a little bright until the strings get worn in. Were i to record today, I think I’d prefer either of those guitars to have sat a few days with fresh strings.

 

[Supersonic]

Not necessarily for recording, but I think my guitars sound the best the day after I put them on and stretched them a little. Maybe for acoustics I might go for right before.

 

[IGRocker]

I do it a day before to give them some time to settle in. I find I need to do more than the typical stretch-‘n-tune to ensure stability. I won’t replace them the whole time of recording, unless it goes on longer than a week.

 

[IGRocker]

Granted, I haven’t done any recording for over two years now and I have the same strings on my back up that I used then

 

[Supersonic]

oops, sorry hit the wrong button and posted. Disregard. Long day.

 

[RTH]

That depends on you, stu. Are you down with the added brightness and sensitivity? If I'm used to playing something with older strings, I probabaly would either change a few days ahead of time or not at all. I guess it depends on what shape the old strings are in. Of course, changing strings on a bass is heresy! HERESY!

 

[Raiyn]

Of course, changing strings on a bass is heresy! HERESY!

Paging Glen Fricker......

 

[RTH]

Paging Glen Fricker......

I don't know who Glen Fricker is, but even when gigging a lot, I didn't change strings until they wouldn't hold tune anymore, which can take a couple years.

 

[Cam]

Depends on the song. Different songs dictate different sounds, so there isn't really a right or wrong here.

 

[Stuart]

... so there isn't really a right or wrong here.

... except for occasionally poking a drummer's eye out right

 

[RTH]

... except for occasionally poking a drummer's eye out right

Not if its only on occasion.

 

[Raiyn]

I don't know who Glen Fricker is, but even when gigging a lot, I didn't change strings until they wouldn't hold tune anymore, which can take a couple years.

 

[DaveInSoCal]

The day before, I stretch them 3 times, tune it up and play it a bit.

 

[RTH]

I can't watch this right now because I'm at work, but the headline ....15 year old strings! Wow. That might be a little excessive, but what ever floats yer boat. Bass strings really do last a long time if you take care of them. They aren't snappy or bright anymore, so if that fits the playing style, it's all good. When I was playing rock/metal, I changed much more often. When I started playing rock/alt/folk/blues genre, I liked the softer sound, do I stopped changing strings. They never went out of tune....minus the low B, which never stays tuned in the case.