That high-mid frequency range really came back to life aye? Gotta be honest, new strings ABSOLUTELY feel, play and sound best to my ear. If you like your strings 'worn in' sounding, just wind back the tone pot a bit 😅
Massive difference in tone, clarity, resonance and definition with the new strings Cici, they sound great! "Back in the day when I were a poor young Lad we used to boil our Bass strings to try and bring them back to life...???" Don't try this at home kids!!!!
Sounds great both ways! You can definitely hear more clarity in the new strings. I kind of like the warm sound of the old! Either way your playing is so good!
Listening with headphones, the old old string don’t sound bad at all and there is some brightness to it. The high end of the new strings were sustaining so much more! I’m team new string and I think I need to try you custom gauges. Thanks for the video and in general awesomeness!!
Your new strings on that bass have more of a studio vibe to my ear, like the slightly acoustic contrast section in a metal song. I always prefer older strings for the types of music I play, but that honeymoon period with new strings is fun where it's all bright and zingy.
When I saw you pull out the D'addario strings I got excited because I knew where this video was going. I absolutely LOVE the sound of new D'addario strings. I've been using XL160 strings for years on my basses. New string day is still an exciting day. 😀
Hi Cici! Have you ever tried flatwound bass strings with that Schecter? I have a cheap Squier P-Bass that I recently tried flatwounds with, and although they are not very exciting on their own, they seem to sit so well in a mix. Plus, they are very cool with fuzz and high gain. Cheers
Preferably I'd put new strings on to give my bass some oomph and clarity. The old strings would only come into play if necessary for a more vintage vibe or if I wanted to get close to an upright bass sound :)
I always struggled with new strings (too rough or sticky) until I switched to using Newtone Strings, based in Derbyshire (who will also produce hybrid sets to personal spec). I only came across them because the bass tech I use said the company had made contact with him, and custom wound strings for the cost of mid-priced brand strings seemed worth the risk. I have their hex core platinum strings on my J bass (extra snap and zing) and the round core gold strings (more played in feel and thump) on my 51 style P bass. I can’t fault them.
Man I love that Schecter Bass‼️ I like longer intervals between strings changes if possible , unless it’s very noticeable .. I just listen to string’s harmony , they’ll tell me when to throw their butts out.. Btw : there’s nothing like the sounds of new strings , yes my surround sound pick up on difference 🤘
Thank you Cici your videos make our days. I love the comparison, especially you showing us how to replace bass strings, maybe I will watch this when I have to replace my own bass strings. Great work Cici, you're the best.
I was impressed with your string changing regimen and cleaning. I never thought of doing them all at the same time. lol I usually take one out of the bag put it through the bridge, tune, then the next string...
On my basses I like beddied in strings. On my guitars new strings. I did use an Ibanez with old strings and once the new ones were fitted it was just like new.
I like old strings when vintage and warm sound is the goal. It is kind of flatwounds sound. Also, there is a problem with new strings, you can't notice when they become old. You get used to the sound. You can record something and in a week you have to play a part differently but you cannot deal the sound and presets don't sound as they did before. Then after weeks of playing you realize that the strings are completely dead, but you get used to the sound and your presets are adjusted to it. So you finally replace the strings and everything is broken again.
Great video Cici, very helpful as I now think I need some new strings. The difference was massive and whilst I might not want quite that much zing that’s what tone pots were invented for. Enjoyed your playing too, really got the effect across.
Brill video - EXL190s are a great choice on a P Bass. Enough tension to cope with drop D, but still supple enough to not fight your playing. If you like super zingy, try the Pro-steels (EPS190) they really sing, but are a bit harsher on your fingers.
The new strings do sound a wee tad brighter through my JBL computer speakers. In the room, I'm certain it would be more pronounced. Our bass player changed the strings on his instrument not long ago, and the difference was significant(!). It must be said, though, that he uses the clearest sounding set he can get his hands on, and he plays a bass that has a triple bucker in it (It's an Ibanez. I think it's pretty much identical to one of yours, except it's finished in Sunburs. Yours- I think- is either black or dark grey metallic, or something like that).
On my guitars i use ERNIE BALL 10 gage strings, not really experimented with other brand's, although I've read some say Ernie Ball are not great strings and some say they a great. So in writing that I'm going to get a different brand of strings and see how it feels for me. This video has sparked a new thing i want to work on, so thankyou for the upload ✌️👍
The new strings sound great, definite improvement in clarity. Your enthusiasm for them also comes across in your playing. Have to admit, my preference depends on the instrument. For my acoustic guitar, i prefer older strings, as new ones sound a bit harsh and "tinny" to my ear; for both my bass guitars, new strings improve the tone. For my electric guitar, if I don't plug in it sounds better with old strings, but new ones improve the amplified sound.
I'm not much of a "zing" fan. I prefer flats, though I also use rounds. With rounds, I don't mind them being somewhat old. And I don't change flats at all unless they will no longer intonate!
Definitely more clarity with the new strings, especially with slapping! That Bass sounds amazing anyway but definitely better restrung and with the new hybrid set. One question, what do you downtune to?
I usually change strings a copule of days before studio recordings to wear them slightly so I don’t get too much ‘zing’ instead of tone. All for that purpose I use Ernie Ball cobalt flats 100-45 for lower tension than the 105’s (flats are naurally more tense than rounds) and reduced surface noise while not loosing punch. They last long before they ‘die’ too.
I always love the sound of new strings 2-3 days in when to me they sound at their best. Been listening to a lot of the WHO stuff recently and am amazed at how good a bass player John Entwhistle was - sadly in my youth my stereo was not good enough to pick it out clearly (modern headphones are amazing !) and live Townsend and Moon just swamped him. Crazy days.
Brighter and more "zing" as expected but some do like a duller bass sound - I like a combination of both; obtainable by new well cared for strings and amp set up/equalisation. JJ Burnell usually had a bass tone that I liked - very deep with top end as well. Gauges are a factor too with maybe a skinny high pair and a beefy bottom pair - hybrid in other words.
Ok as a ongoing learner of guitar doesn't mean I've not got a very good ear for sound, and imo the new strings definitely make a massive difference. As I've not played bass for years i can't say what gage is better obviously. But yes, definitely new is better.
Really interesting to hear the A/B comparison here. I think it all depends what kind of stuff you play. Personally, I like strings to be warm, thuddy and dead sounding, so I much prefer old strings. I like flats myself, my personal preference being Pyramid Gold 105s. On a passive Precision with the tone rolled right off, naturally! Completely useless for slapping though.
Hmmm. I think I preferred the old strings. However... I'd also quickly get used to the new sound and just forget the old sound quickly enough in reality.
Guessing it depends on style... Bassist extraordinaire Leland Sklar has been quoted that perhaps once a year strings get changed...😉👍 My opinion is that bass strings are TOO EXPENSIVE, and THAT'S why they are changed only once a year...!!!😂 😎👍❤🖖
Hmm. I have a few thought is like to share. For me, brand new strings sound just a little too much, bit too bright, bit too much reverb initially but, after a week or so much better. The feel of a brand new string though can be much better on the fingers. However... I've just changed the strings on my bass (Fender Blacktop Jazz) from flats as they had got so dull I wasn't picking it up so, swapped for the 'old' set on my other J. Immediate difference and new love for her. Personally I prefer an older but not completely dead string, love the feel of a flat but don't always get the sound I'd like. What pickup is in that bass BTW? Does sound good.
So I probably shouldn't say the strings on my twins haven't been changed since 2000 and 2003? They will be getting some much needed love this year as they both need a major cleaning and neck work overs long before worrying about sourcing strings with the covid crackhead exploit train pricing of everything these days.
