How to change strings on a bass guitar?

When to change the strings

Strings have a fundamental influence on the sound of the instrument, so they should be given sufficient attention. Even the best quality strings lose their sound after some time, and they become harder to keep in tune. A dull, faint and flat sound is caused mainly by a coating of dirt, dust or sweat caught in the grooves of the string winding, by rust or general fatigue of the material.

However, playing technique also has an effect on string wear. Wild slapping or playing with a pick definitely puts more strain on the string than gentle finger play. The interval for changing strings is very individual, it depends on how often and how intensively the instrument is played. Therefore, it is not surprising that professional players change their strings before every important concert or recording in the studio.

The sound of the strings is much more lively after each change, the middle and high notes sound clearer. With a normal playing frequency of 2 to 3 times a week, we recommend changing the strings at least every 3 months.

Before changing strings, make sure you have everything you need

Prepare everything you need and get to work. You will need a flat, clean and sufficiently large work surface and, of course, new strings. A complete tool care set is also an excellent helper. It contains a special cleaning microfiber cloth, varnish polish, moisturizing solution for rosewood fretboards, wax to increase the shine and a stand to support the neck. Don't forget to wash your hands before each string change.

Lay down the bass guitar with clean hands on a flat table and place the neck of the instrument on a special pad so that it does not lie directly on the tuning machines.

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First loosen the old strings, and if you want to keep them as spare, uncoil them from the tuning machines and carefully pull them out through the bridge. If the old strings are to go straight to the bin, just loosen them and cut them with special pliers. You can loosen the tuning machines fast with a string winder.

Do you know why old strings need to be loosened before cutting? A taut string can break and a sudden change in tension could also damage the truss rod. So first loosen each string before cutting.

After removing the old strings, check that all screws on the bridge are tightened. However, tighten the screws only lightly, because if you tighten them all the way, it can cause cracking of the paint around the bridge.

The body of the bass guitar needs to be cleaned and cared for regularly

After removing the strings, the body of the bass must be cleaned and treated. There are many guitar care products on the market, and most of them can be used on bass guitars as well. A good solution is to buy a complete set, which is offered by most renowned brands. For example, this set in a practical package will provide a perfect instrument treatment. Just apply the three-step polishing system in the correct order and the result will be worth it.

In the first step, put a small amount of the cleaning paste to the included microfiber cloth and apply it to the body of the instrument in circular motions.

In the next step, dab the cloth in the carnauba wax and apply it to the body of the instrument in the same circular motions. Let the wax work for a few minutes and then polish it with a clean cloth. The product smooths out small scratches and creates an effective protective film on the body.

Finally, spray a small amount of liquid from the enclosed spray on the body. It is intended for final, perfect cleaning of small dirts or fingerprints. Just spray it on and polish it with a cloth.

Fingerboard care

The wood of an unvarnished fingerboard tends to gradually dry out and subsequently "crumble" in places around the frets. Therefore, it is necessary not only to clean it regularly, but also to moisturize it. The best would be a moisturizing oil, which is also part of a complete cleaning and care kit.

Apply a small amount of oil to the cloth and gradually polish the area between all the frets. Let the oil dry for a few minutes and polish again. The result will be a beautifully treated fingerboard with a much richer colour tone.

Which strings are best

Choosing the right bass strings is important and deserves its own chapter. In general, it pays off to invest in better quality strings from established brands. Over time, each bass player finds out which thickness suits their fingers and playing technique best.

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The standard thickness for the thinnest string is 0.045" and for the thickest it is 0.100".

The choice of material is also an important topic. A string consists of a core and a winding, and both components can be made of different materials, each material producing a different sound. The most popular combinations include:

Nickel

Soft, warm sound, typical of vintage styles. Lower volume

Nickel – Steel

Stainless steel core or nickel-plated steel core, nickel winding. The sound is a bit punchier and louder, but still soft enough.

Steel

The stainless steel used in both the core and the winding lends the strings a clear, powerful and aggressive sound with strong mids. The advantage is greater durability of the material.

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If you still don't have a strong opinion about which diameter or material to choose, try for example these quality universal strings with a clear, modern sound, suitable for all styles. Their basic qualities include durability, strength and easy tuning. The super-strong steel core and nickel-plated winding with the thinnest string diameter of 0.040 is a good choice that you can't go wrong with.

How to install new strings

In order to avoid mistakes, the strings must first be sorted from the thinnest to the thickest. Individual manufacturers have different approaches to identifying strings by tone. A good help to distinguish the strings from each other is the colour difference. The brand D´Addario, for example, uses a clear colour separation of the balls at the end of the strings.

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Attention: not all manufacturers use the same colour marking of the strings. The D'Addario strings from our instruction manual are listed as follows:
E string - gold
A string - red
D string - black
G string - green

Line up the strings in this order, spread out next to each other on a flat mat next to the bass guitar, and you can start stringing. Start with the thickest string with a gold end. With the sharp end, pass it through the bridge and stretch it. The sharp end of the string must be inserted into the opening of the corresponding tuning peg. The peg for the E string is located on the head of the instrument, closest to the zero fret.

The string is always a bit longer, so it must be shortened at the end using pliers before you insert it into the opening of the tuning peg. Otherwise, it would have too many wraps, and it would not be easy to tune. So, first just measure the string and place it along the fingerboard and the head of the bass guitar and cut it so that it has enough length for winding, ideally two tuners away.

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In the place where you want to cut the string, first bend it. You will prevent breakage, the so-called "dead string" phenomenon, which causes the string to sound dull, indistinct and without sufficient resonance. Then cut the string just behind the bend.

Set the tuning machines in such a position that the opening of the tuning pegs forms an approximately 45° angle to the frets and prepare the winder for the strings.

Ideally, the string should have about 3 wraps. Now you can carefully thread the string into the opening of the tuning peg. Insert it into the hole on the far side from you and start winding it towards you along the zero fret.

After half a turn, keep pressing the string with your finger to the tuning post, and at the same time start winding it clockwise with the winder. You will feel how the string gradually tightens.

Tune only when the strings have been set in place

After stretching, the pressure of the strings will change, and they will start to loosen up a little, so they will quickly go out of tune. Therefore, tune the strings only provisionally at first. After a while, pull each string several times along its entire length. Start approximately in the middle of the body of the instrument and gradually approach the head. When you check the tuning, you will find that the strings are now slightly out of tune. Stretch each string about three more times until the string stays in tune.

Finally, apply gentle pressure to each string where it meets the bridge. This will ensure that the string "fits" well and the intonation is fine.

The new strings have been installed, and now you can tune them. You can tune the bass most conveniently and precisely using a tuner.

Watch our video tutorial on how to restring a bass guitar: