5 Noob MISTAKES and 5 PRO TIPS for how to change BASS STRINGS!

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5 Noob MISTAKES and 5 PRO TIPS for how to change BASS STRINGS!

Рет қаралды 102,869

Күн бұрын

Hey Bass Squad, here's a video helping you guys change your bass strings correctly AND some pro tips for getting you bass setup perfectly so it's easier to play and sounds more in tune etc. As I say in the video my Pro Tips are the quick version of how to get that done. But here's some links to one of the masters doing a bass setup to the most extreme levels of perfection below.
How to Restring your bass
• Bass Setup | How to Re...
Adjusting the Truss Rod
• Setting Up Your Bass G...
Adjusting the Action
• Setting Up Your Bass G...
Nut Action Height
• Setting Up Your Bass G...
Adjusting your Intonation
• Setting Up Your Bass G...
I hope you guys enjoy the lesson and found it helpful. Watch out for new videos coming soon.
I am trying to get a new song out each week and technique and bass arrangement videos as often as I can too.
So make sure to SUBSCRIBE and let me know in the comments what song you want me to do next time!
Also, come over and say "Hi" on my social media pages below too!
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claysbasslessons
#bassstrings #basssetup

Пікірлер: 159

@jamesmorgan2064 4 жыл бұрын

I hate when my bass goes out of chune

@aleisterbroley900 2 жыл бұрын

Or when your amp blows a choob

@larryhodgson8840 Жыл бұрын

Just throw in some chum and you'll find the right chune.

@jamesmorgan2064 Жыл бұрын

@@aleisterbroley900 then have a chuna sandwich.

@petemurphy7164 3 жыл бұрын

Here is a tip I don't see in many of these videos (I just watched about 7 or 8 or them and will probably post this tip to a few of them). I just changed strings on my guitar for the first time (bought my first guitar 2 years ago). I took out my phone and took a lot of photos of the pins, the neck, the tuning keys etc. Also as I worked from time to time I made more photos, e.g. as I took the strings off I took photos of how long they were etc. The amount of times I wondered about things like if I had pushed the pins in far enough or not or how the strings twisted around the tuners etc was a lot. I was so grateful I could pull my my pictures and see how the guitar setup looked at the start. It even helped me to realise that a pin was slipping at one point. If you are new like me, take out your phone and make a lot of photos before getting started, (and as you go along). It really helped me.!!!! (My guitar now sounds amazing, the change in tone with a new and much higher quality set of strings is really startling, the difference is stunning)

@fabiomora6491 Ай бұрын

this is about bass tho

@petemurphy7164 Ай бұрын

@fabiomora6491 wow, I didn't notice that when I wrote this three years ago. I said guitar instead of specifying Bass Guitar. 😀

@erezk2170 2 жыл бұрын

#3 is a problem but 2-3 inches pass the tuner doesn't always work and in some cases you need more windings to keep the A string a close to the head stock as possible to maintain a steep angle as the string meets the nut. This for sure will come up if you are trying to use Thomastik-Infeld flatwounds on a Fender P base with the hour-glass shaped posts. In that case you will wanted to keep plenty of wire and cut only a minimal amount.

@larryhodgson8840 Жыл бұрын

I'm a guitar player. I set up instruments all the time. Helping my daughter's boyfriend with his bass. Followed the string cut instruction and was immediately annoyed for just that reason. Doing it a couple of times I'm sure you would get the hang of getting the length right so they wind to the bottom of the post without lapping.

@crisop-jm8cz 7 ай бұрын

@@larryhodgson8840 Most Fender P models that I have seen have a string tree that pushes the string down for this reason, not sure why you're having issues with this, unless you removed the tree.

@Geerice 6 ай бұрын

@@crisop-jm8cz The string tree is usually only on the D and G strings, but even still, the break angle should be plenty steep

@ClaysBassLessons 5 жыл бұрын

Hey guys one thing to be careful about! When I say only make 1 or 2 "TURNS" at a time on the truss rod I mean only the small 30 -40 degree angle turn you can make when then middle two strings are loosened. DONT MAKE A FULL 360 degree turn!! You will break your truss rod.

@zatouroff 3 жыл бұрын

Too late. Gonna tell my wife that I have take harp lessons now.

@meowcheese1238 Жыл бұрын

@@zatouroff lmao

@sirspongadoodle 24 күн бұрын

You wont break it

@AndyPanda9 6 ай бұрын

2:28 Gotta love it when you make the worst mistake of all while trying to teach about not making Noob Mistakes. String manufacturers recommend that you put the right angle bend in the string BEFORE you cut it. That will prevent the windings from loosening.

@krenwregget7667 3 жыл бұрын

great video! I've been playing for a while but never had to change strings until one broke recently so this was very helpful for me. Cheers, mate!

@ricardocorrales9358 4 жыл бұрын

i was having such a good day until he said six string bass

@innocentrage1 3 жыл бұрын

I think that's called a guitar

@ColinJPatty 3 жыл бұрын

@@innocentrage1 ecfuckingxactly

@The_Metal_Mechanic 3 жыл бұрын

Six string basses are awesome. John Myung of Dream Theater plays one.

@joedecker3900 3 жыл бұрын

😆

@promkingtempura5846 3 жыл бұрын

At least you know he really is an expert

@xTheNameisEthan 3 жыл бұрын

If I had to guess how many subs you have based on the quality of your videos I would say a few million, you deserve atleast that many

@vanguardcycle 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!!!! I've never understood the concept of cutting perfectly good bass strings off. Bass strings are expensive, save them for emergencies! Boil them for a few minutes and get the oils out of the windings. Sure, not as good as brand new strings but sure will save you if you need some on a holiday weekend LOL

@Bass-guitarist 2 жыл бұрын

Echo Paul Evans comment, crimping the string at 90° with flat nosed pliers at the point it goes into the centre of the machine head prevents getting a dead string. For those that don’t know, this is where the inside core of the string stretches out of sync with the outside windings and causes that particular string to be deadened compared to the others. When it first happened I thought id been sold a dud set of strings but then learned that this is the reason. Since I’ve crimped every string when changing a new set, I have never had a dull string. Its hard to try and explain this in text but there are good vids on youtube showing this technique of crimping the string. Have fun ppl!

@xenon237 5 жыл бұрын

08:26 even if a turn means how far a normal hex key will go, in most cases you won't need more than one, probably less. that's not a knock a mate, solid video and solid advise, but imagine someone going at it with a t handle and really doing a couple of turns, that could end badly

@ClaysBassLessons 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah fair call. As in most cases an allen key can only move about 40degrees at a time when you have loosened the middle two strings like a showed. So I was counting a "turn" as that small 30-40degree turn you make but you're right that could be misunderstood. I'll pin a comment explaining that more. Thanks for watching!

@Major_FaimOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

Sure did

@johnwhitney8444 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Mate. I'm gonna jump on my base right now. Thanks

@adamdeweber 4 жыл бұрын

thanks for the tips.

@pmjd42 2 жыл бұрын

John Taylor, bassist for Duran Duran, had a bass that had strings on it from the 80's. And then came along a "guitar tech" and chopped them off. Taylor was not a happy camper.

@roblosh8417 2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like the guitar tech did a good job. Just cause someone’s in a famous band doesn’t necessarily mean they know the most about their instrument.

@ronashlock2226 2 жыл бұрын

Very good info for this new bass player. Thanks

@Azjedi13 3 жыл бұрын

thank you...just changed the strings on my bass for the first time.

@simonadams8770 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for that. Waiting on my first new set of strings:) subbed!

@franswike3966 2 ай бұрын

I might have messed up cuz most of my strings are rounded 3-4 times through the tuning peg, is it possible to remove them and cut them a little bit shorter?

@hailme1 Жыл бұрын

Didn't think I needed to trim the stings since a set of bass strings I replaced the stock strings wound up just fine for about 12-13 years, which where some D'Addario XLs (I remember them being medium, but also remember them being 45|105). The strings (well, the E string) that fell apart where DR Fat Beams and I tried them twice, the 3rd set that I have now, and am hesitant to put on right away, are D'Addario NY XL.

@Jihadbearzwithgunz 3 жыл бұрын

Pro tip # 2 , pre stretch should not be done on round core strings like dr strings high beams

@rorybaker5799 3 ай бұрын

What’s wrong with having more than three winds around the tuning peg?

@paulevans4334 3 жыл бұрын

You forgot to tell people to bend the string before cutting which prevents the strings from unwinding.

@NimrodBoz 2 жыл бұрын

He bent the string in the tuning machine hole immediately after cutting. I pre-bend, too, but either way same goal achieved

@bendudgeon1831 Жыл бұрын

I’m a tech who works on and re-strings basses every week & your advice on the truss rod adjustment is very inaccurate and is one of the main reasons for truss rod failure. You should always adjust it with all the string tension backed off, especially if you have too much relief and especially with a 5 string bass. A truss rod is NOT designed to fight against the amount of tension a stringed instrument gives, it’s designed to be pre-set and then have the pressure applied. We pre adjust all necks, and in the case of needing further adjustment once strung up we back strings off and use a special tool that helps to pre-bend the neck, then we make the adjustments, then tune back to pitch.

@Taxevader-gk9ms 11 ай бұрын

on way I see if I need to make a neck adjustment is putting a capo on the first fret and fretting the last fret and seeing if I can get a light to go under the string on each fret don't know if it works but I might

@michael_caz_nyc 2 жыл бұрын

Great info presented here. Enjoyed this. I hit Like. oNe LovE from NYC

@zenberryflood 3 жыл бұрын

Usually I unwind my strings, clean them, then keep them for future instrument builds so you can add as many strings as you want and as many tuners as you have, and a little creativity, you can also use guitar strings on an electric ukulele after they’re needing to be changed making your electric ukulele strings almost totally free. But this only works if your ukulele neck is shorter than your guitar neck so anything below baritone ukulele works great.

@curtisbeesmith 8 ай бұрын

Hey Clay I'm a newbie, 1st time changing strings, I have a new set with the 4th n 3rd strings having a change of diameter close to the tuners, my new strings when reaching the tuners are the fat diameter not the smaller diameter like the originals. Should I return them or can I still use them??? Thanks

@feedthebassist3160 10 ай бұрын

Ill never forget when my own music teacher put a bright new A string in between 3 old flatwounds. My first sign my city's education system was fucked

@ralfgeollegue5272 4 жыл бұрын

it's my first time and i gotta say, i messed up badly

@Disabledguitarist1985 3 жыл бұрын

I cut my G string too short Lmao. Prob cut em all too short but ... from now on I’m gonna cut em 2 tuner peg lengths like recommended

@gracevalle5758 3 жыл бұрын

Same

@RZRREDD 6 ай бұрын

I'm happy to say I didn't make any of these mistakes, and I changed my strings for the first time just earlier lol

@breakingblackmagic7617 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah I thought I knew what i was doing..... (guitar player) so I cut it a little too short on the top one .... so one rap...on the E. lol... but learned my lesson and at least it was my first time ... thanks for the info U HELPED SO MUCH U HAVE NO CLUE lol....thought to rap it threw also, didn't know u could put the string straight in like that on the bass tuners.. cool.. but again cut it a little short.. one wrap. so yeah.. 2 inches not 1 ....lol...

@Shadowrunner340 11 ай бұрын

Well, good to know the process is the same as on guitar!

@ferdererlkonig2987 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Clay this was very useful, thanks to you now I know how to correctly change bass strings lml

@missadventure7248 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Clay this was very useful, thanks to you now I know how to correctly change bass strings lml

@Zerpersande 4 ай бұрын

‘Only do a couple of turns on the truss rod’ My understanding is that you should only do about 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn.

@ChanneyBanBans 4 жыл бұрын

🙌 do you think you could write up some tab for Troy Kingi's 'Ethiopia'?

@timharding7381 3 жыл бұрын

Great vid. Thanks 🙏🏼

@Kamila-ey5vi 2 жыл бұрын

Had my bass for 4 years, about to change the strings for the first time, rly scared. Thanks for the tips ❤️❤️❤️

@Jihadbearzwithgunz 3 жыл бұрын

Pro tip if you are using round core strings do not stretch the strings as it will pull wraps loose of the core causing tuning instability poor intonation and possible string breakage. Main example of round core strings are Dr high beams which I've been using for 15 years .. that being said I cut my b string on my euro too short r.i.p .130 B string 2020 -2020 did this not even a week ago

@JamesJohnson-hb1me 3 жыл бұрын

Darn, sorry about your B string! 2020 is a strange year in many ways. I just put DR high beams on a bass for the first time and I really them a lot.

@Jihadbearzwithgunz 3 жыл бұрын

@@JamesJohnson-hb1me thanks man.. yeah with Dr high beams make sure you crimp em before you cut the excess off of the string as well

@jimbrausky 3 жыл бұрын

I'm new to bass playing, but I bought a used bass from Guitar Center and whoever changed the strings did a very sloppy job, string near the peg about to pop out, wounded towards the top, etc. I see when you cut four inch at B string, it gave me three wounds, it looks very very neat.

@randyallen4959 12 күн бұрын

phhht new bass stings I have had the same set of stainless flatwounds on my fretless J for 15 years. I wiped them done with a piece of flannel and alcohol after every gig. Jaco used to eat fried chicken before putting strings on his. Bright is for frustrated guitar players who think they are bass players.

@curtmetallic188 3 ай бұрын

Dude your accent is hilarious. How many times can a guy say "pig" in one video lol

@NightOwlGames Жыл бұрын

i made a rookie mistake, i didnt put the string in the tunning peg the right way, theres a slot with a hole in, i didnt notice the hole i just laid the string in the slot and started turning.... theres a hole you need to put the end of string in the hole push the string down into the slot and then turn the peg dont miss that hole.

@kirkefond6929 2 жыл бұрын

What about the rule that only the silk end or tail of the string should wrap the tuning post? La Belle prints that on their string pacages.

@TheBassLizard 4 жыл бұрын

Mistake #2.... cutting your string BEFORE you bend the end over.. allows the windings to potentially unravel slightly and reduces the life of the strings. FAIL.

@user-ey1ki2vr8b 6 ай бұрын

Clean ya damn bass. I laughed out loud!

@demodeiowa 2 жыл бұрын

What if you're installing a heavier gauge string to your 5 String Bass for dropped Tuning, but the thicker gauge string doesn't fit on the Bass nut?

@kirkmizer3015 2 жыл бұрын

File it

@robertlong4148 3 жыл бұрын

Bend the string before you cut it so your string doesn't go dead

@ramoniak6 2 жыл бұрын

1:41 Guilty of doing this and I broke my nut this way. At least it gave me an excuse to upgrade my cheap starter bass with a TUSQ

@sixwheelcarlisle8491 2 жыл бұрын

Some string manufacturers say not to pre stretch the strings

@cursedcliff7562 3 жыл бұрын

Welp i just changed strings, the old ones were brown from playing And had overlapping winds and were laid across the pegs... But... On the new ones i cut the G too short and i have about 1.5 winds on it :/

@ewokwarrior2656 3 жыл бұрын

I know, right. Nobody I have watched so far measures an in line headstock D or G string or a 2 X 2 or 3x2 headstock. What's up with that?

@mikedradio 4 ай бұрын

When does the tuning pig come out? 🐖

@CrisGarcia6 4 жыл бұрын

What kind of 6 string bass is that?

@noneofyourbusiness2386 4 жыл бұрын

Who is here after they fucked up stringing their bass wrong😂

@jn1mrgn 3 ай бұрын

I'm confused as my bass only has tuning pegs. No pigs.

@jn1mrgn 3 ай бұрын

It has lots of nicks too, so that was not much help.

@mistergixer 3 жыл бұрын

What's a tuning pig? I only have tuning pegs on mine.

@WhatGrenadeWhere 3 жыл бұрын

Who breaks a bass string? In 25 years I've never broken a string.

@vinniebasile9404 3 жыл бұрын

WhatGrenadeWhere My A string broke before a performance. I was a beginner at the time.

@B0XMATTER 3 жыл бұрын

My E string broke mid playing. It just let go from the bridge. Was there for a year. Stock string that came with the bass.

@joeyfloress1131 2 жыл бұрын

@Md75897 2 жыл бұрын

Never broken a bass string , I dont know how people manage to do it

@FreezyPop 2 жыл бұрын

Broke the D string when I was playing corridos the other day

@Major_FaimOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

Bought an Ibanez mikro bass 5 string broke the two biggest strings bought a replacement pack n 45 is too fat to fit the tuner peghole. I'd what to do now

@ewokwarrior2656 3 жыл бұрын

Buy a lighter Guage especially on the bigger ( 5 and 4 string) strings. Look for a 5th string or B around 100 or 95 gauge. And also look for short scale bass strings for a Mikro. Or, new bass!!! Yes!!!, buy an LTD by ESP or Squier or a full scale Ibanez ( 34 inch , sometimes called long scale, the micro is a 30 inch , or short scale if I'm remembering correctly. 35 inch scale is called extended scale and unless you are tall &/or have unusually long arms don't get one.) Cheapest route though is lighter gauge and short scale strings. Hope that helps.

@samburkes7552 2 жыл бұрын

@@ewokwarrior2656 Yep, youve got it! My brother in CA, a bassist for many yrs, got one of those mid-70's Gibson Ripper basses..Changed the strings for him a number of yrs ago, found out immediately before the purchase, it was an extra-long scale..about 35.5"...Believe I bought the RotoSound ex-long scale set..Put them on, he probably still has them on the bass..He's not tone-conscious at all..Great bass player, but didn't like/or can't change bass strings!!

@Gee-no 3 жыл бұрын

With his Australian (?) accent sounds like he's saying "Tuner Pig 🐷". In a world gone wrong...Theres only one hero to save us from bad bass sound...Tuner Pig!!! 🐷🐽🎸

@HamishGarland 3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a kiwi living in Australia

@ClaysBassLessons 3 жыл бұрын

Just a kiwi guy living in NZ guys!

@soulstart89 Ай бұрын

Clay hasn’t posted a video or any of his social media platforms for four years. Does anyone know if his ok?

@ClaysBassLessons Ай бұрын

Hi. You know what I haven't replied to a comment either but this one caught my eye. Yes it's been a very long time. Long story short, as covid hit I received a scholarship to go complete my teaching diploma and then was quickly appointed to one of the Heads of Music at one of the largest High Schools in New Zealand. That plus many life changes left me no time for the KZfaq channel. One day I will try and find that work life balance again and see if I can create some more videos for you guys. Thank you for checking in.

@soulstart89 Ай бұрын

@@ClaysBassLessons hey bud. That is AMAZING!!!! Congrats!!! I fully get how life changes. The most important thing is you and family are well. I hope you still find some time to hit the shed and practice. Bless from 🇬🇧

@dopenoize42 Жыл бұрын

I always change all my strings at the same time. And I currently have 4 full sets of spares. Lol

@bensonrook1389 3 жыл бұрын

the bass player for 2pac is detriots tony t-money green he is on all 2pac song he has a group called the roadwork crew he in the dramatics he started play famously 1970's you can find out on youtube he play bass for deathrow records he played all dr dre 90's bass lines warren g nate dogg snoop dogg to short daz dillinger eazy-e bone thugs n haromy creepin on the come up album xzibit dmx biggie smalls

@rpjones5140 3 жыл бұрын

Loosening and cutting all your strings in one whack makes your truss rod go loopy. One string at a time.

@ifbbgameyt7082 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Clay this was very useful, thanks to you now I know how to correctly change bass strings lml

@Billy-ho5ms Жыл бұрын

Great tip to save the old strings, duh!

@Guitaristlife-dn9ou Жыл бұрын

4:27 4:30 4:33 4:34 😂😂😂😂

@heavenly2k 8 ай бұрын

Lmao bro used the On Cinema song

@bensonrook1389 3 жыл бұрын

@garytheonion 2 жыл бұрын

Guitars have open pegs too, crikey!!

@ronnytm 2 жыл бұрын

Just wasted $45 on strings. I really wish I had watched this video first! 🤦

@zerothree332 11 ай бұрын

What bass is that? That is definitely not a Ken Smith. 🤔

@rafafontanez6961 3 жыл бұрын

I'm guessing you not aware of the existence of guitar vintage locking tuners on Fender guitars which also has the hole on the center of the peg so the string lock in it like on vintage style bass tuners. I pay Bass and guitar for more than 30 years and all this tips are just common sense.

@user-pe9cc7jp8l Жыл бұрын

A bass with 6 strings, Im getting depressed😂

@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan 28 күн бұрын

#156_July18_Peg_NOT_pig🇺🇸

@jayedannholmes6367 7 ай бұрын

I don't cut my bass strings

@brandonbrandon2822 2 жыл бұрын

2:23 I've never need to clip a string to do that

@stitchmywoundz17 Ай бұрын

ONLY ADJUST THE TRUSS ROD 1/4 TURN AT A TIMEEE 0.O dont break your instruments neck....

@OlettaLiano Жыл бұрын

Who breaks bass strings? I've played bass for over 30 years, mostly six-string basses with thin high F strings and I've never broken one. Weird... LOL

@bensonrook1389 3 жыл бұрын

is detriots tony t-money green he is on all 2pac song he has a group called the roadwork crew he in the dramatics he started play famously 1970's you can find out on youtube he play bass for deathrow records he played all dr dre 90's bass lines warren g nate dogg snoop dogg to short daz dillinger eazy-e bone thugs n haromy creepin on the come up album xzibit dmx georeg clinton 2pac's bass player death row records bass player tony t-money green and dj quik bass player

@bfleurisme 3 жыл бұрын

What’s that tuner at 6:07

@MrDalegray 2 жыл бұрын

What the hell is a Tuna Pig?

@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan 28 күн бұрын

#157_everybodyAlways_laziness

@joelwebb2968 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve listened to people for twice as long and have gotten half the information than this

@themechanic568 2 жыл бұрын

Anyone else trying to figure out what a tuna pig is?

@user-rk1ch4ij7u 2 жыл бұрын

tuning peg

@pmjd42 3 жыл бұрын

In your opening image, that I see anyway, you show wire strippers. Really?

@ClaysBassLessons 5 жыл бұрын

So how often do you guys change your strings? 👍🎸

@enjpa5001 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making this great video; very helpful. I just changed my bass strings for the first time since I bought my bass, which was nearly 6 years ago! The most helpful tip was to poke the string into the tuner rather than lay it across the tuner; I would've definitely done it the "guitar way" but for this video. Thanks again!

@ukebox00oftheworld63 3 жыл бұрын

Depends really , i had a set of Rotosounds on my jazz and they still tuned after 8 years (I know ) then just for kicks i tried a set of Warwick reds and i changed them after 2 months as the tone was dead.

@bigbadbillb 3 жыл бұрын

The only reason I'm changing my strings is because I switched from roundwounds to flats.