That’s what I do too, @PamPurrs . . . GMTA 
Cheers, Joe
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When I change strings, I take them all off. Gives me a chance to clean and condition the fretboard and fix any fret issues. This is also when I deep clean and perform any other maintenance needed. Also, the instrument gets a full new setup (by myself). That’s just me though.
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That makes sense when you change strings after a long while and they’ve worn out to the point where they need to be changed. That’s a good time to perform maintenance. I’ve been experimenting and changing strings from one type to another after they’ve only been in use for a short time, so I don’t find it necessary to perform maintenance at that time. I do, however, clean the neck and the strings on a regular basis with thin, soft cotton cloth.
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I change the strings on my performance bass’ every 3 months. On my practice bass every 6. On the rest, whenever they nasty or sound quality drops off.
I’m blessed to have a wife that allows money to be put into an account for my equipment. So, string cost isn’t a huge deal. I buy 6 sets at a time.
I’m so lucky to have a friend that does tech work and setups professionally and allows me to buy at his cost. Saves me tons.
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Haha… I am very mechanically inept! At this point, I have always paid for professional setup for each bass- I have a small independent guitar shop in the area and I really love the luthier there. I always take each of them back in when I want string replacements. Maybe one day I will muster up the courage to tinker around a bit and revisit all these forum replies for advice!
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I did it yesterday for the first time.
Adjusted truss rod, and set up the action the way I like. It’s way easier than expected and there is barely a reason to be scared. Of course be careful with adjusting the truss rod but as long as you listen to the advice of others and always adjust max. one quarter turn it should be fine.
This video is all I used as resource:
Apart from allen wrenches you don’t need any special tools really.
Of course I informed myself outside of the video but in the end the video had everything I needed/wanted. Including a bit more detail about the differences of different action.
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Marcelo’s videos are often very good, I have watched a lot of his YouTube stuff. He has others on fret buzz, intonation etc.
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Yeah I really like his stuff.
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@lee_editorial there is nothing wrong getting your bass professionally set up. If you have two bass you will always be good. And it’s good for your local shop.
As long as you have the exact size of hex key’s it is not too difficult, just always make sure they are a good fit as if you strip nut out it is a big job. The difference in hex keys can be very small and not noticeable.
Jamie
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Well as mentioned on my first post on this thread, I have now had a trip out this evening to a music superstore that is now open after lockdown (not too close 44 mile round trip), to get my stool and new strings.
Unfortunately they didn’t have the Fender flatwounds that @Jamietashi has tried and says sound good with my bass, so they are now coming from Amazon. Looks like Saturday will be string change day and flatwound audition day. Let you know what I think.
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Hi @Mark_UK,
Picked these up yesterday.
They are what I use and when I was talking to the guys at the bass centre in South Melbourne, they advised that these are the most popular strings they sell.
Sorry to confuse??
Cheers Brian
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@TNKA36 Hi Brian, thanks for the recommendation, more options to try down the line always welcome. The write up for the Slinky’s says they are brighter than other flatwounds, more like rounds. Is that your experience with them? Be keen to hear your thoughts having tried them, thanks? Cheers
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Amazon delivered my first set of new strings a day early, so I couldn’t resist putting them on after work today.
As recommended by @Jamietashi, I have gone for Fender flatwounds. Specifically Fender 9050’s, 55-105.
Here are my thoughts compared to the stock round wounds that came with the Ibanez SR300E:
- why don’t manufacturers do themselves a favour and put better strings on from the start, surely the reviews would be better? My bass sounds like a different beast
- the sound level out of the bass seems higher with the new strings? Maybe it’s more to do with the next point and my perception?
- I love the new sound, it’s what I imagined a bass should sound like for the (mostly) rock I like- deep and rumbling
- I can see why, although it’s not the most important thing (tone is) why people love the feel of flatwounds and stick with them.
- £25 well spent in my opinion
Thanks everyone for your help and advice.
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@Mark_UK , I thought the same you can feel it more in your chest unl3ss using headphones 
I have taken something on board that @terb had said. So I went direct into the bare assed amp and just using the the bass s own EQ set in nuetral. The tone was just awesome. I’m just going to play like this for a week and explore it bare
Jamie
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Well, yeah, you’d think that would make sense, but many/most guys who buy a bass (even new) will immediately put new strings (i.e., their “brand”) on that bass - so, why bother with super expensive strings!?!
Also, in general, roundwounds are a bit more versatile and common compared to flats, which is why most new basses come with rounds.
Personally, I find the quest for “my strings” to be a long (and expensive) journey, but it seems you are already close to having found your “holy grail”!?! 
Not entirely sure about this one, but it could be different metals and alloys etc, which have different magnetic properties (which is in play when interacting with pickups).
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I agree with @joergkutter on this one. I’ve only owned three basses, but never kept the strings that came on it, for various reasons.
I think it might be perception (unless you inadvertently tuned them an octave higher). It may have something to do with flats having more of a warm and mellow tone, as opposed to the booming brightness of round wounds.
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So after reading @Mark_UK write up I took the plunge today and fitted a set of flat wounds to the SR.
These ones to be exact lol . Find them very smooth on my fretting hand and they certainly sound different.
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@Mac I just got a violin bass fitted with roundwounds, I understand what @PamPurrs means about corduroy, very raspy like guitar strings. I do prefer smooth for bass.
Jamie
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Nice, @Mac - supposedly among the best strings money can buy!! Unless this was after all not the sound you were after, they should last you a while
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