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RE: Stocking up on strings
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RobF
Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017
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 RE: Stocking up on strings (in reply to RobF)
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OK. This isn’t scientific or anything and not really much of a test, because when I went through my stash of strings (about 75 sets of various brands) most were in sealed packaging. I looked at the few sets that weren’t, one was a set of Hannibach and another a set of LaBella 820’s whose seal I had broken at some point years ago, and none of the bass strings showed any signs of tarnish, they all looked brand new. These strings were at least five years old. I didn’t see the point in breaking open any sealed packages, although I would have considered it if the unsealed sets showed sign of tarnish. I also didn’t put any on guitars, however, so none of this is probably of much value. But my thought is, if it looks brand new then it’s probably fine. I think the key is to not handle them and let the oils and acids from your skin contaminate the metal.
This doesn’t say anything about the longevity of the nylon elements, however.
So, not much help. Maybe I’ll stick to how to store potatoes (in a cool cellar, if you have one, at least that’s how they used to do it in the old days, then plant the sprouts in the spring).
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date May 22 2020 23:22:17
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RobF
Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017
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RE: Stocking up on strings (in reply to devilhand)
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quote:
Looked brand new but once you start play them they'll probably sound inferior or break soon. If a pro player like Jose Tanaka prefers fresh strings there must be something in it.
Maybe. Maybe not.
I put a set of LaBella basses on a guitar a little over a week ago that look and sound fine. I had put them on and pulled them off a guitar I had finished, maybe about three or four years ago, can’t remember why, probably because the guitar didn’t immediately spring to life, kiss me on the cheek and dance around the room like Pinnochio; they’ve been sitting in an open bag in my shop’s used string box for years. But, they are fine.
A similar discussion occurred on here not that long ago where the point was made that the longevity of a string on the gigging guitar of a pro, like Ricardo, can be quite a different thing than what’s likely to be experienced by the majority of players on the Foro. But, people should do what makes them feel good. If checking the best before date and changing strings every two days works for someone then, by all means, they should have at it. I just don’t have the cash (or inclination).
Another way of looking at it is; pros like Ricardo and José simply can’t afford the risks, real or imagined, presented by old strings, while most others can. Also, they go through strings at such a rate that they probably don’t have sets sitting around long enough for aging to ever become a concern.
Finally, if you do decide on a rapid string rotation cycle, please don’t clip the ends, as the old strings can be donated to schools and the like for reuse.
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date May 24 2020 14:28:15
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