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  #16  
Old 12-06-2017, 05:49 AM
Eldergreene Eldergreene is offline
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This is where I find FastFret pays for itself many times over - I can get months of use out of a set of strings, by reviving them with FF before playing - I realise this doesn't work for everyone tho..
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  #17  
Old 12-06-2017, 08:39 AM
ManyMartinMan ManyMartinMan is offline
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Originally Posted by drplayer View Post
Honestly, the price of strings is something I don’t even look at. I know the strings I like best for each of my guitars, and I know which dealers offer the best prices...it is what it is. I have to put gasoline in my car whether it’s $3.69/gallon or $2.29/gallon, and I have to change strings when they need changed whether they’re $5 or $8.
Same for me.
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  #18  
Old 12-06-2017, 08:51 AM
vindibona1 vindibona1 is offline
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Originally Posted by AHill View Post
Also, the government does not include food and energy in their estimate of core inflation rate, because their prices are rather volatile.
I know, but volatility can be averaged over a time period. Failing to take the food, which is HUGE, unavoidable expense in our daily lives and energy, the two things we ALWAYS need/use is kind of like a pregnant lady only confessing to gaining weight. IMO it is disingenuous at best. Social Security increases are based almost entirely on the CPI.

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My raise is not tied to inflation. We never get cost of living raises. Our raises are based on merit (performance appraisal), corporate profits, and labor grade.
Lucky you. Some jobs have that. I worked on straight commission for a few years so I know what merit pay is. But try being a teacher or administrative assistant a non-union employee or someone who the company regards as an expense rather than a profit center. The CPI is convenient for employers, but in terms of buying power for the employee, he has to take it in the shorts.
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  #19  
Old 12-06-2017, 09:51 AM
rmgjsps rmgjsps is offline
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Just an observation, not a criticism, but, I see guitar lists in signatures here listing thousands to tens-of thousands of dollars worth of instruments. I know that many members here are working musicians or just play a hell of lot more than I ever did or will. Some change strings weekly (me, maybe three, four times a year) but compared to the investment in guitars, the cost of strings is pretty nominal. OK, leaving out, like, Martin Titaniums. If you are a working musician, then strings must certainly be a deductable business expense, assuming that you actually report the income and operate as a business. I guess that along with GAS goes SAS -- String Acquisition Syndrome. We all have to pay for all of our addictions.
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  #20  
Old 12-06-2017, 10:29 AM
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Hi Silly M

I play Elixir Nano, phosphor bronze strings, and was paying $12-$13 (USD) per set shipped a decade ago in lots of a dozen. Just looked at my current supply sources and they are still in that range.

I used to buy my D'Addario non-coated in a bulk box with 30 sets, and that has increased in price about 25% over the years.

I agree with the sentiment of whom-ever said that they just buy the strings they need regardless of price increases, and liked it to putting gasoline in their car.

I'm not going to down-grade my gasoline to a less octane version to save money. But I WILL shop at different gas stations to experience lower prices. Of course I live in a small city where I can drive anywhere in 10 minutes (and my outings take me all over the city).



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  #21  
Old 12-06-2017, 10:40 AM
brianmay brianmay is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wade Hampton View Post
The Indiana Welsh-American HHP wrote:



Yeah, I think it's just a giant conspiracy by American guitar string manufacturers to punish the British for the way the Brexit vote went.

Naturally, I have no idea why they should even care about that, but, you know, they're a fairly fickle lot.


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  #22  
Old 12-06-2017, 11:21 AM
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I would suggest you are no longer getting such a good deal through Ebay as you once did, and this gives the impression that prices have risen so much.

From the UK I mainly use Fretsounds and StringDirect. Looking back at some purchases from these (made in Stirling) I note that:

- D’Addario NBs price FELL over the last 18 months or so - by about 5%, and 80/20s stayed the same. (StringsDirect)

- EJ16s went up less than 15% over the last 3 years, and Martin FX for my 12 string went up 5%

Also no dramatic changes in other strings I use, such as Wyres PBs.

Surely not so bad given the exchange rate change over the period.

Trust this helps,
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  #23  
Old 12-06-2017, 03:40 PM
Wade Hampton Wade Hampton is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmgjsps View Post
Just an observation, not a criticism, but, I see guitar lists in signatures here listing thousands to tens-of thousands of dollars worth of instruments. I know that many members here are working musicians or just play a hell of lot more than I ever did or will. Some change strings weekly (me, maybe three, four times a year) but compared to the investment in guitars, the cost of strings is pretty nominal.
When I was playing in Irish bars for my living I changed the strings on both my guitar and my mountain dulcimer (which is the instrument where I'm a far more advanced player, actually) not once a week but every other show.

This was before the invention of coated strings, but for me it was less about tone than it was tuning reliability. The effect that metal fatigue has on string life is routinely ignored on this forum, with most of the participants preferring to talk about corrosion or whatever. The effect of all that kinetic energy pulsing through these spindly little skeins of metal seems to barely rate a mention.

So even then, as a skinny single guy in my twenties making ends meet but not much than that, the cost of strings was irrelevant. Whatever my out of pocket costs, they simply didn't compare to the agony of trying to get through a set in a rowdy Irish bar where the Paddies were getting restive because I was popping strings left and right. All because I'd been a dork and hadn't changed my strings like I should have.

Reliability and the "don't have to worry about it" factor completely outweighed any worries about the cost of strings.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rmgjsps View Post
OK, leaving out, like, Martin Titaniums. If you are a working musician, then strings must certainly be a deductable business expense, assuming that you actually report the income and operate as a business. I guess that along with GAS goes SAS -- String Acquisition Syndrome. We all have to pay for all of our addictions.
As costly addictions go, changing your strings on a regular basis rates somewhere between:

1.) Doing the daily crossword puzzle;

and

2.) Allowing yourself four Oreo cookies with your lunch.


Wade Hampton Miller
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  #24  
Old 12-06-2017, 03:47 PM
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Be very careful buying strings on eBay.

eBay counterfeit strings are a pretty popular issue.

Only buy your strings from an authorized dealer.
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  #25  
Old 12-06-2017, 04:52 PM
rmgjsps rmgjsps is offline
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Hey, Wade, You are absolutely right. I don't really care what strings cost since none of us can play without them, anyway.

I am totally addicted to the New York Times crosswords, working my way through ALL of the back ones. (I'm up to March, 2007) as well as each day's current one. Had to give up the oreos, though -- too many calories. Well maybe 4 oreo minis now and then!

"Oh then tell me Sean O' Farrell, tell me why you hurry so ... "
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  #26  
Old 12-06-2017, 05:22 PM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RodB View Post
I would suggest you are no longer getting such a good deal through Ebay as you once did, and this gives the impression that prices have risen so much.

From the UK I mainly use Fretsounds and StringDirect. Looking back at some purchases from these (made in Stirling) I note that:

- D’Addario NBs price FELL over the last 18 months or so - by about 5%, and 80/20s stayed the same. (StringsDirect)

- EJ16s went up less than 15% over the last 3 years, and Martin FX for my 12 string went up 5%

Also no dramatic changes in other strings I use, such as Wyres PBs.

Surely not so bad given the exchange rate change over the period.

Trust this helps,
Hi Rod,
Strings Direct were always my preferred provider, ,and always speedy delivery,but a couple of years ago theri prices got less competitive.

They are a regular ebay seller, but "reddansette" (Craigs Music) have been better priced.

I checked out fretsounds - hadn't heard of them, but they don't even stock ej17s!

BTW - to Fazool, this business about "fake" strings - all you need to do is look at seller's details to see if it is a genuine seller or not.
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  #27  
Old 12-06-2017, 05:43 PM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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Taylor puts Elixir strings on their guitars not because they are the ultimate tonal choice, but because they last longer and sound better in a retail setting. That is a distinct competitive advantage, and other brands are jumping on the coated string bandwagon (EXP, Cleartone, Lifespan, etc). Many of us Taylor owners are perfectly happy with Elixir strings, however. Polyweb are fully coated and are slippery (and also sprout "fuzzies" when strummed). Nanoweb have only the grooves coated, with bare windings exposed. Less slippery, more finger noise, and feel more like regular uncoated strings. There is a place for both types.

Long before coated string were ever on the market, I discovered GHS White Bronze strings, with 52% nickel alloy. Those cost the same as most uncoated strings, but last 3-4 times as long as other brands (for me). In terms of the full life cycle, the White Bronze often beat Elixirs, but for guitars that don't get played very often Elixir is the way to go. YMMV.

String pricing discussions always remind me of owning an airplane in Alaska. When aviation gas went from under $3 to north of $5 a gallon a few years ago (while auto fuel went past $4 a gallon) I knew many pilots that essentially stopped flying. Never mind that owning an airplane costs about $5K per year in fixed expenses (insurance, tie-down or hangar, chart updates, annual inspection, other maintenance) before you ever turn the prop. Fuel is the least expensive element of that hobby. A simple 50 hour oil change is nearly $100 -- if you do it yourself -- and closer to $200 if you pay a mechanic.
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  #28  
Old 12-06-2017, 05:49 PM
Wade Hampton Wade Hampton is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmgjsps View Post
Hey, Wade, You are absolutely right. I don't really care what strings cost since none of us can play without them, anyway.

I am totally addicted to the New York Times crosswords, working my way through ALL of the back ones. (I'm up to March, 2007) as well as each day's current one. Had to give up the oreos, though -- too many calories. Well maybe 4 oreo minis now and then!
Ah, you evil backslider, you! We'll be sending the calorie police by to monitor your consumption by the first of next week.

Then rmgjsps (which is pronounced "rumga jaspus") concluded by quoting the opening line of "The Rising of the Moon":

Quote:
Originally Posted by rmgjsps View Post
"Oh then tell me Sean O' Farrell, tell me why you hurry so ... "

To which I reply:

"Hush a bhuachaill, hush and listen and his cheeks were all aglow.
"I bear orders from the captain, get you ready quick and soon,
"For the pikes must be together at the rising of the moon."

"At the rising of the moon, at the RISING of the moon!
"For the pikes must be together at the rising of the moon!!
!"

Sláinte mhaith.

And for those of you who despise Irish music:

Póg mo thóin....



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Last edited by Wade Hampton; 12-06-2017 at 05:58 PM.
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  #29  
Old 12-06-2017, 06:25 PM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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Earl49, I have a fair number of good quality guitars and I don't stint on maintenance nor string changes.
I don't care for coated strings in fact I tried a set again a while ago, but they don't last any longer than uncoated for me.

I use Ej17s on four dreads, a jumbo, two archtops and and a Weissenborn, and I change them, plus other types for other instruments.

I don't begrudge changing strings, in fact I enjoy it, but I am simply asking if prices have hiked by 50% in two years elsewhere.

I'm aware of the currency exchange rate changes but this seems radical.
For info I've checked prices in Germany and they have hike similarly there too.
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  #30  
Old 12-06-2017, 06:29 PM
Orfeas Orfeas is offline
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WOW that's a lot. I saw a buck or two going up but not near this pries that you pay Andy.
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