Strings more expensive now?

[Muse-ic]

So I went on Amazon to buy more D'Addario Phosphor lights and found that the cost for a box of 10 has increased by almost $20 since I last bought - $40 to almost $58 (admittedly it's been a while....) Has the cost really jumped that much? Anyone know where i can get them for less?

[rokdog49]

Looks like that's about the going rate.

[fitness1]

Yes - a year ago it was 42-43 dollars, now high 50's. I was lucky enough to get two boxes of 12 (EJ16's) from an Ebay seller for a lot less a while back. I go through them pretty quickly unfortunately!

[AZLiberty]

For the past two years, MF/CG has had them on sale for Black Friday for $25 delivered.

Depending how desperate you are, might be worth waiting.

[Muse-ic]

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

For the past two years, MF/CG has had them on sale for Black Friday for $25 delivered.

Depending how desperate you are, might be worth waiting.

That's good to know thanks. I guess it's true that they've gone up that much.... even on eBay....

[vindibona1]

Strings have been going up. Most brands have increased prices significantly. It wasn't too long ago that you could buy Elixirs for $10, then $12, now $16. I was buying my favorite electric strings, Gibson Vintage Nickel 10's for $6 just 2 years ago. Now $9 if you can find them. DR's, D'Addarios, most brands.

[swarfrat]

Guess I better get those flats for my 5-string bass before I need to talk to a loan officer to do it.

[Paddy1951]

I have noticed that quantity prices are as good or as common. It seems like the MAP pricing mentality has crept in a bit. Even Elderly's pricing is different.

Stock up I guess.

[SuperB23]

I too look forward to the Black Friday deals. Lately GC has only been doing lights on the really good sale and I prefer mediums more often than not.

[Silly Moustache]

I've been grumbling about string prices for over a year now.

I tend to buy ten packs of D'Addarios -mostly EJ17s.

I can no longer afford to buy them from the best string dealer in the UK, so go for the best deal on ebay, and looking back over my ebay history, they have increased by about 9% a year since 2016.

I have five guitars that wear EJ17s and used to change my strings on all every two months - now I keep 'em on for three. Although they look less pretty, there isn't much difference tonally.

To be fair this is probably influenced by the $/£ exchange rate which is not good for us Brits since 2016.

[Realbluesman]

Amazon pricing on everything goes all over the map...look elsewhere.

[Sonics]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I've been grumbling about string prices for over a year now.

I tend to buy ten packs of D'Addarios -mostly EJ17s.

I can no longer afford to buy them from the best string dealer in the UK, so go for the best deal on ebay, and looking back over my ebay history, they have increased by about 9% a year since 2016.

I have five guitars that wear EJ17s and used to change my strings on all every two months - now I keep 'em on for three. Although they look less pretty, there isn't much difference tonally.

To be fair this is probably influenced by the $/£ exchange rate which is not good for us Brits since 2016.

You can circumvent exchange rates by buying locally made strings and save substantially. I shudder at the price of a set of Thomastik or Yamaha strings.

Given your location you should give Rotosound strings, in particular the Jumbo Kings, a try. IMO they're some of the finest strings available and sound great.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rotosound-P...88XCQZ4MW3H71Z

What do you have to lose?

[Muse-ic]

Well, in looking around for a deal, I found that Google Express is offering a 20% discount if you've never used their service before, which I haven't, so I got a box of 10 and it was a good price, with free shipping.... could have bought more but I'll see what Black Friday brings....

[robj144]

Here's the price history:

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Realbluesman

Amazon pricing on everything goes all over the map...look elsewhere.

What he said.