Bulk Strings - Do they go dead with age?

[Lou777]

I am thinking of buying either bulk strings or maybe 20 or so sets. Do they oxidize if you don't open the packs? I had good luck with webstrings PBs so I am thinking of buying a bunch to save a few bucks. What do you think?

[arthur]

I have some ancient D'Addario (20yrs old) strings that still look pretty good. Minimal tarnish spots, considering....I've used some and can't tell the difference.

IMO string death comes from playing....dirt, oil, tension.....not sitting in the pack, especially in dry climates.

[TaylorGA8]

This thread may help..

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=159819

[Lou777]

Originally Posted by TaylorGA8

This thread may help..

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=159819

Yes that helps. Its is just what I was looking for thanks .

Thanks to arthur as well.

[Lou777]

We don't need to go any further. If anyone has any questions just hit the link tha Taylor GA8 privided.

[jjrubin]

read the link, but here is one additional piece of information.

The D'Addario 'Bulk Shop' of 25 sets of strings does not come in individual plastic bag per set. Rather ALL of the strings of each guage are grouped together on a plastic reel/dispenser thing built into the (thick) cardboard box. The ball ends are exposed, creating a nice colorful visual pattern gold-red-black-green-purple-silver across the open box.

Very cool, I love piecing together a set of strings by pulling out one string from each reel. I 'pre-package' a few sets to travel in guitar cases, just by coiling the set together.

At the rate I go thru them, aging of the (partially) exposed , non-wrappered strings is just not an issue. I suppose if you really were concerned you could wrap the whole box (about 6X6X2) in plastic or store it in a special place.

Overall I've been very pleased with this approach.

[Brackett Instruments]

Moisture is what "ages" or tarnishes new, unused strings. Store them in your freezer.

I'm not kidding.