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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | I wonder how many other members here are as cheap about strings as I am.
Now that's an odd statement as I used coated strings (not going to get into a debate about what kind) that cost about $15/set. But I've been known to bounce them from guitar to guitar.
For example, for the last few weeks I've been thinking that the 1537 sounded kinda dead and lifeless. I realized that I had medium gauge strings on it, uncoated, and a type I normally don't use. On my Legend, I had coated strings but light gauge, and in my box of stuff, I had a set of coated mediums that I had tried on the 87C and realized that it needed lights. I had taken the mediums off the 87C and saved them for something else.
So I took the strings off the 1537 and tossed them. Then took the strings off the Legend and put them on the 1537, and put the used mediums on the Legend. Both guitars now sound great, lots of punch and crisp to boot.
I've tried to tell other players that I've done this and they all look at me like I'm crazy. But one of the advantages of a coated string is that you can get away with stuff like this.
Anybody else do this? |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| I'm a cheap SOB, and I'm almost as hard on strings as is Temp (something in my body chemistry) so I use El Cheapo strings (EJ16's) and just change them often. I can tarnish a set within 2 hours of putting them on. They don't last long enough for me to even think about re-using them on another git. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | when it comes to strings, I'm cheap too! |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Paul,
That's pretty resourceful! I don't think I've ever reused strings except to replace a broken one on my G-baby's toy git.
Dem 'pig tails' would deter me... |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | When I started buying guitars, I'd usually get a couple sets of strings in the deal. Those lasted for years, probably because I didn't play that much. I just used up the last set of acoustic strings I won at Miles' door prize drawings last year. It took me about a year to use up the 6 sets I got from GC after I complained to the manager about a salesperson's error. I have a couple sets of 2 for one D'Add strings left and then I'll start on some Martins that were about $18 for 6 sets.
My 1713 sits stringless because I hate changing nylon strings. The last time one broke, I just changed that string. The rest haven't been changed in years. It's been a couple years since I paid retail for a set of strings and that was to try out some Clapton's Choice Martins when I first saw them. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Right there with ya, Paul. If I try something new on one and it doesn't work out, there's always something else to try them on.
It's only been a couple of years since I stopped saving dead strings for replacements in case I broke a new one.
Cheap, yeah. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4082
Location: Utah | I like to try different kinds of strings, and have been fortunate enough the past 3 years to acquire several new instruments. There is always a different string that needs to be tested on a different guitar.
So no I am not cheap about strings. I've been known to change strings out of boredom just to see how a different set sounds.
Picks? I'll recurve the tip with sandpaper rather than buy a new pick. Now that is being cheap! |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ..cheap? yeah, me too. But I just wait until my favorite web-vendor has a not-to-be-missed sale where I can get some freebies(free guitar/T-Shirts etc.) as well and then order a batch at a time.
...I never do swap strings from one guitar to another....I'm not that penurious..yet. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I am super cheap about strings. Free ones are the best, without regard to make or model, and buying in quantity comes next. I am also fortunate that I am very easy on strings, and almost always play plugged in, where a worn set of strings isn't so noticeable. I'm also now tracking when I change out stings so I can better maintain those that get played a lot. When my supply gets down to about a half dozen sets, I'll usually buy two or three more dozen of whatever is on sale on-line or at the local discount guitar shop. My only requirement is that the strings have to be individually sealed because they could sit on the shelf for a year or two. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 354
Location: nashville | I took a begining guitar class in college in the early 80's. My instructor told me that old strings would return to "like new" status becasue they would (for a lack of a better word) un stretch. I didnt believe it.
I do know legend has it that one of the old famous Motown bass players (I'm sure someone here knows the name) "never ever" changed his strings. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Yeah Paulie, I'm guilty as well...some strings sound better on some guitars than others and I do the same thing if the strings are fairly new...Now if they're old and funky or toneless, they get tossed... |
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Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | Ahh, I just change em on my 6 string every month or so. The Daddarios I use are $5+ per set at juststrings.com so 5 bucks a month aint that much. The 12 string does not get changed as often. I gave coated strings a try and just did not like them, too slippery but they did sound as lively as the month old phosper bronze strings they replaced :) . I know, another debate for another time...one that has already been beaten to death.
I must admit to trying out a lot of different strings and gauges to arrive at what I like. Jeff can attest to that, he got all my cast aways! |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 381
Location: Miami | Originally posted by FlySig:
There is always a different string that needs to be tested on a different guitar.
So no I am not cheap about strings. I've been known to change strings out of boredom just to see how a different set sounds.
LOL!!! +1 |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Well.. I'll go the other way.
Tho I won't pay more just to pay more, I don't let the cost of strings be a factor. If I like 'em... I use 'em.
With all the time, effort and money I have put into my guitars I'm not going to compromise my enjoyment for a couple bucks.
I'm surprised I'm the only one to take that stand. With all the fuss and attention spent on the smallest detail of material and construction, who would settle for less over a couple bucks?
Same with tennis balls.
The K-mart brand costs less but you get what you pay for.
I bet it's the same for you golfers. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I go for what I like first and foremost. As referenced in another thread, comfort, ease of play, sound, are all important to my playing. If the guitar I'm playing isn't right, then I'm paying more attention to that, than playing. It's just how I'm wired.
Also feeding the "what I like to play first" attitude... sometimes I find a cheap string I just like... I also change strings any time I play out, so I'd prefer to use cheaper strings when gigging... but if they aren't comfy to play, stay in tune, and sound right... they don't get used.
I also look at it this way. The STRINGS are the FIRST element in the signal path.. pretty important. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Slipkid:
I'm surprised I'm the only one to take that stand. Brad, you're not the only one! I consider strings as relatively short term and rea$onable consumables.
When I got back into guitars, I paid top dollar for the strings I wanted to try. After a short while, I had accumulated enough sets to enable me to sit back and wait for sales/specials which has paid off. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I can't really call myself a golfer, Brad, but your comment reminded me:
Supposedly the best and most expensive ball is a Titleist ProV. I was playing with a guy who sliced his first 3 into the woods. Then his friend says, "Why does a shitty golfer like you use such expensive balls?"
That drew a blank look. Some people buy the best to make up for a lack of talent and it doesn't help. The pros use the best because it makes a difference that maybe only they can see. The rest of us probably wouldn't notice a difference.
I have bunches of ProVs, but I've never bought one. Lousy golfers apparently hit just as many ProVs into the woods and water as I do with cheap balls. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | When I need a new set of strings, I just grab the next one in the rack. I know, you've seen it before, but we all like photos nonetheless.
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Strings are disposable. And cheap. You're supposed to use 'em once. Unless you're Whitehead and you've got a TBA project.
So with that said, I now have a list of houses that I'm bringing my own toilet paper to. :rolleyes: |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | I buy in bulk and change every 2 -3 years as the need arises. I'd rather spend time playing than changing strings. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4082
Location: Utah | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I was playing with a guy who sliced his first 3 into the woods. Then his friend says, "Why does a shitty golfer like you use such expensive balls?" Back in the day I played on the high school golf team. We practiced at a local municipal course where we could play 9 holes at dusk for $3. One of the holes you had to hit over a pond. I put a lot of balls into that pond until I started using the most beat up sliced up ball that I found abandoned somewhere. It never flew straight, doing little arcs and bends, but it never went in the water either.
Sometimes a crappy piece of equipment can mask lack of skill. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | My first question is...
How do you get the curly ends back out, and back in, the pin-less bridge?
If I know how to do that, I might start boiling my strings!
I usually used D'Addario's at about $5 a set.
I am now going through some EXP's that I got on sale.
They don't sound crispy-new when you put them in...
But the sound that way for a long time. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I cannot quite remember which guitar I bought...
But some kind soul sent me these with it! :cool:
This is a actual scan of the label.
I have been too scared to really put them on a guitar!
But maybe it is more fun just to keep 'em in my string drawer. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I get my srtings for cost, so of course I change them often. I just LOVE new strings. The only time I re-use a set is when I buy a guitar from a member. Everyone I have bought from puts new strings on the guitar, but unfortunately, a lot of you use strings I don't like. So...I save them to use on used guitars I pick up to sell in the shop. I never have any trouble getting the curly-q's out. Just use a set of needlenose pliers to straighten the end out a little.
Oh, and if you own a 12-fretter like the Folklore or the 1680, you can clip the curly end right off and the string will still be long enough. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I change them based on how much I am playing a particular guitar. If it's one the wall and in the rotation it can be every month or so. In the case maybe once a year.
What I have been doing now for the last 3 years is keeping a notebook that shows the date of change and what type and gauge of string I put on. Then I rate the sound. Over time I have narrowed down the type of string that "I think" sounds best on each of my guitars. Then when somebody puts up info about a great new string I have never tried it is easy to try it out and give it a reasonable rating based on the sound I am use to.
Works out pretty well. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Lousy golfers apparently hit just as many ProVs into the woods and water as I do with cheap balls.
Lousy is as lousy does.
I do know it made a huge difference when I finally upgraded my snow skis.
Life is to short and guitars are to cool to use crappy strings.
Come on Paul... green up and live a little. |
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Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | I do that with my pianos. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Strings are a complicated issue ,..
Depending on the material they`re made of, some last much longer then others ( even among the Bronze - Phos. Bronze ) , yet , I`ve found that the biggest difference shows-up in the wolf-tones, some strings sound more forgiving there , and then some feel like barb-wire , and even at the exorbitant prices they cost overhere ( a set of CFM msp 3100 costs 13 USD ) ,..
I only " re-use " them to make small files ,..
On the 1537 I use :
CFM 4200 13-56 to obtain a Bright Cutting tone.. and ..
Thomastik "Spectrum " 13- 57 , for a Big Orchestral tone..
both sets last a long time ,
The CFM strings when they break , snap ,and fall down..
VINCI breaks and fly all over the place ..etc. etc. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Originally posted by FlicKreno aka Solid Top:
Strings are a complicated issue ,..
Depending on the material they`re made of, some last much longer then others ( even among the Bronze - Phos. Bronze ) , yet , I`ve found that the biggest difference shows-up in the wolf-tones, some strings sound more forgiving there , and then some feel like barb-wire , and even at the exorbitant prices they cost overhere ( a set of CFM msp 3100 costs 13 USD ) ,..
I only " re-use " them to make small files ,..
On the 1537 I use :
CFM 4200 gauge 13-56 to obtain a Bright Cutting tone.. and ..
Thomastik "Spectrum " gauge 13- 57 , for a Big Orchestral tone..
both sets last a long time ,
The CFM strings when they break , snap ,and fall down..
VINCI breaks and fly all over the place ..etc. etc. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | I dunno.. |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 197
Location: Pennsylvania | strings are supposed to be changed? :eek: |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Naw... When you buy a guitar you give that guy some extra money and he will set it up for you.
If you don't touch those little knobs on the end, it will be fine.
You see all them guitars on sale that have the 'Original Strings' on them?
That is the kind you wanna buy!
Especially the ones that were set-up at the Factory. |
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Cheap about strings