JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
I’ve heard a lot of you guys mention buying strings in bulk. How long of a supply do you all get? Assuming we’re talking strings that are packed like D’Addario in moisture proof bags, how long do they stay good?
String shelf life?
- Thread starter JB_From_Hell
- Start date
Francois
New member
Re: String shelf life?
With D'addario packing they look brand new after one year or more.
I use both Ernie Ball and D'addario, but here in Europe I often found rust dots on new Ernie Balls (the plain steel ones), just when unpacking. This never happened with Daddario moisture proof bags.
That said I like them both equally and prefer the D'addario packing for changing all strings at once, but would rather carry along a Ernie Ball package in case one string break.
With D'addario packing they look brand new after one year or more.
I use both Ernie Ball and D'addario, but here in Europe I often found rust dots on new Ernie Balls (the plain steel ones), just when unpacking. This never happened with Daddario moisture proof bags.
That said I like them both equally and prefer the D'addario packing for changing all strings at once, but would rather carry along a Ernie Ball package in case one string break.
NegativeEase
New member
Re: String shelf life?
I have a few boxes of various D'addario strings that are fine after multiple years if the moisture bag is unopened and they are kept in climate controlled area. I have GHS Ernie Balls packages that are 2 and 3 decades old -For giggles -I will open one guitar pack from each decade and report back... you have my curiosity.
I have a few boxes of various D'addario strings that are fine after multiple years if the moisture bag is unopened and they are kept in climate controlled area. I have GHS Ernie Balls packages that are 2 and 3 decades old -For giggles -I will open one guitar pack from each decade and report back... you have my curiosity.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: String shelf life?
Good point.
I ask because D'Addario has all their 3 packs on sale for $9.99 through the end of the year. I think I'm going to get a bunch of 10-52 and 11-49, then mix the plain and wound strings to get 10-49 for the standard guitar and 11-52 for the Eb guitar.
Good point.
I ask because D'Addario has all their 3 packs on sale for $9.99 through the end of the year. I think I'm going to get a bunch of 10-52 and 11-49, then mix the plain and wound strings to get 10-49 for the standard guitar and 11-52 for the Eb guitar.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: String shelf life?
You're probably safe doing a livetime buy if you are that committed... Other than that, I would say buy as many as you want, especially the D'Addarios in the sealed plastic. EBs are in individual open envelopes, but all of those are sealed in a plastic bag, I think pretty much everyone is sealing them now days, right? I do remember the days of the open plastic envelopes with the paper envelopes inside, yeah, I've come across old packs of those that were corroded.
You're probably safe doing a livetime buy if you are that committed... Other than that, I would say buy as many as you want, especially the D'Addarios in the sealed plastic. EBs are in individual open envelopes, but all of those are sealed in a plastic bag, I think pretty much everyone is sealing them now days, right? I do remember the days of the open plastic envelopes with the paper envelopes inside, yeah, I've come across old packs of those that were corroded.
VinceT
New member
Re: String shelf life?
Just to chip in my agreement - D’Addario and EB strings have been good on the shelf for me for months provided the moisture bag isn’t open. I never have loose D’Addarios out as singles for any length of time, so can’t comment not them, but EB singles have shown corrosion if they’re out in the individual paper sleeves.
My main issue with EB is unwinding of the ball end - several times - and regular string breaks. I haven’t experienced those with D’Addario.
Bottom line: your plan sound solid provided you keep everything bagged up and only assemble your custom sets when stringing the guitars.
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Just to chip in my agreement - D’Addario and EB strings have been good on the shelf for me for months provided the moisture bag isn’t open. I never have loose D’Addarios out as singles for any length of time, so can’t comment not them, but EB singles have shown corrosion if they’re out in the individual paper sleeves.
My main issue with EB is unwinding of the ball end - several times - and regular string breaks. I haven’t experienced those with D’Addario.
Bottom line: your plan sound solid provided you keep everything bagged up and only assemble your custom sets when stringing the guitars.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
metalchurch79
New member
Re: String shelf life?
Im about to get a 12 pack of daddario 8-38’s cause my local store doesn't cater to that weak stuff...
Plus me and the girlfriend moved into a new place in September and some of my guitars’ strings flash rusted because she left a window open while everyone was at work and it rained so the moisture in the air did those strings in which sucked cause they were only a week old if that...
I get about 2-3 weeks out of a set of strings, sometimes less, but rarely more... depends on how inspired I am to play I guess.
Im about to get a 12 pack of daddario 8-38’s cause my local store doesn't cater to that weak stuff...
Plus me and the girlfriend moved into a new place in September and some of my guitars’ strings flash rusted because she left a window open while everyone was at work and it rained so the moisture in the air did those strings in which sucked cause they were only a week old if that...
I get about 2-3 weeks out of a set of strings, sometimes less, but rarely more... depends on how inspired I am to play I guess.
Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: String shelf life?
I have a massive box of strings, whenever I see a good deal on bulk stuff - I buy it. I have sets and singles of strings I bought in the 80's that are still good. Keep them dry, and they'll last forever.
I have a massive box of strings, whenever I see a good deal on bulk stuff - I buy it. I have sets and singles of strings I bought in the 80's that are still good. Keep them dry, and they'll last forever.
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: String shelf life?
I would say it’s all down to economics. When able to, I used to buy strings in 3 packs and things like that, but never in those giant packs. Seems a little unneeded unless you’re getting a better price in bulk.
I use Ernie ball and they are always fresh now that they use that metal packaging.
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I would say it’s all down to economics. When able to, I used to buy strings in 3 packs and things like that, but never in those giant packs. Seems a little unneeded unless you’re getting a better price in bulk.
I use Ernie ball and they are always fresh now that they use that metal packaging.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DavidRavenMoon
New member
Re: String shelf life?
They aren’t just moisture proof. They have an anti corrosion property.
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They aren’t just moisture proof. They have an anti corrosion property.
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DavidRavenMoon
New member
Re: String shelf life?
I concur. EBs break every time I use them. And not just the plain strings. I’ve had D and A strings break. I played bass in a cover band with a guy who used EBs. He broke strings every night. He would have me look at his saddles for burrs. He even switched to StringSavers. I told him it’s the strings.
I never break D’Addario strings unless they are like a year old! Lol And I use 9s with 1.5mm picks.
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I concur. EBs break every time I use them. And not just the plain strings. I’ve had D and A strings break. I played bass in a cover band with a guy who used EBs. He broke strings every night. He would have me look at his saddles for burrs. He even switched to StringSavers. I told him it’s the strings.
I never break D’Addario strings unless they are like a year old! Lol And I use 9s with 1.5mm picks.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Mr. B
New member
Re: String shelf life?
I replace pickups in my guitars A LOT. After loosening and retightening the strings a couple of times, Ernie Ball strings break, but D'Addario strings do not. D'Addarios last until they are worn out and need replacing. The D'Addario 9.5 gauge set has become my favorite for almost all my guitars. I wish they were easier to find. I buy them in bulk pretty often.
I replace pickups in my guitars A LOT. After loosening and retightening the strings a couple of times, Ernie Ball strings break, but D'Addario strings do not. D'Addarios last until they are worn out and need replacing. The D'Addario 9.5 gauge set has become my favorite for almost all my guitars. I wish they were easier to find. I buy them in bulk pretty often.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: String shelf life?
If I was to buy in bulk I would probably store the strings in an airtight container with a pack of silica gel.
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