15-year old strings that have never been used- will they sound like new?

squarewave · #1 10-14-2005, 09:06 AM

Hi- A potentially embarrasing question follows.

I have some Dean Markley Blue Steel strings, still in the wrapper, that were purchased 15 yrs. ago. Is there a shelf life on strings? I suspect there is not, but don't want to waste my time if they won't be bright sounding.

Jeff

trog · #2 10-14-2005, 09:16 AM

Stick them on and find out?

I imagine they'd be fine as long as they've been in a sealed packet.

squarewave · #3 10-14-2005, 09:27 AM

Thanks for the reply.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trog

Stick them on and find out?

I'm too short on time to goof with them if they won't sound as new.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trog

I imagine they'd be fine as long as they've been in a sealed packet.

They are in the paper envelopes, but not shrink wrapped.

Ray-man · #4 10-14-2005, 09:29 AM

Yeah, blow the dust off and give 'em a whirl. They haven't been stretched - that's the key. Once you stretch 'em, it's a downward slope to the trash heap.

squarewave · #5 10-14-2005, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray-man

They haven't been stretched - that's the key. Once you stretch 'em, it's a downward slope to the trash heap.

Thanks. I wondered if oxidation affected the life, but it certainly makes sense that the actual stretching (and re-stretching via vibration) would be the predominant mechanism by which they "wear out". Thanks again. I'll string it up and save my money.

Jeff

Unchain · #6 10-14-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swingmaster

They are in the paper envelopes.

They shouldn't be bad, so long as they were in the envelopes.

NV43345 · #7 10-14-2005, 11:53 AM

The Rotosound rep told me Strings have a shelf life of 3 years.
If I were you, I would put them on & try them out.

WillBuckingham · #8 10-14-2005, 02:03 PM

I've had strings start to rust after sitting for maybe a month or two (sitting in their paper sleaves). That was in oh-so-humid New Orleans though.

metalguy2 · #9 10-14-2005, 02:46 PM

I think your strings might be garbage..

squarewave · #10 10-14-2005, 03:49 PM

Thank you for all of the replies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalguy2

I think your strings might be garbage..

They are likely better than the 16-yr old strings that they would replace, but I think I'll bite the bullet and buy some new ones. I guess a guy should change strings every 15 years or so, whether they need to be changed or not

Low E Louie · #11 10-14-2005, 04:12 PM

Is your time really worth that much, so you can't try the strings on your bass to see if they are any good?

squarewave · #12 10-14-2005, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low E Louie

Is your time really worth that much, so you can't try the strings on your bass to see if they are any good?

I've already spent more time talking about the strings than it would take to try them out. I'll string them up this weekend and report back.

HotTubesGrooves · #13 10-21-2005, 06:15 AM

15 years? You are joking right? I change mine every 2 weeks...

bgavin · #14 10-21-2005, 09:53 AM

In 1970, I bought a Gibson Mastertone banjo brand new.

This year, I changed the strings for the 1st time. Didn't sound any different...

I have several sets of brand new strings that are moisture protected: TI Power Bass Magnecore, GHS Progressive 52, and some spare TI Flats. It will be interesting to see how they install...

Unchain · #15 10-21-2005, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotTubesGrooves

15 years? You are joking right? I change mine every 2 weeks...

It's nice to have that much cash.

HotTubesGrooves · #16 10-22-2005, 06:14 AM

£13 every 2 weeks? I would rather spend that money on strings than go and blow it on booze every friday like half the people I know. Its not that much...

I just like the tone of new Rotosounds!

Jonki · #17 10-22-2005, 09:30 AM

i never change my strings, unless if they broken.
for me, more i play, better tone i get

Figjam · #18 10-22-2005, 11:26 AM

I believe they have a shelf life of 3 years max. They probably arent good.

whackdoodle · #19 11-02-2005, 09:01 PM

bgavin said...

In 1970, I bought a Gibson Mastertone banjo brand new.

This year, I changed the strings for the 1st time. Didn't sound any different...

/I gotta tell ya, that made me laugh out loud.

JimmyM · #20 11-02-2005, 09:31 PM

Shelf life, schmelf life. I've got a set of LaBella flats on one of my basses that have close to 7 years on them. By this shelf life stuff, I should already be on my third set. But they just keep sounding better and better.