Used Strings..

Rapisme · #1 01-21-2010, 08:19 PM

Someone please educate me, it seems that the new thing or maybe not is with the sale of "LIGHTLY USED STRINGS", "LESS THAN a few hours" "Still virtually new" O.K. is it just me?
But what's with this? Also How can anyone vouch for how long they'll been on a bass.

I'm just seeing this more and more. How much can one really tell by a few hours on a bass anyway. Really I mean usually if I don't like a string it comes off then I give them to a music school. After I've collected a bunch like that.

Maybe i'm just being pesky but can some one shred some light?
Peace

CBgaragebassist · #2 01-21-2010, 09:01 PM

Apparently some people like to get rid of extras and want to make money. Also, many people like the sound of broken-in strings, especially with flats. Only reasons i can think of.

stflbn · #3 01-21-2010, 09:08 PM

I've tried out multiple different brands of strings by different manufacturers thanks to people here selling their disliked strings. I'll continue to do so when I see sets that will fit my specific basses.
I've sold set of strings that I either didn't like or was done with, and almost always someone was happy to get those strings..

I've found that I really like Sunbeams, and like them better than Lo-Riders because of the Sunbeams low tension. I've found that I'm not a fan of Stainless Roundwounds. I've found that I like Sadowsky flats, but not on my current lineup of basses. I've got a brand new set of TI Jazz Flats arriving tomorrow because I like low tension strings and want to try them on my custom 5-string TeleP bass... and if I end up not liking them I'll very likely sell them here to someone.

1. Some people actually like really broken in strings.
2. Some people buy strings, put them on for a couple hours and hate them.
3. Some people get caught up in the hype that can happen here and purchase strings they quickly realize they should not have purchased.
4. Like buying a used instrument, sometimes you just gotta believe that a seller is being honest.

Seriously... do you think someone's going to lie about the age of a set of strings their selling for $15 shipped?

There's little profit in selling used strings after shipping. I usually offer older sets or sets I dislike for sale here because there ARE people who cannot afford a $70 set of TI flats, or a $40 set of Chromes, or a $30 set of Coated EB Slinkies, or even a $15 set or SIT Roundwounds.

Hell... I've even sent used strings to others here to try without payment.

Sometimes you just gotta have faith and believe that you're helping and in return others will help you.

IMHO.

.

Zombbg4 · #4 01-21-2010, 09:14 PM

I think it's kind of rediculous, sometimes you just need to bite the bullet. It can be a great deal for someone who likes broken in strings, wants to see how they feel tension-wise, or like myself as a beater set to use during the build process so new strings aren't damaged.

I do notice that once strings have been removed they loose some zip, so no matter how little they were used they aren't going to sound new. Also, give me a new set of strings other than Elixirs and I can kill them in 4 hours no problem, I've got acid hands.

Rapisme · #5 01-21-2010, 11:28 PM

Really some interesting points being made. Yeah I see the different sides. But the acid hands is what I'm leary of. Yeah 4 hrs of hard playing can kill a set/ But trying different strings already broken in? Well i don't care to participate, it doesn't make sense.
But thanks all for letting me in on what's going on.

TortillaChip520 · #6 01-21-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapisme

Maybe i'm just being pesky but can some one shred some light?

If only i could shred light...

Personally, i wouldn't ever buy used strings. Somebody else's finger gunk in them, and they aren't gonna sound the same way as if i had played them new.

rappa29 · #7 01-22-2010, 07:56 AM

Funny this topic has come up because I was trying to figure out how to get rid of a bunch of old\used strings.

It's not worth it to me to sell them, so I was thinking of donating them to somewhere or just having a Talkbass Karma giveaway and seeing if anyone wanted them for free.

Groover · #8 01-22-2010, 09:19 AM

One man's junk is another man's treasure. If it weren't like that, things like eBay wouldn't even exist.

I try a lot of strings, and sometimes they come off literally new (less than an hour), so really not garbage I don't think.

That said, I like to buy new strings

CBgaragebassist · #9 01-22-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapisme

Really some interesting points being made. Yeah I see the different sides. But the acid hands is what I'm leary of. Yeah 4 hrs of hard playing can kill a set/ But trying different strings already broken in? Well i don't care to participate, it doesn't make sense.
But thanks all for letting me in on what's going on.

For flats at least, it can take months for them to break in and lose brightness, so some people would like to skip the breaking-in process. Plus some people who dont dig flats will use broken-in/dead rounds.

Zombbg4 · #10 01-22-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBgaragebassist

For flats at least, it can take months for them to break in and lose brightness, so some people would like to skip the breaking-in process. Plus some people who dont dig flats will use broken-in/dead rounds.

Hmm, maybe I should start a string break in service. Broken in or dead in a week or your money back! It would get me playing a lot more too

Hector_G · #11 01-22-2010, 11:41 AM

The strings on my Carvin were going dead. So I slapped on a free set of strings that a certain company sent out to me. WAY bigger gauge than I like. Took 'em off a day later.

I just put up a MySpace bulletin asking if any one wants them for free. Still no takers.
Wouldn't think of trying to sell them.

Rapisme · #12 01-22-2010, 04:37 PM

Hey... Now that's an Idea!!! Send you BNIB strings to me with a Postage paid return envelope and they'll get back to you in ten business days. That's great!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombbg4

Hmm, maybe I should start a string break in service. Broken in or dead in a week or your money back! It would get me playing a lot more too

CBgaragebassist · #13 01-22-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hector_G

The strings on my Carvin were going dead. So I slapped on a free set of strings that a certain company sent out to me. WAY bigger gauge than I like. Took 'em off a day later.

I just put up a MySpace bulletin asking if any one wants them for free. Still no takers.
Wouldn't think of trying to sell them.

What type and what gauge?