Who's Given Up On Buying Their Strings In Store? - Page 2

Ampeg SVT · #21 12-11-2006, 05:38 PM

sometimes i buy from the store, once i get my rickenbacker i still have to experiment with DR's and Dean Markleys but Ive bought from online and the prices for Blue Steels is much better online ($18) than in the store ($25).

matito · #22 12-12-2006, 07:46 AM

i buy over ebay now

my local stores don't carry ernie ball strings, which i use for bass and guitar

bassmonkeee · #23 12-12-2006, 08:11 AM

I have always been a big proponent of online string buying, but I'm lucky to have the Atlanta Bass Gallery right down the street from where I work (at least until Jim moves to a new location).

I've never overpaid for strings, and I have the added bonus of going into a Candyland of Basses every time I go to buy something.

brianrost · #24 12-12-2006, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Jewels

Wow!

I never realized that so many people were online buyers.
I tried to remain faithful to the brick & mortar stores, but lately they just haven't been delivering.

What first sent me online was playing a Steinberger and DB...local dealers don't keep that stuff in stock and the high MSRP on some DB strings ($200-300 a set) makes discounts a big deal.

The Craw · #25 12-12-2006, 09:48 AM

My default strings on most of my basses are Ernie Ball Super Slinkys and they're no more expensive locally than online.

But let's face it, retailers don't stay in business by stocking a bunch of slow movers. They have loads of expenses that online only stores don't. For all the incessant talk about flats, tapewounds, halfrounds etc. they're really a very small part of the market. Most retailers don't want to stock a string set that somebody might ask for once every other month.

I appreciate the online stores when I need something unusual, but I don't blame retailers for not carrying them.

rhp335 · #26 12-12-2006, 10:18 AM

I agree that the local Mom & Pop stores can't really afford to carry a lot of different varieties of strings, which is a shame, but part of their survivial strategy. That doesn't mean I'll buy the wrong strings just to help them out, hopefully that comes from larger purchases and referrals.

I can't say enough good things about juststrings, I've been buying strings from them for the last few years and they really take care of their customers.

slejhamer · #27 12-12-2006, 11:00 AM

Finding short- or medium-scale strings for a Mustang Bass is nearly impossible to do at my local mom-&-pop stores. GC carries the 40-95 Fender short-scale set, but I don't care for those light-gauge, low-tension strings. Juststrings.com has a very comprehensive selection, and good customer service as well.

el_Kabong · #28 12-12-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Henry

You US guys should count yourselves very lucky. What are you paying for RotoSound 60's in a shop? US$20-US$25? I'm paying UK£20-UK£25! Given that it's about US$2 to the UK£1 right now, you do the math (as you lot say). I actually haven't found a shop in London that carries DRs.

I now only buy on line, mostly from European wholesalers that charge UK£15 a pack (plus shipping, but that's low). If someone knows of a US dealer that ships to the UK cheapish I'd love to know.

Vindy500, man, even in my parts US$90 a pack is way up there. Sorry to hear it.

Cheers

Have you tried these guys? I've found them fast and reliable. $15 US to ship up to ten sets internationally.

Asaf · #29 12-13-2006, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Henry

You US guys should count yourselves very lucky. What are you paying for RotoSound 60's in a shop? US$20-US$25? I'm paying UK£20-UK£25! Given that it's about US$2 to the UK£1 right now, you do the math (as you lot say). I actually haven't found a shop in London that carries DRs.

I now only buy on line, mostly from European wholesalers that charge UK£15 a pack (plus shipping, but that's low). If someone knows of a US dealer that ships to the UK cheapish I'd love to know.

Vindy500, man, even in my parts US$90 a pack is way up there. Sorry to hear it.

Cheers

we pay the same prices here in Israel (did the math and it equals).
so i order them from mymusicstuff.com and it costs less then half when you include the shipping rate...

but you guys worldwide get decent service, here in the music stores the sellers are all a**holes.

guy n. cognito · #30 12-13-2006, 08:45 AM

I have given up buying strings locally, mainly because my local stores have given up having a good selection in stock. The best music store in town has informed me that they are no longer going to even attempt to carry a good selection of strings. At most, they have 4-5 different brands, and are frequently out of stock of those. Since I use the same strings on all basses, I just order those string online, in bulk.

keb · #31 12-13-2006, 08:57 AM

I quit buying strings in stores years ago as well.

Mazinger · #32 12-13-2006, 10:28 AM

I stopped by a fairly large music store in town to buy strings.

They didn't have one set of flatwounds.

NickyBass · #33 12-13-2006, 10:30 AM

It's been a long time since I bought strings in a brick-and-mortar store. Actually, most of my shopping is on the internet.

FaithNoMan · #34 12-13-2006, 11:17 AM

If it wasn't for Bass Central carrying DR Sunbeams, I probably would have given up locally also.

MonetBass · #35 12-13-2006, 11:28 AM

Local store here (fairly big and has been around quite a while) always has 2-for-1 strings, and carries all of the top brands: D'Addario, Dean Markley, Ernie Ball, etc. Bargain.

Synplicity · #36 12-13-2006, 11:59 AM

yup, giving up, why spend £26 in store for a pack of rotosounds for my 5'er, when i can get fender ones for £10 less online.

chadds · #37 12-19-2006, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matito

i buy over ebay now

my local stores don't carry ernie ball strings, which i use for bass and guitar

Ebay is the only place I can get used really broken in strings. You know with miles of someone elses funk and grease in and on them. Strings that have never seen daylight that will give you lung issues from the second hand smell of smoke. Strings that I have to bid up because I have to convince the seller to take them off the bass after 47 years. Strings that have only been wiped down with chicken grease, beer and sweat. I will soon be marketing these as Undead Strings. Strings that are so dead they come back to life. Strings that have more blues than you will ever have in your miserable life. Strings that have been run hard and put away wet. "Crust of Ages" will be the enhanced vintage model. So enhanced that dogs will seek out your bass case looking for a meal.

Roland777 · #38 12-19-2006, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo' bass

I'm from the Netherlands and order my strings at a German internet store... way cheaper and better selection... (I also order Fast Fret online, it's like half price...). Some packs of strings, trow in some Fast Fret and the shipping is free.

Saitenkatalog? I'm starting to use those guys - good price, okay delivery-time, and a good selection. They screwed up my order when I added that I wanted a taperwound .145, but hey, it's okay.

fourstringdrums · #39 12-19-2006, 06:36 AM

I did a long time ago. It started when I played DR's. All the stores around here only carried Hi-Beams, and that's not what I played. Now that I'm using Labella, I've never even seen a pack of Labella GUITAR strings, let alone Bass strings in the local stores. I go through Juststrings.com and all is right again

Michael Jewels · #40 12-19-2006, 09:54 AM

I never thought this thread was going to get so many responses, and so many in favor of buying online!

Live & learn.

Mike