Why Are Strings So Expensive!

Dickie_uk · #1 09-25-2011, 01:43 AM

I can't imagine they're particulary expensive or complicated to manufacture.

I find it a real choker when I try a different make or guage and am disappointed.

Also is it worth cleaning them? Suxh as boiling in vinegar or chucking them in the washing machine with my smalls ;-)

snapple · #2 09-25-2011, 01:58 AM

More metal + higher tension = higher price. They're not that bad - look at the price of double bass strings.

I used to soak old strings in rubbing alcohol. It did bring a little new life to dead strings but made them more prone to breaking.

BassPenguin22 · #3 09-25-2011, 02:04 AM

Yeah this really annoys me. I understand bass strings have more metal etc but here in australia they cost $40, guitar strings cos $10... 4x the price >

Marty Forrer · #4 09-25-2011, 02:15 AM

Pfffft.... you can buy 8 sets of bass guitar strings for the price of a string bass set. Quit whining.....

SLaPiNFuNK · #5 09-25-2011, 02:19 AM

There are some resellers that make strings reasonable...

Bass Strings also last much longer than guitar strings... more than 4 times longer...

There are also some products that do work as far as cleaning them and making the strings last longer...

genericusername · #6 09-25-2011, 02:25 AM

Weigh a set of guitar strings (0.010-0.46) and a set of bass strings (0.45-0.100) and see which set is heavier, and by how much.

4-string · #7 09-25-2011, 02:26 AM

If it makes you feel any better, strings are more expensive here than in Australia.

Which is why I buy from online dealers like Welcome to Bass Strings Online - Lay it down... et al.

Since you are in the UK, stringsdirect might be worth a look. If you haven't tried Legacy strings, give them a go, they are great strings for the money:
Legacy Bass Guitar Strings from Strings Direct

Having tried many different online stores for strings, my top three list is Strings Direct - Online Guitar Strings and Accessories, Guitar Strings and Beyond - Buy Guitar Strings Online and Save!, and Welcome to Bass Strings Online - Lay it down... with a special nod to the latter for a great website, excellent customer service, and what must be the best pricing. Also, as you can see from the previous poster, the owner is a TB'er.

Jools4001 · #8 09-25-2011, 02:26 AM

Supply and demand.

The manafacturers equation goes something like:

Fixed costs and all overheads (premises, tooling, power, base salaries) plus variable costs (raw materials, distribution, marketing) divided by not that many bassists in the sheme of things = more expensive

SLaPiNFuNK · #9 09-25-2011, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-string

If it makes you feel any better, strings are more expensive here than in Australia.

Which is why I buy from online dealers like Welcome to Bass Strings Online - Lay it down... et al.

Forum Members have access to special VIP pricing with us as well by registering and including that you are a Talk Bass member in the comments section

Dickie_uk · #10 09-25-2011, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jools4001

Supply and demand.

The manafacturers equation goes something like:

Fixed costs and all overheads (premises, tooling, power, base salaries) plus variable costs (raw materials, distribution, marketing) divided by not that many bassists in the sheme of things = more expensive

You forgot to mention them using OUR money to pay so-called expert bassists to endorse them!

4-string · #11 09-25-2011, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dickie_uk

You forgot to mention them using OUR money to pay so-called expert bassists to endorse them!

Yeah, but that's just how things work, no need to get upset over bass strings.

What about sportswear? Make some underaged worker produce it for literally nothing in India or Bangladesh or another third world country, then spend millions and millions marketing the stuff, then sell it at high prices and pocket the profit. Don't forget sponsor deals for guys like Tiger Woods: BBC News | The Economy | Woods holes $90m

I have ZERO issues with companies that produce bass strings.

Dickie_uk · #12 09-25-2011, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-string

Yeah, but that's just how things work, no need to get upset over bass strings.

What about sportswear? Make some underaged worker produce it for literally nothing in India or Bangladesh or another third world country, then spend millions and millions marketing the stuff, then sell it at high prices and pocket the profit. Don't forget sponsor deals for guys like Tiger Woods: BBC News | The Economy | Woods holes $90m

I have ZERO issues with companies that produce bass strings.

I DON'T DO SPORTSWARE!!! :-)

Seriously though from a personal point of view I would experiment with different makes/guages if the price was cheaper. But at the price they are I stick with my 'usuals' (which I'm happy with).

Ric5 · #13 09-25-2011, 06:30 AM

Hmmm ... I used to pay like $25 a set for 4 rotosound strings back in the early 70s. Now I can get a set for a 5 string bass for about the same. Factor in inflation and the additional string and it is a good deal. But if I could get a get set for $5 I would love it.

MNAirHead · #14 09-25-2011, 06:43 AM

They used to cost more.

-------

Unfortunately the most blow-hard and useless threads on TB are about strings.. they kind of need to be matched to your bass and preferences. "I like" is a useless reply.

The other cost that guitars don't have are precision balancing... it adds another step and qualtiy control to the production.

MisterFabulous · #15 09-25-2011, 07:06 AM

Yes, bass strings can be expensive for all the reasons listed above.

If you are still searching for your favorite string ( I know I am), trade with other TBers for strings you want to try out. You can search the TB classifieds for that.

For the OP, I believe there are some popular UK bass websites, plus a subforum on TB for UK and Euro bassists.

Clean the strings you have (wash your hands before picking up the bass, too) to make them last longer. Lots of ways to do that found here on TB.

On that note, don't put them in rubbing alcohol. It has water in it. Boiling strings is not good for the same reason.

SBassman · #16 09-25-2011, 07:14 AM

I figured out the solution to this.

Don't change your strings.

tester423 · #17 09-25-2011, 07:59 AM

I have been boiling strings for years without a problem. I usually boil them once per set. Seems like one time i boiled a set 3 times and shortly after that I broke one of them. Do you guys really have problems with the boiling thing? I just use water also. I put strings in a pot, cover them with about an inch or so of water, bring contents of strings and water to a boil. Continue boiling for about 10 min. remove and immediately drain water -- Then I towell dry strings followed up with a hair dryer. Works good for me.

HTH
Dick

sedan_dad · #18 09-25-2011, 08:02 AM

Switch to flats. You only buy them once.

pasta4lnch · #19 09-25-2011, 08:07 AM

I use GHS strings on my main player (P). 2 sets = $40 and that lasts me around a year (a little less, depending on how much I play - plus how grueling the summer is, as the humidity kills)

by comparison guitar strings are much cheaper - but when I was playing a lot, I would change my strings every week, or every other week

so if my math is right - 10 sets of D'addario XL's (what I use on guitar) is around $40 so it's about the same per year ...

I use DR's on my V'r, but play it a lot less - same set on there for at least 2-3 years and I have flats on my p/j so . . . well, I'll get my $'s worth on those

Sauron_ · #20 09-25-2011, 08:11 AM

See my signature.