Anyone have strings for Cubans? (Toronto)

Milothicus · #1 01-15-2013, 11:32 AM

I'm heading to Cuba on friday, and i want to bring some musical supplies to help out the locals.

i haven't done this before, but my understanding is that they'll appreciate any strings, old or new. as long as they can be attached to an instrument, they're likely to be used.

i think i have some guitar strings, and probably a set or two of bass guitar strings i can bring, but i figure if anyone else in the toronto area wants to donate some double bass strings, they'd be even more appreciated.

let me know here or through PM and hopefully i can meet up with some people to hand them off.

i work i mississauga, and live in burlington, but i'm willing to meet up depending on timing and stuff.

Jake deVilliers · #2 01-15-2013, 02:05 PM

Nice idea Milo! I have a friend who took a pile of strings to Cuba with her last year and they were really thrilled to get them.

Good luck!

marcox · #3 01-15-2013, 11:50 PM

PM sent.

bass12 · #4 01-16-2013, 12:23 AM

Great idea. I've done this before with electric bass strings and have a whole stack here waiting to be donated. Too bad you're in Toronto and leaving Friday!

Milothicus · #5 01-16-2013, 08:41 AM

yeah, if i go again, i'll be requesting the supplies earlier for sure.

i just didn't think of it early enough.

keep collecting!

TroyK · #6 01-17-2013, 12:00 PM

I would have loved to have helped out mis hermanos. Next trip, give us a little more notice or PM me if you think about it. I'm sure I could find something for the cause.

dhsierra1 · #7 01-17-2013, 12:03 PM

likewise, please post earlier because I have 4-5 sets of used strings in good shape I'd be happy to mail to you before your next trip down.

zimoo · #8 01-17-2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milothicus

I'm heading to Cuba on friday, and i want to bring some musical supplies to help out the locals.

i haven't done this before, but my understanding is that they'll appreciate any strings, old or new. as long as they can be attached to an instrument, they're likely to be used.

i think i have some guitar strings, and probably a set or two of bass guitar strings i can bring, but i figure if anyone else in the toronto area wants to donate some double bass strings, they'd be even more appreciated.

let me know here or through PM and hopefully i can meet up with some people to hand them off.

i work i mississauga, and live in burlington, but i'm willing to meet up depending on timing and stuff.

Hi Miloticus

I am in Montreal and has 5 set of used double bass string.
I want donate for our musical friends.
You live in burlington VT ? if so , Can you pass into Montreal ?

Zimoo

Milothicus · #9 02-09-2013, 07:21 AM

well, the trip went fairly well. Unfortunately my wife and i had 3 deaths in our families while we were there, which made it difficult to enjoy at times.

I was hoping to be able to go into Havana for an evening, but that didn't work out. i spoke to the musicians in the resort and passed on what i had brought, which included 2 new sets of bass guitar strings (with a few extras), a set of archtop guitar strings (missing the high E, and a set of upright bass strings that marcox sent me.

One guitar player in the band was very thankful for the guitar strings, as he only had 3 on his guitar, and at least one pair were doubled, so he was playing it more a mandolin. my strings were way too heavy for his guitar that was probably built for nylons, but those guys will figure out how to use them.

the bass player is actually a bass teacher, both upright and slab, so he was very thankful for all the bass strings.

after i gave them the strings, they insisted i take the bass to play a song. I'm definitely a slab player who occasionally plays the upright, so the performance was nothing to write home about, but it was nice to play with them for a bit. a short version of All Blues, and Hotel California.

thanks again for the support, and if i go back (which i likely will), i'll ask for the donations sooner. i also found out that a few canadian airlines will allow an extra carry-on size bag to anyone bringing supplies into Cuba. that allows for a lot more supplies. next time i'll bring more nylon guitar strings, and any upright bass strings people can donate (i don't have extras of my own).

marcox · #10 02-09-2013, 10:34 AM

Sorry to hear about your losses. It's doubly tough when events like that happen when you're away from home and friends.

Glad to hear that the strings will find a home. I've since discovered another batch of strings to donate, so please let us know the next time you head to Cuba. And I hope you get to Havana next time -- it's an amazing place.