New old stock of gut strings

[MollyKay]

I haved several new unused old gut strings. Some have the sales receipts from early 1970's. Some are still in the wax paper wrapping. Are these strings usable? I hate to throw them away, but I do have quite a number of them from various bass purchases. The packaging is La Bella, Jagaur and others. What is the best thing to do with them? I just bought a new set of La Bella gut strings...whew are they pricey...that is what got me to thinking about all these old strings. Maybe there is some life left in them.

Let me know what is the responsible thing to do.

Thanks!

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by MollyKay

I haved several new unused old gut strings. Some have the sales receipts from early 1970's. Some are still in the wax paper wrapping. Are these strings usable? I hate to throw them away, but I do have quite a number of them from various bass purchases. The packaging is La Bella, Jagaur and others. What is the best thing to do with them? I just bought a new set of La Bella gut strings...whew are they pricey...that is what got me to thinking about all these old strings. Maybe there is some life left in them.

Let me know what is the responsible thing to do.

Thanks!

Use them! Unless they are damaged, I don't see the problem.

[ToR-Tu-Ra]

He could give me a set as a present

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by ToR-Tu-Ra

He could give me a set as a present

I think HE is a SHE!.. Also, I am closer and responded first..lol

[ToR-Tu-Ra]

Ooops! Sorry! Guess I should have payed closer attention.

Well... After all, she said SEVERAL... So, maybe there'll be enough left for me.

How're you liking them guts, Mr. Smith?

[Nuno A.]

Originally Posted by MollyKay

I haved several new unused old gut strings. Some have the sales receipts from early 1970's. Some are still in the wax paper wrapping. Are these strings usable? I hate to throw them away, but I do have quite a number of them from various bass purchases. The packaging is La Bella, Jagaur and others. What is the best thing to do with them? I just bought a new set of La Bella gut strings...whew are they pricey...that is what got me to thinking about all these old strings. Maybe there is some life left in them.

Let me know what is the responsible thing to do.

Thanks!

you have P.M.

Nuno

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by ToR-Tu-Ra

Ooops! Sorry! Guess I should have payed closer attention.

Well... After all, she said SEVERAL... So, maybe there'll be enough left for me.

How're you liking them guts, Mr. Smith?

I was just kidding. I suggest she use them, sell them or give them to someone needy, but not me. I can buy strings when I need and I really don't play much Gut if at all.

I am currently testing out a new set of Guts from LaBella on one of my Basses. When I am done with the test in a few weeks, I will ask if I can give them away here on TB. I just did a few rehearsals with them and tested some of our bows on that Bass. I may do a Jazz Duo gig next month with Vibes and Bass, all acoustic. When that is done, I will figure out the best and fairest way to offer them up.

These are smooth polished Gut G and D, (not varnished from what I can see) and Silver Wound over Gut A and E with silk dampener material under the windings. These sound and feel real nice. I wonder how they compare to the other Labellas they normally sell?

[MollyKay]

Okay...I guess I won't throw them away. And yes I am a she,, I will look through all the strings I have more closely to see what exactly I do have. If I can make a set or if they look usable I will contact those who have inquired (PM'S)...maybe I shouldn't have bought those Labella gut strings ($250, ouch) . I may have what I needed all the while.
Thanks for the info...I'll oil the strings I have and try them on my Epiphone bass. And thanks Ken...you are closer in location and I have just put two and two together...you make beautiful electric basses. I love the woods you work with. I think I saw Victor Wooten of the Flecktones play one of your fretless basses...man can he make an electric bass talk...whew!

Thanks guys

[Peck_Time]

Hi Mollykay, those strings should be fine!

Just make sure you oil them before you put them on.

I got a bunch of 30 year old Labella G's and D's a few months ago, and they sound great on my bass. They were very dry though, so I oiled them with olive oil. At the moment, they are very stable and don't go out tune!

[glivanos]

Upton sells a gut string lubricant. It's pricey though, like $20 for a small bottle.

I've been using it to oil some old G & D plain gut strings I have on my German 3/4 hydrid and it seems to be working fine.