String prices from various dealers

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #1 02-24-2006, 12:40 PM

This may be fairly "unPC" to discuss online, but what the hell...

Here at the U., we have a group of visiting Russian jazz musicians with us until next Thursday. Since they have a hard time buying gear back home, I'd like to help them get some strings while they're here. Specifically, they'd like to get some Dominants (liked the ones on my bass), and some of the Black LaBellas. When I went to the place I usually order strings from, I saw that the prices for the Dominants were up to $155 a set, and the LaBellas were listed at $124 per set. I haven't bought any strings in a while, but this seems like it might be a bit high. Anybody know where they can be found cheaper? The only caveat is that the place in question must be reliable with fast shipping, since these folks are headed back home on Thursday.

Thanks, and if for some reason answering in this thread is deemed uncool as per the CUP (I honestly don't know, as it keeps changing and I don't always keep up), PM replies are fine also if I get told to not allow public responses.

Ed Fuqua · #2 02-24-2006, 12:57 PM

I haven't bought online in awhile, I recall expedited shipping being available at either Quinn or Music City...
but Euro prices are going up though right?

glivanos · #3 02-24-2006, 01:01 PM

Steel or metal prices in general have been on the rise with the recent high demand and low supply i.e. China.

Those industries hit hard by this include the construction industry as well as "metal goods" industries such as cars and any other product that uses sheet metal.

It may be a case of these price increases creeping up into metals used in the musical instrument string manufacturing process.

I have been buying a lot of slightly used strings as of late of this site and others for much less than new and have been satisfied with the results.

Marcus Johnson · #4 02-24-2006, 01:01 PM

I'm thinking Quinn Violins as well. They usually have some of the best prices around, and free shipping in most cases (depending on how you ship, I guess). Call Chris Quinn; he's great to deal with.

dchan · #5 02-24-2006, 01:39 PM

Go to Shar Music or Southwest Strings for the Dominants.

Dad Bass · #6 02-24-2006, 02:14 PM

Looks like their prices are lower than Quinn but you would have to pay shipping but the Russians may order enough for a discount?

dchan · #7 02-24-2006, 03:36 PM

Actually, they both have free shipping for string orders over a certain price, but it says on Quinn's string page that they will match any price that is lower.

Larry Holloway · #8 02-25-2006, 02:08 AM

Lemur Music is OK, but I have used JustStrings.com many times. Prices are OK & REALLY fast shipping IF they have in stock. I find most prices have gone up across the board.

Alex Scott · #9 02-25-2006, 08:29 AM

Why don't you call some of these distributors and ask for a case for these guys?

Thomastik, D'addario, La Bella, they might be into a little charity/publicity. Maybe some of the local shops too, if you can get a mention in a paper or program add or something, they might benefit from being so generous.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #10 03-03-2006, 10:09 PM

Thanks for the info, guys. We ended up ordering from Lemur because they had them all in stock and because I already have an account there. You are right, though: prices really HAVE gone up across the board.