Do you buy strings in person?

[fhm555]

Back when I was playing a lot, I streamlined my bass and string stuff. I had multiple MIM J basses all loaded with different pickups and control setups for the different stuff I was doing. I also used D'Addario round wound nickel all in the same gauge on all my J basses because it was the most common strings I saw when I would be out of town or out of state and visited local music stores. I had one exception, it was still an MIM J but I bought it from a kid who had the nut cut for much heavier strings than I was using on my other basses and it sounded good so I stuck with the gauge and brand he had on the bass when I got it, which I would buy mail order three sets at a time which would last around a year as it mostly stayed at home. I realize this flies in the face of conventional wisdom regards criteria for string selection, but it served two purposes that I found very helpful; with the exception of the one bass with heavier strings, all my basses played the same no matter what they sounded like, and I could go into most any mom and pop music store anywhere and buy strings that i was used to if I got caught out without spare strings.

 

[MCS4]

I buy strings mostly online but will pick some up in a store from time to time if I need them quickly. Some of the primary strings I use are common enough to find them reliably (Boomers on bass, Slinkies on guitar).

 

[Citizen Nara]

I usually mail order Fender 7250ml, but what I've learned is that, unless there is a really good reason for that, I try not to be too attached to nonstandard gear, so I will be happy with any nickelplated steel 45-100 strings, and amost every store's got a pack of those

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

There are two brick-n-mortar music stores in this area, friendly competitors for 40+ years. I do repair and setup work for one of them. They both carry full lines of D'Addario and GHS strings. There are also selections of Rotosound and Ernie Ball. We have ordered Thomastik-Infeld strings for people when requested. These are just the bass guitar strings. There's no way I could list the variety of guitar strings. Waaaaay too many.

In short, they stock what sells.

 

[brianrost]

No because local stores don't stock the strings I use. No double ball strings for my Steinberger, no Ernie Ball flats for my P-basses, TI Jazz Flats for my J.

I only change my rounds twice a year in January and July and my flats only when they won’t play in tune or break, which is usually around 20 years (though I have 38 year old flats on my Silvertone) so it’s not like I am buying strings very often anyway.

It’s not just strings…I visit music stores less than ten times a year and I don’t mail order much, either…only three orders from Sweetwater this year, two of which were my annual new rounds and a set of flats to replace a two decade old set.

 

[fishdude101101]

We have two mom & pop music shops, and I buy strings from then when I can. When I can't, that means I need something only available online. For a quick hit on Slinkys, I'm local.

I do this for slinkys and d'addarios. Our local store has good prices so why not buy them? I get to check out the used room too. I did this once on the way to a gig and ended up buying some slinky's and a Stingray 5 lol .

 

[fishdude101101]

I'm curious because I assumed most buy strings mail order...also there is no way a local store can carry a big selection no?...I very much miss small local music stores but in recent years I did frequent Guitar Center as independent shops became fewer....are there small brick and mortar shops that do mail order strings or is it mainly walk in business, lessons repair etc?

I know of 1 store about 90 minutes from me that stocks full lines of DR, D'addario, EB, LaBella, GHS, and Elixir bass strings. Well they don't have Balanced nickels or pressurewounds, but you get the point.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Sometimes on-line but mostly the stuff I find in the TB classifieds. I really need to see what my local B & M carries in-stock.

I buy all my groceries in-person armed with my MVP discount card and coupons. I'm a big hit with the haus-fraus as I'm 6'4" and can reach the stuff on top shelves and back of the freezer section.

Riis

 

[Andrew Hargrove]

I buy at the local shops and also disregard the price differences. We are fortunate to have a good number of instrument stores with varying specialies. Thankfully don't need GC or online to stay supplied. Whenever I want something not in stock, every one of them is willing to and interested to order it for me.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I used to buy strings in person because I had Tech at my Favorite Store put them on do setup

I hated changing Strings or fussing with setup and Managing Audio Store 45+ hrs week and playing minimum 3 Gigs per week mostly 5 also Family

But now I do all my Setups and still hate changing strings

 

[Element Zero]

My local GC doesn’t carry the strings I like and I’ll be honest, I haven’t stepped foot in the few smaller mom and pop music shops around town in a decade.

 

[wjcstp]

Local whenever I can. I want to keep our local stores around, and I know a set of strings won’t do that on it’s own, but it’s worth the couple of extra bucks over online prices (and I don’t change strings often enough for that difference to really matter).

 

[buldog5151bass]

I try to buy in person if I can, but we've pretty much killed off music retails stores.

 

[Aloe]

sometimes I do, as the local store gives me a nice discount compared to their online processing.

last time I needed strings, I picked up around four or five packs from them in person.

 

[Aberdumbie]

I used to buy strings in person because I had Tech at my Favorite Store put them on do setup

I hated changing Strings or fussing with setup and Managing Audio Store 45+ hrs week and playing minimum 3 Gigs per week mostly 5 also Family

But now I do all my Setups and still hate changing strings

Ditto... A string change necessitates a set up. I been buying my strings for a long time from the same store and he does the set up while I wait.... Yeah, yeah.... I can do it, but I derive about as much pleasure doing set-ups these days as I do changing the oil in my car. And yes, I can do that too and elect not to. Old guy prerogative.

 

[bassicmike]

The great local store (Mr Music) carries the strings I like, so I buy them there.

I've never ordered strings online.

 

[Passinwind]

I haven’t been to what passes for the last two music stores within an hour of me in many years, for any reason. The local joint I used to do repairs for did online sales fairly successfully for several years, but eventually pivoted to the weed business…go figure.

 

[matti777]

Mostly online as the local music stores all carry the same stuff for some reason (Fender, D'Addario and a sprinkling of GHS and DR). The selection is dismal so online is the only choice.

 

[WG Plum]

No, no shops in the area carry what I use.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Up till now...Ive bought every set of strings ,in person, from a local store. Ever.
But.... going forward, I'll probably be buying them online.
Because, thats how I'm currently buying just about everything .