how long do strings keep in the package?

[joenoone]

Asked GHS, their answer was:

They’ll be good for 5 years or more. I’ve played bass strings over 10 years old and they’re fine.



Dave
GHS Strings

 

[conttador]

Well, I have a 14-year old unopened pack of Chromes ECB82. I wonder, do they still sound zingy fresh?

I would imagine that they would. I believe, though I’m no scientist, that it’s the grime, sweat and dirt from our hands that actually kill strings.

I remember in the early 90s boiling my strings and seeing all that stuff gather on top and the strings sounding like new again after boiling.

 

[Phaidrus]

I would imagine that they would. I believe, though I’m no scientist, that it’s the grime, sweat and dirt from our hands that actually kill strings.

I remember in the early 90s boiling my strings and seeing all that stuff gather on top and the strings sounding like new again after boiling.

Yes, I suppose most of the maturation job is due to grime, sweat and dirt though corrosion will also play a role in deadening the string.

 

[hasbeen]

This can be a tough question to answer because some of it depends on the environment. Some of it also depends on the quality of raw materials from which the string is made. Lastly, it depends on the packaging and how you store it.

Having blathered all that- If it is a string from a quality/premium maker (DR, Dunlop, D'Addario etc.) and you store them in an environment that isn't too humid, they should last indefinitely. As another poster said already, put them in a sealed container like Tupperware. Also, putting a desiccant in with them wouldn't hurt because it is possible that you may lock in some moister when you seal the container.

 

[Al Kraft]

I've used sealed packs of strings that were easily 5-10 years old (I tend to bulk buy) and they sounded as good and lasted as long as strings I put on the day I bought them.