I don't get buying used strings!

[vvvmmm]

I don't get buying used underwear.

I mean, first, it seems like it's always girls selling 'em and I'm sure they wouldn't fit me anyway ...

 

[Bassbeater]

I don't get the "I don't get ____ "

I see your I don't get the "I don't get ___" and raise you one I don't get it.
I don't get the "I don't get the 'I don't get ___" comments.

 

[Bassbeater]

Used Mens Socks, Nike, Well Worn | eBay
He's still using them! Buy fast before they are all used up!

 

[Stevorebob]

I have little interest in used strings. However, I understand the desire or need for some to save a few dollars.

 

[Kmonk]

I have been playing for over 40 years and have never heard of anybody buying used strings. I didn't even know it was an option. I wouldn't buy them but I guess there's a market for everything.

 

[nilorius]

Buying used strings is a challenge. As you can't try them out, it will be difficult to make a dissision just to look on them. So - they could be a little used and good, used for a long time and bad, used normal, but how? So this is always a challenge. The only thing good is the price.

 

[pcake]

i've never bought used strings, but i've thought about it. i hate new string sound, and i'd be happy to pay $40 for a set of lightly used tomastik jazz strings, flats or rounds. i play basses at guitar center and sam ash, and i can't see much difference between those and used strings, but one could always soak the used strings in alcohol if cleanliness was a concern.

 

[Bassbeater]

I also dislike the first few super-zingy days of brand new strings.

i can't see much difference between those and used strings,

If they were installed correctly, they have been length clipped based on the previous bass.
Through body vs. top loading bridge would make a difference in length.
Headstock tuner configuration would be a factor also. (inline vs 3 up 2 down for example)
Also witness points become stress points when straightened.
Tuner peg diameter differences could create issues also.

-I'm curious if anyone on the board who buys used strings could chime in about the experience.

 

[elgranluis]

Don’t people buy cow s*** for their lawn ? Nothing wrong with buying used strings for their bass .

 

[JRA]

their desirability to me drops to about zero

 

[Bodeanly]

I don’t buy used strings, but I generally have one of my servants break in a new set for me.

 

[JimmyM]

I've bought lightly-used strings before just to try them out but I am not proud of it, and I would never do it today. I didn't used to be a germaphobe, but now, thinking about dead skin, used food Grease, and ball sweat really skeeves me out! Bad enough I have to put up with my own!

 

[fu22ba55]

Happens all the time on the Double Bass side of things. At $240 a pop for a set of new strings, it's worth trying a "lightly used" set of strings for $100

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[CryingBass]

But people are selling used round wounds too. It's not just flats.

Agreed. Used Rotos ( mine at least ) would contain a lot of skin that might not be suitable for younger or more-sensitive players..

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Happens all the time on the Double Bass side of things. At $240 a pop for a set of new strings, it's worth trying a "lightly used" set of strings for $100

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Yeah, I could see upright as the strings are expensive and the headstocks are mostly the same. But with electric, shipping is about as much as you can sell a set of used strings for, it doesn't make much sense.

 

[sabre79]

All this talk about dead skin and ball sweat makes me want to get one of those DNA sniffers from the movie Gattaca.

 

[Lardass5000]

Don’t people buy cow s*** for their lawn ? Nothing wrong with buying used strings for their bass .

HAAAA! Super funny!

 

[Lardass5000]

At first, I thought this was a joke or some kind of sarcasm. Like irony or somethin'.
But now I'm starting to get the feeling that you are all serious about this used string stuff. Huh?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

At first, I thought this was a joke or some kind of sarcasm. Like irony or somethin'.
But now I'm starting to get the feeling that you are all serious about this used string stuff. Huh?

Yep

 

[DrayMiles]

Wait until you start playing upright. You’ll get it...