The unavailability of strings

[dougjwray]

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you say you don't like to buy online, but if you made that leap = the world is your oyster! just sayin'!

But on a more serious note...
I could go on ad naseum about the beauty of brick & mortar stores, but one advantage is the serendipity factor. For example, I'd have no visceral appreciation of a Jazz Bass wired in series if I hadn't happened to walk into a Guitar Center circa 2006, pick up an new Fender American Jazz Bass, look at the S1 switch, and think, "I wonder what this button does?"

 

[dougjwray]

I've answered a number of posts in this same vein as well. As much as people poo-poo on Bass Boomers here (they're not the string I gravitate toward either, and that's fine), they still occupy 9 of the 10 slots for most popular bass sets we sell.

I used Boomers exclusively for maybe 15 years. They do something no other string does, for sure.

 

[JRA]

But on a more serious note...
I could go on ad naseum about the beauty of brick & mortar stores, but one advantage is the serendipity factor. For example, I'd have no visceral appreciation of a Jazz Bass wired in series if I hadn't happened to walk into a Guitar Center circa 2006, pick up an new Fender American Jazz Bass, look at the S1 switch, and think, "I wonder what this button does?"

you're right about that aspect, of course, and i miss some of that, too. i guess i've just become accustomed to the online thing for the variety of offerings, the downsides notwithstanding.

 

[MCS4]

I could go on ad naseum about the beauty of brick & mortar stores, but one advantage is the serendipity factor. For example, I'd have no visceral appreciation of a Jazz Bass wired in series if I hadn't happened to walk into a Guitar Center circa 2006, pick up an new Fender American Jazz Bass, look at the S1 switch, and think, "I wonder what this button does?"

you're right about that aspect, of course, and i miss some of that, too. i guess i've just become accustomed to the online thing for the variety of offerings, the downsides notwithstanding.

Both of these things are true. Let's not forget that we are currently operating in the time when there are vastly more gear options than there ever have been before. It is not as though there ever was a time in the past were there was a vast cornucopia of strings at every physical store in comparison to what is available now. If you want to go to a store in person and experience serendipity, you still can do that, but with the understanding that the scope of gear at the store will be limited (as it has always been). On the other hand, there are online stores that have an unimaginable variety of strings to try, making it incredibly easy to sit at home and order a pack of whatever type of string strikes your fancy because someone told you about it.

Granted, brick and mortar stores are also closing at a frightening rate, so we might lose out on even the limited stock they typically have, but that is a bigger and separate issue.

 

[MCS4]

I've answered a number of posts in this same vein as well. As much as people poo-poo on Bass Boomers here (they're not the string I gravitate toward either, and that's fine), they still occupy 9 of the 10 slots for most popular bass sets we sell.

Yeah, I mean... the fact that Bass Boomers are readily available certainly factored into whatever led me to first pick up a pack of them when I was a teen, but there's a reason why I still use them on most of my basses 20+ years later when I have access to more strings than I could have ever possibly imagined back then.

 

[Shizzean]

Agreed.
I like Dunlop strings, but the only ones I could ever find at GC was the Marcus Miller signature strings (stainless).
I really did not care for stainless strings, but really needed strings in a pinch.
Surprise, surprise, I love them. They have a great tone and sound good forever...

 

[Element Zero]

I've answered a number of posts in this same vein as well. As much as people poo-poo on Bass Boomers here (they're not the string I gravitate toward either, and that's fine), they still occupy 9 of the 10 slots for most popular bass sets we sell.

I used to "hate" boomers many years ago. Tried a set of Bassics on my 2 months ago Stingray and they're pure bliss.

 

[Jon Moody]

I used to "hate" boomers many years ago. Tried a set of Bassics on my 2 months ago Stingray and they're pure bliss.

Bassics are different than Boomers, despite the years of incorrect marketing that we did. Bassics are much more akin to what everyone else puts out as a nickel-plated steel string.

 

[Killing Floor]

I support local businesses whenever possible and practical. I'd buy strings from a retailer. I bought 4 sets of guitar strings and 1 set of bass strings from Strait a couple weeks ago.

I live in the live music capital of the world and I do not personally know another bass player (Personally know, not TB know) who uses DR Sunbeams and Lo Riders; Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats; anything GHS other than regular (hex core) Boomers; D'Addario Half Rounds; the LaBella Jamerson set; Fender Pure Nickels.
Note for clarity, I do know 1 other person in person who plays Roto 77 flats so I removed that from your list. I know plenty of bassists who pick up Roto 66 or DR Hi or Boomers or Slinkys at Strait or GC or Guitar Rez. If I owned a music store in the live music capital of the world or if I was in charge of purchasing and inventory I would carry maybe 3 sets of strings for bass and they would all be 34" scale and only one would be flats. Because in all the times in my life that I have been in a music store I cannot recall EVER seeing a bassist buy a set of strings but I see guitar strings moving constantly. And when I worked for the largest wholesale musical equipment supplier in the US we shipped 1 bass set for every 96 guitar sets.
My guess is that if you went to your local dealer and offered to buy 6 sets they'd make you a great deal, if you are really willing to buy from a retailer in your town.

If I kicked over a box of D'Addario XL Steel electric guitar tens I know probably 12 people right off the top of my head who would buy them from me. I figure even without being able to play out because of YOU KNOW, PANDEMIC STUFF, I still have to change guitar strings at least twice a month.

So the point of my counter rant is that if you are a casual client to a music store that it sounds like you don't really want to buy strings from often enough to make it worth their while to stock 10 obscure sets, why would you wish them to burn their cash on inventory you won't buy from them? Do you know any bass player in person, not on TB, who would pay retail at a music store for a LaBella Jamerson stringset? They probably don't stock Chase Bliss pedals or Jule amps either.

 

[Stewie]

In the late 1980s, the guy at the counter at E.U.Wurlitzer's in Boston suggested I try GHS Precision Flats when he saw my eyeing the large assortment of flats
behind the counter. I've tried a few others, but keep coming back to them. As far as I know, they aren't available in stores around here at all anymore.

 

[PillO]

(Guitar Center and Sam Ash are the ones I frequent... the Mom & Pop stores are mostly gone, and I avoid ordering anything online whenever possible. I like to anonymously hand over the cash.)

Yeah you don't want "big string" collecting data on your string habits...

 

[dbsfgyd1]

This is merely a "grumpy old man" thread...

It amazes me that there are strings which are loved and recommended daily by many on TB, but which are NEVER in the big stores. (Guitar Center and Sam Ash are the ones I frequent... the Mom & Pop stores are mostly gone, and I avoid ordering anything online whenever possible. I like to anonymously hand over the cash.)
I'm talking about things like: DR Sunbeams and Lo Riders; Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats; anything GHS other than regular (hex core) Boomers; Rotosound flatwounds; D'Addario Half Rounds; the LaBella Jamerson set; Fender Pure Nickels, etc., etc.
Yes, I know that there is limited physical space in a brick & mortar place, and some brands don't sell as well as others. But you often see empty wire racks.
It's just that there seems to be such a disconnect between the apparently huge popularity of many strings, and their availability-- other than online.

That is all. Return to your regular duties.

If I can't find strings locally, I use an online vender. I've never had a problem with them having what I'd like in stock and the delivery is timely. I would much rather support local music stores, even GC and SamAsh, but if they don't have them in stock, I go online. The price is very competitive.

One other thing, I always have an new unused set on hand. Typically I get about 75 hours of play time out of a set discarding them which is more than enough time to get a new set from my online vender. If your are concerned about a timely delivery, you can request next day delivery, but that is not cheap.

 

[sonojono]

That's interesting... where I live (just outside New York City), it's all Fat Beams, Pure Blues and Hi Beams. No Lo Riders, Sunbeams, Legends...

For me it's Fat Beams, Pure Blues, and Hi Beams at GC.

Lo Riders, Sunbeams, and Legends at Sam Ash.

All in California.

 

[Manticore]

We're apparently opposing bookends on the grumpy old man scale. I would rather have my spleen removed with a spoon than to have to interact with what passes as sales staff at a typical music equipment store. I can find and purchase anything I need faster with less frustration and can typically get it for less delivered to my door using my computer rather than my car, bike or...god forbid...shoes.

 

[Element Zero]

Bassics are different than Boomers, despite the years of incorrect marketing that we did. Bassics are much more akin to what everyone else puts out as a nickel-plated steel string.

To be honest, it was back in '98-'02 when I tried em. I don't even remember why I "hated" them lol. Sold many sets of Boomers during my decade at GC though.

 

[iiipopes]

OK, I didn't read all two pages of posts. But for right now, remember that due to COVID-19 restrictions, many businesses have been, at least at one point, shut down, including string manufacturers. Part of the problem this year, although maybe not historically, has been on the supply side. Remember it's not just the strings. It includes: the spools of raw wire, the printed labels, the string envelopes, etc. If all of that doesn't come together, no strings will ship from the manufacturer. We're lucky we are getting what we can. More than once over the past year, I have heard either, "We don't have that in stock and can't get it," or "You got the last ones for the forseeable future."

 

[xn34]

And you're an american.

Around here it's D'Addario or Fender. If you like anything else, tough luck.

In my local Canadian woodlot it's mostly the same, D'Addario or Fender, maybe a sprinkling of something else, at least for bass anyway.

 

[trothwell]

OK, I didn't read all two pages of posts. But for right now, remember that due to COVID-19 restrictions, many businesses have been, at least at one point, shut down, including string manufacturers. Part of the problem this year, although maybe not historically, has been on the supply side. Remember it's not just the strings. It includes: the spools of raw wire, the printed labels, the string envelopes, etc. If all of that doesn't come together, no strings will ship from the manufacturer. We're lucky we are getting what we can. More than once over the past year, I have heard either, "We don't have that in stock and can't get it," or "You got the last ones for the forseeable future."

Definitely have been noticing this. Even ordering online, some string sets appear to be very out of stock.

But then, some aren't. I guess the string manufacturers must be allocating their limited resources for the better-selling sets? Which would make sense.

 

[r_bnks]

Sometimes I can't get the Roto RS66LD at my local GC.. Pretty common strings tough.

 

[iiipopes]

In my local Canadian woodlot it's mostly the same, D'Addario or Fender, maybe a sprinkling of something else, at least for bass anyway.

Fortunately, my main gig set is D'Addario XL170BT, 45-107, with a 130 B string. These seem to be in plentiful demand, and I ordered several sets when I heard that factories were going to be shut down due to COVID-19. So I have a well-stocked personal cache of these and other strings for my basses, to tide me over until everything is fully up and running again, including gigs.