The unavailability of strings

[buldog5151bass]

@dougjwray I also prefer buying in person if possible, and try to keep relationships with local stores (I'll even pay a little extra). But all you can do is tell them what you want, and what you can get it for. That puts the ball in their court.

 

[armybass]

I buy a lot of strings...... A LOT. LOL. I haven't bought a set of strings in store in person in the better part of two decades. I never have any problems finding exactly what I want online. From DR Pure Blues lights to TI Flats to LaBellas to Pyramids to Ken Smith 7 string sets. Can't imagine being restricted to what I could find in a local store. I probably haven't been in a music store for 5-6 years either. Sad because I grew up in them and worked in them since I was 15. But times change.

 

[Ostie]

I bought a set of DR Hi Beams on the clearance rack at a local music store last year. I think that reinforces the OPs point.

 

[Oddly]

@dougjwray , not sure if it's doable for you, but I've found a small independent music store I use sometimes (mainly when I want the cost hidden from our shared bank account card).
They don't carry much stock, but anything I want, they'll order in for me from Thomann or the manufacturer.
They don't even charge anything extra for this!
Maybe that's worth exploring in your area?

 

[Bass4Brkfast]

Stores around my area carry roundwound bass strings almost exclusively.
The flatwound selection is usually one or none, and typically never the same brand/type from one month to the next.
And I have never seen Fender Pure Nickels for bass on a store around here...ever. Given that those are my choice of 6-string gu^t@r strings, I would be all over a 4-string set.
It would seem to me that players in my area don't play other types of strings because they are simply not available.
I order strings online, sometimes.
I agree with OP, it's a sad thing that these stores seem to be so disconnected from what bass players want.

 

[brianrost]

Stores only stock what sells regularly, end of story.

 

[armybass]

Stores only stock what sells regularly(in stores), end of story.

Fixed it for you.

 

[dougjwray]

Stores only stock what sells regularly, end of story.

Of course, but to restate my original post, if you were to judge what Talk Bass string aficionados love and recommend based on what stores carry, we would like only about 10 different ones. What's wrong with this picture? Do we make up only 1% of the store-visiting, string buying bassists?

 

[Oddly]

Of course, but to restate my original post, if you were to judge what Talk Bass string aficionados love and recommend based on what stores carry, we would like only about 10 different ones. What's wrong with this picture? Do we make up only 1% of the store-visiting, string buying bassists?

I'd guess quite a few TB folks use either the TB store, or FretNation for their string needs.

 

[Fender_Bender]

If a store carries a brand you like but not the sets you want, ask them to order them in from the distributor. You might get close to a mail order price if you commit to 5 or more sets.

 

[MynameisMe]

I would rather have my spleen removed with a spoon.

Quote of the day......

 

[MynameisMe]

I can order strings from my phone from.....gasp......Amazon..................

 

[Nephilymbass]

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.

I've mainly had that issue when it comes to basses that require special strings. My Dingwall which requires strings with a longer winding length, piccolo strings, phosphor bronze acoustic bass strings. That kind of stuff. My sorta go to "regular" bass strings for standard 34" scale basses are DR hi beams and I never seem to have an issue finding those.

 

[Dluxe]

Back in the late 1970's I played in a cover band while in high school. This was in the Panama Canal Zone so music stores in Panama City were very high priced for strings and the selection was not great. We ordered from the Musicians Supply catalog. I ordered some GHS Brite Flats for my Gibson G3 which still had the original Gibson Monel Flatwound strings. The D string was bad on the GHS set and it wasn't cost effective to return the set for a refund or replacement. Things are so much better these days.

 

[JRA]

who's to say that all of our obsession over minutiae is really evidence of anything other than the fact that we find it fun to obsess over minutiae?

i agree! to be fair (and honest!) i interpreted gorn's post as meaning the same thing...or close enough to make your point...two different ways to mean the same thing. but yeah, this joint rocks the ridiculous....and i'm right there with it.
if i can make sense of it!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

If you don't see products in stores, odds are the demand for them is a lot less than you think... At least in comparison to the levels of sales or anticipated sales that are necessary to be worth the shelf space.

Many customers just buy what the store has.
If I DO buy at the store- the process takes far longer than necessary. Ask the counter guy for something not on the rack, they say they can order it, and they'll have it next week. So can I. Amazon 2 days later I can have what I want, less than the price in the store, and it take 2 minutes.
Bonus: don't have to listen to a skinny string out of tune "sweet child o'mine" played badly, or "harvester of sorrow" on an overly saturated amp.

*addendum: I also don't have to drive and hour one way to the store.

 

[Grizelda100]

I pretty much play TI or La Bella flat wounds exclusively and change them...uhh...never.
I'd understand an establishment seeing no profit in stocking for my needs.

 

[Manticore]

JustStrings.com

 

[byacey]

Stores only stock what sells regularly, end of story.

Most stores stock mediocre strings at best, marked up to premium prices, and wait for the unknowing prey to enter the parlor...

 

[KevinDBassist]

This past Monday I went into my local shop and he had three sets of Ernie Ball Group 2 flat wound bass strings on his shelf . I have been wanting to try them on my Stingray H and that particular set is sold out online lately . Snatched them up gladly , installed them and love them even better than the Labella's that were on it .
If I can purchase from my shop locally I will for sure . If it's a particular string that I can only find online ( Labella Flats or Pyramid Flats ) I order them from Strings and Beyond .