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Why Are Strings So Expensive!

In Québec/Canada a set of Elexir cost around 50$ for a 4 strings set. But I have them for 3 years now. I must say that I don't play a lot now but how well ... during my college years I was playing 5h a day and a set of elexir lasted 6 months.

it isn't that extrem. I also play double bass and they cost a arm and a leg but you don,t change them often. i can see myselft with the same set for 3 or more years.
 
In the long run they cost less. If you use flatwounds, you can get several years out of them by wiping them down after each time you play. Rounds won't last as long because their tone changes too much as they age, but some people do things like boil them in water to extend their life. :)

Unfortunately, some strings have flaws and might break in a short time. See my Pyramid thread.
 
It's not just material cost. Guitar strings are easy to make. Half of an electric guitar set are plain strings. Wrap the ball on, cut to size, and it's done. And the wound strings generally only have one wrap.

All the the strings in a typical bass etc are wound, generally with multiple wrap layers. It IS a more complicated and expensive string to make.

John
 
You forgot to mention them using OUR money to pay so-called expert bassists to endorse them!
Man, you really have to have a set of balls to call their money OUR money. They earned it. You paid for a product you needed, so you got the product and they got the money. I think two reminders are in order here:

1. Business are in business to make money, not be altruistic and non-profit for your benefit.

2. Endorsements are what sells gear. Seen it a million times on here..."_____ uses _____ so that's what I want, too."
 
BTW, I've been using Link Removed to clean my strings. Won't bring them back to totally new, but it'll bring them back to new enough for me, and you can leave the strings on your bass. Highly recommended.
 
Man, you really have to have a set of balls to call their money OUR money. They earned it. You paid for a product you needed, so you got the product and they got the money. I think two reminders are in order here:

1. Business are in business to make money, not be altruistic and non-profit for your benefit.

2. Endorsements are what sells gear. Seen it a million times on here..."_____ uses _____ so that's what I want, too."

+1

How many Ampegs has Jimmy sold.;)

Business needs to earn money to stay in business. Doesn't mean they need to rip you off. Those who do that usually go away. Those who have a good product and good/great CS usually stay around. I have no problem with that. If you're just looking for the cheapest product that is what you'll get in more ways than just the price.
 
Strings have become a bit cheaper over the yrs thanks to internet stores and more people playing. $20 for rotosounds now is diff less then they cost me in the 70's and 80's. $30 for dr neons works out to about the same cost for yearly string maintanance sice changes them less often. But yeah bass strings cost nearly 4 times as much as guitar strings. I dont notice any linger life to bass strings, just more metal which would account in part for more expensive. May also be harder to make with the thicker cores and windings.
 
Man, you really have to have a set of balls to call their money OUR money. They earned it. You paid for a product you needed, so you got the product and they got the money. I think two reminders are in order here:

1. Business are in business to make money, not be altruistic and non-profit for your benefit.

2. Endorsements are what sells gear. Seen it a million times on here..."_____ uses _____ so that's what I want, too."

This is why you are the man Jimmy!! :bassist: