| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic How Long Will New Unused Strings Last
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  How Long Will New Unused Strings Last
George Redmon


From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
Post  Posted 16 Apr 2005 8:45 pm    
Reply with quote




[This message was edited by George Redmon on 16 April 2005 at 09:59 PM.]

View user's profile Send private message
George Redmon


From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
Post  Posted 16 Apr 2005 8:48 pm    
Reply with quote

What is the best way to store new unused strings? how long can you store George L's Stainless Steel Strings. One old timer told me to pack then in Martha White Flour? Any Suggestions? God Bless

------------------
Whitney Single 12 8FL & 5 KN,keyless, dual changers Extended C6th, Webb Amp, Line6 Pod...i was keyless...when keyless wasn't cool....


View user's profile Send private message
Larry Strawn


From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 16 Apr 2005 9:42 pm    
Reply with quote

George,,

I'd like to hear some opinions on this myself..

I've been using Ron Lashleys [nicole] for about 8 yrs. Never had any problem, last yr. I bought a dozen sets, the last 3 sets I put on, I had to take off after a day of playing. Sounded Horrible!!!
Larry

------------------
Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 16 April 2005 at 10:43 PM.]

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 17 Apr 2005 2:03 am    
Reply with quote

I use George L's, but I don't think the type of string matters in storage. It's mostly the environment they are stored in.

Since I live in Florida and with high humidity at times, I vacuum seal my strings using my wife's kitchen vacuum sealer. I don't know if it helps but I've never had a problem with them going "bad". But, I'll go through a dozen sets (E9/C6) in a "season" (November to May) so they aren't around that long.

I've worked in a music store and even with strings that don't sell very fast, and they are just kept on a wall or in boxes, no one ever complained about getting "dead" strings.

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Eric West


From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 17 Apr 2005 2:16 am    
Reply with quote

I'd say they could remain unused forever..



EJL
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Ricky Littleton


From:
Steely-Eyed Missile Man from Cocoa Beach, Florida USA
Post  Posted 17 Apr 2005 4:26 am    
Reply with quote

I keep my strings sealed in zip-lock bags with a small dessicant "baggie" to hold moisture off them. I use GHS Super Steels and have never had a bad one out of the pack at anytime.

Ricky...

------------------
Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd, Peterson VS-II Tuner
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah, PX4 Pandoras Box


View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 17 Apr 2005 5:59 am    
Reply with quote

They'll last a good long time if you keep them away from humidity. A couple of times, quite recently, I've put a Sho~Bud string that's about 40 years old on my guitar. They have small rust spots in places, but they still sound and play fine!

Best place to store them? In the sock drawer, right next to the Model 41.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Larry Strawn


From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 17 Apr 2005 7:34 am    
Reply with quote

Hmmm,,,

I think it's time for me to explore some different brand strings..

Larry
------------------
Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 17 April 2005 at 08:36 AM.]

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 17 Apr 2005 8:03 am    
Reply with quote

Larry,
Nickel strings WILL DETERIORATE FASTER THAN STAINLESS. That's one reason I prefer stainless. I have stainless strings that are four or five years old or even older (I buy them by the dozen from Frenchy) and I can't tell them from new ones.

Some people just prefer nickel strings and that's a personal preference. If you do switch to stainless strings DON'T USE A STAINLESS BAR WITH THEM. Get a BJS. You won't regret it and the chrome plated surface is a perfect match for stainless strings.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Larry Strawn


From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 17 Apr 2005 8:53 am    
Reply with quote

Larry,,
I've been giving some thought to changing to stainless.

I've been watching the post about bars etc. Even though I'm a welder and fabricator by trade, and am educated in metalurgy, I had never thought about the difference the bars would make until I got to watching every ones post. It makes good sense. I think I might give them a try.

Thanks for the reply.

Larry

------------------
Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 17 April 2005 at 10:05 AM.]

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
James Cann


From:
Phoenix, AZ
Post  Posted 17 Apr 2005 3:19 pm    
Reply with quote

Quote:
If you do switch to stainless strings DON'T USE A STAINLESS BAR WITH THEM.


OK, Larry, make me understand. What's the problem with SS bars on SS strings? I have some Lloyd Green Jagwires working now and haven't noticed anything with my JD921.

[This message was edited by James Cann on 17 April 2005 at 04:23 PM.]

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 18 Apr 2005 4:56 am    
Reply with quote

James,
I can't explain it from a technical standpoint. I am an organic chemist by training, but not a metallurgist. Perhaps Larry S can give more details. I've seen it posted here, but promptly forgot.

What's really important is the effect, not the cause. When I use a stainless bar, I can feel the drag on the strings. The two like metals just grate against each other. That's the best I can describe it. When I switch to the BJS chrome plated bar, 99% of the drag goes away. Simple as that.

I prefer stainless strings for one reason: their longevity. My hands corrode strings very fast and a set of nickel wounds begin to go dead after one gig for me. That just won't work. I prefer the feel of nickel and slightly prefer the brightness of stainless, but, in the final analysis, how long the strings retain their liveliness and tunability are the deciding factors for me. I go with stainless and a chrome plated BJS bar. Just my preference. If you don't notice a problem with the stainless bar on stainless strings, then stick with what works for you.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
George Redmon


From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
Post  Posted 18 Apr 2005 9:19 am    
Reply with quote

Larry B. are ALL BJS Bars Chrome? Because my sweety bought me one of those BJS "Birth Stone" bars BJS made...many many many moons ago. i think it was around 1990. she thought they were "Cute". i don't even know if they still make that model or not...So is that bar chrome?

------------------
Whitney Single 12 8FL & 5 KN,keyless, dual changers Extended C6th, Webb Amp, Line6 Pod...i was keyless...when keyless wasn't cool....


View user's profile Send private message
Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 18 Apr 2005 10:09 am    
Reply with quote

George,
To my knowledge all BJS bars are chromed -- HEAVILY plated. PLUS, they are guaranteed for life. The very few I've talked to who ever had any problem whatsoever had their bar replaced by Bill Stroud with no questions asked. If I ever needed another bar it would definitely be a BJS.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Larry Strawn


From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 18 Apr 2005 5:19 pm    
Reply with quote

James,
The easiest way I can explain, is the properties of chrome are harder than Stainless. In my language, providing a smoother slide surface.

On nickel strings, my S/S bar seems to be smoother, than my chrome bar, but I can't tell a lot of difference, but some.
Larry
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron