How many sets of spare string?

Adrian Wang · From: Singapore

checking as to how many spare sets to keep as standby.
Do you keep spares as full sets,, or stock up more on those string linked to pedals and levers.
For E9, does it help to stock more on 3rd, 4th, 5th 6th, 10th string, 8th included.
Eventually full sets will become partial sets, taken out to replace the broken ones.
I have never changed the full set for the 1 year that I own a pedal steel, only replace broken ones, on 3, 4 , 5, 10 strings
Will strings rust if kept too long in sealed plastic bags?

Ned McIntosh · From: New South Wales, Australia

I carry 2 spare sets of C6th strings, 5 complete sets of E9th strings and over sixty individual strings, mostly strings 2 through to 6 on the E9th neck. I carry no individual spares for the C6th neck because I haven't broken a C6th string yet.

I usually buy the 3rd (11 thou) and 6th (22 thou plain) in lots of 10 at a time because they're not usually stocked at the local guitar-shop and it's easier to order a pack of ten strings than to order singles in any one gauge.
_________________
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Without counting I probably have 6 or 8 sets of E9th and maybe 3 or 4 sets of C6th on hand..plus several *packs* of 11's and 15's, perhaps as many as 20 or 30 each...I also carry an assortment of gauges....

I also have probably 15 or 20 sets of strings for the Telecaster and maybe a dozen sets for Acoustics...the brand names are the same...not mixed...Fender electrics and Ernie Ball Earthwood acoustics. Also Dobro and Mandolin strings...

I buy sets in bulk, Amazon or MF when they have sales...

I don't use any hi priced strings, I change them too often...I have obtained Fender 6 strings sets for as little as 2.25 each in bulk ! Steel Guitar sets are in the $7 to 8 range when they are on sale...MF carries D'Addario round wound..
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Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I buy strings a dozen sets at a time. I keep an extra set in my pack-a-seat plus some single spares.

I'm in Florida with the high humidity and do not have any problem with string storage.

I change full sets when I change and that is relatively frequent as I'm in a band. I generally change every 4 to 6 weeks and somtimes more if I'm doing a lot of recording.

Adrian Wang · From: Singapore

5 complete sets & over 60 individual -- Ned
6 to 8 sets & 20 to 30 each individual --Tony
dozens at a time ---Jack

Wow-
The truth is I don't have a complete set of spare.
I have tried buying from the various guitar shops that sell 6 string guitar string. no shop here stock complete set of E9 string or a PSG. I have assorted sizes that does not make a full set.
& they are from 6 string guitar gauges. I use exact factory gauge where possible.Think its high time to buy and keep them. The string breakage downtime, will be the time to order,ship from USA to Singapore, & that could take weeks. I would say not a desirable position to be caught in.But if worse comes to the worse, should my 10th string 0.38W break, I shall put in a bass E string from the 6 string guitar , as a temporary measure.
I am still a newbie, of 1 year.

Is it worth to pay a bit more for LiveSteel strings as compared to SIT or GHS, is one able to hear the difference? I read good reviews on them on this forum.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

During my long time playing career.......

I've usually kept at least one full set of strings for both tunings PLUS, about six THIRD STRINGS, with me when I go out to play.

I haven't broken a third string in years.....

I'd never purchase pedal steel guitar strings in a guitar store!

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

String brands are very subjective. Everyone has their favorite. There are many forum threads on string brands.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

I don't buy sets of strings, instead, I buy 12 packs of individual strings sizes. I'm not really concerned about the brand of the strings. Obviously, the strings that tend to break, 3,4,5,6, need to replaced more often. So, I will buy some extra 12 packs of those sizes. When playing out, I usually have 3-4 extra strings in each size on hand. I keep them in old string envelopes that I reuse.

My plan is to not break a string while playing a gig; I change them, especially 3,4,5,and 6, pretty often. I also keep track of when strings are changed, I just write it down on a calender. This record will give you a very good idea of how long your strings last before breaking.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I don't have a favorite brand but I have a favorite price ! I haven't really found much difference between strings..when I was gigging every week on Steel I changed the entire set maybe every 8 weeks and strings 3 and 5 every 4 or 5 gigs...I keep a note on the inside of my pak-a-seat with string change dates. I also keep a pen inside the seat ...
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website

Leon Campbell · From: Texas, USA

I buy strings from here on the forum to help support the forum. I buy sets & individuals. I keep a set and extra 3,4,5 &6's in my pack a seat. Leon

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

i keep a couple spare strings for every size and a few more of the 'favorites'.

Ned McIntosh · From: New South Wales, Australia

Keeping track of when you changed strings is important. I write the date of a full string-change on an empty string-packet and put it in the case under the steel. That way, every time I take the steel out I see when I last changed the strings, a useful and timely reminder.

Changing 3, 4, 5 and 6 frequently (E9th neck) is a good way of minimising the chance of breaking a string at a gig...but it won't entirely eliminate it.
_________________
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.

Wesley Medlen · From: LaCygne,Ks

I try to keep 3 sets on hand I change about every 3 months on steel I take out and keep at home. The one at church I change yearly it's only plays about 5 tunes a week. I carry one extra of every thing except 1-5. I usually keep 4 or 5 11 & 12's and 2 F# and B. I have only had 2 break in 2 yrs. on my BMI's using the 442.5 tuning and they were 3rd string.
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Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I will change the whole set if I break a string usually. I replace the broken single by itself if I'm on stage or too busy to deal with it. Then I do new full set when I have time. I also change the set when I find myself adjusting the endplate tuning or the overtones get squonky sounding.

If I'm on tour the strings get changed once a week and I change strings the night before a recording session if they are over a week old.

My Franklin steels seemed to really like fresh strings. The old Emmons steels I play these days don't care as much. Or maybe I'm just getting lazier.

I have been using Frenchy's strings for the last few years.
http://www.frenchyspedalsteel.com/

There is a difference between string brands so if you find something you like stick to it. It helps to keep your steel balanced out right.
_________________
Bob

Adrian Wang · From: Singapore

very informative
I don't keep track of how long, I use them until they break.
I'm not there yet.ie play in gigs. I know, string breakage is frustrating when one is performing.

Professional players & those who play in gigs take a lot of care regarding the string and their PSG.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I usually keep 2 or 3 whole sets for ea. neck as spares. I buy 6 - 12 ea. of the single plain strings that break regularly, like 3rds, 5ths, etc., then about 3 or so ea. of the others.

One of the reasons to buy this many singles at one time, is that you can't always find the brands and gauges you need right away, so I buy them when I'm at the steel shows, etc.

Also, I've been ordering singles from Bruce at ZumSteel off an on since the 80's. With a little planning and lead time, seldom am I ever caught in a pinch.

It's been a while, but I've had a wrapped one or two come apart on me, but that's unusual.

I try to change the sets roughly every 6 mos. or so, but I don't get too excited about breakage. It only takes a couple mins. to change one out and both the band and I get a welcome break from my noodling. Winking

Carl Mesrobian · From: Salem, Massachusetts, USA

At least one set for each neck, plus a trailer load of .011's, plus I have lots of singles Smile

_________________
--carl

"The better it gets, the fewer of us know it." Ray Brown

Jack Aldrich · From: Washington, USA

Since I buy my strings by gauges, I buy packages of strings for each gauge and I take 3 of each that I use for what I'm playing, pedal or non-pedal, plus 3 extra 0.011's, which seem to break when I'm heatedly pushing pedals for a gig. I use Ernie Ball strings, when I can get them. Ernie was a steel player, so his strings have extra windings around the ball, so they seem to hold up better. btw - I've heard that Wilbur Ball, who played with Jimmie Rodgers, was Ernie's dad. True???- Jack
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Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

20 full set's...25 0.11's for the third...Change regularly.
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A.K.A Chappy.

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

I buy 3 sets at a time from a friend of mine. I keep 1 full set in my seat and write the date of complete change on the cover, "2-14-13 last full change". I carry 3 extra .011 3rd strings and 3 spare 5ths .o17. I used to break a lot of 3rd strings but it has been a while since I had a 3rd to break.(knock on wood).I keep a full set with me because every once in a while I have had a 6th to break and even a couple 10s to break. Good Luck and Happy Steelin.

Adrian Wang · From: Singapore

Have noted , the forum members keep lots of spares.
Wouldn't the string rust if stored and kept too long?
Some brands are in sealed plastic bags, some are in square paper envelope.
Thanks.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Only if the plating gets damaged.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

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