Prices for strings.

[JeffS]

I finally found a local music store that has a decent selection of mandolin strings. I picked up a set of J-74's and they cost $11.50. I've always mail ordered them for $4.50 from Elderly. Is this price the norm for a non franchised store? If so I feel bad for always bitching that I can never find a good set of strings locally. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Mando Medic]

Jeff, supply and demand. I think it's a bit high as I sell them in my store for 7.50 which is a bit higher than mail order, but no shipping or handling costs to the consumer. Kenc

[Dave Hanson]

You are fairly lucky in the US, here in the UK a set of J74s cost on average £7.95 which is over $15.00

Dave H

[Soupy1957]

There's a fella that I know, (and there are a number of them in here as well), that is a "professional" player, (unlike myself), who had recommended Thomastik-Infeld strings recently, and the price was typically $30.00 a set!

I've had discussions in here about Picks that cost that much, and with all due respect, ..if I WAS gonna spend THAT much money on a functional item for my mandolin, I'd spend it on a new Bridge (not exactly sure what the "average" price of a new Bridge IS), or on a strap, (I'll be danged if I want to let my instrument drop), or an Armrest, and even STRINGS.

Typically however, I stay around $6.00 or $7.00 for the J74's by D'Addario. I've been looking at the EXP74 version lately however, for $12.00.

There is a website for a company that just HAPPENS to be from my State, that sells strings at prices that are reasonable:

http://www.bigcitystring.com/



-Soupy1957

P.S. I've been told, by the way, that the Thomastik-Infeld strings will sound "dull" when brand new, but that makes perfect sense, since they are "flat wound" and not "round wound" which tend to be brighter. I gather that the "upside" is that these $30.00 strings would last longer and perform better, and handle more bending.

[John Flynn]

A store near me charges $11.50 for J74s, but they have a standing 2 for 1 sale, so they come out to $6.25 a set. But you can't just buy one set. Go figure.

[Jacob]

I've been quite pleased with generics from Webstrings (http://www.webstrings.com/mandolin_strings.html)
(Free shipping in the USA when you spend $12.00 or more.)
NFI, just a satisfied customer.

[Walter Newton]

Most all of the music stores in the places I've lived sell strings at 50% off list price, though these have been in towns with several places to shop so they have some local competition.

[Soupy1957]

"Thanks" for the "Webstrings" link..I looked it over. Since the BigCityString.com is in my state, and they have what I need, I'll order from them since the delivery time will be faster, but the prices are cool on Webstrings, if I buy $12.00 or more worth, (+ Shippping, otherwise).

I found it interesting that they considered a set with an .011 "E" String and a .040 "G" String to be
a set of "Mediums." Doesn't "Infeld" call those "Heavies" in their world???

-soupy1957

[MandoSquirrel]

There's a big diff between the TI or other flatwounds vs. the roundwound strings you're used to. Flatwounds have higher tension at less thickness, because of the winding. TI "heavies" are similar in guage to other's mediums or lights, but are heavies by tension.

The result is they give balanced tone, easy playing, & Much longer string life, easily 2-3 times what your bronze rounds will give you, thereby they Are cost effective at 2-3times the price. But the sound is also different, better for some instruments or playing styles, not for others.

[45ACP-GDLF5]

Hey JeffS! If I was you, I would stick with Elderly. I've had an account with MusiciansFriend for years. Their price is $4.79 for a set of J74's. You can get a set of EXP74's for $9.99 from them. Your local store is selling them at Retail Price. You'll always save money with mail-order. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Richard Russell]

My local guitar center sold me a set of J74s for $4.50 after I happened to mention that I would just hold off on buying them because I normally buy them for much less. My approach at GC is to just politely ask for price reductions and I find them to be quite willing to do so most of the time. I don't argue, just ask.

As far as TI strings go. They are a different string, made with a different tonal quality in mind compared to most other strings. I find them to be quite worth the asking price, considering the sound as well as the longevity they offer. I use them on my octave mandolin.

[Salty Dog]

The last strings I bought were J74s from Elderly for $40.00 per 10 pack. An additional reason for ordering from them is that they sell individual strings so you can order some single replacement A and E strings as those are the ones that break most frequently.

[fiddler43000]

Try www.martinmusicsupply.com . We have just started our business. We will get anything in the bluegrass line. If we dont have it we will get for you. Thanks.

[f5loar]

I tell you I look at buying strings like buying toliet paper. You don't want to run out when you need it! Paying full retail list price for any set of mandolin strings makes no more sense then paying for toliet paper at full run. When it goes on sale stock up! What's the difference between flushing your money down the toliet or breaking a string in the middle of "Rawhide"? Most mail orders and stores give big discounts for a dozen or more sets. The more you get the more you save on shipping too. You are going to need them if you pick and you should never leave home without at least two spare sets in your case. It's best to keep using the same brand/guage when replacing them one at a time. I know of many pros that never change a full set and only replace one as they break one. Change the whole set and you can change brands easy. Evenually you'll find the set best suited for you and your mandolin and then is the time to stock up at rock bottom prices!

[MikeEdgerton]

I buy J75's from First Quality (http://www.fqms.com) or Janet Davis (http://www.janetdavismusic.com) and I buy them in whatever quantity they have the price break at. I hate finding out that I'm out of strings. I generally can't find J75's locally. By the way, if you sign up for the Janet Davis e-mail specials they generally include a free shipping coupon every third or fourth week. Lately they've had a $100.00 limit but many times it's a $25.00 limit.

[dmamlep]

I just got a set of firewires,cost almost 20, hope they are worth it. going to put them on wed, anyone like them, I am putting them on a 96F5L

[jim simpson]

Georges Music II here in PA have been selling J74's at 3 sets for $12.99. I need to go back and see if they are still this cheap as it sounds like a great price break. I usually get 3 or 6 packs at a time. I like buying locally when prices are this low.

[jim simpson]

Follow-up: just checked with George's and they are still 3 for $12.99 or $4.99 ea.

[Greg H.]

I've been buying from Tony Williamson at Mandolin Central (http://www.mandolincentral.com/). He has them priced the same as Elderly ($4.50 for a set of J74 or J75s) but being half an hours drive from my house I get them w/o shipping/handling.

[Bob DeVellis]

Lets just be glad we're not bass players.

[steve in tampa]

I usually purchase from Just Strings. Fast shipping, and a great selection. NFI

http://www.juststrings.com