Extra sets of strings, can the go bad?

[JustLearning]

If i get a few extra sets of strings and keep them in my case would they go bad before I use them?

Probably a stupid question

[Jon Hall]

D'addarios are vacumn sealed and should last indefinitely.
Some othe manufacturers probably do the same. If you buy on line from one of the suppliers on the cafe home page you can email them and ask.

[jasona]

No D'Addario that I have ever bought came sealed--both the plastic or cardboard (depending on the make) and paper internal envelope wereshut, but not air tight. I have opened some j74s and some Newtones that were slightly tarnished.

[frets1]

If you have strings that are not sealed, you can put them in a zip-lock sandwich bag. (or samich bag; depending on what part of the country you come from) After you seal the bag, slowly squeeze the air from it so the bag shrinks around the strings. My wife tought me that trick! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Unseen122]

They might rust or tarnish but they shouldn't wear out because that comes from playing. The plastic bag method should keep them shiny and new. I have never heard of this method but it makes sense http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Jon Hall]

Jasona

You're right.Only the D'adarrio guitar strings are vacumn sealed. I m corrected.

[potatoe]

i do beleive the sam bush and billy monroe model strings are vacummed sealed. but the store i buy mine from is carefully regulated for temp and humidity, so i dont have any problems.

[Luthier Vandross]

Darco/Martins are the worst, you take them out, only to find they are NOS from like 1970.


M

[Dave Cohen]

A small amount of tarnish can be scrubbed off, possibly w/ Scotchbrite or the like. What makes strings go bad is a combination of dirt and oils from fingers getting into the windings, and repeated stretching. Old unused strings should be OK unless the tarnish is severe.

[Bruce Evans]

I've used strings that I know are over 12 years old and you couldn't tell them from brand new strings. I wouldn't even worry about tarnish. I don't think you will live longer than the shelf life of steel strings.

[mrbook]

Every now and then I get to a set that I bought 10 or 15 years ago, and as long as they have been stored where my instruments are I've never had a problem.

[mandroid]

Surface Rust on plain ones may be seen,local repair guy has given me a couple individual spares , gratis, when spots are there.
paper string envelopes >were< claiming to have rust inhibitor feature .
if youre stocking up,try #a seal-a-meal and drying packet of silica gel (some have indicator pellets, more reusable , #blue is indicating ok, pink means you should heat it in the oven [warm] to charge it again}

FWIW; applying packing tape makes ziploc bags more durable.

[GTison]

you boys need to play more. The extras wont go bad that way. But really I was looking at some old old J74 g strings .40's they are tarnished but no problem. but i'm not gonna oil em to keep em fresh. I need to sell some flat tops FT74. So they don't go bad.