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Thread: String shortage!?

  1. #1

    Default String shortage!?

    I have been searching the web like crazy trying to find elixir strings. (medium) I ended up calling elixir and asking and they said due to shutdowns and such they had to cut out a few strings in production and mandolin strings happend to be one of them. does anyone have a plug on some sktechy websites that no one knows about and may be on stock? thanks!

  2. #2
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Juststrings seems to have them now, at least the nanoweb ones. But I couldn't find them a few weeks ago and ended up buying something else.
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    There are lots of shortages these days in everything. I went to three stores in my town the other day to find some bananas for some reason. Good luck on your search for the perfect elixir.
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Saw some the other day in a UK shop (Richtone Music) ...... and they’re in the sale!

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    Registered User Murphy Slaw's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    I don't think Elixir builds strings. The buy them from (X) and they coat them. If (X) is having supply or labor problems they probably will cut discounted sub-contract sales before cutting their own Brand sales.
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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    How was it in the 40's, during WW2?
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Gr8, This threads gonna cause everyone to buy up the strings!

    Just kidding....

    That’s how it seems to work with everything else though.

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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    How was it in the 40's, during WW2?
    The 40s ended 35 years before d’Addario started making strings. I suspect that, back in those days, people put new strings on when they broke; that’s certainly what we did in the 60s.

  10. #9
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    How was it in the 40's, during WW2?
    Really, how relevant is that question? Would ‘better than the 1750’s’ be a good answer?
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    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    I have the habit of buying a packet of strings every time I visit a bricks and mortar music store, just to "pay" something for my time poking around. As a result I have a massive emergency chest of strings. I am ready for mando-string apocalypse.
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill McCall View Post
    Really, how relevant is that question? Would ‘better than the 1750’s’ be a good answer?
    I suspect it’s relevant because, during WW2 most manufacturing was to support the war effort. Something called the War Production Board. I would venture to guess that would include the production of mandolin strings?

    -Best
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  16. #12
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Quote Originally Posted by SWS View Post
    I suspect it’s relevant because, during WW2 most manufacturing was to support the war effort. Something called the War Production Board. I would venture to guess that would include the production of mandolin strings?

    -Best
    Suggesting that there have been other periods of shortage provides no information or insight into the current situation except to say ‘it occurs sometimes’.

    That’s not particularly helpful to me. Ymmv
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    How was it in the 40's, during WW2?
    I don’t know how it was then but, I would like to think people helped each other out where they could.

    To the OP- I have a “new” box of Elixir Medium, Nanoweb. If those will work for you, they’re yours. Full disclosure, they’re probably 8+ years old. I don’t know if they go “stale” or whatnot so free sounds fair. PM me if interested.

    Best
    Last edited by SWS; Jan-07-2021 at 11:02pm.
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  20. #14

    Default Re: String shortage!?

    no way man thanks!! ill pm you!

  21. #15

    Default Re: String shortage!?

    they do appear to be in stock but when you go to checkout it says its for "backorder"

  22. #16

    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    How was it in the 40's, during WW2?
    im not sure bud. what strings did you use back then?

  23. #17

    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Quote Originally Posted by killntime View Post
    Gr8, This threads gonna cause everyone to buy up the strings!

    Just kidding....

    That’s how it seems to work with everything else though.
    they were already gone when i posted this lol

  24. #18
    Registered User lowtone2's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Elixir mandolin strings are still not available. I have pretty much settled on those strings, so it figures that they are unobtainable. XS strings are...OK.

    So i noticed that some of their other strings for other instruments are back on the market, but not the mandolin strings, so i actually emailed the company to ask about the status, see if they are discontinued. Unbelievably, someone replied immediately. Mandolin strings will be back, but as i understand it, not soon. Not in the next couple of months, and nothing more specific than that. But they "WILL be back."

  25. #19

    Default Re: String shortage!?

    I hope this isn't out of order but I have three sets of Elixir Nanoweb .011-.040 mandolin strings that are still in their original boxes but must be at least 10 or 11 years old. If anyone wants them they can have them but I'd want want to be reimbursed for the cost of postage.

    Maybe Elixirs will hold up well even after a decade, not sure. They've been sitting in a box next to my mandolin case for all that time. Back in the day, I bought three extra sets of Elixirs then promptly discovered T-I flatwounds and never looked back!
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  27. #20
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    So we’re now at a year and a half or more since Elixir Mando strings were last available. I get the company’s need to prioritize during these challenging times, but c’mon, isn’t it about time for them to throw us a bone already?

    In the unlikely event anyone out there has some light gauge Elixirs they aren’t planning on using, please give me a holler and I’ll gladly buy them from you. My body chemistry kills strings super quick and there aren’t really any other good, coated light gauge options out there that I’ve found.

  28. #21
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Elixirs are coated with Goretex. That may be the supply problem.

    I feel your pain.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  29. #22
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Here’s a dumb question: has anyone tried to contact them directly? Or even some of the string retailers? There must be some explanation or idea of when they will be back in stock.
    Jim

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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Here’s a dumb question: has anyone tried to contact them directly? Or even some of the string retailers? There must be some explanation or idea of when they will be back in stock.
    Yes, there is another thread on that. Basically Elixir have said they are prioritizing the production of the most popular strings and are not producing others for the time being. No exact timeline on when mando strings will be back, but they will be back. Apparently. Someday.

  31. #24
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: String shortage!?

    An excellent way to winnow away their customer base. Frankly I only used them on my National but I am sure I can find a substitute easily enough.

    I find with some companies you just have to make more noise and if you have a slightly sympathetic ear you may get action. If enough Elixir mandolin string fans contact them they might pull some strings. I guess what is puzzling is if they make those gauges for guitars or not. If so they could put together custom sets. Gotta be a way…

    Bombard them until they get the hint!
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  32. #25

    Default Re: String shortage!?

    Quote Originally Posted by Amish Andy View Post
    I have been searching the web like crazy trying to find elixir strings. (medium) I ended up calling elixir and asking and they said due to shutdowns and such they had to cut out a few strings in production and mandolin strings happend to be one of them. does anyone have a plug on some sktechy websites that no one knows about and may be on stock? thanks!
    they are not the only company whose strings are hard to get ...i usually order
    D' ADARIO BY THE BOX there is 10 sets to a box.....not any more all ya can get are 3 packs so i ordered 3....3 packs ...what happened!!!!!!!

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