Buying Strings - with a mini review of strings I've tried so far.

ET-Phone-Home

Hey guys, does anyone know which store sells the most variety of acoustic strings in JHB? I've been looking for GHS Signature Bronze LJ lights (amongst others) but no one seems to stock them. Tried Marshall Music, Music Connection, Lovemore Music, Music World and Music Mate, the last 3 were their Boksburg branches, and none of them carry stock of those strings.

GaryMac

I use Strings and Beyond in the States:-

http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/

THey have good specials and ship really quickly.

Price is also a factor............................................

GaryMac

ET-Phone-Home

Also is there any love here for D'Addario EJ16's? Are they any good? I realize I might be answering my own question by saying this, but most stores I phoned said the Elixirs and EJ's are their most popular strings.

Johnny-B

GaryMac wrote: I use Strings and Beyond in the States:-

http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/

THey have good specials and ship really quickly.

Price is also a factor............................................

GaryMac

I used to bring in strings from the US also. I used to import from John at Shoreline Music in California. Since the recession, however, and with the weakening of the Rand against the dollar, the price that local guys are preapred to sell at has decreased and the imported price has increased to the point where it's no longer necessary to import. I was offered D'addario acoustic 12s coated EXP 16s for R100 a set by one of the big retailers here in Joburg earlier this month.

ET-Phone-Home

Hey Gary, I've seen that site many times while looking for reviews on strings, they have a very big variety. How do they get past SA Customs though? And to Jonny, which store offered you that price? The last store I went to wanted to charge me R160 for a set of EXP's.

Norman86

Martin - Eric Clapton EC12 Acoustic Guitar strings...
R100 - Music Mate Boksburg.

Try them, you wont use anything else afterwards!

http://www.martinguitar.com/strings/choosing.php?typ=Artists%20Choice

Jacquesg4j

To pay cheaper, buy bulk! I buy these d'addario packs that come with the beer glass. 6 sets of strings and a beer glass for R300odd on electric strings and if I recall correctly they are at R500odd for accoustic!

ET-Phone-Home

Hey Norman, will give them a try. How would u describe their tone? Bright? Warm? @ Jacques, have u tried the Ej16? Think I'm going to try those along with the Martins Norman suggested. If I like them I will definitely buy them in bulk ?

GaryMac

Yes it certainly is very dependant on the Rand vs. Dollar exchange rate.
When it was down at R 6.57 ish to the Dollar in May it was great, its not so clever when it hits R 8.47 to the Dollar as it did the other week.

You order, pay by credit card and the package arrives at the Post Office where you go and collect and pay whatever they charge for import, VAT and handling charges.

It seems to be very depandant on whose desk the thing lands as to what they carge for the above!!!!!!

I ususally buy 4 or 5 sets of those 3 packs of electrics and a couple of 3 packs of acoustics at the one time.
Usually Elixers.

As was said, its Rand vs. Dollar exchange rate sensitive as to whether they are "a bargain" or not.

Then again this is the same for anything you bring in from overseas.
The Rand lost about 30% in a week so that just about says it all!!!!!!

Must be a nightmare for importers trying to balance the books with such a volatile currency.

GaryMac

GaryMac

Strings and Beyond currently have a special on for 3 packs of Elixer Nanoweb for Electric Guitars.
These "specials" seem to be available most of the time.
They also have "blowout" sales where they sell for 50% off.

Currently Elixer Nanoweb for electrics triple pack at $ 21.95 for the three pack.

Now at R 6.57 to the Dollar that worked out at R 144.21 for the three pack or R 48.07 per set.

At R 8.47 to the Dollar its R 185.92 for the three pack or R 61.97 per set.

Add on shipping and all the other stuff when they get here.

I am starting to sound like the wife but "the more you buy, the more you save"!!!!
:-[

Of course there are a number of places both in the US and Europs selling discount strings on line.
I have no affiliation with Strings and Beyond, I am just a happy customer.

Cheers

GaryMac

Norman86

ET Phone Home wrote: Hey Norman, will give them a try. How would u describe their tone? Bright? Warm? @ Jacques, have u tried the Ej16? Think I'm going to try those along with the Martins Norman suggested. If I like them I will definitely buy them in bulk ?

Im hoping Costa will answer this, i just know these are great!!
Lets just say, its very balanced! and i think its brings out the sound of your guitar better!
If i think of the tone i'd like to hear from an acoustic, this gives you that!
The D'addarios are more muddy imo!

Jacquesg4j

Have never tried the e16s but... Last 2 times I've been buying the elixer nanowebs... But before that I LOVED the Martin E.Cs as well! The EADG wound strings just "dulled" too quickly i.m.o. But non-the-less I was using them exclusively for like 4 years! BUT, I gigged regularly and changed strings every 4 gigs. Sound wise they are still my acoustic strings of choice, but their sound really depends on the guage as well...

I have found that the 11s weren't very bassy, but I liked it! Very nice balanced sound! It has that SUPER crisp tone that I like. I had my action quite high though so the 11s were heavy enough for my likes. I was using the 12s first but they dulled even quicker! Sound was very very nice though!

ET-Phone-Home

@ Norman, ok cool, I'll probably pick up a set tomorrow and try them out. @ Jacques, I have experienced the same, went from 10's to 11's then to 12's. Though I love the extra bass of the 12's they definitely wear out quicker. I wonder why that is?

ET-Phone-Home

@ Gary, R64.00? Dam that's a hell of a discount. Tell me, do you maybe have a ballpark idea of how much they charge for the shipping and VAT and whatever else you have to pay?

ET-Phone-Home

Just a quick question, if my nut has been cut to take 12 gauge strings, would it affect anything if I go back to 11's? Apart from the lower tension.

Jacquesg4j

ET Phone Home wrote: Just a quick question, if my nut has been cut to take 12 gauge strings, would it affect anything if I go back to 11's? Apart from the lower tension.

Not really! Should be fine! Diff between 11s and 12s is not that great!

Not sure of how amazon's shipping is atm, but look at ths... looks nice

http://www.amazon.com/DAddario-EJ16-3D-Phosphor-Acoustic-Strings/dp/B000OR2RNM

ET-Phone-Home

Cool thanks Jacques, will check that out. Going to try get the EJ16's and GHS Phosphor Bronze in 11's (what I used for ages) and see if maybe the 11's would suite my Walden better. Hopefully it will help the strings last longer as well.

AlanRatcliffe

GaryMac wrote: Strings and Beyond currently have a special on for 3 packs of Elixer Nanoweb for Electric Guitars.

No-one will ship Elixir outside the US. From www.stringsandbeyond.com/ : "Elixir Strings are only available for shipment to addresses in the United States, U.S. Territories & Possessions, and APO FPO destinations."

Plus they will only ship USPS Express Mail - minimum $29.95 for up to 10 items/sets and $6 per ten sets above that. Means you have to do a fairly big order to make any significant savings. And IME, if you are buying bulk you can wrangle a pretty good price from a local store.

Jacquesg4j

+1 Alan!

Tokai-SA

GaryMac wrote:
The Rand lost about 30% in a week so that just about says it all!!!!!!

Must be a nightmare for importers trying to balance the books with such a volatile currency.

GaryMac

Not really, we leave our prices the same, we just lose 30%, we take the knock for our customers. ?