The Cost Of Musical Instrument Strings...

I know there are a few guitar players out here. On average how much do you pay for a decent set of guitar strings. From what I hear on average $30.00 can get you a pretty decent set of stings.

Violin strings on the other hand are another story. Every time I go to buy a new set of violin strings it seems like the price goes up and up and up on an item that is already very expensive. On average a good set of violin strings costs anywhere from $35.00 to well over $100.00 per set. And every time I go to buy the prices seem to go up. As a compromise I use Pirastro Tonica strings which are pretty nice sounding strings but are lower in price range, anywhere from $36.00 to $56.00 per set. I usually order them online if and when I can get a discount and free shipping. For example I just ordered a set and it cost me $33.00 since I got 10% off and free shipping. Although less expensive than some of the others, they give a nice tone, they receive good reviews from musicians, and they last a long time. I have never had one break on me. I generally change replace strings every 6-7 months and I save the old ones as spares. Had I ordered the next highest quality string by the same company a set would have cost me about $76.00. Crazy.

I have always wondered why violin strings cost so much more than guitar strings since they are mostly made of the same materials. Guitar strings are longer, they come 6 to a set so one would logically assume they would cost more as opposed to violin strings that are shorter and are only 4 to a set. Some people claim that violin strings are harder to make and/or have to be made differently since they are generally bowed. Another theory is that guitar strings sell in much larger volumes than violin strings thus lower demand keeps the v-string prices high. This does make some sense considering that several of the same companies make both guitar and violin strings yet charge considerably more for the violin strings. Perhaps its a combination of all the above.

Just wondering if some of you guitarists can weigh in on this. On average how much do you pay for a set of strings and, do prices on guitar strings generally keep increasing, go down in price or stay pretty much the same.

I won't even get into the prices on cello or bass strings.... LOL

You are correct. That sucks. I restrung my 5 string fretless bass guitar several years ago. The stainless steel strings were less than $30 for 5! The B string is and 1/8" diameter of several wrapped strings. They are as good as new because the frets are what wears down the strings faster. My Rickenbacker 4 string, I use smaller gage strings and a bit of hotter preamp to enhance the the trade mark Rickenbacker 'growl' sound. Those strings are nickle round wounds, maybe set me back $40. I am still experimenting with my Fender, and want a brighter sound to it. I will probably spend less than $40 to restring it. When I was playing gigs, I always had a new set of spare strings, and I still got by cheaper than you. I don't have the money to get my doghouse in playing condition right now. A set of chrome strings were over $150 last I heard.

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Originally Posted by suddenseer

You are correct. That sucks. I restrung my 5 string fretless bass guitar several years ago. The stainless steel strings were less than $30 for 5! The B string is and 1/8" diameter of several wrapped strings. They are as good as new because the frets are what wears down the strings faster. My Rickenbacker 4 string, I use smaller gage strings and a bit of hotter preamp to enhance the the trade mark Rickenbacker 'growl' sound. Those strings are nickle round wounds, maybe set me back $40. I am still experimenting with my Fender, and want a brighter sound to it. I will probably spend less than $40 to restring it. When I was playing gigs, I always had a new set of spare strings, and I still got by cheaper than you. I don't have the money to get my doghouse in playing condition right now. A set of chrome strings were over $150 last I heard.

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Interesting. My brother has a Rickenbacker bass so I can relate to that "Rickenbacker growl". Classic sound of the Rickenbacker. In the fiddle world steel strings are generally cheaper in cost, although depending on the brand they can still be anywhere from $30 on up. The strings I use are basically nylon core wound with silver or aluminium,. Except for the E string which is stainless steel and not wound. Although there do exist wound E-Strings and I am thinking of trying one (one of these days) to see/hear any noticeable difference. When I was a kid I used to use gut core strings. My Dad would pick them up for me around "music row" in Manhattan. Sadly "music row" is pretty much gone...victimized by high rents and reduced business. But in the old days music row was bustling with musicians of all skill levels and of every music genre including many famous names.. The gut core strings were temperamental, they broke easily and the slightest change in humidity would throw them out of tune. Still, gut strings are available, can be quite expensive and are preferred by some violinists , particularly those who focus on classical baroque period music. Some even use pure unwound gut strings. Depends on the type of music and feeling they are trying to capture. Still and regardless, every time I go to buy a string set the price seems to be higher than the last time. Call it ""string inflation".

I have seen gut strings being made, directly at a freezing plant. It required a specialist, in this case a gnome-like character who twisted the gut according to the section of intestine it came from. His apprentice, much younger, started on stretching and making condoms from the same intestines. The old fellow told us some Germans preferred the gut variety rather than latex. Was he pulling our legs or is it true?
Anyway it seems that manufacturing gut strings is a specialist job like many others which are dying out.

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Originally Posted by HUGH

I have seen gut strings being made, directly at a freezing plant. It required a specialist, in this case a gnome-like character who twisted the gut according to the section of intestine it came from. His apprentice, much younger, started on stretching and making condoms from the same intestines. The old fellow told us some Germans preferred the gut variety rather than latex. Was he pulling our legs or is it true?
Anyway it seems that manufacturing gut strings is a specialist job like many others which are dying out.

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Hmmm... Not to sure of which is better, the latex or the gut prophylactics. I remember reading that historically the gut condoms were the first available and latex came along much later. Otherwise I have no idea which gives the bigger bang for the buck...LOL. :)

As far as the violin strings go there are two types. The most popular is the "gut core" types where the gut is tightly would to form a string and then the gut core is wrapped in silver, aluminium or gold Less common (and harder to find) are the pure unwound gut strings. The latter are preferred by some very dedicated baroque style musicians who want to capture that authentic period style and sound. Often they will even have their instruments altered to even further affect that early baroque style.

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Originally Posted by n2ize

Hmmm... Not to sure of which is better, the latex or the gut prophylactics. I remember reading that historically the gut condoms were the first available and latex came along much later. Otherwise I have no idea which gives the bigger bang for the buck...LOL. :)

As far as the violin strings go there are two types. The most popular is the "gut core" types where the gut is tightly would to form a string and then the gut core is wrapped in silver, aluminium or gold Less common (and harder to find) are the pure unwound gut strings. The latter are preferred by some very dedicated baroque style musicians who want to capture that authentic period style and sound. Often they will even have their instruments altered to even further affect that early baroque style.

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The unwound strings must be awkward as the gut seems to dry out, probably why they were twisted directly after the sheeps' slaugheter. Once twisted I think they should retain their flexibility better.

I forgot also that longcase (Grandfather) and Vienna clock lines were traditionally made from gut. I used it in my clock but often substituted a twisted nylon look-alike when repairing other people's clocks if I knew they were not going to look after the timepiece. I made my clock about 18 years ago and have only applied a little oil to the lines twice since. There's no sign of wear or fraying though mine runs with two 10lb weights whereas others can use up to 14lbs each side. It seems the longcase lines can last for 50 years or more.

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Originally Posted by HUGH

The unwound strings must be awkward as the gut seems to dry out, probably why they were twisted directly after the sheeps' slaugheter. Once twisted I think they should retain their flexibility better.

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Okay, just to clarify. When I mentioned "unwound gut strings" I meant that the gut core is not wrapped in metal (i.e. usually silver or aluminium, but sometimes gold, tungsten or other metals). The most common gut core strings these days are wrapped with silver or other metal. But there are some dedicated baroque period musicians who will buy "straight" gut strings which are twisted (similar to the clock lines) but minus the metal wrapping found on most strings used these days. There is one place I found online that sells them. They sell them by the foot and you cut them to fit your instrument. However, by far the most common strings among today's string players are synthetic core strings (usually nylon, perlon, zyex) that are wrapped in aluminium, silver or gold. The offer a nice compromise between steel strings and gut strings. Foir ibnstance the ones I use are nylon core wrapped in sterling silver.

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I forgot also that longcase (Grandfather) and Vienna clock lines were traditionally made from gut. I used it in my clock but often substituted a twisted nylon look-alike when repairing other people's clocks if I knew they were not going to look after the timepiece. I made my clock about 18 years ago and have only applied a little oil to the lines twice since. There's no sign of wear or fraying though mine runs with two 10lb weights whereas others can use up to 14lbs each side. It seems the longcase lines can last for 50 years or more.

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I had to do a little reference work to fully understand what you meant by longcase clock lines. Pretty nice clocks. I am mainly into vintage or antique pocket watches but I am beginning to develop an interest in clocks. Some of the long case clocks are stunningly beautiful and I guess they command a nice price. I would love to have one someday. True works of art both in their mechanics and in their fine enclosures and grand designs. Apparently many clock restorers are still using the old type gut clock lines as I noticed a several sites have them available for sale. And in such an application if properly cared for they should last for years. Reminds me of the old gut tailpiece loops on violins that are used to hold the tailpiece in place. These days they use a threaded synthetic (plastic) loop but in the old days the loop was made of a knotted piece of heavy gauge gut string which carries the full stress of the strings. I seen violins well over 50 years old (some over 100) and the gut tailpiece loop is still holding fine with no signs of wear. Indeed a strong material. Would love to chat more about the long case clocks. Sounds very interesting.

http://images.rapgenius.com/057b5330...1000x486x1.jpg

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Originally Posted by WØTKX

http://images.rapgenius.com/057b5330...1000x486x1.jpg

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A string/brass hybrid. I want one !!!... I'd love to show up at our next practice with that...