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