Cheapest way to buy strings?

fendermadlewis

Any good insights for buying strings? I love elixirs for gigging but they're too dam expensive. I find I need to change uncoated strings after each gig as well, so can also get pricey.

Thinking about doing the big box of D'addario thing, but if anybody has any better ideas, itd be cool to hear them! 

skullfunkerry

I bought some strings from @FelineGuitars and they were pretty good. 10+ packs gets you down to £5 a set, which isn't bad...

markj

Amazon for all my strings.

thegummy

Always liked the idea of that big box of D'addario with all the strings loose in each compartment - looks so cool lol. Just never had that kind of money at hand to spend on strings even though I would be going through that amount int he long term.

BTW, anyone got a link to that thread about the new upcoming D'addarios? I can't find it with the search function, was only a week ago or so.

thermionic

Buy fake ones off ebay.

proggy

Go into guitar shops and nick them while no-one's looking.

Moe_Zambeek

Strings direct is the answer, surely...

thegummy

Moe_Zambeek said:

Strings direct is the answer, surely...

Great website, used to use every time and still the first place I check. I kind of use it as a directory of strings almost.

But lately they've rarely been the cheapest price unfortunately so I've tended to go to Amazon, especially since it's next or same day delivery.

Philtre

Amazon have some good deals on D'addario now and then. No idea why people prefer to pay through the nose from Strings Direct.

abw1989

I wait for the three packs of Elixirs to come up on offer on Amazon. They last so long I have to time to wait between offers!

JerkMoans

Scoring 43 copies of Guitar Magazine in January worked out pretty well for cheap Elixir supplies.

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/147112/free-elixir-optiweb-strings/p1

richardhomer

Philtre said:

Amazon have some good deals on D'addario now and then. No idea why people prefer to pay through the nose from Strings Direct.

They occasionally do three sets for £9.99. I like the idea of supporting shops and smaller on-line businesses - but that’s too cheap to ignore for me.

Nikc

get on well with your local independent music store there's always a decent deal to be had

thegummy

Philtre said:

Amazon have some good deals on D'addario now and then. No idea why people prefer to pay through the nose from Strings Direct.

It's a tough one; obviously the more well off someone is the more moralistic they can be with purchases.

Sadly I don't have tons of money so find it hard to justify going with anything but the cheapest option.

But using Strings Direct as an example - their website is well organised and I can use it to browse available strings in an encyclopedic way whereas with Amazon it's pretty much just searching for the specific product I want. So because I use their website as a service, I would prefer to buy for them to thank them for that. As mentioned though, if they are significantly more expensive it can be hard for me to justify paying extra based on my finances.

Guitar shops is another one. Thankfully these days GuitarGuitar's shop tends to have just as good prices as the web but even if they're slightly more expensive, they offer the service of being able to go in and try the guitar out without having to order it then return it by courier. So for that service I'd rather give them my business in return.

I actually asked the guy last time I was in trying if there was any reason I should order a guitar in to the shop or just as well ordering online. He said that, even though the assistants don't work on commission in there, it lets the company know that the shops are worth having when items are bought in person. I felt it was a good point - I do like there being a physical shop.

Litterick

I buy Rotosound strings from a music shop here in Auckland. They are very good, surprisingly cheap and made in Kent.

Mark1960

thegummy said:

Moe_Zambeek said:

Strings direct is the answer, surely...

Great website, used to use every time and still the first place I check. I kind of use it as a directory of strings almost.

But lately they've rarely been the cheapest price unfortunately so I've tended to go to Amazon, especially since it's next or same day delivery.

They will price match genuine competition. you just have to ask on the phone.

Philtre

Mark1960 said:

thegummy said:

Moe_Zambeek said:

Strings direct is the answer, surely...

Great website, used to use every time and still the first place I check. I kind of use it as a directory of strings almost.

But lately they've rarely been the cheapest price unfortunately so I've tended to go to Amazon, especially since it's next or same day delivery.

They will price match genuine competition. you just have to ask on the phone.

"the phone". LOL.

thegummy

Philtre said:

Mark1960 said:

thegummy said:

Moe_Zambeek said:

Strings direct is the answer, surely...

Great website, used to use every time and still the first place I check. I kind of use it as a directory of strings almost.

But lately they've rarely been the cheapest price unfortunately so I've tended to go to Amazon, especially since it's next or same day delivery.

They will price match genuine competition. you just have to ask on the phone.

"the phone". LOL.

lol I did give Mark the deserved wis for giving that info but I'll be honest, I won't be picking up the phone to haggle for strings any time soon

Philtre

D'Addario EXL110-3D XL Nickel Wound Regular Light Electric Guitar Strings, 3 Pack

Strings Direct: £19.96

Amazon: £14.70 (£11.96 when on offer)

Tough choice.

Octafish

Philtre said:

D'Addario EXL110-3D XL Nickel Wound Regular Light Electric Guitar Strings, 3 Pack

Strings Direct: £19.96

Amazon: £14.70 (£11.96 when on offer)

Tough choice.

Yep, Strings Direct are really not that great on price these days. I use Gear 4 Music - they do the D'Addario EXL110-3D XL for £14.99 as do GAK. I've gone over to Fender strings, they really don't seem any inferior to D'Addario or other brands and £12.99 for 3 pack of 10-46.

Edit - Just seen GAK doing Fender 150r 10-46 3 pack for £11.19, that's £12.69 including postage.

rico

Andertons do 4 for 3 on most packs of strings.