Strings sets with extra 1st and 2nd strings?

[Bob Arbogast]

Being a cheapskate, I'm looking to string up using sets that come with extra 1st and 2nd strings. That way I can replace the e- and b-strings midway through a string change cycle and, by doing so, stretch that cycle out a fair bit longer.

So who packages strings with an extra 1 & 2? And in what specific sets? I'm pretty sure LaBella Electrics have the extra strings. They used to any way. And once upon a time some Gibson sets came with the extras. I'm just not sure any more.

Thanks.

Bob Arbogast

[S0C7]

I'd like to know this as well. Right now, I just make a habit of purchasing a few extra separate strings whenever I pick up a pack.

[lenny]

i just got a few sets of SIT "stay in tune" strings that have exactly that

[tdowns]

Darco by C.F. Martin in the past contained extra 1st and 2nd strings, but I haven't bought any in years.

[Russinator]

Never saw any except Gretsch have the extra B and E. There may be others out there. Gretsch still has them here.

[weelie]

Me too! Currently this cheapskate is playing webstrings as they are the cheapest strings I know, and have had no major worries with them.

[buglecorps]

(the orange pack) did..2-3 years ago. I think they still do, but they are silly $$ now (6-7 street?) and to me they don't sound any better than anything else..I got mine at a GOB sale and paid like 12 bucks for the whole box, they do seem to hold up well though.

[Rob DiStefano]

These dayze I use Webstrings exclusively. I order at least 2 dozen and pay a flat fee of $2.35 a set postpaid ($56.40 for 2 dozen). They're all made in the USA by the same string manufacturers that produce major string brand label names. I've tested .009, .010, .011 round wounds and .011 flatwounds - IMO, all these strings are top notch, I'm a Webstrings believer. YMMV.

[Andy R]

Yes, LaBellas do. Great strings too. Qualifier: I am an endorser. But they are great!

[telemann51]

You can get them mail order in quantities of 10 in a package for not too much money. Then you can use whatever other strings you like best.

[Bob Arbogast]

Which LaBella set do you use? LaBella Electrics, as opposed to "Hard Rocking Steel"? juststrings.com has a .010-.048 LaBella Electrics set. That sounds pretty good. I know I can get complete sets for less money, but I really only need to change the e- and b- strings often. It seems wasteful of resources to change all 6 strings when it's not necessary, even if it would be cheaper in $ terms.

Bob Arbogast

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by Bob Arbogast

... I know I can get complete sets for less money, but I really only need to change the e- and b- strings often. ...

Everyone's different, in terms of string longevity - i.e., the player's "touch" and the strings' ability to offer tone AND intonation - and I change strings when either of those ability's suffer.

I try to make a concerted effort to clean off strings with naphtha after a goody work out, or with at least just a clean cloth. Strings wear out pretty quickly because of the metal to metal contact, meaning the roundness of plain and wrapped strings will be compromised, and that - along with finger oil and dead skin - is why tone and intonation will suffer.

And usually, when only some strings are replaced I can hear an imbalance in tone. Easier and cheaper to throw on a fresh set. After all, yer strings are a cornerstone of yer tone AND playability. YMMV.

[Bob Arbogast]

I'm "blessed" with dry hands. I almost never wipe my strings down, and they stay fresh and toneful for a good long time. In my case, I like to change the e-and b-strings as a preventative maintenance item before they break from "saddle sores." (And, yes, I take care of my saddles: no burrs, nice smooth grooves, lightly oiled contact points.) If I change strings every 4-6 weeks and e- and b-strings halfway through, it works out very well.

MAJOR QUALIFIER: I don't gig. I goof around at home and play a set or two at a jam once a week.

Bob Arbogast

[Andy R]

Bob, the set I use on my Fenders is the "ELBM" nickel plated steel, 11 through 52. Nice beefy set.

[Doc Leon]

Darcos' still have the extra 1st and 2nd strings. I got them for $2.99 a set, including shipping from AMS. I only get one gig out of a set no matter what I use, and these sound as good as any others.

[Glen W]

Back in the '60s I remember all the brands included extra E & B straings. And the high E's on these things were like 12's! Then along came the Fender "Rock 'n Roll" strings, and the Super Slinky...

Easy bending - no more extra strings, though. If I see anything reasonably priced with extra strings - I'll buy 'em.

Rob - thanks. Just placed an order with webstrings.

[Billy Lee]

Made in Akron by Ley's. They have always had the extra E and B, and although I know there are several great brands, I found these to stay in tune after some good bends, and they last about an average amount of time.

[Mark Davis]

Kendrick strings come with 2 sets of plains so you get 2 e's 2 b's and 2 g's and 3 wound strings. They do this because the wounds last so long you can go thru 2 sets of plains.

They are also excellent strings.

[Nick Fanis]

I believe that D'AQUISTO and ROTOSOUND always have extra E and B strings.

[Robin Nahum]

I'm now paying about $A17 (~$US13) a set for Gibson Vintage Reissues. I stick with them because they have the warm tone I like and a reasonable life, and in any case other OTC brands are similarly priced. And yes Bob, they still have the extra first and second.

But at those prices, Webstrings has to be worth a try! And postage is very reasonable too. The way some vendors charge for overseas postage, it makes me think that they're actually in the freight business.

RN

[weelie]

Hey, it was me who mentioned webstrings first! :P

Anyway, I like the shipping cost policy too, a flat 15% IIRC. If I would buy strings locally, I'd pay minimum 6 EUR, most likely at least 8 EUR, more if I bought Fenders, for example. From webstrings I pay 3 EUR including shipping. Works for me, ymmv.

[Scotland]

10 sets from webstrings to try them out. £18.32 including shipping. That's unbelievable !!
Thanks Weelie !!

[Bob Arbogast]

24 sets from webstrings to get the best rate. Then I ordered 24 e- and b-strings from another vendor. Total cost, including shipping, will be about $3.50 per set. That's not bad at all. Unless, of course, I don't like webstrings. But they have a good return policy.

Bob Arbogast