About new strings...

Of course, you already knew strings will wear from playing. Why? Several factors compound the deterioration, including skin oils, picking, and long term vibration causing the string to decay and lose tone over time.

What you may not be aware is oxidation in the package has the same residual effect! Depending on packaging, some brands of strings hanging on a store shelf or languishing in a warehouse can be purchased new, but suffer the hidden effects of months, if not years of deteriorating right in the package. You might want to investigate your store's policies and procedures for reordering strings, how long a set typically hangs before turning into a sale.

If you regularly purchase strings online, it's good to establish a loyal, trusting relationship with your string source. Switching from "lowest bidder" everytime you buy may be a misguided purchase of aged or inferior strings. (You know the old saying, "you don't get something for nothing...") Also, should you ever run into manufacturing defects, that relationship is something you can exploit for protection when (and not just if) you should ever have problems. A good string retailer will back you up for defects and take the issue to the manufacturer for you.

Posted by Ted at March 26, 2006 8:42 PM