So why are bass strings so f'n expensive?

[VH4_BigRig]

Is it just me or does it seem like the string companies are gouging people when it comes to bass strings? I can see them being slightly more expensive than guitar strings since they are thicker and longer, but common, $30 a pack??? F**k that! Like if it was $15-19 a pack that seems reasonable, but over $20 just seems like highway robbery. I highly doubt there is much more labour involved, so what's the deal?

On that note, is there a place you guys know of where you can get bass strings cheap (in bulk?) or at least at a reasonable price? I'm f'n sick of paying $6 a string when that will buy you a full pack of guitar strings.....thanks in advance!

cheers,

bigrig

 

[rupe]

Why are bass strings so f'n expensive? Perhaps because manufacturers know that most bass players are mouth-breathing, knuckle-dragging neanderthals who will pay too much?

 

[Bob Savage]

It's because they're like a drug to musicians, thus, sold by weight.

 

[rsm]

My guess is that they last longer, the strings have a thicker core and are wound, and there a fewer bass players compared to guitar players, so less demand? I would imagine the equipment used to make them has to be much stronger / more expensive then those used for guitar? All guesses. Either way, it can get expensive.

Back in the day, I was able to beat this price gouging. I used a Steinberger L bass with the double-ball system and strings (I still have the bass) as my main bass. One day, I went into a store and they had a stack of OEM Steinberger bass string sets in the gauge I use discounted about half price. I counted the sets, and made a better offer for all of them. The store accepted. I think I paid around $10 a set, maybe $8? I remember it being very low. I still have new sets I've never used or opened. I used three sets in rotation, use a set for a few months, take them off, boil them, oil them, let 'em dry; wipe down, repackage, reuse. For guitar, this never made sense not sure if it would even work? But for expensive bass strings it was worth the effort and did not compromise tone.

The double ball system is great IMO, you never have to cut strings or deal with the spring-curled ends from the pegs, etc. The strings were good quality. After using two sets in rotation, I opened a new set (why I was using 3 sets) and compared the new set to a used set I had cleaned - very little or no difference. Saved me a bundle on strings. (no the bass and strings are not for sale!). I used the same three sets for nearly 10 years!

My Ric 4003 is costly in strings though.

 

[guitarslinger]

1. Economies of scale = They probably sell 1/100th as many bass strings as guitar strings
2. They are a lot longer
3. They are a lot thicker
4. They last longer?

 

[Valtiel]

It's because they're like a drug to musicians, thus, sold by weight.

Correct answer.

 

[stefvorcide]

How many times to you change your bass strings?? if you play w/ fingers they can last over a year, that's not bad. and yeah, you can boil them like RSM said.

My bassist used to pay $50-60 CDN for elixir strings for his 5 and 6 stringers

I have his first fretless here, and I bought a few discounted strings for like 6$ a set

 

[blackba]

I have been able to find D'Addario bass strings about about $17 a pack, but I usually buy a good number at once (combine an order with my other bass playing buddies). They are expensive, but considering they are bigger, lower volume, and only need to be changed for me every 6-12 months, they are not that bad. I haven't priced 5 string sets though....

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Because they are made of metal and metal as a raw material is sold by weight. a set of bass strings is easily eight to ten sets of guitar strings worth of metal.

eight sets at five bux each is 40 bux.

 

[lolzgreg]

4. They last longer?

I'm not going to say I agree with this. I have one guitar that has 6 month old strings on it and it still sounds decent.

On a bass, after about a week of semi-frequent playing, you lose a HUGE amount of grind and punch from the strings.

 

[Shark Diver]

$15-19 a pack

I pay more than for guitar strings I change once a week.

 

[VH4_BigRig]

Thanks for the replies guys! I guess it helps make it slightly easier to swallow knowing that there may be some kind of reason they're more expensive....it's a damn good thing I only change them every 5 months! I may have to try out that boiling trick next time just to see if I like the results

PS The reason for this rant was I was restringing my musicman and I had just BARELY cut the G string too short- I'd tune it up, and just before it was in pitch it would pop out So I had to buy another string for $6.50 and wasn't too happy about it Those tuners can be a pain sometimes....