String price increases. Nearly double for some.

[fretmeister]

Strewth!

 

On an Ibby Mezzo and on my P bass shorty I have Dunlop flats. Last time I changed the strings the sets were about £50 or so. Expensive, but they last many years so I was ok with that.

 

They are now £95!! (Or £115 for the 5 string set). I realise the exchange rate with the USA is in the toilet, but this is shocking.

 

Wish I had bought a few sets last time.  

 

[Paolo85]

You may still be able to grab them at much lowe prices (just now seen some 45 105 on amazon at less than 40). I see that Strings Direct has them at 95. These may be a new batch? There was a global shortage in the steel and alloy markets in spring that may help explain the increase. If that's the reason prices may have to go down going forward, and these will eventually be sold at a big discount (that is, a more normal price)

[jrixn1]

I try to avoid Bass Direct, if at all possible.  This is not one of those times 😬
https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Flat_wound_strings.html

Dunlop 45-105, £59.99
Dunlop 45-125, £76.00

[BigRedX]

Even Newtone strings have had a 25% increase in prices recently.

[jrixn1]

6 minutes ago, jrixn1 said:

I try to avoid Bass Direct, if at all possible.  This is not one of those times 😬
https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Flat_wound_strings.html

Dunlop 45-105, £59.99
Dunlop 45-125, £76.00

 

Sorry, I'm not sure what I was thinking - £37.27 (as per @Paolo85) is of course less than £59.99!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dunlop-DBFS45105-Flatwound-Strings-Medium/dp/B01C2T8V0W/ref=asc_df_B01C2T8V0W/

 

[fretmeister]

1 hour ago, jrixn1 said:

 

Sorry, I'm not sure what I was thinking - £37.27 (as per @Paolo85) is of course less than £59.99!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dunlop-DBFS45105-Flatwound-Strings-Medium/dp/B01C2T8V0W/ref=asc_df_B01C2T8V0W/

 

 

 

£19 delivery!

 

Also - I like 40-100.

[Lozz196]

They were at a fairly high price before the current political tomfoolery, recall seeing a similar thread about it a couple of months ago.

[kodiakblair]

5 hours ago, fretmeister said:

I realise the exchange rate with the USA is in the toilet, but this is shocking.

Avoid buying anything made in the USA 🙂

 

Short scale 40 - 100 flats are £22 inc delivery from Status Graphite, their tapes were great strings so chances are the same applies to their flats.

 

http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html

[fretmeister]

I might have to give them a go.

[Shiveringbass]

On thomann, Sandberg stainless strings were 31€ for a 5 strings set.

 

Since the end of august the price rised to 39€

 

It means a 28% increase. I loved those strings but not at this price.

[lownote]

Dunlops are now £25 per string!

Edited December 3, 2022 by lownote

[JohnH89]

Always love Rotosounds . Make in the good ol UK .

[TheGreek]

I've been ordering Warwick tapewounds for my basses. Best price is £20 from Thomann but postage is £10.

Does anybody know if they combine the cost if you order more than 1 set.

[chris_b]

My TI's have been on for about 5 or 6 years. I wasn't planning to change them for at least another 20.

 

I dread to think how many thousands of pounds a set will cost when I finally go looking for replacements.

[MichaelDean]

9 hours ago, TheGreek said:

I've been ordering Warwick tapewounds for my basses. Best price is £20 from Thomann but postage is £10.

Does anybody know if they combine the cost if you order more than 1 set.

According to the website, it's a flat rate of £10 for orders under £149 and under 30kg. 

[Al Krow]

Or pick up a pretty decent set of Harley Bentons or Warwick Red Labels for < £10, rather than paying the cost of a new Harley Benton bass each time (see related thread) 🙂

[tauzero]

On 05/12/2022 at 11:56, Al Krow said:

Or pick up a pretty decent set of Harley Bentons or Warwick Red Labels for < £10, rather than paying the cost of a new Harley Benton bass each time (see related thread) 🙂

 

Or pick up a HB bass plus a few sets of HB or Warwick Red strings, taking advantage of the free postage for the bass. Total bargain.

[Cat Burrito]

I bought some flats for my bass VI and they were over £60. Im pleased I don't have to restring my upright bass as I am struggling enough with soaring energy prices!

[fretmeister]

On 03/12/2022 at 08:48, Wally Gogg said:

Always love Rotosounds . Make in the good ol UK .

 

 

While I love the sound of Roto flats, it turns out I'm allergic to the Monel wrap used. After only a short playing time they leave my finger tips red and painful.

 

 

[JohnH89]

4 hours ago, fretmeister said:

 

 

While I love the sound of Roto flats, it turns out I'm allergic to the Monel wrap used. After only a short playing time they leave my finger tips red and painful.

 

 

Blimey mate ! thats a new one on me . At least the cost of flats and tapes are less than rounds , if you factor in the length of time they last . Put some Labellas on my new BB734 a few months ago , and expect them to last the distance . (mine and the basses )

[fretmeister]

1 hour ago, Wally Gogg said:

Blimey mate ! thats a new one on me . At least the cost of flats and tapes are less than rounds , if you factor in the length of time they last . Put some Labellas on my new BB734 a few months ago , and expect them to last the distance . (mine and the basses )

 

 

I was aware of nickel allergies in people, but apparently Monel has a far higher content so it can cause symptoms even when normal nickel strings do not.

 

I had a very painful 3 or 4 days when I tried them out.

 

I've put La Bella's on now. They don't sound as nice but they don't hurt either.

[mario_buoninfante]

Yap, prices have defo gone up.
Recently I have been buying D'Addario EXL165 45-65-85-105 and in July they were £22.89, while now £27.99 on sale, otherwise £35.50. All prices on Gak.
 

[mario_buoninfante]

On 17/10/2022 at 10:14, fretmeister said:

Strewth!

 

On an Ibby Mezzo and on my P bass shorty I have Dunlop flats. Last time I changed the strings the sets were about £50 or so. Expensive, but they last many years so I was ok with that.

 

They are now £95!! (Or £115 for the 5 string set). I realise the exchange rate with the USA is in the toilet, but this is shocking.

 

Wish I had bought a few sets last time.  

 

On Reverb you can still find some at £69.99

[FinnDave]

I think the strings I have on my basses now will be good for another ten years and will probably outlive me.

[fretmeister]

Just now, FinnDave said:

I think the strings I have on my basses now will be good for another ten years and will probably outlive me.

 

I may well swap over to tapewounds and hope for that!