String sets with extra 1st & 2nd strings?

[Winston Psmith]

I have a friend here in the U.S. who's going home to Ghana over the holidays, and I wanted to send some sets of Guitar strings back with him. Over there, Guitar strings are neither cheap nor plentiful, and one of the biggest problems is that it's difficult, if not impossible, to order single strings. I've seen photos of guitarists with capos halfway down the neck, to clamp down on broken strings, or strings with knots halfway up the fretboard. Not good . . .

 

To this end, I'm trying to find companies that include extra 1st, or even 1st and 2nd strings in their string sets, so everyone who gets a fresh set of strings will also have a backup. As it is, none of the string sets I buy (DR, D'Addario & Martin) have extra strings included. I'm looking to send a box of Electric strings and a box of steel Acoustic strings. Any suggestions would be very helpful, as I want to get these before the end of November.

 

Don't get the idea that I'm some kind of good guy for doing this. In all honesty, I don't do nearly enough to give back for the space I take up in this world, so anything I can offer is more than overdue. It isn't exactly feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, you know . . . Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Larryz]

Juststrings.com has tons of singles (to include 1st and 2nd strings) you can buy on-line by a few different string makers...many people break the 1st and 2nd strings as they are the smallest gauge and usually rust out before the others...hope this is helpful! and good luck to your friend over there!

[Winston Psmith]

Thanks for that suggestion, Larryz. I know that some companies include extras in the string sets they sell, so I wouldn't have to order single strings. Also, I have a good relationship with my FLMS, so I'd get a good price for buying by the box, from strings they already stock. Trying to make this one-stop shopping, if I can.

[Larryz]

I have ordered from Juststrings and they are very fast at getting their orders out to you. However, they are not cheap on shipping costs so you have to order more than a set or two to make it worthwhile (unless you are making up your own custom sets and then it's a great place no matter what). I like Sweetwater as they will send one set of strings or as many sets as you want for very little shipping costs. I usually know what strings I like (like D'Addario 11's and 10's) and just order extra sets. If I break any string, I just borrow one from my spare sets and then change the rest when I get time...I have seen sets with extras now and then buy I don't use the other brands unless I'm experimenting...I find D'Addario cheap enough to keep spares on hand...I rarely if ever break a string anymore (knock on wood LOL!).

[whitefang]

I remember back in the "day" there were some that included an extra 1st or 2nd string in a set. I regret that I've forgotten the maker however, it was so long ago.

 

But I think you're doing a great thing for your friend, so don't second guess it's importance. And good luck in your effort.

Whitefang

[CEB]

I used Webstrings 9-42 when I was playing guitar. Less than $3 a set. I like them. During the outdoor summer season strings don't last long anyway.

 

www.webstrings.com

 

 

[Winston Psmith]

Thanks everyone, for giving this your time and thought.

 

Still looking for something I can pick up locally. No shortage of Music stores nearby, once I figure out which brand I'm looking for. Nearest one is a long walk or short drive, my FLMS is about a 20 minute drive away, and the nearest GC is about a 30 minute drive, or a 50 minute bus ride. I can easily get boxes of any major brand, and any standard gauge set, without having to order online. If I can't find a company that still adds an extra string to each set, I may just send along some singles.

 

@Whitefang - yeah, I thought maybe it was Ernie Ball from back when I worked in the Guitar store, but I never use EB's myself, so I can't say for sure. Even so, doesn't mean they still do it.

[desertbluesman]

Just buy the sets you want to, and buy extra single strings if you can't find the sets with extras. I always have extra 1st and 2nd strings in each of my guitar cases along with a full set or two of the ones I always use, D'Adderio XL110's.

[Dannyalcatraz]

If you can't find the extras at your stores, as others have mentioned, online retailers aplenty sell singles.

 

As for karma...giving the gift of music is big. Man doesn't live on bread alone. Ya gotta nourish the soul as well.

[Caevan O’Shite]

Ordering DR Strings from Strings and Beyond, I have been able to order custom sets. You might inquire about, say, sets of some of DR's coated/treated strings, with extra 1st and 2nd strings in each set- I bet that they'd play ball with you

 

Their prices are quite reasonable, and Strings and Beyond often has deals where orders of ore than a given amount ($30? $35?) qualify for free shipping (within the lower 48 US States?), as well.

[Winston Psmith]

Many thanks for all the suggestions, and encouragement. I don't really order Guitar supplies online, because I have good access to Music stores in my area. Besides, I'd much rather take a walk through a real Music store than look at a website or a catalog (wouldn't you?), and this way I get to support local business, too.

 

To that end, I've got a message in to my gear guy at my FLMS, so we'll see what he finds out. Otherwise, I'm just going to see what's in stock, and add some singles while I'm there. They also have bins of overstock string sets, at blow-out prices, but the selection is random, at best.

[Caevan O’Shite]

Many thanks for all the suggestions, and encouragement. I don't really order Guitar supplies online, because I have good access to Music stores in my area. Besides, I'd much rather take a walk through a real Music store than look at a website or a catalog (wouldn't you?), and this way I get to support local business, too.

 

To that end, I've got a message in to my gear guy at my FLMS, so we'll see what he finds out. Otherwise, I'm just going to see what's in stock, and add some singles while I'm there. They also have bins of overstock string sets, at blow-out prices, but the selection is random, at best.

 

That's cool. Just remember that DR is very flexible and accommodating when it comes to custom string-sets.

[Baldwin Funster]

Funky Darco used to come with extra e and b strings iirc. I dont know if they still do or even if FD is still around but i thought that was pretty cool.

[p90jr]

Funky Darco used to come with extra e and b strings iirc. I dont know if they still do or even if FD is still around but i thought that was pretty cool.

 

Yep.

[DocPate]

Kind of related:

 

Do you buy your strings in sets or individual gauges?

 

Back when I actually played, I always bought individual strings. That way I could mix gauges to get the best tones. Heavy strings for the wound, and medium or light for the plain strings. I always liked the brigbt sound of the medium ones and the deep bass sound of the heavies.

 

Now that old Arthur Itis has limited my playing, I just seem to go directly to lights.

 

But to digress, back in the small town I grew up in, the only guitar store (which was actually a jewelry store) only carried Black Diamonds in one gauge and in sets...so...

[Winston Psmith]

Kind of related:

Do you buy your strings in sets or individual gauges?

 

I buy my strings in sets, but after working for more than a few years in different Music stores, I got to try a LOT of strings, and and settled on the ones that felt right and lasted best for me. When we sold individual strings, the cost of 6 individual strings added up to more than the cost of a set; it may not be the same case, when ordering online, or ordering in quantity.

 

FWIW, I use 6 different string sets among 8 guitars, so it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.

 

The one exception was when I assembled a set of strings for the NST (New Standard Tuning), to put on my Ovation/Celebrity A/E. I did some very simple calculations, based on a set of strings I'd purchased at a Robert Fripp & The League of Crafty Guitarists show, some years back, and ordered a bunch of individual strings in the gauges I'd worked out. I gave up on that Guitar, after considerable work adjusting it, but still have a few NST sets on hand, for when I find another Guitar to dedicate to that tuning.

[DocPate]

You are so right about different guitars requiring different strings. Acoustic Gibson's seem to demand heavies to get the top moving.

[Caevan O’Shite]

I also like to find the specific type, gauges, and brand of strings that best suit a given guitar.

 

I buy sets, and have also ordered custom mixed-gauge sets from DR for Open tunings.

[Winston Psmith]

I thought this thread was going to simply fade away, but since there's been some recent activity, I thought I'd offer a quick update, just in case anyone was curious:

 

First of all, thanks to everyone who offered a thought, comment or suggestion. If nothing else, you've given me some ideas on sources for future reference.

 

Despite what many of us recalled, including the guys at my FLMS, we couldn't turn up anyone offering spare 1st or 2nd strings in their string sets. "Those things are gone forever, over a long time ago . . ."

 

Moving on . . . The guys at my FLMS always take good care of me, and in return, I buy from them whenever I can. I also wanted something that I could easily put my hands on again, if the opportunity arises to send more strings over. My long-time gear guy came up with a box of D'Addario Electric string sets, .009-.042, and a bunch of D'Addario Acoustic string sets, in metal 2-packs, with little headstock tuners included in each 2-pack. They gave me a nice discount on everything, and threw in a bunch of general-issue Guitar picks.

 

My friend left for Ghana on Dec. 8th, with all the string sets in hand. I don't expect to hear back until he returns on the 27th or so, but whatever the case, it's done. We've got nearly 20 fresh sets of Guitar strings on their way to a bunch of people I will probably never meet, in a part of the world I may never see, and yes, each of you had a part in it, if only by giving your time and attention to my OP. Thanks again . . .

[Larryz]

@ Winston, you did us proud! Thanks for sending some needed guitar strings to a part of the world where they are harder to come by. I have no doubt that you and your bud will be appreciated in Ghana and will probably earn a nickname like The String Givers! Hope the concept continues and promotes guitar playing in that part of the world! A sincere thanks for all you do!

[whitefang]

HEAR, HEAR!

 

Whitefang

[Caevan O’Shite]

 

By the way, cool Steely Dan song reference; I love that song!

[Winston Psmith]

 

By the way, cool Steely Dan song reference; I love that song!

 

Thanks, Caevan. Had to slip it in there, figured you'd notice!

[Caevan O’Shite]

 

By the way, cool Steely Dan song reference; I love that song!

 

Thanks, Caevan. Had to slip it in there, figured you'd notice!

 

 

Veering sideways topically tangentially, have you ever seen one incarnation or 'nother of Steely Dan live? The Grrrlfriend and I caught 'em this past Summer- with great seats!- at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in NY, on their "The Dan That Knew Too Much Tour". Being near their old school , with friends and family in the audience, it was a particularly great performance...

[whitefang]

But, I thought they weren't going BACK to their old school.

Whitefang

[Winston Psmith]

 

By the way, cool Steely Dan song reference; I love that song!

 

Thanks, Caevan. Had to slip it in there, figured you'd notice!

 

 

Veering sideways topically tangentially, have you ever seen one incarnation or 'nother of Steely Dan live? The Grrrlfriend and I caught 'em this past Summer- with great seats!- at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in NY, on their "The Dan That Knew Too Much Tour". Being near their old school , with friends and family in the audience, it was a particularly great performance...

 

Saw them a while back, maybe the "Two Against Nature" tour? A great night of Music, indeed!

[Larryz]

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M180 <---I was looking at strings on the net last night and there are some pretty cheap 12 string sets. A good way to get those extra 1st and 2nd strings and a few more at no additional cost...maybe something to keep in mind for the next trip!

[Winston Psmith]

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M180 <---I was looking at strings on the net last night and there are some pretty cheap 12 string sets. A good way to get those extra 1st and 2nd strings and a few more at no additional cost...maybe something to keep in mind for the next trip!

 

Brother, that's a brilliant idea, and a decent price for a 12-string set! Damn, I play a 12-string, and didn't think of this! Like you say, a thought for next time . . .

[Larryz]