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Post by Ragtop on May 17, 2020 12:44:18 GMT -5
Musician's Friend is out of Elixirs. Shoreline Music seems to be out of business. Strings and Beyond isn't taking orders over the phone and doesn't have the La Bellas I need listed on their website.
Anybody having any luck anywhere?
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Post by stratcowboy on May 17, 2020 14:25:53 GMT -5
juststrings.com
Great inventory, lots of choice, good prices, lightning service and shipping. No BS. They don't send tons of promo e-mail, either.
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Post by Ragtop on May 17, 2020 14:54:49 GMT -5
No luck, s/c, tried calling but no answer, closed Sundays. Tried ordering online, but they show Elixirs as "not available."
Thanks, though. I'll try calling them tomorrow.
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Post by stratcowboy on May 17, 2020 18:42:54 GMT -5
Not surprised they are closed on Sundays. They are a small outfit, but with a good warehouse. Definitely not a Musician's Friend, Guitar Center, type of place. Mom and Pop, pretty much. They are in New Hampshire, so time your call accordingly.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on May 17, 2020 19:19:28 GMT -5
Do you do Amazon?
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Post by stratcowboy on May 17, 2020 20:27:26 GMT -5
Not personally. I avoid them and do my best to support other specialized merchants.
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Post by LesTele on May 17, 2020 20:56:54 GMT -5
Not personally. I avoid them and do my best to support other specialized merchants. +1 I’m in the UK and use Stringsdirect. They are very good at sending you strings when requested. Just checked and they are well stocked with Elixirs. I’ve been using them for over 10 years and they now have an App. When the internet shopping thing started I thought that instrument strings were the ideal product - light and easily shipped. They also carry fun, non-essential items like bookends made from failed Fender guitars. This is of no use to Ragtop but I thought I would contribute anyway.
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Post by Ragtop on May 17, 2020 21:43:49 GMT -5
Sometimes I do, Auf. Got a source you like?
I plan to try juststrings.com tomorrow, but am open to suggestions.
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Post by LTB on May 17, 2020 23:53:05 GMT -5
Sometimes I do, Auf. Got a source you like? I plan to try juststrings.com tomorrow, but am open to suggestions. I ordered Curt Mangun strings from Amazon. Being an Amazon Prime member I got them free delivery 2 days later. Only thing about Juststrings the last time I ordered it took almost 3 weeks to get them. That has been about 10 years though so maybe they are better now. They do have a lot of strings and no other issues just the length of delivery was a bit long.
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Post by stratcowboy on May 17, 2020 23:58:32 GMT -5
Never had them take longer than 3 or 4 days (Priority Mail). That's been my experience. Never had it otherwise. Consistent folks in my book. But who knows...?
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Post by Lefty Rev on May 18, 2020 15:42:55 GMT -5
Ragtop, have you looked on Sweetwater's website? They're still taking orders and shipping daily (weekdays, anyway). www.sweetwater.comHere's a Youtube interview with Chuck Surack, the founder & CEO of Sweetwater. What a nice guy who tries to do right by his employees and customers... makes me want to support his business (I do buy from Sweetwater, but am not affiliated in any way):
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Post by Ragtop on May 18, 2020 17:59:42 GMT -5
mikey, I have an email into juststrings.com. If they don't get back to me, I'll give Sweetwater a try. Thanks!
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Post by LTB on May 18, 2020 20:14:05 GMT -5
mikey, I have an email into juststrings.com. If they don't get back to me, I'll give Sweetwater a try. Thanks! Sweetwater has great customer service!
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Post by Auf Kiltre on May 18, 2020 22:47:03 GMT -5
I just ordered direct from Curt Mangan and got a prompt "shipped" status. We shall see. As far Amazon, I have ordered a number of times by just searching for the intended brand. My first experience with John Pearse strings was through Amazon a year ago. Weird that the string order showed "bridge pins", wasn't sure what to expect but got the desired 200L set. I usually feel dirty ordering through Amazon and prefer to order from other sources.
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Post by LTB on May 19, 2020 8:03:21 GMT -5
I guess I can see that. I liked them better a few years ago before they started taking some questionable 3rd part sellers in to the system.
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Post by Ragtop on May 19, 2020 10:05:07 GMT -5
Mystery solved.
I just heard back from Jim at juststrings.com. He advised that Elixir is not manufacturing strings right now due to the pandemic. So that explains that.
He does have the following possible substitutes in stock:
1) Ernie Ball Everlast PBs, and 2) D'Addario EXP Coated PBs. Both in light gauge.
Anybody have an opinion on either of these strings? I'm willing to experiment a bit.
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Post by LTB on May 19, 2020 10:22:41 GMT -5
Mystery solved. I just heard back from Jim at juststrings.com. He advised that Elixir is not manufacturing strings right now due to the pandemic. So that explains that. He does have the following possible substitutes in stock: 1) Ernie Ball Everlast PBs, and 2) D'Addario EXP Coated PBs. Both in light gauge. Anybody have an opinion on either of these strings? I'm willing to experiment a bit. I have used D'Addareio EXP Coat Phospher Bronze and they lasted a long time. They are decent but I prefer the Elixer variant for my 79 Takimine G-349 as they just sounded better on that guitar. But did not on my inexpensive Mitchell. Maybe someone will chime in on Ernie Ball Everlast PB's
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Post by stratcowboy on May 19, 2020 11:07:52 GMT -5
Glad to hear that those folks are communicating with you. I'd hate to lose them as a source, being how good they've been over the years.
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Post by Lefty Rev on May 19, 2020 12:20:58 GMT -5
I also ordered directly from Mangan a couple weeks ago. Got six sets of strings within a week. Can't tell you off-hand what he has for coated or treated strings...
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Post by Ragtop on May 19, 2020 12:54:30 GMT -5
Glad to hear that those folks are communicating with you. I'd hate to lose them as a source, being how good they've been over the years. Just heard back from juststrings.com via email. Super nice guy, but he has neither the Elixirs I need nor the La Bellas. I told him thanks, and that I would be in touch when things get back to normal. Seems like a good outfit to do business with.
So I called Sweetwater. Had to leave a message, hope they call me back. All these companies seem to be running with a skeleton crew; they don't even have enough people around to answer the phone.
I certainly didn't expect it to be this difficult when I set out to order strings. Hope it doesn't become the new normal.
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Post by LTB on May 19, 2020 20:15:03 GMT -5
Glad to hear that those folks are communicating with you. I'd hate to lose them as a source, being how good they've been over the years. Just heard back from juststrings.com via email. Super nice guy, but he has neither the Elixirs I need nor the La Bellas. I told him thanks, and that I would be in touch when things get back to normal. Seems like a good outfit to do business with.
So I called Sweetwater. Had to leave a message, hope they call me back. All these companies seem to be running with a skeleton crew; they don't even have enough people around to answer the phone.
I certainly didn't expect it to be this difficult when I set out to order strings. Hope it doesn't become the new normal.
Ragtop, they will call you back maybe in the morning. The person I usually deal with is Ian. He apparently gets a lot of calls. If you don't get one in the morning you can call and use the option to speak to any available sales person. They have been quite helpful to me as well as Ian has.
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Post by Ragtop on May 20, 2020 13:31:05 GMT -5
Checked Amazon- holy crap!
A set of Elixirs that went for $15 two months ago is now anywhere from $32 to $53.
Free shipping though. That's real nice of them.
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Post by LTB on May 20, 2020 22:56:40 GMT -5
Checked Amazon- holy crap! A set of Elixirs that went for $15 two months ago is now anywhere from $32 to $53. Free shipping though. That's real nice of them. That is totally crazy. Does this have to do with the fact Elixer has stopped making strings during the shutdown??? NO WAY WOULD I pay that price for $15 strings. Bass strings yes, not guitar strings! Totally outragious. Problem with Amazon and even Walmart is they have started using 3rd Parties to sell on their online sites and I have seen on Walmart in last 2 years one such company asking for almost $900 for an $80-$100 item. Amazon has tried to keep obvious "Taking advantage of the situation" from over charging but I have seen a few get through because while higher may be on the line of what is too much.
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Post by stratcowboy on May 21, 2020 8:25:10 GMT -5
Problem with Amazon and even Walmart is they have started using 3rd Parties to sell on their online sites True enough. But sometimes that's to the customer's advantage. Recently I was looking for some Noxzema shave cream (it is no longer being manufactured). I looked on Amazon and they were selling a single can for $23!! I went to Walmart, and one of their associated sellers sold me 4 cans for $17, shipped.
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Post by Ragtop on May 21, 2020 8:30:32 GMT -5
Here's the latest: there was a discussion of strings on the AGF, and I chimed in about the Elixir shortage. Some guy suggested I try Strings and Beyond, so I went to their site and ordered 3 packs. I got an email immediately telling me that my order was received. So we'll see how that goes.
Another guy commented that he tried Elixirs and didn't care for them, and he had a couple packs he'd sell me. So maybe I'll grab those too.
I still need a pack of LaBella Silk & Steels, but not right away. I have to go down to Colorado Springs soon, so that gives me an excuse to swing by Avenue Guitars to see if they have some, and maybe play some new Martins and Guilds.
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Post by Lefty Rev on May 21, 2020 11:27:32 GMT -5
I have to go down to Colorado Springs soon, so that gives me an excuse to swing by Avenue Guitars to see if they have some, and maybe play some new Martins and Guilds. Now that "sounds like" a plan!
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Post by HenryJ on May 21, 2020 12:00:39 GMT -5
Anybody have a local mom and pop music store that is presently open? I was in one just yesterday, buying strings, of all things. They have a limit of 6 people at one time in their store. I had on my mask and they had their masks on.
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Post by Ragtop on May 21, 2020 14:02:38 GMT -5
I knew you'd like that plan, mikey! Perhaps the best way to get a new set of Elixirs is to buy a guitar with 'em on it already?
Well, got another email from Strings and Beyond, and my order has shipped already. Great service, I'm impressed!
And a guy on the AGF had two sets that he offered up for $30 (which includes shipping). So I'll take those off his hands.
Thanks for all the suggestions, much appreciated! I had no idea this would be such an ordeal.
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Post by stratcowboy on May 21, 2020 14:33:50 GMT -5
Perhaps the best way to get a new set of Elixirs is to buy a guitar with 'em on it already? "Well, sir...these are very expensive strings; you have to understand. We have to charge $1800 for the set as they are only available in limited quantities. However...we'll be happy to throw in the guitar for free."
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Post by Auf Kiltre on May 21, 2020 14:39:40 GMT -5
Well I should have probably posted it here but instead posted in the string thread in electric guitars. Got my Curt Mangan coated 12-54 installed on my parlor and while it's early to tell find it highly likely I'll be ordering these again. Dang this guitar just doubled in volume.
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