[CAUT] Storing spare bass strings

[Horace Greeley]

Hi, Andrew,

I agree with Ed's suggestion.  I have done essentially the same 
thing, using a length of 4" sewer piping slung from overhead pipes, 
in an auditorium basement for over 20 years.  I keep sets for D, B, 
and L in it, replacing individual strings in the set as they are 
used.  The average life of the strings is probably on the order of 5 
- 7 years (I've never really thought about it).  So far, the average 
number of duds has been no higher than using new-from-the-maker strings.

Best.

Horace


At 04:16 AM 5/12/2006, you wrote:

><< Particularly we want to have a spare for each of the wound strings on
>an S&S D (particularly mono and bi chords).  It is my understanding
>that wound strings are wound under tension and that if they aren't
>shortly returned to and kept under some tension will degrade to some
>extent >>
>
>Greetings,
>      My logic and experience are both different.  I have kept a set of these
>strings, unused,  in a sealed PVC tube for the last 18 years at the school.
>Last year I needed  one and upon installation, it looked and sounded like a
>brand new string.  Carbon steel doesn't deteriorate unless it is 
>stressed beyond
>its elastic limit, or subjected to corrosive influences.  The copper , I
>think, does all of its resolution of stress instantly, since it is 
>so malleable.
>When the string maker takes it off the winding machine, it suffers all the
>deformation it is going to.
>     My suggestion is to simply put the strings in a straight,  airtight,
>container and don't worry about it.
>Regards,
>
>
>
>Ed Foote RPT
>http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
>www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
>