Why are Stainless Steel strings getting so hard to find?

[lazerblitz]

I've been using Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Hybrid Slinkys on my tremolo equiped guitars since back in the day. Lately, stainless steel strings of any brand have been nigh impossible to find in local guitar shops & music stores. I questioned a few salespeople about the lack, and usually got some 'heard from a friend who read in a guitar magazine' type opinion that SS strings make your frets wear out much faster.

Can anyone provide a link to this suppossed magazine article, if it indeed exists?

Does anyone have an informed opinion on SS strings versus Nickel steel strings?
(Don't bother mentioning SS frets. I won't use 'em. I won't. I WON'T.)

I have personally never noticed any diference at all between fretwear using SS strings & fretwear using Nickel Steel strings, and I've played both for many moons.

 

[phatduckk]

hmmm ... for bass i still see a bunch of stainless steal strings on the shelf.

ive switched to the stainless super slinkys on bass now which my fav. local dealer (Gelb Music) doesnt stock but they order a bunch for me when i go in and they get delivered super quick.

i say just put in orders for a bunch.

ive also "heard" that ss strings like to eat your frets but im not a tech, so i have no idea if its true or not ...

 

[SteveB]

I'm no authority, but stainless steel *is* a harder metal than nickel, right? (It's been ages since I've had to know anything about metals.)

Most frets are made of nickel, and I've always heard that steel strings would wear them faster than nickel strings.

I think the reverse is held to be true, too. i.e. Using nickel strings on a guitar with stainless steel frets would probably wear the strings faster.

So, it would seem that steel strings go with steel frets, and nickel for nickel. Unless, of course, you don't mind fretwear. I'm sure guys who know how to dress frets and so forth (not me!) wouldn't be put off from using whatever strings they wanted.

Now if we could just get someone who REALLY knows to add a post here...

 

[prstremonti]

Steveb...you are correct...stainless steel is a harder metal than nickel so it makes sense that the strings would where out your frets faster.

 

[BigBallz]

Steveb...you are correct...stainless steel is a harder metal than nickel so it makes sense that the strings would where out your frets faster.

I would like to see some actual data on this. As with power tubes in amps, wear is relevant to usage. You use a bass every day for hours on end with stainless strings, your frets will wear sooner...but will you really notice this? Modern basses are pretty darn well built....(sounds like I'm from the south) This wear would be minor...IMO.

 

[strummer]

I would like to see some actual data on this..

Just leave the strings your new SR came with on the bass for a while, and then look on the undersides. The frets will have worn the strings. Now switch to SS, play for as long and have a look. Chances are you won't actually see the fret wear too well, but at least you'll notice the strings are not as worn.
peace

 

[BigBallz]

Just leave the strings your new SR came with on the bass for a while, and then look on the undersides. The frets will have worn the strings. Now switch to SS, play for as long and have a look. Chances are you won't actually see the fret wear too well, but at least you'll notice the strings are not as worn.
peace

Cool..I get yer point...I just don't think stainless will make that BIG of a difference in wear....they are definitely worth the sound....

 

[phatduckk]

Cool..I get yer point...I just don't think stainless will make that BIG of a difference in wear....they are definitely worth the sound....

thats exactly how i feel ... to me, stainless strings sound better so ill deal with the "extra" fretware.

 

[lazerblitz]

Exactly! Sound & Stability is the goal

Call me crazy if you like, but what I do is:
A.) Boil my Stainless Hybrid Slinkys in water for about 15 mins.
B.) Air dry them hung from the ball ends on a trimmed coat hanger for an hour or two.
C.) String up with a few reverse twists so that the strings stay stable & straight, as opposed to spiraled by the machine head posts.

Returns to pitch every time for me, for weeks on end. That "new strings" tone admittedly does not last as long as normal & it's a real hassle to implement, but it's worth the trouble if you're using a Floyd Rose trem, IMHO.

I read in one of the guitar rags long ago ('79 Guitar Player interview?) that Eddie used to do this with the old black & white frankenstrat before he met Floyd Rose, so I tried it & I've been doing it this way ever since because it gets results. The first B&W had a standard Fender six screw trem & extra large nut grooves that Eddie lubed with something (graphite maybe? I may be mistaken about the lube) & I seem to remember reading that he used Fender stainless steel 350's.

You were dead right, phattduckk. I order 'em online by the box now.

BTW, I NEVER do this with nickel or phosphor-bronze strings. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid.

 

[Spudmurphy]

well I put a set of dadarrio stainless strings on my EB last night and BOY DO THEY SUCK !!!! - big time!
No good whatsoever.

I bought them whilst placing an order with the online suppliers Thomann (Germany). If I could I would take em back and ask for a refund!
I also got a set of EB stainless strings and will try them next - otherwise it's back to nickle wound for me .
Spud

 

[caucajun]

my 2 steel pennies

the rule is: the softer material will always yield. steel is harder than nickel.......most frets are not made of stainless steel.......steel strings are harder than nickel alloy frets............therefore........SS strangs gon' wore dem fret out, ma fran!