Hi Ed,
I find that I organize best by instrument family (as in strings for harp,
strings for guqins, strings for theorbo etc.).
The envelope that the string came in is kept and any notes are written on it
(for example: works great as a D at a'=440 on vielle "A")
I tend to keep strings of a type/manufacturer together (Aquila Venice/plain
gut/nylgut, Boston Catlines, etc) ordered by ascending diameters.
Strings need to be physically stored in one place so nothing gets lost. I
still find strings here and there that pre-date my "one storage location"
rule.
Currently I don't keep track of how much use a string has had - with 11
instruments totalling 139 strings with several different types/gauges of
stings for each, it becomes impossible. I simply discard the used up string
and replace from stock or re-order.
Since I save the envelope until the string is replaced, the strings go back
into their original envelope until the string is worn out. Then a
replacement is ordered and the old string/envelope is discarded.
I have just begun a "string diary" for each instrument that describes what
strings/tunings have been used on that particular instrument and any notes
with about how the string worked. Excel is good for this but it can be done
in any format.
Hope that helps,
Steve
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