D'Addario - Seeking Mandolin Beta Testers

[ccravens]

I didn't but I did get complimentary set at Grey Fox and gave them my email and returned questionnaire so they already know who I was. I just liked them and wanted another set

So, if you've already tested them, would you mind giving us a description (detailed if you don't mind) of how they sounded?

[Milky2390]

I'll gladly trade a couple sets of strings for 3 weeks of hiking in Colorado.

[ccravens]

I'll gladly trade a couple sets of strings for 3 weeks of hiking in Colorado.

You read my mind!

[fifths]

I got in on this early, and haven't gotten an email...I don't mind not being selected, but it's a little bad-taste-in-my-mouth to give out all my info and not even receive a courtesy message like "we appreciate your participation but are unable to include you..etc"
Not very thoughtful marketing if you ask me.

[mandolinstew]

I got in early too and didn't get an email,but I have dealt with this company in the past and it was all good.Maybe they got too many applicants.Hiking in Colorado is good,I lived in Aspen for two years.

[ferrousgeek]

I got in on this early, and haven't gotten an email...I don't mind not being selected, but it's a little bad-taste-in-my-mouth to give out all my info and not even receive a courtesy message like "we appreciate your participation but are unable to include you..etc"
Not very thoughtful marketing if you ask me.

Don from D'Addario has posted on this thread regarding the process. He has been extremely prompt and courteous in answering all my inquiries via email. This offer was open to many beyond the Cafe', including those signed up in their Player's Circle Rewards Program, those who filled out surveys at festivals,...... D'Addario had over 2600 requests for this offer with 400 slots available for testers. A very generous amount in my opinion. I truly appreciate D'Addarios efforts in this offer. The world does not revolve around Cafe members.

[Tom C]

I don't have a discriminating ear, but I thought they are a lot like J-74 EXPs, but sounded great right away. Much less break in time. Not sure if they last as long but I usually change strings more on how they play than how they sound after time and they still feel good and its been over a month.

[Chris Daniels]

D'Addario had over 2600 requests for this offer with 400 slots available for testers. A very generous amount in my opinion.

They even added another 200 slots due to the shipping delays. Very generous indeed but I am amazed at the level of grousing about not being selected. Nobody was promised anything.

C.

[Jim Garber]

The world does not revolve around Cafe members.

Much of the mandolin world does! I am sure there are mandolin players who do not know about the Cafe but quite a few do.

I certainly do appreciate D'Addario. They have always been a customer-friendly company and I have always gravitated to their products. I am looking fwd to trying out these strings especially since I have been using nickel alloy strings for the last 6 months or so.

[Frogstar]

But you mentioned the A on the questionnaire, huh?

I'm a non-pro, A-style, flat-top player, and I got the email.
I already know this set is going on my Mid-Mo M2.

[Vernon Hughes]

Got my set today. As soon as I figure out which mando to put them on i'll report in.

[Roger Moss]

Curious. I never got any email confirmation but the strings arrived today. I hope at some point they tell me where to respond with my review.

[CES]

No email for me

[Tom Sanderson]

I got in on this early, and haven't gotten an email...I don't mind not being selected, but it's a little bad-taste-in-my-mouth to give out all my info and not even receive a courtesy message like "we appreciate your participation but are unable to include you..etc"
Not very thoughtful marketing if you ask me.

Same with me, and I agree with you

[Paul Hird]

No e-mail for me either. I was on it very early as well.

[yankees1]

<violates forum posting guidelines>

[Vernon Hughes]

Here's the feedback form I received with the email telling me the strings were on the way.
https://daddario.formstack.com/forms...urce=347050914

[tburcham]

I'm in,but have not received set yet. I will report when they arrive and I get some time on the new strings.

[Dave Bradford]

Mine arrived today and will try putting them on this weekend.

[DHopkins]

A bunch of folks have their feelings hurt because they're not on the list. I'm guessing it was some type of random selection (e.g., every 5th entry or every 129th) or maybe they picked by zip code or something. They obviously didn't make their selection based on great playing ability because I'm due to get a set.

But, however they chose to do it, I'm sure they were simply seeking a wide variety of experience.

[fifths]

A bunch of folks have their feelings hurt because they're not on the list.

My point is that this is a branding opportunity for D'Addario. Their decision to not communicate with those who were not selected might leave those hundreds of potential customers with a negative feeling. I understand that not everyone will be selected in something like this, but it wouldn't be that hard to turn that minor negative into a positive by just sending an email to those that didn't make the cut.

[Timbofood]

I'm so sorry that not being included seems to have hurt so many feelings. But, a thousand sets would not have satisfied the interest shown by members of the cafe!
This is a strong willed bunch of dedicated enthusiasts here, we usually speak fairly clearly and honestly about product impressions. Good for us!
Had D'addario sent strings to everyone who asked it would have been extremely generous, the number of sets sent I still think was very reasonable. No, I didn't get a set. Disappointed? A little. Will it change my life? Not a whit. Those of you that recieved test sets, Rejoice! The rest of us....Suck it up! Wait for reviews.
My nose is not out of joint, still like all the products I have BOUGHT over the years, so my not getting a free set to test is just the luck of the draw.

[Mandobar]

Got my set today. Off to restring a mando with them.

[Mandolin Cafe]

Registration was cut off when 1,000 unique individuals had applied. There was never a statement that we're aware of that you were guaranteed to receive free strings as a part of the application process. File this under the heading of no good deed goes unpunished or roundly uncriticized on the internet.

[Paul Hird]

No feelings hurt here. Was just excited to try something new. I can always venture out to my local shop if I want to try some new or different strings. It would have just felt like I was getting a present in the mail!, which is always exciting.