Ever have a bad set of new strings?

[McIrish]

I put a new set of D'Addario EXP74CM on my Gibson Fern and for the life of me, I cannot get the g strings to ever sound in tune with each other. I can always hear them as two individual strings instead of as one bigger sounding string. Very odd. I've never had that problem before. I can't think what else besides the strings could cause it. At the cost of them, I hate to toss them out and put on yet another set.

[MikeEdgerton]

This actually comes up now and again. I believe there is a contact number on the D'Addario web site. Looking for some old threads now.

Then there's this:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...gs-from-Amazon

And this:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...stomer-Support

And this:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...string-problem

[Ivan Kelsall]

I had a set of D'Addario J74's a few years ago,with one faulty G string in it. It took a bit of swapping around to find out exactly what the problem was,but it was a single faulty G string,
Ivan

[Bob Clark]

I have had the occasional bad string in a new set from two different manufacturers. It was resolved easily each time. I'll bet D'Addario will take care of this quickly.

[UsuallyPickin]

Not from D'Addario and it is likely that "bad" wasn't a production failing but my dislike of the tonal properties and feel of that particular set of strings. Some sets from D'Addario have lasted longer and I have even broken a few but I always figured that was the luck of the draw. This particular company has had trouble with counterfeiters in the past. The reviews and talk by and about D'Addario here on the Café continues to reflect well on their company. Apparently good folks with a solid product. YAY for us consumers.
R/

[William Smith]

Yes sometimes when changing the strings I'll tighten the wrong tuner and snap a brand new string-real good huh, I bet I'm not alone in ruining a new set by doing such a dumb thing! But no I don't think I've ever gotten a bum set, maybe a set that had some tarnish to it.

[fatt-dad]

I sorta love the exp74cm's. That said, those, "Flat-top" strings lasted a few minutes. Hated them!

(And if you can't recall, I love Thomastiks, but there's a huge difference between flat-top and flat-wound strings and those flat-tops are not for me!)

f-d

[Viola]

Yes, I had a set where the loop ends unwound as I attempted to tune it up. At first, I couldn't figure what was going on. I'd get a string up to pitch, then it would go flat, then very flat much too quickly; brought it up to pitch, went flat, very flat... repeat ad nauseam. It was only when an e came completely off that I understood what was going on with all the ends - worst on the E's; the D's and G's largelyheld in place - sounded not so great, but held.

Months later, I'd run across one of the D'Addario counterfeit threads and figured that was probably what had occurred. Some of the descriptions of what was going on and the Amazon element fit. Of course, by then, I'd already tossed out strings and packaging, so there's no way to know for certain. Kinda wish I'd saved them. Ah well...

Anyway, for yours - maybe there's an issue with the loop end or the string itself. If everything else is fine, you might consider a G-only purchase.

[McIrish]

Thanks for the responses. At least I'm not crazy... or at least there are others that are crazy like me too. I'll get rid of this set of strings. I've always liked the EXP74CM in the past couple years so maybe I just got a bad set.

[Mark Gunter]

I've been using those strings on several mandolins for a couple years now, I just really like them, and no problems so far. Most have been purchased from Elderly, and none from AmmaZone

[McIrish]

I bought them from Elderly. Kinda odd. But after the thousands of strings I've changed, I had to get a couple bad ones.

[Seter]

I had a bad plain F string on a set of Rotosound bouzouki strings, I have a feeling the box may have been sitting around a long time before I bought it though. I'll be going back to D'Addario anyway I think.

[Folkmusician.com]

It is very rare to get a bad name brand string. I have only had it happen a few times. Honestly, I would expect it to be more common that it is.

[Ivan Kelsall]

In 13 years of using D'Addario strings - i've had the one single faulty string = possibly as good as it gets re.string consistency,
Ivan

[Bob Clark]

In 13 years of using D'Addario strings - i've had the one single faulty string = possibly as good as it gets re.string consistency,
Ivan

I agree with Ivan; the consistency of the quality is outstanding. The only problems I have had, as I recall, was the loop of one D'Addario string unwinding immediately on coming up to tension. D'Addario made good on it right away. And twice with JazzMando flat wounds, I had a string (D, if I remember right) that wouldn't intonate properly. This was a problem they were aware of and it, too, was made right immediately. That may have been among the reasons the JazzMandos were discontinued. Shame, too. They were a great string at a great price.

I think the quality and consistency of the strings we are getting is amazing. I'd really like to have a tour of a factory in which they are made. I think it would be fascinating.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Looking at all the brands of string out there, along with the various gauges,& the collosal number of strings made,the consistency is awesome. Ok, we get the odd complaint on here,but even they're pretty rare considering the total string use of the regular Cafe members - how many sets per month do we use between us in total,& how many dud strings are we hearing of ?, Very,very few,
Ivan

[mandroid]

Not the whole set , but I have had plain E strings un loop rather than come up to tension.


(then you know why the trad Gibby tailpieces had 12 hooks 2 per plain string.)