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Thread: No more EXP74's?

  1. #1
    Registered User Benski's Avatar
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    Default No more EXP74's?

    Did I miss something? Is D'Addario no longer making EXP74's?

    I see EJ74's, EXP75's and EXP74CM's, but no EXP74's available from the online purveyors (Just Stings, Strings and Beyond, Sweetwater, etc.) Don't see them on the D'A website either.

    Has it been replaced with some new nomenclature?


    Never fails...as soon as I find a string I like.......
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  3. #2

    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    Quote Originally Posted by Benski View Post
    Never fails...as soon as I find a string I like.......
    On an unrelated note (and probably way too much information) the deodorant I used for 35+ years is no longer being made, as of a couple years ago. Strange to even talk about (especially on a mandolin forum!) but, honestly something has been off in my daily routine and comfort ever since........and I've wasted a ton of money on trying new brands that smell nice in the store, but in actual use -- none have been as effective or as "neutral" smelling -- not sure that is the right word. Again, a weird thing to be disappointed about, but really not a good thing, IMHO......

    I just realized this is a problem that 20-year old's haven't gone through, yet......

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  5. #3

    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    I believe the XT's are taking over from the EXP's.

    The XT's sound pretty good and just a little different than the EXP's. Like they're a little bit "broken in" out of the box.

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  7. #4
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    Quote Originally Posted by oliverkollar View Post
    I believe the XT's are taking over from the EXP's.

    The XT's sound pretty good and just a little different than the EXP's. Like they're a little bit "broken in" out of the box.
    Whew - that's good news . . . I prefer the sound of strings after they have been played for a day or two, so this should work just fine.

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  9. #5
    Registered User Jon Hall's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    I've been using EXPs for a couple of years. I'm looking forward to trying the set of XTs I ordered last night. I still use Monel on my old A2 but prefer the coated phosphorus bronze on my KM956.

  10. #6
    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    I've had XTs on a couple of mandolins for the past 6 weeks or so. I like the sound and expecially like the feel of the strings much better than EXPs. Only time will tell how long they last in good tone.
    Phil

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  11. #7
    Chief Moderator/Shepherd Ted Eschliman's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    Here is how the Mandolin EXP to XT conversion works out. I've also attached the other acoustic family instrument spec sheet FWIW.

    EXP74
    XTM1140
    Set Mandolin XT Phosphor Bronze, 11-40, Medium

    EXP74CM
    XTM11540
    Set Mandolin XT Phosphor Bronze, 11.5-40, Custom Medium

    EXP75
    XTM11541
    Set Mandolin XT Phosphor Bronze, 11.5-41, Medium/Heavy
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails XT DETAIL SHEET.pdf  
    Ted Eschliman

    Author, Getting Into Jazz Mandolin

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  13. #8
    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    Ted, Do you have any insight on exactly what is meant by "Strings stay in tune 131% better than traditional strings!" ?

    E.g. does it mean for a longer time, or less deviation of string frequencies, or something else?

    (since they also said: "Strings last at least 4 times longer than traditional uncoated strings")
    Phil

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  14. #9
    Chief Moderator/Shepherd Ted Eschliman's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    Suppose their testing is probably like how I do mine. 96.9% of the results are based on cold facts and thorough research.
    The other 13.1% is just stuff you make up.
    Ted Eschliman

    Author, Getting Into Jazz Mandolin

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  16. #10

    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    I won't miss the EXPs. XTs are very nice strings. Still sounded good after a month or so of daily playing.

    My hands and ears like Monels though. Hoping that Daddario Monels will come in custom medium and EJM75 sets. The Sam Bush gauges do not work for me.

  17. #11
    Registered User Benski's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    OK...so, with Ted clearing things up for me, I went and purchased a couple sets of the XTM1140's (which replaced the EXP74's that I use on my Bush Fern) and a couple of sets of XTM11540's (which replaced the EXP74CM's, that I used on my DMM). Duly armed, I swapped out the strings on the DMM last night. While the EXP's on the DMM were fairly new, I was curious to see if I could hear/feel any difference(s) and was hoping to get a more apples-to-apples comparison.

    To my surprise, I am finding I like the new XT's. As someone mentioned above, they didn't have that new-strings jangle and there was little to no "settling in" period. I also don't feel any "stickiness" or any other side-effect of the coating. I'll give it a week (I get to play a few hours/day) and try to remember to report back my impressions.

    One other note: with regards to those little colored string-identification tabs that are being currently discussed in another thread on this Forum, I found they easily slid off the string pairs and I don't think there are many, if any molecules of glue being left behind on the strings. A total non-issue in my book.

    Sure, D'A could have done a better job informing us about the change, especially since they are aware of, and have been participants on, this forum. But it probably won't be the last time a good company makes an inelegant maneuver or are less-than-effective communicators.

    Anyway, just my 2 cents.

    Cheers.
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  19. #12
    Registered User Scotter's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ted Eschliman View Post
    Suppose their testing is probably like how I do mine. 96.9% of the results are based on cold facts and thorough research.
    The other 13.1% is just stuff you make up.
    Play that which you feel is groovy, get down with your bad self, and shake your money maker if it makes sense for you to do so.

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  21. #13
    Registered User McIrish's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ted Eschliman View Post
    Here is how the Mandolin EXP to XT conversion works out. I've also attached the other acoustic family instrument spec sheet FWIW.

    EXP74
    XTM1140
    Set Mandolin XT Phosphor Bronze, 11-40, Medium

    EXP74CM
    XTM11540
    Set Mandolin XT Phosphor Bronze, 11.5-40, Custom Medium

    EXP75
    XTM11541
    Set Mandolin XT Phosphor Bronze, 11.5-41, Medium/Heavy
    I've been using the EXP74CM for years but don't start liking them for a couple days. If these really sound more played in, then I have to try them out. Sound like just what I want.
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  22. #14
    Mike Fox mandolinfox's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    I have found the XT to be a good replacement for the EXP74. But what about EXP77? Evidently they are no longer made, which leaves D'Addario without a medium gauge 80/20 coated string. I liked the brightness of the EXP77. Anybody else gonna miss them?
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  23. #15
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    I switched to the Elixir nano web and love them. They sound great and last a long time.

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  25. #16
    Mike Fox mandolinfox's Avatar
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    Thumbs up Re: No more EXP74's?

    "I switched to the Elixir nano web and love them. They sound great and last a long time."

    Thanks! They look like just what I need. I will try them next change.
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  26. #17
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    Mandolinfox, you're welcome.

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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    I'm just trying a set of EXP74CMs for the first time. I really like the sound and they seem to hold up well. I do find that the coating makes it difficult for me to slide on the G and D strings. It just seems that there is some extra resistance there that I don't feel with other strings, including Elixers.
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  28. #19
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    Good feedback here, mostly positive feedback for the XTs it appears. I just used my last set of EXP74CM, so time to order now.
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  29. #20
    Registered User Isaac Casas's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    I only tried the XT1140 set for a couple of days and changed them to a set of EXP74 again because I had a gig the next day and while rehearsing with the band I got the impression that I had noticeable less volume. I asked and everyone in the band agreed. Has anyone noticed any change regarding volume between the XTs and the EXPs?

  30. #21

    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    Quote Originally Posted by Isaac Casas View Post
    Has anyone noticed any change regarding volume between the XTs and the EXPs?
    I also felt there was a noticeable loss of volume and my G string sounded tubby. I will try the XT's again (maybe) just to make sure, but I sure did like the EXP74's.

  31. #22
    Registered User Kevin K's Avatar
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    Default Re: No more EXP74's?

    I experienced lack of volume and intonation problems with the XT's, tried multiple sets and always the same so I moved on to using GHS Pure Nickel and their Silk and Bronze sets now.
    "Can I have a little more talent in the monitors please?"

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