Bad A strings.

[rockscott]

I restrung my longscale yesterday and the A string was dead. This is the second time i have had a bad A string come out of d addario XL's?

[Blisterfinger]

Recently bought a set of XL's also, the D sting seemed rather dead to me, but I've never had a dead A. Nevertheless, if that's consistently happening, D'Adarrio aught get their act together.

[paintrain]

I have to ask: does an out of the box dead string sound like a string that died naturally by your hands? And does it come alive when fretted?

[rockscott]

The best i can describe it is just a dull thud, like a really old string thats full of sweat and grime! The E D & G resound bright but the A is just dead!

[Blisterfinger]

Actually, have you tried boiling it in a pot of water? I've heard that this often works to clean/brighten strings, though I've never done it myself...

[wshines1892]

If it comes alive when fretted, it's probably a set up/bass issue. If it's dead all the way up the neck, I'd recommend getting in touch with Daddario. I imagine that they'll take care of you.

[jasper383]

I had a Fender A string dead right out of the pack. It felt almost rusty to the touch.

Fender replaced it no charge.

[rockscott]

I just took it back to my local shop for a no charge replacement. Im not going to boil a brand new string, not for what new bass strings cost! I purchased 3 basses and 3 cases there last summer, had they not replaced it free, there would have been an ugly scene, that i can assure you!