D'Addario: good enough for Pros?

SBassman · #1 07-23-2006, 07:40 PM

There's a pro I occasionally correspond with, and this person said to me today: "no pro would use D'Addarios."

I happen to think D'Addario makes consistent, fresh, excellent strings.

But, I'm not a pro, and this person is. There's no arguing with that.

Still, I found the statement - well, just plain wrong.

So, pros out there - are D'Addarios good enough for you?

caesarbass · #2 07-23-2006, 07:44 PM

Your friend is, how should I put this........................HIGH!!!!!!!!

tplyons · #3 07-23-2006, 07:47 PM

How do you explain all the pros who use them?

Like:
Steve Bailey
Oteil Burbridge
Chris Chaney
Mark Egan
David Ellefson
Jimmy Haslip
Michael Manring
Robbie Merrill
John Myung
Juan Nelson
Adam Nitti
John Pattitucci
Mike Watt
Gary Willis

And that's just a few names I remembered glancing over the bass player's list. Didn't even start on guitar.

tplyons · #4 07-23-2006, 07:48 PM

By the way, I've been using D'Addario's for about three years, on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, and double bass.

Not to mention ten years prior using sax reeds by Vandoren, their sister company.

Elemetal · #5 07-23-2006, 11:41 PM

Screw that guy. Strings are meant to be used if your comfortable with them and you like them not whether pro's use them or not. If you like em and you think they sound good don't let a pro tell you they suck because you could think his strings suck and another pro could say that his strings suck to. It's all on preference don't listen to him.

slombovia · #6 07-23-2006, 11:46 PM

Plain old XLs are one of the best out there.

Trevorus · #7 07-23-2006, 11:48 PM

I use them pretty much exculsively. They can be had super cheap locally, and they sound great for a long time. They also take to my alcohol washing to bring them back to life for a second (and sometimes third) use.

HMZ · #8 07-24-2006, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

There's a pro I occasionally correspond with, and this person said to me today: "no pro would use D'Addarios."

I happen to think D'Addario makes consistent, fresh, excellent strings.

But, I'm not a pro, and this person is. There's no arguing with that.

Still, I found the statement - well, just plain wrong.

So, pros out there - are D'Addarios good enough for you?

Just wondering what strings does your “pro friend” play

bassmonkeee · #9 07-24-2006, 04:34 AM

Your pro friend is an idiot.

Der Bluten Kat · #10 07-24-2006, 04:45 AM

yea most pro friends are idiots.. i could make better strings out of twine that sound better than the strings he uses

cdef · #11 07-24-2006, 05:19 AM

Well, I count myself as a long-time pro, too, and I'm telling you D'Addario strings are quality merchandise. You can't go very wrong with those.

bazzanderson · #12 07-24-2006, 06:55 AM

D'Addario makes great strings.

He doesn't know what the heck he's talking about....

Ole Man Blues · #13 07-24-2006, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bazzanderson

D'Addario makes great strings.

He doesn't know what the heck he's talking about....

Just because someone is "called" a PRO doesn't mean they know everything. I'm been playing music since 1963 and I don't have all the answers, I have my preferences but that's because I like what I like and the products I use work for me.

Nuff said.........OMB

jady · #14 07-24-2006, 09:38 AM

Strings have a lot to do with the bass, amp and player using them. I have been very happy with certain string then changed basses or amps and they sounded like crap so I switched to something that sounded better.

If they feel and sound good, they are the right strings, period!!!!

Some of the coolest traditional upright tones i have heard have used weed whacker cable for strings, are they pro gardeners?

NJW · #15 07-24-2006, 09:57 AM

what makes a person a pro?

All I know is I 'professionally' tour and record with D'Addario strings and have never had a problem.

markjazzbassist · #16 07-24-2006, 01:26 PM

i have been playing d'addario strings for about a year now and i love them. i think they make great strings.

KeithBMI · #17 07-24-2006, 02:19 PM

No pros use them because D'addario never makes the artist their own sig. line. Duh!

RwG · #18 07-24-2006, 05:12 PM

I'm technically not a pro i guess, however i like to think that i conduct myself with professionalism.

I've been playing bass for 15 years, for the first few years i used dean markley blue steels, then i made the switch to d'addario xl's and now that's all i play. I've done recordings that are played on the radio, and have played venues such as Hard Rock Live and the House of Blues - all with D'Addarios. They've never let me down and I've never felt that they were second rate or not of pro quality.

tZer · #19 07-24-2006, 06:32 PM

My only experience with D'addario's is recent and unfortunately, not good. They sound ok, but they have 'burs' or 'kinks' along the length of the strings - all 5. I am hoping I got a 'bad batch' - but after these meet their inevitable demise, I am not inclined to get 'em again.

I am using Nickels, round-wound, light guage 130 - 45.

As for being a pro... not me... so I don't tip the balance in your unscientific poll. Good news for D'addario, huh?

Dr. PhunkyPants · #20 07-24-2006, 06:41 PM

I am REALLY pissed that "long scale" 5 string XL sets will not fit a 35" scale bass. You have to buy "super long scale" for that.

How come DR's "long scale" and every other brand of strings I use, fit a 35" scale bass and D'addario refuses to get on board with the rest of the industry?

How many of you have bought a set of D'addarios and had to throw them away for this reason?