Are Dean markley still in the game?

[Jon Moody]

I would probably guess that Dean being up there in age probably is slowing down and doesn't have family that's as invested and interested in his craft as some of the other companies.

Dean sold the company years ago. Last I know, Korg had purchased it but I believe it’s since changed hands again.

 

[Oscar Stern]

Dean Markley Strings are still being made but the older ones are now being made by Apex

 

[Jake Ryder]

They are still there but not the same as they sold off their winding facility.

However Apex strings now owns said facility and make strings the way the old Dean Markleys were made.
Apex® Bass Strings - Apex® Strings

That's not true.

They are still there but not the same as they sold off their winding facility.

However Apex strings now owns said facility and make strings the way the old Dean Markleys were made.
Apex® Bass Strings - Apex® Strings

Not sure where you got your misinformation, but Apex doesn't own their old plant. Dean Markley moved to AZ and still handcraft their strings with the same recipes they started with in the 70's. They are one of the top sellers on amazon and Sweetwater and they have their strings on their website too. I am backing using them full time. Especially the bule Steel NPS

 

[Jake Ryder]

I remember really loving their strings, especially the sr2000.

Are they still a reliable company to buy strings from? I recall they had problems and shutting down or something like that...

Any info?

They had some issues in the 200's but rebuilt and modernized in AZ. I was able to tour their new factory and it's legit! Same recipes and i think they sound better if that's possible. I buy them on amazon although I guess now you can get artist discount on their website if you gig.

 

[GTHintz]

They had some issues in the 200's but rebuilt and modernized in AZ. I was able to tour their new factory and it's legit! Same recipes and i think they sound better if that's possible. I buy them on amazon although I guess now you can get artist discount on their website if you gig.

Right on!!! I havent been to Phx/ Glendale in years so I've never seen the facility but I'm happy they are doing strings in house out in the valley!

 

[LarryCotten]

Just went to their web site and the bass strings all say "sold out"

 

[tindrum]

Just went to their web site and the bass strings all say "sold out"

That’s odd. It’s not like they sell a bunch as they are a small part of the market.

 

[LarryCotten]

I believe the SR 2000s I have used for years have been discontinued. The company has had problems ever since it was sold a few years ago. I loved the brightness of the strings. Guess I'll have to check out new ones.

 

[eriky4003]

I haven't tried the SR 2000s so can't compare but the Blue Steels sounded a bit like Dunlop Super Brights (you might want to just try the regular Dunlops too). Other bright sounding strings would be DR HiBeams, FatBeams and Lo-Riders. The gold standard bright string would likely be Rotosound 66s.

 

[LarryCotten]

I haven't tried the SR 2000s so can't compare but the Blue Steels sounded a bit like Dunlop Super Brights (you might want to just try the regular Dunlops too). Other bright sounding strings would be DR HiBeams, FatBeams and Lo-Riders. The gold standard bright string would likely be Rotosound 66s.

I haven't tried the SR 2000s so can't compare but the Blue Steels sounded a bit like Dunlop Super Brights (you might want to just try the regular Dunlops too). Other bright sounding strings would be DR HiBeams, FatBeams and Lo-Riders. The gold standard bright string would likely be Rotosound 66s.

Thanks for the info. I haven't used Rotosounds in a long time. Might be a good time to try them. I just got a Sadowsky Metroline Modern and it had D'Addarios. They weren't bad, but not as bright as the DM.

 

[GTHintz]

Just went to their web site and the bass strings all say "sold out"

That’s odd. It’s not like they sell a bunch as they are a small part of the market.

I've seen them all over Amazon. I think they may be really just relying on that vs trying to supply all the stores like the old days.

 

[eriky4003]

My biggest complaint about Rotos are their ‘bright-sounding’ longevity. They are the sound I go looking for in other strings.

 

[GTHintz]

My biggest complaint about Rotos are their ‘bright-sounding’ longevity. They are the sound I go looking for in other strings.

There's another thread going around about brightness and I mentioned about how going brighter than you want to sound is better because you can soften it with EQ until you need it again as the strings dull down. My biggest issue with rotos are that they just aren't as bright as some of the other steels out there now so when they first settle it can sound dull to some. However they are good strings and I'd use them over any nickel string and over any Amazon special no name string. For the vast majority of tones rotos will work great. I still prefer blue steels as well as Dunlop and DR but Rotos are in my top 5 though.

 

[HowieD72]

If anyone has an old set of Dean Markley flatwounds (they were my go-to and first flats I ever used) holler at me! Would love an old set or two for my p-basses.