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Ever get a bad string?

Only once in about 20 years of playing. The .115 string in a DR DDT set I use for C# standard on a four string. Have probably bought that set about 10 times with no issues. However this time I tried to tune the brand new string to C#(1 1/2 steps below E) like I always do and the tuner just kept showing E even when tightening the string. Felt some resistance then SNAP! Emailed DR and had a new string in a couple days that tuned up just fine.
 
Over the weekend I put a new set of strings on my bass. The G string just couldn't be intonated. I had the saddle moved as far forward as possible, and it was still 8 cents flat. I emailed the manufacturer on Sunday and they responded on Monday and said they put a new string in the mail. Note that I didn't even request one, just wanted to provide some feedback that there was an issue.

Today the new string arrived. I installed it, set the intonation. No problem at all. Outstanding customer service. StringJoy has a new fan. I'll be buying my next set from them for sure.

Have you ever had a bad string right out of the package? I've been playing over 40 years and this was a first for me.

I used to get dead strings right out of the package ... with several brands ... now I use D'Addario and that stopped ... I don't remember having a string that will not intonate
 
I've had one in 30 years of playing. It was in the last 2 years....a dead GHS Boomer A string.

This thread is interesting because it seems others have had no issues with GHS ever, and one poster has had significant trouble with Dunlop Super Brights. I use Super Brights quite a lot and have never had an issue with them out of the box.

I guess that just means all companies have an occasional lemon and some of us have better "luck" than others at finding them for a particular brand

The SuperBrights had a major QC issue a few years back…there’s even a thread on the matter from bygone days. To shut me up, Dunlop sent me a carton each of the SS and nicks. I rarely change my strings and just recently installed the last remaining set.

Riis
 
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DR - Hi Beams Low B (slighty dead out of the paclage, totally dead in 2 days)
DR - Dragon Skin G (dead out of the package, but the rest of the set really was a pleasant surprise... )
Dean Markley - Blue Steel D (this was unusable. The wound was a lot thinner between the third and fourth frets, and it was not possible to bring it to pitch)

I like new zingy strings and change it quite often, so I would say that 3 strings in 10 years is not that bad
 
Over the weekend I put a new set of strings on my bass. The G string just couldn't be intonated. I had the saddle moved as far forward as possible, and it was still 8 cents flat. I emailed the manufacturer on Sunday and they responded on Monday and said they put a new string in the mail. Note that I didn't even request one, just wanted to provide some feedback that there was an issue.

Today the new string arrived. I installed it, set the intonation. No problem at all. Outstanding customer service. StringJoy has a new fan. I'll be buying my next set from them for sure.

Have you ever had a bad string right out of the package? I've been playing over 40 years and this was a first for me.
about 3 years ago i got a set of black beauties and the D string just snapped when i got it close to tuned. never happend before in 22 years. GC just gave me an entire new set of strings and they worked great
 
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Over the weekend I put a new set of strings on my bass. The G string just couldn't be intonated. I had the saddle moved as far forward as possible, and it was still 8 cents flat. I emailed the manufacturer on Sunday and they responded on Monday and said they put a new string in the mail. Note that I didn't even request one, just wanted to provide some feedback that there was an issue.

Today the new string arrived. I installed it, set the intonation. No problem at all. Outstanding customer service. StringJoy has a new fan. I'll be buying my next set from them for sure.

Have you ever had a bad string right out of the package? I've been playing over 40 years and this was a first for me.
Impressive! I gave up on a certain string manufacturer as I got duff E strings consistently across 3 or 4 new sets....
 
A couple duds in a row ended my love thing with Rotosound.

Stuff happens, and the store did help me out. But the three trips to the store thing did it for me.

I order all my strings from Fret Nation now, and have a pile of new strings and used spares. If I ever get another dud, I’m sure Jason will make it right. Great service, selection, pricing, and free shipping at FretNation.com.
 
Over the weekend I put a new set of strings on my bass. The G string just couldn't be intonated. I had the saddle moved as far forward as possible, and it was still 8 cents flat. I emailed the manufacturer on Sunday and they responded on Monday and said they put a new string in the mail. Note that I didn't even request one, just wanted to provide some feedback that there was an issue.

Today the new string arrived. I installed it, set the intonation. No problem at all. Outstanding customer service. StringJoy has a new fan. I'll be buying my next set from them for sure.

Have you ever had a bad string right out of the package? I've been playing over 40 years and this was a first for me.

Yes. But over 50+ years of keeping fresh round wounds on my basses, maybe 3.

I may have ruined one or two flats during the installation process. After reading the helpful posts on the subject here on this board, it is highly doubtful I will make the same mistakes.

I'd say getting a bad string is fairly rare.
 
I've been playing bass since I was 15. I'm 44 now. I've also had near lifeling string GAS (I call it string-pokemon- gotta try 'em all) so I've had more strings than an Old English Sheepdog's had fleas.

I've only had one string be totally dead out of the package (an E-string in a D'Addario set) but their customer service made it right. I won't go on a tirade about D'Addario because I simply dodged a bullet elsewhere. GHS, Ernie Ball, DR, Dunlop, etc. every make will have a dud once in a million. My one dead string could have been from any maker. It's a low percentage and it sucks when you're the unlucky one. So, like everyone else, I stick with brands that have good customer service.

D'Addario are still my favorite/preferred strings.
 
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StringJoy is a local company here in Nashville down on Elm Hill Pike, in Gibson's factory neighborhood. I need to stick my head in the door soon. Glad they resolved this effortlessly, so many companies just don't get it.

Stringjoy | Custom Guitar Strings & Bass Guitar Strings

One bad string straight out of the bag? Never happened to me, but I've heard of it.
I'll definitely check them out! I've been using D'Addario Chromes with very good results, but I did get a dead B-string most recently, which has me looking once again.
 
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Years ago I got a pack of Fender rounds and the A string was rough and corroded. It was like it rusted in the pack. The other strings were perfect. Very very weird.

IIRC they sent me a new set of strings. Over the years I have had very good customer service and attentiveness when it comes to strings.
 
Had only once D'Addario black tapes. It actually played but had a cosmetic flaw. They sent me a new pack when all I asked was a new string and when I un-winded the A string the tape unraveled. They asked if I could send that string to them for further investigation

Good company to deal with, but DR (guitar strings) was the same as well as well as Evan's drum heads
 
Once in the late 90's. I had bought a short scale set of coated strings (maybe Elixir, but I'm not sure) and the included E string was clearly a long scale one and I couldn't use it (the silk end was past the nut and almost at the first fret). Music store didn't want to exchange it since they were jerks (and I'm glad they don't exist anymore). I called customer support, left a message, still waiting for them to get back to me. Might be any day now.

This was a 50$ set of strings back then. Went back to Rotos since that's what Geddy played anyway.
 

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