Your favorite string brand becoming inconsistent in quality?

[Ihaveshingles]

Hi all,
Recently Ive noticed that my go to brand of strings is hit and miss quality wise...
One set stay bright for weeks before losing their lustre and another (exact same model #) seems to die after 2 hours of playing, even sounding dull right out of the pack...
Want to mention I clean my hands with rubbing alcohol before I play, so its not a contamination issue

 

[michael_t]

Recently Ive noticed that my go to brand of strings is hit and miss quality wise...

Which brand?

 

[Just go for it]

Hi all,
Recently Ive noticed that my go to brand of strings is hit and miss quality wise...
One set stay bright for weeks before losing their lustre and another (exact same model #) seems to die after 2 hours of playing, even sounding dull right out of the pack...
Want to mention I clean my hands with rubbing alcohol before I play, so its not a contamination issue

I recognize you in this..

Which brand?

D'Addario (EXL170) Those were my favorites, I think I'll switch to Elixir 14077

 

[James Collins]

Where are you buying them? Could it be an issue with counterfeits or old stock?

 

[Just go for it]

Where are you buying them? Could it be an issue with counterfeits or old stock?

Online at various (large) web shops around the world. That must be a coincidence then.

 

[Ihaveshingles]

I don't feel like mentioning the brand because it's one I've used for a very long time and very popular brand as well, I've just noticed it in the last year….

 

[Ihaveshingles]

I recognize you in this..



D'Addario (EXL170) Those were my favorites, I think I'll switch to Elixir 14077

To be honest, mine are D'Addario as well, exl165s….guess they are starting to care less about QC …I used to love elixir, just so pricey in Canada now. I thought I heard they were just D'Addario made and coated and rebranded…but that could be a load of bull

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

Funny you say that, I have used D'Addario strings for my basses or guitars abd along with Ernie Ball and Dean Markley, I found them to be the most consistent quality-wise.

I just recently slapped some XL165 on my PBass after using LaBella flats, GHS Precisions and TI flats for years.
I really missed the thick mid punch they deliver. XL165s are great for that old school rock, blues sound

Over the past 40 years, the only quality issues I've ever encountered were with with DR strings (3 times with a D or G string that can't be intonated) but DR customer service peeps have always been very kind and sent me a replacement immediately.