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Location: NJ | Re-stringing for a gig tonite, opened a freshly-purchased pack o'EJ16's, and found a pair of little cards inside.
Seems that for "greener" reasons, D'Add is considering doing away with the colored ball-ends, and scaling down to three: Brass, Silver, & Black.
So, when you string up a six, it'll be:
Brass/Silver/Black/Brass/Silver/Black
I guess it'd be better t'just go with brass, silver and anodized black than t'be mucking about with all that paint .If keeps production costs down and is better for the environment, I'm all for it. S'gonna make quick-changes at gigs a more diff, as I've gotten to relying on grabbing the right "color".
They're also asking for participation in a survey on their website regarding this matter.
www.daddario.com/ballends
btw:
The other card was for one week of free unlimited guitar lessons on WorkshopLive . . . . |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Boo, Hiss ... I'm not big on change. Just look at my wardrobe (btw, Cliff I need my silk blouse back if you're done with it.). I'm not much on hugging trees (I'm a strip mall and freeway guy at heart), but I guess if it helps the environs, ok with me. But my conspiacy theory is that in about 6 months they'll be jacking up the price becasue they are now "environmentally friendly" strings. You just wait. Dave |
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Location: NJ | I also have to add that I purchased multiple sets and only one had this new "color scheme" in it, so evidently it's a random, work-in-progress.
They all had the WorshopLive cards, tho . . . . |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Sounds like it's time to buy ahead for a couple of years......I hope they understand that the color-coding is one of their main marketing advantages....and they are about to throw it away.
Roger |
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Location: NJ | I don't see it as that much of an advantage.
The only times I every really NEEDED it was to quickly distinguish between a D and a G when I busted one at a gig and needed to replace it on-the-fly.
Since those are the two strings I predominantly break, I just bought a shitload of both (and they don't come color-coded individually) and keep 'em in seperate envelopes. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Here's a thought...
Make each string a slightly different thickness?
(I've prepared my self for a spanking) |
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Location: closely held secret | My guess is it has nothing to do with 'green'... other than the green that matters most to corporations.
And I bet Cliff will be right - cost cutting now, environmental PR and higher prices (less costs more? Why should 'low salt' crackers cost more???) later.
Jeff? Make each string a different thickness? Do you have any idea how much that would cost?? |
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Location: East Tennessee | What are the 12 string sets going to be like? :confused:
I guess I'll start using Adamas 1616's again. :D |
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Location: Minnesota | Enviromentally friendly/Eating healthy-It all costs more :mad: Nice Racket! Production costs have nothing to do with the price in many cases. You pay more to live right, seems a bit backwards to me :(
BTW Color coded ball ends are for sissies :p |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by DiamondT:
Enviromentally friendly/Eating healthy-It all costs more Production costs have nothing to do with the price in many cases. You pay more to live right, seems a bit backwards to me :(
Let's talk large scale mono-culture agri-biz corporate subsities. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Of course, no one HAS to have color-coding on the ball-ends....but it certainly makes D'Addario strings instantly identifiable and visible, a marketing plus. I guess the brass/silver/black scheme will do the same.
Roger |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | B/S/B is going to be complicated. If they want to change just go to one color and be done with it. |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | I agree. The only time you really need it is for quick changing, and really how much longer does it take to actually look? I think the BSB system will still be easy to identify, (because how hard is it to tell a D string from a high E?) but they're just as well to go to all one color if they're changing it anyway. |
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| I always wondered what those painted ends were for! Of course if you color blind they do little good. I never liked the funny array of colors sticking out of the bridge. I usually just read the big easy to see corresponding letter on each string package to decide which string is being replaced. Bulk strings, when I had some, went in a package I saved from a packaged set. Of course this means I need to know all 6 strings on my guitar.
And which "E" string is which. And hey I am pretty good with my frist 5 or 6 letters so this is perfect for me.
Q; ?? What do you do if you have a real funny lead guitarist and he dips your sting ends in gray paint??????
Randy |
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Location: Upper Left USA | The color coding has never been a real "tool" for changing the strings. I've just thought that the color ends set them apart andloked cool.
If I may get the jump on Tupp - I will be offering a set of Vintage Retro Classic Collectible Ball End Coloring Kits once they change over.
It will consist of a Set of Sharpies.
Time to hoard up on D'Addarios... |
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Location: NJ | Like I said, y'can go here www.daddario.com/ballends and make your opinion "known". |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I gave them my "whiney" two cents worth. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Ditto.
Roger |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Told them to put an Exec on unpaid leave for a week instead. |
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Location: NJ | Yeah, THAT'll happen . . . |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | In fact . . .
they'll probably triple his bonus for getting a "green" idea through, while sales plummet, forcing major lay-offs, he quietly sells off his stock only to ride his golden parachute into a cushy executive position at Kaman. |
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Location: NJ | I think it's a good idea.
It keeps things "simple" yet allows you to readily identify the strings.
Ultimately, the fact IS that they are GOOD strings. They perform the function they were designed to do, and do it very well.
It's like saying "Well, . . this guitar SOUNDS good, but I'm not gonna buy it cuz I don't like the color of the tuner buttons . . . .
That being said, I put the B/S/B strings on my CustBally, and with the gold hardware and the black saddle, these strings look really nice . . . . |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Depends what they do with the 12 string set, EJ38's-a change in those will mess me up. I find it a big help, especially at a dimly lit bar gig, to have the color ends to change a string on the fly. The EJ16 are easier to differentiate. Personally, I like the functionality of the colored ends and couldn't give a crap about the looks. If you don't like the color of my balls, don't look. |
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Location: NJ | John;
I've had the same problem, but I've since simplified things by keeping (clearly marked) individual envelopes with multiples of each string. Keeps me from ripping open a new package, finding the "greenie", and then having the remainders rattling around in my GigCase. Now, I just end up ripping open a new set whenever I do a FullChange. |
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Location: south east Michigan | What's with all this breaking strings stuff???
I have not put in near the hours that Cliff and John have accumulated but it's been years since I broke a string. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | D'Addario DOES make good strings. But so does GHS and Martin. You need every marketing/sales advantage you can get, and can never afford to throw one away.
Roger |
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Location: NJ | Brad;
I average 1-2 strings/gig.
(It's a JerseyThing, I guess)
If it's at a point where I can't switch-off to my other guitar, we do one of our "Cliff Breaks a String" tunes (there are several).
Usually, it's the Beatles' "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away". Rick does it solo while I pull off the busted string, find the replacement, restring it, tune to pitch, stretch the string, re-tune it, and join him on the last chorus and play while I sing the little alto-flute bit at the end.
It's a bit of a game we play t'see how much sooner I can "come in" each time we do it.
SimpleThings for SimpleMinds . . . . |
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Location: East Wenatchee, WA | I think the color coding is cute, but have never actually purchased a set of strings with it.
I use a much more scientific method. I read the package before I install them and try to get them in order. Of course when in doubt I grab my dial caliper out of my tree friendly NRA approved reloading kit, and check the diameter. Well...sorry...that would be lying. I just look at them to determine which is the next thickest. Haven't lost an eye yet. |
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Location: Isle of Man, UK | How come you guys are breaking strings? Are you actually playing your guitars?...
I play D'adds, but not because of the coloured ends - I just like them, and they were fairly 'green' to me as they came in one packet not six. The coloured ends were a bonus if I did break one during a gig, but that doesn't happen often, as I change on my gigging guitars fairly regularly (after every other gig).
Let's hope that they don't hike up the price. Have been playing same strings for too long, I'd find it hard to deal with change now!
Which reminds me - must restring this week as have a gig on Saturday! Thanks for the nudge, folks!
JB |
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Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | Originally posted by Slipkid:
What's with all this breaking strings stuff???
I have not put in near the hours that Cliff and John have accumulated but it's been years since I broke a string. Me too Brad ... |
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Location: NJ | Johnny and I both have a somewhat "percussive" rhythm style . . . |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | "percussive"...rhythm and music born of violence and aggression... :D
Then again, what do I know? I used to break a string once a month. I actually switched from EJ16's to EXP16's and have hardly had a problem since. |
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Location: NJ | it's only Rock&Roll . . . |
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Location: south east Michigan | ....but I like it!
BrianT has a rather percussive style himself. |
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Location: SoCal | And that's just his personality...... |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Can't remember the last time I broke a string, either--I do about half finger-pickin' and half strummin' when I play; I don't use a pick for strummin', though, so that probably accounts for it.
Karen and her crew: Gertrude, Jewel, Blanca, "Nonnie," Ivory, Sugar, Plink, Twang and Shriek |
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Location: Upper Left USA | There's just something right about this!
 http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/MWoody_72601_Rstrung D'Addarios.JPG ">
:rolleyes: |
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Location: closely held secret | Nice picture, but for some reason it won't link on the board. I can go direct to the address and view it. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I loaded it and then posted, and reposted. It doesn't show up in my Gallery but everything went well.
...Sky Ranger, calling Sky Ranger... |
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Location: closely held secret |  |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | There Mike goes again, showin' off his balls... |
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Location: Central Massachusetts | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Nice picture, but for some reason it won't link on the board. I can go direct to the address and view it. It's the space [%20] in the filename. The space gets morphed into a %20 inconsistantly by the gallery and board software. So it will let you upload the pic, but you can't refer to it correctly thereafter. When you copy and paste it into your URL window by hand, it gets parsed correctly. But if you put it into a message the board sw converts it back to a space. This came up a couple of months ago with a different character.
found it... pound sign to %23 in gallery filenames breaks things |
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Location: Isle of Man, UK | Nice balls.
JB |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Now that everyone can see THE balls... notice anything else?
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | A dyslxeic strnug that giutra. |
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Location: Snellville, GA | That a Rickenbacker nut? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Its a reverse strung nut, not sure if Ric's should hold the copyright. I picked up a file kit from Fleabay and thought it was time to try it out. Still have some adjustments to make for lower action but it should prove interesting.
Back on topic - If D'Addario goes with a three tone system what will the 12 strings look like? |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Don't I win the Prize??? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Would you like the "String-tubes" or the "Reflective Bowl Upgrade"? I can even throw in a copy of AC/DC "We've got big balls". |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I strum my ass off, and I'm proud of it!
I play gigs in acoustic rock duos with other singers, but I'm basically playing the part of the whole rhythm section...guitar, bass and 'drums'. At least that's what I'm attempting to create the illusion of with a single guitar...and most times it works. It's often we have people up and dancing to the groove. Lot's o' thudding the strings, heavy accents, and 'drum fills' add interest and build momentum. It just evolved into my style, more or less out of necessity trying to fill out the sound.
The price is the countdown of strings flying off the guitar as the night wears on. That's what I love about O's...you can beat the crap outta them and they hold up like a charm. Just wish the strings did too!
There have been a handful of gigs where no strings broke, but it's rare. It would be a completely different story, and my style would be different if I were playing with a full band-I wouldn't be losing strings. But IMHO, just down up, down up strumming can get really boring song after song with solo guitar, and it puts everyone to sleep.
Strum that mutha like your heart's on fire! It ain't rock music if you can't feel it. |
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Location: NJ | HereHere. |
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D'Addario's Balls