Fake Strings??

[Shinji13]

Re-strung my new Classic Custom for the first time recently using some D'addario I've had for a while. I've been using D'addario for years, no problems - once on the guitar, I noticed the plain strings already looked 'tarnished' - although they had been in the sealed inner bag since buying them.
I noticed the packaging carried a code that you could check online, when I did it seems the code had already been used by someone, and that my strings could be counterfeit. Well, after playing them for about a week, the bottom E sounds dead, as if its been on months - I've passed the details onto D'addario, and they're sending me some new strings while they look into it.

 

[rockstar232007]

If you bought them new (from a store), then there shouldn't be problem?

I've experienced this many times, with many different brands of strings. A lot depends on what kind of conditions you store them under?

 

[CHUNKYNECK]

I had a similar problem with 3 sets of eb slinkys i bought off ebay. Wouldn't surprise me if they where fake. They fake just about anything these days if they can make a buck off a quality name or product reputation.

 

[5F6-A]

nasty

 

[Mookakian]

May just be a dud string, it happens, but fakes are getting pretty crafty, very sad indeed. What can we do to stop it? Its out of control.

Good on you taking time to report it to the company

 

[5F6-A]

I´d say buy them from a reputable dealer

 

[Shinji13]

Although I bought them on E-Bay, the seller was an actual guitar shop here in the UK - If I buy them locally, I'm looking at £7 ($11) a set, on E-Bay they are half that price or less. The guy at D'addario even said the place that sold them to me probably sold them not knowing they were fakes.

 

[ddawson2012]

Although there has been some widespread fake strings found in the far east, we're beginning to see "fakes" show up in a great many other places. Reputable dealers would the best option but we also understand that musicians are always going to look for bargains. If you find that you've gotten strings that appear to be fakes (tarnished strings, ball ends not lock-twisted properly, bumpy wraps - along with a whole host of other issues) - you can check the code on your string packs here - D'Addario Strings : Play Real.

And much thanks to the OP for pointing this out. There are areas like China where 8 out of 10 sets sold are fakes. It's a very serious issue.

Don Dawson
Product Marketing Specialist
D'Addario / Planet Waves

 

[MrKensei]

I bought 3 sets of d'addarios on ebay a few months ago. I knew I was risking fake strings but thought I would give them a shot.
They didn't appear any different to guaranteed genuine strings bought at twice the price from my local dealer and straight from the packet sounded just as good.
However having read this thread I decided to check the serial numbers on the website.
the serial of the first packet did not match the item code, they are getting back to me. I opened the other 2 packets and they all had the same serial number.
So they weren't genuine, however a couple of weeks in they still sound just like the originals.

I have to wonder now many of these "fakes" are just that, and how many are just B stock shuffled out the back door of the factory. With a shoddy serial number stamped on.
It's still not right, how can we expect the best from our suppliers if we dont pay them for their hard work.

Problem I have is, on my main guitar I use Gibson Ace frehley signature strings. I can't get these from any local dealers. I have to buy online, and so far they only place I can find them in the uk is one dealer on ebay. Hands are somewhat tied.

 

[5F6-A]

I´m so glad nobody has bothered faking Pyramids...

 

[crompo]

Yep - bought a box of ten from Ebay 18 months back.

Could not tune properly - thought it was a guitar issue.

They were crap quality and it was obvious from when i first installed them. They weren't even coiled up the same when you took them out of the package.

Anyhow - buy a real set and compare the packaging. There are errors on the "fake" packaging with the graphics and the text.

I'll list the errors if you like - but it is quite obvious if you look closely.

Diaddario are fully aware of this and if you google fake diaddario you will find info on it.

I will never buy strings on line again.

Always kep the packaging of an original set so you can compare.

Wayne

 

[DADGAD]

I´m so glad nobody has bothered faking Pyramids...

Just went through my first set of pyramids. Fantastic feel, tone and life. Luckily my tech sells them. A bit pricy, but why would anyone risk buying fake strings for something like their prized LP? Strings at a store a pretty cheap. I know that those who gig regularly or log lots of miles go through strings fairly often but if you get one bad batch you're already in the hole $$ wise. I say play it safe and support you favorite local shop.

[/IMG]

 

[Shinji13]

Just wanted to give D'addario a pat on the back - true to their word, they sent me a couple of packets of new strings, arrived here in the UK this morning. It restores my faith in companies whose Customer Service Departments actually take care of their customers.

 

[Pinkie]

Buy from a local dealer its good for the economy.
I never buy stuff like that online.

 

[here.choo]

I confirm that the fake string is real. I knew a small factory not far from my house manufacturing all branded guitar strings, but fake. I saw the owner of this factory for years and had some conversation once we met sometimes at the supermarket.(He did not know that I play guitar) He told me that he got order about 10% from local music stores and 90% he exported!! Now I haven't met him for a year. I heard that he moved to the bigger place and no news, but I'm sure he is still in his business. Becareful and try to purchase strings from a proper store.

 

[Shinji13]

Just to clarify, although bought over the internet, the strings came from a 'physical' music shop.

 

[Champ_Tone]

Then they're probably bought online by that shop haha. Aren't they made in china anyway? All of the rondos come stock with them now...