the bronze age
D’Addario premieres the first phosphor bronze acoustic guitar string. Brighter-sounding and longer-lasting, phosphor bronze would eventually become the world’s best-selling acoustic guitar string.
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50 YEARS OF KNOWING WHAT MATTERS
In 1974, a centuries old family occupation was reborn as a family business in NYC. Through relentless innovation and an obsession with creating the best sound possible, that business would become the world’s largest and most respected maker of musical accessories. It’s actually kind of an interesting story.
A FAMILY ENTERPRISE
From a tiny town in Italy to a cutting edge factory in New York, the D’Addario family has been raising the bar in string making as far back as records go. Now celebrating 50 years as a company, see how their family passion became the world’s leading and respected supplier of musical accessories.
1680
earliest records
Italian census records show D’Addario family members have been string makers since at least 1680. With no older records, we may never know how far back it really began.
1905
crossing an ocean
Carmine D’Addario emigrates to America, changes his name to Charles and begins importing strings from his relatives in Salle, Italy.
1917
string making at home
With a nation at war, Charles and Rocco D’Addario begin making strings in Charles’ home in Jackson Heights, NY.
CREATING THE MODERN GUITAR STRING
In 1938, John Sr. works closely with John D’Angelico to develop acoustic guitar string specifications that would be adopted universally in the decades ahead, making it possible for the unamplified archtop guitars to be used in big bands.
THE ROCK REVOLUTION
The 50s rock revolution galvanizes a generation on both sides of the ocean, with the electric guitar at its forefront. Fender, Guild, Gretsch, D'Angelico, Danelectro,and many others use C. D’Addario & Son as their string of choice.
1962
darco music strings
John D’Addario Sr. and John D’Addario Jr. form Darco Music Strings, Inc. and relocate to 12-12 Astoria Blvd., Long Island City, NY.
1968
JIM D’Addario JUMPS IN
Jim D’Addario joins Darco and Martin working as Martin’s NY Metro area sales representative. He earns $10 a store visit and develops a keen eye for retail marketing.
1969
MARTIN MERGES WITH DARCO
C. F. Martin & Company merges with Darco Music Strings, Inc., and John Sr. and his sons Jim and John Jr. work as part of the evolving C.F. Martin organization.
PRINTING THE FUTURE
As the 70s heat up, Jim D’Addario begins innovating the print process for Darco’s packaging. He and his wife Janet decide to form J. D’Addario & Company, Inc., soon working for clients like Ernie Ball and Fender.
THE Player's Choice
D’Addario first utilizes Nickel Plated Steel for the XL guitar strings, establishing a benchmark for tone and durability that is still the global standard for electric guitar strings.
the bronze age
D’Addario premieres the first phosphor bronze acoustic guitar string. Brighter-sounding and longer-lasting, phosphor bronze would eventually become the world’s best-selling acoustic guitar string.
THE Player's Choice
D’Addario first utilizes Nickel Plated Steel for the XL guitar strings, establishing a benchmark for tone and durability that is still the global standard for electric guitar strings.
1976
xl half rounds strings
D’Addario introduces Half Round guitar strings, featuring centerless grinding for a smoother surface while retaining some of the bright sound of round wound strings. Following this, D’Addario XL Round Wound bass strings are also introduced.
1977
xl chromes strings
Jim and Janet meet guitarist Pat Metheny and begin a collaboration that leads to the development of D’Addario ChromesFlat Wound guitar and bass string.
1978
pro-artÉ strings
D’Addario introduces Pro-Arté classical strings. With improved wound string technology and harder, denser, more accurate diameter nylon treble strings, Pro-Arté would become the world's most popular classical string.
STRING WINDING TECHNOLOGY
In 1980, Jim D’Addario develops the first “closed-loop servo” string winding technology, improving string quality to never-before-achievable levels. All D’Addario string winding machinery is retrofitted with this new technology to put D’Addario string products in a class of their own.
D’ADDARIO FOUNDATION CONCERTS
The D’Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts is founded in 1980, putting on benefits featuring up-and-coming classical guitarists. The mission evolves into a leading foundation for filling music education gaps to help develop young minds in low resource areas.
1981
kaplan orchestral strings
D’Addario acquires Kaplan Musical String Company, formerly a competitor in the orchestral market, marking the family’s return to manufacturing orchestral strings.
1982
xl red strings
D’Addario introduces XL Reds, a copper-clad acoustic/electric guitar and bass string that provides a brilliant, piano-like tone.
1985
prelude orchestral strings
D’Addario introduces Prelude steel core violin strings to galvanize the educational market.
EARTH FRIENDLY SINCE 1992
D’Addario introduces its award-winning eco-friendly packaging, eliminating 75% of string set packaging materials—thus saving millions of tons of paper.
A NEW SIGNAL OF QUALITY
In 1997, D’Addario starts printing the inner string bags with the color code. Today, these colored ball ends are a universal signal of quality in the music world.
evans drumheads
After acquiring EVANS in the 90s, D’Addario rebuilds operations at home, bringing countless breakthroughs to kits everywhere. Today, EVANS are the most technologically advanced drumheads on earth.
PLANET WAVES GUITAR STRAPS
D'Addario acquires Planet Waves Guitar Straps, kicking off decades of groundbreaking accessories and solutions for guitarists.
RICO REEDS
D’Addario makes its largest acquisitions ever with the Rico Reed Company andthe HQ Percussion Company in 2004.
PURESOUND SNAREWIRE
D’Addario acquires Puresound company in 2007, extending their line of high-quality snare wires to its percussion accessory lineup.
promark drumsticks
D’Addario acquires ProMark Drumsticks, in Houston, TX in 2011.
super sensitive string
D’Addario acquires the Super Sensitive String Company in 2020, adding to its portfolio of successful orchestral string brands.
evans drumheads
After acquiring EVANS in the 90s, D’Addario rebuilds operations at home, bringing countless breakthroughs to kits everywhere. Today, EVANS are the most technologically advanced drumheads on earth.
PLANET WAVES GUITAR STRAPS
D'Addario acquires Planet Waves Guitar Straps, kicking off decades of groundbreaking accessories and solutions for guitarists.
RICO REEDS
D’Addario makes its largest acquisitions ever with the Rico Reed Company andthe HQ Percussion Company in 2004.
PURESOUND SNAREWIRE
D’Addario acquires Puresound company in 2007, extending their line of high-quality snare wires to its percussion accessory lineup.
promark drumsticks
D’Addario acquires ProMark Drumsticks, in Houston, TX in 2011.
super sensitive string
D’Addario acquires the Super Sensitive String Company in 2020, adding to its portfolio of successful orchestral string brands.
NYXL: AN INSTANT CLASSIC
In 2014, NYXL premium electric guitar strings debut to rave reviews. They remain the industry standard around the world for their tone, consistency and unmatched tuning stability.
PLAYERS CIRCLE: REWARDING LOYALTY
In 2015, D’Addario relaunches its popular rewards program as the Players Circle. It's free to join and members earn points towards free gear, plus participate in beta testing and exclusive promotions. It remains the only loyalty program among music accessory companies and has nearly 500K members as of 2024.
XS STRINGS: THE MOST INNOVATIVE STRING YET
In 2021, after years of testing and iterating, D’Addario launches the longest lasting music string to date: XS Premium Coated. Today, it’s the string of choice for many of the world’s best players and guitar makers like Taylor Guitars.
2021 & 2022
d’addario woodwinds
D’Addario develops VENN, a synthetic reed with professional tone and playability, and introduces D’Addario Organics, the world's first Certified Organic reed line.
2022
D’ADDARIO ACCESSORIES
D’Addario introduces major, breakthroughproducts including XPND, the first expandable pedalboards.
2023
SENSORY PERCUSSION
Partnering with Sunhouse, EVANS launches the Sensory Percussion System, combining innovative technology with EVANS' expertise to revolutionize percussion.
INDUSTRY STANDARDS, THEN AND NOW
It began with the idea of focusing on accessories in ways no one had before. After decades of raising the bar in everything from strings to reeds to tuners and drumheads, D’Addario continues to innovate what is possible with new technologies and material innovations. It’s hard to predict what the future will look like, but nice to know it will sound its best. #wykyk
The new tagline reflects decades of reputation-building with five words to describe the feeling of using D’Addario products.
Our founder takes a break from the machine room to tell the full D’Addario story.
sustainability
playback string recycling
We don’t make every string. But we do recycle them all.
100% musical
d’addario foundation
Transforming young minds by filling gaps in music education.
planting trees
play. plant. preserve.
When you play ProMark, you’re using the only drumsticks made from sustainably sourced and replanted wood.
