![Phosphor bronze packaging through the years](/globalassets/___50th-anniversary/70s/50th_dates_large_highlight_pb_gif_720x719.gif)
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.
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.
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.
Carmine D’Addario emigrates to America, changes his name to Charles and begins importing strings from his relatives in Salle, Italy.
With a nation at war, Charles and Rocco D’Addario begin making strings in Charles’ home in Jackson Heights, NY.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
D’Addario acquires Kaplan Musical String Company, formerly a competitor in the orchestral market, marking the family’s return to manufacturing orchestral strings.
D’Addario introduces XL Reds, a copper-clad acoustic/electric guitar and bass string that provides a brilliant, piano-like tone.
D’Addario introduces Prelude steel core violin strings to galvanize the educational market.
D’Addario introduces its award-winning eco-friendly packaging, eliminating 75% of string set packaging materials—thus saving millions of tons of paper.
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.
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.
D'Addario acquires Planet Waves Guitar Straps, kicking off decades of groundbreaking accessories and solutions for guitarists.
D’Addario makes its largest acquisitions ever with the Rico Reed Company andthe HQ Percussion Company in 2004.
D’Addario acquires Puresound company in 2007, extending their line of high-quality snare wires to its percussion accessory lineup.
D’Addario acquires ProMark Drumsticks, in Houston, TX in 2011.
D’Addario acquires the Super Sensitive String Company in 2020, adding to its portfolio of successful orchestral string brands.
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.
shop nowIn 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.
Learn moreIn 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.
shop nowD’Addario develops VENN, a synthetic reed with professional tone and playability, and introduces D’Addario Organics, the world's first Certified Organic reed line.
D’Addario introduces major, breakthroughproducts including XPND, the first expandable pedalboards.
Partnering with Sunhouse, EVANS launches the Sensory Percussion System, combining innovative technology with EVANS' expertise to revolutionize percussion.
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
When you play ProMark, you’re using the only drumsticks made from sustainably sourced and replanted wood.