Memories from the Homestead: D'Addario's roots began in Italy

As I began my 30th year in the music business a couple of months ago, I was recently looking through a collection of photography that had been used in my fan club. It dawned on me that all this time, I've used the same brand of guitar strings all these years. Let's visit the D'Addario company for a moment.

     The D'Addario family roots began in the Abruzzo region of Italy, a sheep herding area, and it was during the 1670s when this family business took off. Shepherds would make violin, harp and guitar strings from hog and sheep intestines. For 200 years from one generation to the next, the D'Addario's had truly perfected their craft.

     The family business was located in the city of Salle, located in the Province of Pescara. Unfortunately, a devastating earthquake destroyed their town in 1905.  

     Two brothers-in-law, Charles and Rocco migrated to the Astoria neighborhood of New York City, importing their product and working from a small garage. It was Charles D'Addario who continued the business. Known as the C. D'Addario & Co., the business continued well in the 1930s.

     During the Great Depression it was Charles' son John D'Addario Sr. who continued and grew the business. During this time the transition to making nylon and core strings became the priority, as they would discontinue the production of gut strings. Their strings were produced in a made-to-order fashion for guitar and violin companies, all the way to individuals. 

     Going into the 1950s, the company had primarily focused on the production of violin strings, but with popularity in guitars seeing such an increase, guitar strings and the technology to manufacture them was the direction the company went.

     D'Addario would be the first company in 1959 to use nickel-plated steel alloy for electric guitar strings. This led them to form a new company, Darco, and in the 1960s, Darco Strings were the number one seller of electric guitar strings in the country.

     In the 1960s Darco would team up with Pennsylvania-based Martin guitars and form a partnership for string production. In 1974 D'Addario chose to go back on their own and John D'Addario Jr. would take the next step in continuing the family business.

     Opening their business in Lynbrook, New York, with ten employees, the company grew nicely and in 1994 D'Addario moved to its current location in Farmingdale, New York. With thirteen family members involved, the company as of 2023 had 900 employees. 

    An expansion in the mid 1990s saw the company go into the production of drum heads and percussion gear, and later guitar straps. Guitar picks saw production as recent as 2021. D'Addario and Company is now an industry leader in strings and multiple instrument accessories including school band instruments. 

    By 1995 I was convinced D'Addario's nickel wound electric guitar strings were definitely the best product for the price, and offered the best tone and string life. I actually began with an interest as a lead guitarist before I focused on my rhythm playing in 1997.

     By 1998 I worked hard on my Bluegrass mandolin skills, and D'Addario was right there with everything I needed.   

     I still use their EJ17 phosphor bronze strings on my Gibson archtop for the Sons of the Pioneers. To maintain a clean tone, I change my strings every fourth show.

     Many major name players in the business rely on D'Addario. Check them out for all your musical needs.

     Check out their website at dadarrio.com.