Precision-engineered singles built for uncompromising performance in extended tunings
FARMINGDALE, New York — Today, D’Addario announced the launch of a groundbreaking new series of premium single strings, designed specifically for extended-range guitars. Developed in D’Addario’s R&D lab in Farmingdale, NY, these innovative string designs address long-standing challenges in feel, intonation, and tonal balance for players of 7-, 8-, and 9-string electric and classical guitars.
As extended-range instruments continue to evolve, traditional string designs have struggled to keep pace. Players are often forced to substitute bass strings or mix tensions in ways that compromise tension, clarity, and playability, especially in lower tunings. D’Addario’s latest innovation aims to eliminate those tradeoffs.
“Extended-range players across both electric and classical guitar have had to make compromises between tone, tension, and feel, particularly the lower they tune,” said Gabe Sebastian, Fretted Strings Product Manager. “We took this on as an exciting technical challenge, driven by a simple question: what if these players didn’t have to compromise?”
At the core of this innovation is a new approach to string design, utilizing high-density materials not traditionally used in electric and classical guitar strings. This allowed D’Addario engineers to rethink key design parameters and deliver meaningful improvements in performance.
These new designs provide:
- Optimized tension on lower-range strings
- Improved playability in extended tunings
- Better intonation across the neck
- Enhanced harmonic alignment at lower frequencies
- Greater tonal balance from fundamental to overtone
- More projection and bloom for classical guitars
The result? A more cohesive and responsive playing experience, whether delivering articulate low-end riffing on a 9-string electric or exploring expanded-range repertoire on an 8-string classical guitar.
A New Approach to Innovation
This launch represents more than a new product release. It marks a new step in D’Addario’s innovation process.
“At D’Addario, continuous improvement is part of our DNA. Alpha and beta testing have always been central to our development cycles,” said Jim D’Addario.
“With these new string designs, we’re also exploring a more open and collaborative approach to innovation, bringing players closer to the process and helping shape what comes next.”
By putting experimental designs directly into players’ hands, D’Addario continues to push the boundaries of string technology and redefine what modern guitar performance can be.