D'Addario EXL120 Nickel Wound Electric Super Light .09-.042 Guitar Strings

The tradition of string making by the D'Addario family dates back to the 17th century in Italy, in the province of Pescara. After emigrating to Astoria, Queens in the early 20th century, it is now the fourth generation of D'Addarios manufacturing strings in the USA. When, during World War II, the chemical company DuPont developed nylon, D'Addario began experimenting with its use and quickly gained significant popularity. The company, known as J. D'Addario & Company, was formed in 1974 and is one of the largest manufacturers of guitar strings in the world. They returned to making strings for bowed instruments in 1981 when they acquired the Kaplan Musical String Company. In their development of strings, they continuously test new materials, some of which are used by NASA. In addition to string manufacturing, they produce guitar accessories under the Planet Waves brand, drum instruments under the Evans Drumheads brand, practice accessories for drums under the HQ Practice Products brand, and reeds for wind instruments under the Rico Reeds brand. Currently, 13 family members work in the company, which has over 900 employees.