Dodgy set of D'Addario 10s or what? [Fake strings on eBay]

Philtre

Thought I'd try some 10s instead of my usual Gibson Brite WIre 9-42s on the old Epiphone Dot.

So I got a set of D'Addario EXL110 off ebay and swapped them out.

But the G string is most definitely wrong - it seems thinner than the B string. The E seems about right, B seems about the same as the E, and the G is, well flopping about. It most certainly is not a .017. Almost as if they got the E, B and G the wrong way around. They're colour coded so I've put them on correctly. Also, the serial number checks out on D'Addario's serial checker.

Weird.

These are them - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAddario-EXL110-Electric-Guitar-Strings-10-46-Regular-Light-Gauge/282727788680?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

amarok1971

i also had a set from ebay a couple of weeks ago, where the b & e snapped like carrots almost instantly, the serial number checked out too.

Mine were from the same seller as yours @Philtre the strings looked just like they should, the ball ends looked good and so did the packaging, referring to d'addarios counterfeit checker pdf and mine checked out as being genuine, strange!

crunchman

Lots of fake strings on Ebay.

  There was another thread recently about someone with a dodgy set of D'Addarios from Ebay.  Those passed the online checker as well, so it's possible the people making fakes have figured out how to fool it.

The only way to be certain the strings are real is to buy from a good source.

amarok1971

crunchman said:

Lots of fake strings on Ebay.

  There was another thread recently about someone with a dodgy set of D'Addarios from Ebay.  Those passed the online checker as well, so it's possible the people making fakes have figured out how to fool it.

The only way to be certain the strings are real is to buy from a good source.

yeah that was me.

adamm82

Philtre said:

Thought I'd try some 10s instead of my usual Gibson Brite WIre 9-42s on the old Epiphone Dot.

So I got a set of D'Addario EXL110 (http://www.daddario.com/DADProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3769&ProductID=13&sid=19cdf922-4984-42cf-a78d-b248e4f74ef5) off ebay and swapped them out.

But the G string is most definitely wrong - it seems thinner than the B string. The E seems about right, B seems about the same as the E, and the G is, well flopping about. It most certainly is not a .017. Almost as if they got the E, B and G the wrong way around. They're colour coded so I've put them on correctly. Also, the serial number checks out on D'Addario's serial checker.

Weird.

These are them - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAddario-EXL110-Electric-Guitar-Strings-10-46-Regular-Light-Gauge/282727788680?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649#rwid

I'm a bit wary of ebay sellers. not suggesting this seller is dodgy,

I had received fake Elixirs in the past. If I do buy on there I try to use ones who are guitar shops. 

First suspicious sign was the strings in their envelopes were also wrapped in plastic which doesn't seem normal.

then the wraps at the ball end were really long. too long that I couldn't even use them on a wrap around bridge then I knew for certain something was very off. 

EDIT looking at their feedback someone has suggested they are fake.

Philtre

Another inspection - I think the E, B and G strings are more or less the same thickness. If I tune them all to B, they all play the same. If anything, I'd say the G was actually thinner.

jimmyguitar

I never buy strings off ebay anymore as I had too many fake packs and they’re getting better at forging the packaging. The strings are usually noticeably fake and feel weird

Philtre

I did notice that the length of the wrapped strings where it has the unwrapped bit at the top of the strings was shorter

adamm82

jimmyguitar said:

I never buy strings off ebay anymore as I had too many fake packs and they’re getting better at forging the packaging. The strings are usually noticeably fake and feel weird

what doesn't help is I've bought many legitimate strings from the same brand and sometimes the packaging varies a bit and gives me doubts.

not_the_dj

How to spot fakes (once you've bought them)

http://www.daddario.com/upload/DABR_Counterfeit_Strings_LowRes_15727.pdf

A pack for £3.88 from ebay is bound to be dodgy.

amarok1971

not_the_dj said:

How to spot fakes (once you've bought them)

http://www.daddario.com/upload/DABR_Counterfeit_Strings_LowRes_15727.pdf

A pack for £3.88 from ebay is bound to be dodgy.

mine checked out ok according to this pdf...?

Philtre

Ball end colours are Silver, purple, green, black, red and brass.

crunchman

amarok1971 said:

not_the_dj said:

How to spot fakes (once you've bought them)

http://www.daddario.com/upload/DABR_Counterfeit_Strings_LowRes_15727.pdf

A pack for £3.88 from ebay is bound to be dodgy.

mine checked out ok according to this pdf...?

The problem is that things like that tell the forgers what not to do.

Bridgehouse

Sounds like a set of chaddarios to me

Philtre

Somebody left a review saying they're fakes:

https://feedback.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=emicroplus&iid=-1&de=off&items=25&searchInterval=30&which=negative&interval=30&_trkparms=negative_30

I've asked for a return.

crunchman

Philtre said:

Somebody left a review saying they're fakes:

https://feedback.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=emicroplus&iid=-1&de=off&items=25&searchInterval=30&which=negative&interval=30&_trkparms=negative_30

I've asked for a return.

Leave negative feedback as well.

Philtre

He's selling more:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAddario-EXL110-Electric-Guitar-Strings-10-46-Regular-Light-Gauge/272979933388?hash=item3f8edf38cc:g:XgQAAOSwGwlZ96ex

And I've reported them as fake.

Philtre

crunchman said:

Leave negative feedback as well.

Too late. Once the serial number checked out I left positive feedback. I have, however, given his product review 1 star and a nice warning. That hasn't shown up yet.

not_the_dj

crunchman said:

amarok1971 said:

not_the_dj said:

How to spot fakes (once you've bought them)

http://www.daddario.com/upload/DABR_Counterfeit_Strings_LowRes_15727.pdf

A pack for £3.88 from ebay is bound to be dodgy.

mine checked out ok according to this pdf...?

The problem is that things like that tell the forgers what not to do.

Indeed, always the dilemma between informing your customers and tipping off the fakers. For the sake of a few quid buy from a proper shop or reputable online seller (like strings direct).

Philtre

Here's a piccy. Don't know if you can see the thicknesses:


free photo uploading sites

not_the_dj

What shape are the ball ends on these?