Hawaii is a brand name state. Folks here consume Bud beer, Best Foods Mayo, Libby's Vienna Sausage and a host of other brand name products. Most would rather fight than switch. This gets even more magnified, if you will, on the small neighbor islands of which Kauai is one.Coated Acoustic guitar strings have caught on in a big way and like most brand loyalty one manufacturer in particular has capture the elusive guitar players. I get asked all the time if I can get EXR coated strings. I can but I don't stock them. One company in particular has been experimenting with micron polymer coatings for a long time now. Anthony and his crew at DR Strings. DR's product is of excellent quality and they are actually having fun with making strings. They have rainbow colors, neons and even Zebra acoustic electric. They are widely available and sanely priced. I have a repeat customer that swears they last forever even in the harsh tropical climate here in the islands.
I like underdogs and even though DR's says they are doing great on Maui and Oahu, breaking the brand barrier here on Kauai is a tough battle. Check out the DR web site for their complete product line. Most of my bass playing friends swear by their Lo-Riders.
A partial list of DR endorsees includes Sting, Marcus Miller, Jeff Healey, Adam Clayton of U2, Warren Haynes of GOV'T MULE and THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, Jonas Hellborg, Bo Diddley, "Skunk" Baxter, Victor Bailey, Steve Kaufman, Percy Jones, Darryl Jones of THE ROLLING STONES, Rick Derringer, Mick Karnes, Andreas Kisser, Max Cavalera, & Paulo Jr. of SEPULTURA, Birelli Legren, Trey Anastasio and Mick Gordon of PHISH, SMASHING PUMPKINS, Gary Tallent, Tony Franklin, Ty Tabor & Doug Pinnock of KING'S X, Dimebag Darrell of PANTERA, Scott Ian, Paul Crook, & Frank Bello of ANTHRAX, Stefan Lessard with THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Peter Rowan, Shawn Lane, Paul Pesco Matt Freeman with RANCID, Per Gessle of ROXETTE, Sharlee D'Angelo of MERCYFUL FATE, and VERUCA SALT.
