Who makes Gibson's strings?

[slinkp]

I quite like the strings that came with my DC tribute bass.  Apparently Gibson branded 45-105 short scale rounds.
And I was curious where they are made.
Searched the interwebs and found rumors from 10 years ago that D'Addario manufactures for Gibson, but nothing definitive or more recent.

Does anybody know for sure?
And if true, are they just the same as XL? Those are my usual go-to strings which would explain why I like the Gibson strings.
Both are described as nickel wound around a hexagonal carbon steel core.

[Dave W]

That's a closely held secret, but AFAIK they were never made by D'addario. The rumor I've heard most often on guitar forums is GHS, but Henry did sign a deal with Cleartone about 2013, and those strings are made by Everly.

[patman]

On my EB 13 they said the stock strings were Cleartone, in the literature that came with the bass.

[morrow]

I thought Gibson had a string factory in Elgin Il .

[slinkp]

On my EB 13 they said the stock strings were Cleartone, in the literature that came with the bass.

Interesting! Nothing that came with mine says anything about the strings. On the website they just say 45-105 short scale rounds, so I just assumed that since the Gibson website also sells 45-105 short scale rounds, that must be what these are.

[Dave W]

I thought Gibson had a string factory in Elgin Il .

At one time they did have a shop in Elgin that made amps and some accessories including strings. That operation was closed in 2009, and the strings were supposedly already being farmed out by then.

[Chris P.]

Cleartone / Everly also makes or made Warwick strings - look at the similar EMP-logo on the coated strings - so it wouldn't be strange if they did it for other manufacturers too.

[morrow]

I was quite taken by the strings on my DC Jr . And I tend to put flats on basses . And I like them even more now they've settled in .

[uwe]

Fender.

[Dave W]

I was quite taken by the strings on my DC Jr . And I tend to put flats on basses . And I like them even more now they've settled in .

Gibson is now offering flatwounds in long and short scale through their website and through Sweetwater

[slinkp]

How do you tell if strings are coated?

[Chris P.]

It depends. Elixir has a coating on the outside. You feel it, much smoother, and you can damage it with a pick. Some other strings have the core layer coated, so it won't be affected by sweat, alcohol, blood, etc. It will be on the package.

[patman]

I  just opened the case to my 2013 EB to check the case candy.

There is a card with a photo of a Les Paul that says "Your guitar is equipped with genuine Cleartone Strings"...

For what it's worth.

[morrow]

Dead thread , but I’ve kept the factory strings on the DC Jr I love for about a year now , and I’m thinking of putting on a set of Gibson Brite Wire strings on it . I kinda miss some of the zing it had , and loved the original strings .
I’m known for using an old school thump , either flats or seriously dead rounds . So this is a departure .

[uwe]

"Seriously Dead Rounds"

What a brilliant name for a string type ...


SDR Strings - the way to play other people's DNA!


Comes in two distinct styles:


Stickies - Sweaty Hand Male Adolescent (Grubba Grubba Hey!)

Scenties - Female Bass Beginner's Secret (The string that's been through things ...)