Whatever happened to Black Diamond Strings?

[Analog Assassin]

When I was a kid, learning on my dad's acoustic, the first set of strings I tried putting on were Black Diamonds. They were silver colored instead of the usual bronze. I put way too many winds around the post!

I did a search for them and there's still a product by that name but I don't think it's the same thing. Anybody ever remember using Black Diamonds?

[Retired_Colonel]

I remember Black Diamonds very well..from the late 60's when I started playing acoustic guitar. Haven't used them for years, but they do have a website; and they still make their silver coated strings, about which they say the following:
"Acoustic Electric Silverplated"
"This is where it all began for Black Diamond. The silverplating creates a smoother sound and makes this the warmest acoustic string in our lineup."

And that is how I remember them...

[Analog Assassin]

That's the string I was thinking of! For me, it was the mid-80s, but I know Black Diamond strings have been around, songs have been written about them!
I saw the newer ones were coated with some black coating. But I remember the silverplating, it would actually tarnish.

[Stratobuc]

They are in Sarasota, FL. That's who makes the Snake Oil Brand strings - I love them.

[musicofanatic5]

What I recall about B D strings, when I started playing, in 1960:

They were about the only strings available (to me) at the time, I had to buy them at the Rexall drug store in my town or at the TV repair shop in the next town (where I bought my first electric gtr and amp), and were available in either "heavy" or "heavier than sh*t" gauges! They came in a black, flat, two-piece cardboard box and were in red envelopes. With the myriad of string types and gauges available today I have little sentimentality for those "suspension bridge support cables" that used to be sold as gtr strings!!

[pattste]

JustStrings has them:

http://www.juststrings.com/blackdiamondacousticguitar.html

They have sets that are "silver plated" so I assume they are the strings that you remember playing when you were young.

[zombywoof]

Goin' down to Lillian's music store
To buy a Black Diamond string
Gonna wind it up on my guitar
Gonna make that silver sing


Black Diamond and LaBella strings and Roy Smeck picks.

I recall how the windings would separate in several places and you could slide the sections up and down the core. In a pinch though, if the stores were closed you could easily remove the windings from the lower strings and then use them on the high end. But you string up a Harmony Sovereign with Black Diamonds and you would have sworn that guitar rang until Kingdom Come.

Sitting in my music room

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/zombywoof51/Guitars/BlackDiamondStrings0032.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/zombywoof51/Guitars/BlackDiamondStrings004.jpg

[cranqued]

Guy Clark loves them enough to sing about them...

Black Diamond Strings
Are like white flour and grits
You play Black Diamond Strings
‘Cause it’s all you can get

og7dMS-nyqA

[540ok1]

yep, from the 60's

[Jude McPeel]

My dad used to get me Black Diamonds from the drugstore where he worked, early 70's. I didn't like them much but they got the job done for my Yamaha flattop. BTW drugstores (at least here in Nashville) used to sell sheet music too. You'd order it & pick it up in a few days.

"I recall how the windings would separate in several places and you could slide the sections up and down the core. In a pinch though, if the stores were closed you could easily remove the windings from the lower strings and then use them on the high end."

I was just trying to do something like that! I'm trying to use heavy Labella flatwounds on a Telecoustic for a beater jazz practice guitar & the A & D strings are way sharp. I tried to remove the windings where the contact point on the saddle is (but had no luck) thinking that somehow that would help the pitch a bit. Probably won't work but I did try it.

[urlkonig]

What a nostalgic thread! Sums up my BD experiences to a "T".

I love that Guy Clark tune as well -- first time I've heard it.

[57special]

I use em for some guitars. They sound good, but unfortunately the backwinds are too long, making them a PITA for 50's style one piece bridge/tailpieces.