DR Mandolin Strings: "Rare" and.... "non-rare".. (?)

[Cristiano Alessandro]

Seems like DR topics are popular around the net so I figured this would be appropriate since I haven't seen any actual discussions/advice on this. Otherwise I'd have to hijack a pre-existing thread to ask.. ;)

My simple question is..
What in the world is the difference between DR mando strings being labeled "Rare" in the phosphor-bronze sets, and the others which look the same but are not titled "rare"?

I recently bought an Eastman 305 (from the classifieds here, actually), and it has a slightly used set of the Rare-Lites on it. I really like the tone and punch, thinking of buying a new set but finding this predicament online, and I imagine some others are probably wondering as well.

Before now I've always used Martins. Just threw on a new set to compare the sound, and from I can tell it seems that the DRs were definitely contributing to the sound.

[Marty Jacobson]

It's just a product family name. Ernie Ball has "Slinkies", DR has "Rare", "Hi-Beams", and others. The DR mandolin strings are all part of the Rare product family, as currently offered. I wouldn't worry about whether "Rare" is in the seller's listing or not. That might change if they offer a different style of mandolin string in the future, but for now you just have to look at what gauge you're getting.

[Cristiano Alessandro]

Thanks for the reply, by cross referencing to the DR site I figured out that the two different packages on the market for these phosphor bronze sets are indeed the same. They wield the same product# .. "MD-10". Just changed the packaging along the way, or something, it seems -- whilst both are still circulating.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Whilst not claiming to be the 'main' advocate of DR strings on here, my posts regarding them have prompted a few players to try them & the response has usually been very positive. Having used D'Addario J74's for close to 9 years,the DR strings came as something of a reveletion when i began to use them. The DR10's are 'lights' (lites ?),but try a set of the MD11 mediums & you could be in for a surprise.They're the same gauges as J74's but a far more powerful string. Interestingly enough,when they first came out,the MD11's had a .016" 'A' string, it's now .015" & the .016" 'A' string is now part of the MD12 'heavies' set. In the MD12 set,the E/A & G strings are only .001" thicker & the D string is .002" thicker than the MD11 mediums,so they're not exactly steel hawsers !,
Ivan