Classical Guitar Strings

Tony Acosta had a dream to make the world’s finest classical guitar strings.  He began working nights to perfect his product and build relationships within the industry and slowly gathered the needed equipment. Several years later, when he quit his day job working for an airline, his friends thought he was crazy to leave before his retirement just five years away.  Tony wanted nothing more than to see his dream come true, so he took the risk and established the renowned Luthier Strings Company.  “You must follow your dreams” he said with a smile.   

John Connolly established the Connolly Music Company (originally Connolly & Co., Inc.) back in 1970. Best known for distributing such brands as Thomastik-Infeld and König & Meyer, the company remains a family owned enterprise, with John's son, Jake, now at the helm. In 1954 John was hired by William Gratz as general manager of his wholesale business, which distributed products such as Hofner, Paesold, Bohm & Meinl, Kohlert, and Thomastik-Infeld. The company was sold to John after Mr. Gratz’ passing in the 1960s.

John D’Addario's family has been shaping the music industry since the 1670s, when Donato D’Addario began crafting strings by hand. Following in this legacy, John's father pioneered synthetic substitutes post-World War II, revolutionizing string design. In 1974, John, along with his father John Sr. and brother Jim, introduced a new brand of strings, establishing a factory in Lynbrook, New York. NAMM captured a second interview with John, his son John (J3) and Jim to celebrate D’Addario’s anniversary in 2024, showcasing the enduring impact of their string company. Committed to music

Peter D’Addario is proud of his family’s long association with the music industry.  In fact, his family’s string making goes back to the seventeenth century.  Peter recalls going to the warehouse as a kid and helping with the shipping of musical accessories.  His father, Richard, is the brother of Jim and John D’Addario.  Peter has since held several positions with the company, including being the United States Sales manager, a job he thoroughly enjoys.

John D'Addario III serves as the CEO of D'Addario & Company, overseeing strategic direction and day-to-day global operations. With a diverse background encompassing roles in strategic planning, operations management, marketing, and sales, John brings a wealth of experience to the company’s leadership position.

Neil Lilien has been a life long supporter of the arts, playing music since he was a child and growing up to own one of the finest names in stringed instruments. Neil worked for Guild Guitars for nearly 20 years before purchasing Meisel Stringed Instruments in 1984. The company, which had also been known as C. Meisel & Company, is one of the world’s best-known providers of violins and related products.