What strings are you guys using?

[ElectricTurkey4369]

I find myself to be switching between DR's and Rotosund's, both are equally awesome, i just sometimes feel like one over the other sometimes :lol:

 

[xxFIXXEDxx]

Erinie Ball, always and forever.

 

[PG13]

I heard from a music store owner many years ago that most of the strings available today come from a few manufacturers and are often re-branded by licensed entities. Now with that being said, I've gone from stainless steel (GHS Boomers) to nickel (Ernie Ball Slinkys) because the nickel is a little warmer to my ears and is easier on the frets. (I'm hard on frets). Maybe try out different materials first (steel vs. nickel) in your quest.

 

[thunda1216]

least expensive that I can find

 

[allphourus]

Mostly DR's Different sets on different Guitars, 11's mostly. 12's "Rare" Phosphor bronze on the accoustic's,Tite-fits on the ES Artist, Pure Blues on the rest, The Exceptions are Daddario XL110's on the Ibanez and Daddario Stainless-steel Flatwounds on my ES 130.

 

[MesaENGR412]

D'Addario EJ21 Jazz sets for Drop B (B F# B E G# C#). I have Floyd Rose tremolos on both of my main guitars and
these strings are the most consistent strings that I have ever used. With other brands I would have to tweak the spring
tension on the back on the guitar after every string change to compensate for a slight tension change (same tuning, same string gauge). With the D'Addario's I no longer have to do that. They seem to last a decent time without corroding, no shorter
than Ernie Balls (Slinky line) or Dean Markleys (Blue Steels) which is what I used to use.

I am thinking about trying out the Pro Steel line, seeing what that does to my tone. May make it overly bright though.
Does anyone have any experience with the D'Addario Pro Steels?

-AJH

 

[volatileNoise]

Just threw on a set of D'Addario 11-56 with the .014" swapped with a replacement .015" (beats me why they can't even read their own string tension charts to work out this is a better match) and interestingly enough the only string that appeared dead (dull finish/would have sounded flat) straight out the pack, was in fact the .014" so that worked out to be a good plan.

Instantly I can say they are an improvement over the 12-54 sets I would usually use (always ended up with a flat sounding G string with the .020" gauge) definitely brighter and good pitch with the .019" in the 11-56 set, and with the sort of sustain that it should have. Also the heavier two strings don't flap around as much when dropped to C tuning.

It is interesting to read all the manufacturers different matched sets, some are oddly matched, but most sets are to suit regular tuning, and not many of them have a lot of options for low drop tuning.

 

[Martin]

Elixir nano's 9-046

 

[ryjan]

Ernie Ball Power Slinky

 

[Steve@Russo]

dr's

 

[94Tremoverb]

DR, D'Addario or Snake Oil Brand - yes, these are real strings! and incredibly good - nickel 11s on all my electrics except my Rickenbacker 12-string which has Rick strings. DR or D'Addario phosphor bronze 12s on my acoustic, 11s on my acoustic 12-string (tuned down a tone) and 45-105 nickel roundwound DRs on my bass.

 

[ryjan]

I just started using 11's. Why didn't anyone tell me about these things!

 

[boogieman60]

I use D'Addarios EXL115W.....011-.049 (wound 3rd. .021) Best of both worlds..heavy enough to twang and light enough to bend...and the chords sound good because of the wound 3rd..

 

[giantstepjoe]

Roto Yellows!

 

[MesaENGR412]

I use D'Addarios EXL115W.....011-.049 (wound 3rd. .021) Best of both worlds..heavy enough to twang and light enough to bend...and the chords sound good because of the wound 3rd..

The wound third is where it is at!

-AJH

 

[94Tremoverb]

The wound third is where it is at!

I use both. Wound 3rd on my Rickenbacker, plain 3rd on my PRS - they just each sound best like that. The problem is that DR (which sound best on the Rick) don't do a set of 11s with a wound 3rd, so I have to substitute one from another set, which is annoying.

But 11s are *definitely* where it's at! So much more tone and power than 10s for very little extra tension. I did try 12s too, but that seemed to be the other way, a step too far in tension for not that much more improvement in tone. (I do play at concert pitch by the way.)

 

[fishyfishfish]

You know I just switched to a set of the Pure Blues from DR in 11, and I must say they are not a bad set of strings. Played D Addario for about 20 years, decided to take a chance :lol:

 

[ElectricTurkey4369]

I never liked d'addarios...
I stopped using them for a while and decided to try them again and at first they sounded good, the low strings are what i like the most about them, but the high strings were absolutely terrible.

After a week the high strings felt like they were made of tin and hurt my fingers so badly. Mabye it was because i was so used to roundcore strings...

As for Ernie Balls...They're alright, but they die pretty fast.

 

[boogieman60]

`Yup.. Thats the problem always a trade off between sound,feel and durability. I'm kinda stuck with the D'adds. because they are durable...there are other strings that sound a tad better, but if they only last a week, I have better things to do that changing stings.Like playing!! They are also very consistant in the intonation department.. only a few minor tweaks usually needed. One other thing that effects sting life.. Tail piece height. Too low and they blow...

 

[Jackie]

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky \m/

I tried D'Addario, RotoSound, Elixir, played Gibson Brite Wires for quite some time. Ernie Balls have it for me - the sound, the durability, the feel.