|
Post by JeffG on Jul 28, 2016 17:40:38 GMT -7
At the risk of sounding like an idiot - what do you mean when you say the strings won't intonate? If the guitar is set up right, then any string should intonate correctly, right? What am I missing here? In my experience with this issue , what happens is the string may have internal areas where the wrap has come loose from the core , or the string has small irregularities in the wrap that make the string impossible to intonate - it always sounds slightly flat or sharp or has weird overtones. I've adjusted the intonation on these strings only to have it shift after playing a short while. Anyway , that's my definition , others may be different. Interesting. I, probably like most of us, have never paid enough attention to strings in the past. Always been more concerned about pedals, amps, etc. Thanks for the info.
|
|
|
Post by deltone on Jul 28, 2016 18:13:38 GMT -7
Switched to Thomastik-Infeld Blues Sliders awhile back and can't describe how happy I am with them. I swapped back to my old staple, Ernie Ball, out of curiosity and couldn't put TI's back on quick enough. FWIW, I prefer 10-48, pure nickel. Strings and Beyond has a great price on them right now.
|
|
|
Post by digs57 on Jul 28, 2016 19:02:13 GMT -7
like string and beyond...pretty much done shopping anywere else...I do like the sound of a 48 on the low...hmmm
|
|
|
Post by BritInvasion on Jul 28, 2016 19:09:21 GMT -7
Switched to Thomastik-Infeld Blues Sliders awhile back and can't describe how happy I am with them. I swapped back to my old staple, Ernie Ball, out of curiosity and couldn't put TI's back on quick enough. FWIW, I prefer 10-48, pure nickel. Strings and Beyond has a great price on them right now. I use TI flat wounds on my Rick 12 string. Pricey but worth it! I should check the Sliders.
|
|
|
Post by digs57 on Jul 28, 2016 19:14:42 GMT -7
19.00 a set...ewww would the wife have my...just kidden...
|
|
|
Post by BritInvasion on Jul 28, 2016 19:22:07 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by deltone on Jul 28, 2016 19:22:19 GMT -7
Switched to Thomastik-Infeld Blues Sliders awhile back and can't describe how happy I am with them. I swapped back to my old staple, Ernie Ball, out of curiosity and couldn't put TI's back on quick enough. FWIW, I prefer 10-48, pure nickel. Strings and Beyond has a great price on them right now. I use TI flat wounds on my Rick 12 string. Pricey but worth it! I should check the Sliders. Frank, warm and smooth sounding with a soft feel is the only way I know to describe them. I've never played another string that was anywhere like them. Pricey for sure, but to me, so worth it. For me, they're that much better feeling and sounding than anything else. Plus, I get quite a bit of use out of a set, and nobody enjoys a fresh set of strings more than I do. Like everything else, YMMV.
|
|
|
Post by BritInvasion on Jul 28, 2016 19:27:13 GMT -7
^ Thanks for the tip David! I'm definitely going to check them out , mainly for my 6 string Rick 370.
|
|
|
Post by GuitarZ on Jul 30, 2016 8:32:43 GMT -7
I started swapping out strings a few years back and stayed with the DRs for a while. I was scratching my head here trying to remember why I switched to Ernie Ball Slinky Regulars and then it hit me. I switched for the most benign reason. I read Eric clapton used them or some type of Ernie Balls and figured if they're good enough for him, they're good enough for me. And, I've been happy with the strings.
My oddity is that I use the Ernie Balls on my Strat and GHS Boomers on my Les Paul. I've strung up both guitars with each figuring that it might be simpler to stick with one brand, but I did not like the feel and sound of the Boomers on the Strat or the Ernie Balls on the Les Paul. My gut says it's mental, but it is what it is.
Nice review on the strings by the way!
|
|
|
Post by justblues on Jul 30, 2016 9:30:18 GMT -7
Thanks for the review... I used to use D'Addarios, but since I am somewhat colorblind and they color code their strings and wrap them all together, I have had issues when trying to change strings quickly when one breaks at a gig... been using Ernie Balls and GHS
|
|
|
Post by Joey Beverages on Aug 1, 2016 17:11:29 GMT -7
Ernie Ball 10s ... the green pack ..... also a fan of the cobalt Cheers always Joel
|
|
|
Post by deltone on Aug 2, 2016 11:40:33 GMT -7
^ Thanks for the tip David! I'm definitely going to check them out , mainly for my 6 string Rick 370.
I hope you like them since you're buying them based on my recommendation. The first time I tried a set, I wasn't really sure what I thought about them, they were quite different from what I was used to. So, when due for another string change, I put EB's back on. It was at that point that I immediately realized how much I really liked them. Now they're on all of my guitars. I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts. They may, or may not be, for you.
|
|
|
Post by markT on Aug 3, 2016 8:51:25 GMT -7
Thanks for the reviews. I have used DR "Pure Blues" for many years now. They have the tone and feel I like. I have run across a bad string from time to time. One that won't intonate correctly. That's aggravating but I like them too much to change. I've tried all many others be keep coming back. I used Dean Markley about 30-40 years ago, but they changed something and were never the same. D'Addario may be consistent, but something about them always seemed just plain and almost sterile. Just my thoughts.
|
|
|
Post by digs57 on Aug 3, 2016 12:45:48 GMT -7
Strings are such a personal and im going to get touchy feely...a "intimate" part of playing...its a crucial part of your experience,connection and confidence as a player,performer...this is a great thread...
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Aug 4, 2016 5:35:19 GMT -7
At the risk of sounding like an idiot - what do you mean when you say the strings won't intonate? If the guitar is set up right, then any string should intonate correctly, right? What am I missing here? In my experience with this issue , what happens is the string may have internal areas where the wrap has come loose from the core , or the string has small irregularities in the wrap that make the string impossible to intonate - it always sounds slightly flat or sharp or has weird overtones. I've adjusted the intonation on these strings only to have it shift after playing a short while. Anyway , that's my definition , others may be different. This is exactly why I used to use a brand many years ago called "Nashville Straights" that were packaged in a straight container so they were not coiled which can sometimes cause the windings to shift. They quit making them sometime in the '80's. Bulk packaged strings still are packed like that sometimes. I bought those for awhile when I was changing strings every week.
|
|
|
Post by Norrin Radd on Aug 9, 2016 19:49:56 GMT -7
When I worked at GC years ago, I tried everything (because it was cheap to do so). After decades of playing I developed a weird skin condition isolated solely to my left hand. Strange, right? Finally found a good doctor (why is that so hard?) who was wise enough to, you know, actually ask me questions about what the hell I was doing with my left hand. Found out I played guitar and diagnosed me with "a nickel sensitivity", NOT allergy. Suggested I play strings not wrapped in nickel. I've been a very happy user (and defender) of EBMM Cobalts ever since. and now my left hand looks almost normal again.
|
|
|
Post by brayks on Aug 9, 2016 20:52:33 GMT -7
I've tried many strings over the years but eventually went with Elixir's to DR Pure Blues to Pyramid Nickel Classics (in that order) for my go-to guitars.
Elixir's sound a bit dead to me but I use them on my guitars that don't get that much play. DR Pure Blues I found to be way to inconsistent in terms of quality however I do prefer them on my Lesters and 335. I have one California Strat with Lollar pickups that I keep tuned 1/2 step down that just LOVES the Pure Blues 11's.
My fav's are the Pyramid. I like they way they feel under my fingers and they play "lighter" than their gage. They sound great to me and no problem with tuning, breaking longevity.
For sure I have a preference based on guitar, tunings and tunes as I do hear and feel a difference guitar-to-guitar.
I did pick up some Cleartones a ways back that I'm anxious to try.
|
|
|
Post by walt on Aug 14, 2016 15:24:06 GMT -7
I put d'darrio 10/9's on my reverend sensei jr. last week and broke 2 strings this weekend(A and D)-so it's boomer 10's from now on.It might be the bridge,but I like the way boomer's sound better anyway.
|
|
|
Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Aug 15, 2016 11:36:35 GMT -7
And I went from 10's to 9's, been using D'Addario strings for years. Before the internet was when I did a trial of different strings and I stuck with the D'Addarios for all the reasons above. Intonation, life, tone, price. It got to where arthritis is setting in and I can't handle the 10's anymore...and guess what? If I bump the lower end of your eq up a bit I can't really tell the difference. They sure are easier to bend, and it's comforting to know that the Rev. Billy G. plays 7's. Nothing wrong with his sound that I can hear!
Thanks for the well done review, that made for enjoyable reading.
|
|
|
Post by digs57 on Aug 15, 2016 12:20:58 GMT -7
I went from 11's to 10's...I was worried that I would loose the tension I liked...but my hands are used to them now...gots plenty of tension...just have to get used to them and they are easier on the hands.
|
|