Erik
Full Member
Posts: 195
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Post by Erik on Jul 25, 2016 10:01:38 GMT -7
Over the past two years I have been slowly experimenting with different strings brands etc. Historically, I have used D’Addario 10 gauge nickel wound. After taking a tour of the DR Strings factory in New Jersey I decided to try some different string styles and brands, including DR Pure Blues, DR Drop-Down Tuning, DR tite-fit, D’Addario NYXL, Ernie Ball Cobalt, Rotosound yellow, Pyramid, and Throbak. Unless otherwise noted, for each brand I tried their standard nickel wound 10 gauge strings on my PRS 305 or my Fender American Standard Telecaster (ash body). Ultimately, after trying all of these strings I have come back to D’Addario nickel plated 10 gauge. Based on my experience, these strings have consistently been the easiest to intonate, stay in tune the best (even better than the new NYXL), feel the best, and are the most consistent pack to pack (no bad strings). They also provide a few good weeks of playing—which is better than many. Ironically, they are also the cheapest. My second favorite strings are from DR Strings – their Pure Blues and Drop-Down Tuning. Both feel and sound amazing—they also last a long time. Having toured their factory, where the strings are hand wound, I believe they were not lying when they claimed that they use superior quality steel wire. I also enjoyed the Rotosound strings, which probably had the best tone, but for me intonation and tuning stability are the most important so D’Addario still wins. My least favorite strings were the DR tite-fit as they simply will not intonate properly. I also found Pyramid strings to be dull and lifeless sounding, particularly the low E. I was disappointed with Pyramid as they are expensive German strings and generally receive high praise. Also disappointing were D’Addario’s NYXL, which I found to actually have worse tuning stability than the regular nickel plated D’Addario strings. Ernie Ball Cobalts were also disappointing overall and felt and sounded too different for my tastes (I play mostly vintage-inspired blues, with some jazz). I don’t usually report on here unless I have something useful to say, and I think that solid information on strings is useful. Changing your strings often and proper stretching have also proven to be the best guarantee of getting the best playability and tone from my strings. I highly recommend the String Strecha—a simply and cheap tool for stretching your strings—it really works well.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 25, 2016 10:52:10 GMT -7
thanks for the report out Erik!
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Jul 25, 2016 10:57:32 GMT -7
I too use D'Addario 10's. You have saved me a lot of time with your report. Thanks for posting.
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Post by wubberdubber on Jul 25, 2016 11:02:55 GMT -7
Plus 1 for the D's. I've worked in several music stores in some capacity or other for years, so I've had the opportunity to try a bunch of different brands also, and have always come back to D'Addario. They break less, and last longer than anything else I've tried, and I can see with the naked eye that the windings are a bit smoother than, say, Ernie Ball, so I feel they're easier on frets too. At this point I've just been buying the bulk packs of 25 sets for both electric and acoustic and don't use anything else.
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Erik
Full Member
Posts: 195
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Post by Erik on Jul 25, 2016 11:11:38 GMT -7
Yes, I like buying in bulk as well.
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Post by dreamlander on Jul 25, 2016 11:35:53 GMT -7
Cool, I also use the nickel wound D'Addario 10's on 25+ scales, 11's on the shorter ones. I have never felt the need to try others.
Was your experiment blind? You should have had someone else string your guitar, although at that point you would be introducing other variables. Biases are very hard to overcome, especially with something subjective. None the less thanks for the info, and at the least it will make you feel better about the strings you have always been using.
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Post by davebolden44 on Jul 25, 2016 12:53:10 GMT -7
Elixers are worth the money, I will never go back. They make sliding on the wound strings much easier for speed and last forever. I use polyweb 10's.
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Post by greenblues58 on Jul 25, 2016 12:56:05 GMT -7
D'addario 10's for me as a general all purpose string on electrics but l like the DR pure blues on my 335 and l like newtone nickel masters on my les Pauls which are also round core like the DR's.
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Post by BritInvasion on Jul 25, 2016 13:01:54 GMT -7
Great report , I have been fussing with different strings too and I agree with a lot of your findings. For me , DR's don't have the feel I like and Pyramids have way too much tension. Right now it's the Daddario 9's and 10's (depending on the guitar) and Elixir Nanowebs for me. From what I understand, Elixirs are Dadddarios that Gore processes into Elixir. I've had good results with GHS Boomers too , but they don't last quite as long as the D's.
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Post by davebolden44 on Jul 25, 2016 13:28:39 GMT -7
I am no string expert by any means, but are the d'addarios coated also?? thats the feature i really like. some people say coating strings robs tone, I dont hear it. its more of a feel thing to me.
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Post by BritInvasion on Jul 25, 2016 13:43:06 GMT -7
I am no string expert by any means, but are the d'addarios coated also?? thats the feature i really like. some people say coating strings robs tone, I dont hear it. its more of a feel thing to me. The regular Daddarios are not coated.
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Post by dwelshmusic on Jul 25, 2016 15:46:42 GMT -7
Personally, I've been using Cleartones for a long time. I find with the amount that I play, uncoated strings in general just don't last very long and Cleartones are the most "normal" feeling and sounding coated string I've found (thus, I really dislike Elixers and most other coated brands).
That said, there's times when I'm tight on cash or just need to pick something up quick. I always end up going with Daddarios in that case, usually because they're the cheapest. Thanks for the validation! Haha. Maybe I'll experiment with them more. Two of my biggest guitar mentors are die-hard Daddario users.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Jul 25, 2016 17:53:11 GMT -7
I have found that changing my strings every two gigs is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to consistent tone. We spend so much on amps, cabs and pedals, and we often overlook this simple step. I prefer pure nickel strings, 10'S, and have used several brands. Honestly, on stage, I can't tell the difference between them.
So for me, fresh strings are more important that the current brand I use. I recall watching a Greg Koch instructional video a while back when he was on tour in Germany. Somebody asked him "What are your favorite strings?" perhaps thinking that this might be part of his secret killer guitar tone recipe. Greg's answer "Free ones!" had to be a bit disappointing, but it sure made me stop and think!
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Post by nmz on Jul 25, 2016 18:45:43 GMT -7
Great info, thanks. Gives me no reason to change it up!
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jul 25, 2016 18:57:29 GMT -7
Like you, Erik, I have been on D'Addario EXL110's for ever. Every once in a while I get the itch to either go up (or down) a gauge, or even try some different brands. Funny, though, that it just seems that I always come to the conclusion that those regular ol' EXL110's are the best for me across the board. Oh well, at least I can say I tried the others.
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Post by ss "Shane" on Jul 26, 2016 7:04:03 GMT -7
Thanks Erik! I read your assessment twice and found it very informative. I've spent lots of money searching for great strings and landed on Ernie Ball regular slinky (the lime green 10s). My reasoning was simply because these strings bend easily for me and I bend a lot.
There isn't much chatter about the Ernie Balls. Why is this? They seem to be a very popular brand and size. I'm open to opinions and welcome criticisms on what I feel to be my favorite strings.
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Post by ianrossiter on Jul 26, 2016 11:43:22 GMT -7
Bee using NYXL 11-49 since they came out. The sound and Tuning stability (for me) far exceed other brands. That being said, yesterday I put on a regular XL115 11-49 set because I'm out of the NYXL's and ended up playing at 2 open Jams in the city last night; a Country jam and a Blues Jam. The tuning stability was really good actually. I've had issues with the EB Power Slinky's with not only the stability,but they barely last a 5 set night. Haven't really tried the Colballts,yet. To be fair though,the last set of NYXL's were a dud set; the wound strings had no Twang whatsoever,just this ****,dull weak sound.
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Post by BritInvasion on Jul 26, 2016 12:03:04 GMT -7
There isn't much chatter about the Ernie Balls. Why is this? They seem to be a very popular brand and size. I'm open to opinions and welcome criticisms on what I feel to be my favorite strings. EB's don't last for me. Maybe I have weird sweat , but I never got more than 1 gig out of them or 1 long rehearsal , treble strings turned black and gritty , the lower strings often wouldn't stay in tune. Just my experience , obviously a lot of people use 'em.
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Post by jb on Jul 26, 2016 12:19:58 GMT -7
Not really all that fussy about strings but my favorites are the Pyramid Nickel Classics. They sound great and last a long time. I don't like to be constantly changing strings.
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Jul 26, 2016 12:54:54 GMT -7
My faves are 10s: Pyramid Maximum Performance GHS Burnished Nickels D'addario XL
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Post by Christopher on Jul 26, 2016 15:25:35 GMT -7
Pure nickel wrapped strings work best for me. The DRs and D'addarios have been my mainstay. Not a fan of NYXLs as I felt like I was using piano wire. I grew up on D'addario 10s but use the pure nickel not nickel plated D's. I used Elixir for a while but they shed horribly after prolonged use. I don't like to change strings either unless they're black or broken.
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Post by walt on Jul 26, 2016 15:31:36 GMT -7
I have tried a few of the same brands as Erik,but keep going back to D'addario 10/9's-(9's on the bottom 3)or sometimes GHS Boomer 10's.When i was gigging it was always Boomer 10's because my strum was a punch.
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Post by helmi on Jul 26, 2016 16:50:46 GMT -7
I used GHS for years, but switched a couple of years ago to SIT 9 1/2 strings, courtesy of our own mr. marc. (headshrinker) LOVE THEM! I am NOT one to change strings often, and HATE new strings.
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Post by wraparound (Steve) on Jul 26, 2016 20:16:49 GMT -7
Thanks for the tip on www.stringstretcha.com . I have been primarily using D'Addario pure nickel and DR pure blues. Decided to put a set of Fender original 150 pure nickel on and they tuned up great and had great sound and feel. Under 5.00 works too, but we'll see, once you dial in a formula you can trust change comes hard. The string device seems like a good tool that maintains a consistent setup.
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Post by LT on Jul 27, 2016 13:16:16 GMT -7
I'll add some Ernie Ball love. Been using Regular and Super Slinky's for years. Never felt a reason to change, but maybe I need to try the D'Addario's.
I gotta look into that string stretcha. Thanks for the tip!
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Post by zpilot on Jul 28, 2016 5:56:11 GMT -7
Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys on my Nocaster. Same strings Paisley uses on his Teles. D'Addario nickel wound 10's on everything else. This is pretty much what I've used for the last 30 years. My 2016 SG came with a Cleartone 10-52 set and I like those on that guitar. They hold tuning really well and have kept their brightness for a long time. I may give them a try on some of my other guitar; or not. When something has worked well for you for a long time it doesn't make much sense to me to try something else. I'd rather spend the time and money trying things that I'm not 100% on.
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Post by doctorice on Jul 28, 2016 11:42:56 GMT -7
On my most frequently played guitars: D'Addario 9s (Strat), 10s (Tele) and 11s (Collings 290) and EB Cobalt 10s (LP). Mostly D'Addario 9s and 10s on the other axes in house. I'm currently in a "hey, player, leave them strings alone" mode. I used to change them every few gigs. I'm going to push it a little longer, then do a change. My Tele just got a workout on a hot, fairly humid night. Might need to change those
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Post by JeffG on Jul 28, 2016 13:28:09 GMT -7
I've been playing Ernie Ball in the lime green pack for years as well. I remember changing to the EBs from the D'Addarios but I can't really remember why. I've always like the EBs ok, but never loved them. I've been trying some other brands recently as well, and have had good success with DR, Pure Blues and Tite Fit. But now all this has me thinking maybe I should give the D'Addarios another try.
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?
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Post by BritInvasion on Jul 28, 2016 13:54:10 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.
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Post by digs57 on Jul 28, 2016 16:22:11 GMT -7
I switched over from 11's to 10's...burnished nickel rockers...don't let the meh name fool you there are great nickel string...
Finally feeling the tension of these...were they are not too rubberband like...I have been cleaning my strings with this Dunlop string lube and it does save them way beyond what iwas getting normally out of my ole daddarios.
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