Electric guitar strings

  • Thread starter Thread starter OhSh1rt
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Looks like I'm the only, but Gibson Vintage Reissue 10-46s for shows. They sound incredible for about a week, better thgan any other string, then they start to lose tone pretty steeply. I change them so often it really doesn't matter though. If you're going to record though, try a set, I've had the exact same set up with different strings and couldn't figure out what was wrong with my tone and sustain. They make that much of a difference.
 
D'Addario 11s. I just love the sound of a Les Paul strung with 11s. There's something about that open A string that just can't be imitated.

I've bounced around to several different brands over the years and the D'Addario electrics have been my go-to string for about 5 or 6 years now. Before that, the only brand I was true to was Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky. I played on those for several years, but yes I had problems with chronic breakage. The D'Addarios don't seem to do that, but I don't play out anymore so its not really a fair comparison.

I kinda like D'Addario's packaging. Less trash left over when I'm done, and its all recyclable (we have curb-side recycling and a limit of 2 trash bags/week, so every bit of trash saved is a plus).
 
Ernie Ball's yellow(.10-.46 I think)on my Jackson...I used to put the pink ones on but I'm busting the high E way too much. I'm due for a change again soon...Once in a while, I find it's good for your fingers to play with a little stiffer strings, kinda like a heavy workout here and there.
 
cephus said:
I use green slinkies, too (10-46) and break them, especially D strings. I play your basic rock and roll/rockabilly.

What strings don't break as easily? I had a box of D'Addarios and I never noticed a difference, but hated the packaging. Give me one envelope per string please.
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GHS Boomers.
 
I used an Ernie Ball hybrid set, 10-52, for the longest time.
I used these in both standard tuning and sometimes a full step down. Lately I switched to 9-46's and I play in standard tuning all the time.
I've never had significant breakage issues and I am a frequent 2 step bender so go figure.
The only strings I occasionally broke were the low E or A just from agressive picking when I was gigging. I never noticed that any brand fared better than any other in that department. These days, I always change strings before they have a chance to break, (usually a few weeks, maybe a month on a set).
I have also never noticed an advantage to heavier treble strings. Heavier bottom strings obviously play and sound tighter, but with the treble strings I greatly prefer the feel of lighter strings and I don't notice a difference in the sound. I like my guitar to work with me instead of against me. I also like to do big bends without ripping the flesh off of my fingers after a long playing session. That's why I think hybrid sets are a must. I suppose if I was still tuning down at all I'd be using the 10-52's but it's the 9-46's for now.
 
Trilene
8 10 12 17 20 25 lb test (high to low) :eek:

(recommended by Apl)
 
cephus said:
I use green slinkies, too (10-46) and break them, especially D strings.
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You use tremolo? I have never broken an Ernie Ball, ever, but I never use tremolo.
 
gvarko said:
You use tremolo? I have never broken an Ernie Ball, ever, but I never use tremolo.
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I use the wang bar alot, and I never break them either.

On a side note, I discovered long ago that with a Floyd, don't tighten the string locks too much and you'll break far fewer strings. That is unless you've got some sharp edges or something going on. I've seen alot of people really crank down on those things.
Of course I'm talking about a Floyd and most people around here seem to hate them. :p
 
Just started using Elixer strings and I find them much better than Super Slinky's (which I used exclusively for about 10 years). The Elixers have a Gortex coating that give them extra long life plus I find the tone much brighter and the sustain longer. I play 9's on my Ibanez Jem (for recording lead) and 10's on my EBMM Petrucci 7 string (for recording rhythm).
 
60's guy said:
Trilene
8 10 12 17 20 25 lb test (high to low) :eek:

(recommended by Apl)
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Damn-I didn't know Carvin sold fishing line, if APL uses it, they must! :D
 
LOL! That's hilarious!

I was using D'Addarios, then went to Elixirs because I don't play that much and wanted something longer lasting. Then someone (whom I'd like to thank) steered me to Snake Oil Brand. The original nickel are, if I understand correctly, unusual in that the windings are nickel, not just nickel plated. They sound great, especially for a classic rock tone, and I'm very surprised by how long they last. I highly recommend trying out a set! And I use 11s.
 
Superhuman said:
Just started using Elixer strings and I find them much better than Super Slinky's (which I used exclusively for about 10 years). The Elixers have a Gortex coating that give them extra long life plus I find the tone much brighter and the sustain longer. I play 9's on my Ibanez Jem (for recording lead) and 10's on my EBMM Petrucci 7 string (for recording rhythm).
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I went to the Summer NAMM show here in Austin, and I found a company that was selling DIY polymer coating for strings, so I bought a bottle. Now all I have to do is remember where I put it... ;^)
 
Ball Super Slinkys 10 gauge on Ibanez 7 stringer, 11 gauge on my old Warlock - tech death metal

I rip D strings faster than a fat guy rips through yoga pants.
 
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Goin' through a phase...

I just put a set of Elixer NanoWeb medium-lights on a cheapie Martin DX I have here for the kids and they really brought it to life. I like it very much...a big jangly almost 12 string sound when you finger pick it lightly. Call me sick...

I think I'll try them on my Tacoma later in the week. I'm just really liking that jangly bright sound lately. As the mood strikes me...that's how I do it.
 
OhSh1rt said:
What do you use? What style of music? What size?

go go go.

edit:

For me: D'Addario 10's for practice, Ernie Ball 10's for gigs


I love the feel/sound of ernie ball's but they break to easy. I've tried thicker strings but my locking tuners don't seem to hold on to well to 13's


-jeffrey
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I play metal, blues, and rock, I Switched from GHS Boomers to Dean Markley Lights .009-.042 simply cus they held up better for me.
 
nevome said:
I found heavier strings to have a smaller oscilation and can get my action lower without buzzing.
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My understanding was that heavier strings that are tuned to the same pitch as a lighter set will be tenser than the lighter set anyway, which would explain the lower oscillation, which is why they're supposed to give you better intonation.
 
metalhead28 said:
I use the wang bar alot, and I never break them either.

On a side note, I discovered long ago that with a Floyd, don't tighten the string locks too much and you'll break far fewer strings. That is unless you've got some sharp edges or something going on. I've seen alot of people really crank down on those things.
Of course I'm talking about a Floyd and most people around here seem to hate them. :p[/QUOTE

Floyd's are great! I think that the reason some people don't like them is that they just don't know how to get a good set up on them and then ultimately, the first time the replace the strings, things get a little messy.
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I use D'Addario 9 - 46's... I tried out Ernie Ball strings a few times, but they snap way too easily while using the tremolo. The D'Addario on the other hand are pretty safe in that department :)
 
Track Rat said:
It seemed I could just give them a dirty look and they'd snap.
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hmmm i gave my slinkys a dirty look then they pooped in my sink and made prank phone calls...

maybe i should have gotten the d'addarios....
 
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