Guitar Strings - Like/Dislike

[kewlpack]

I saw this topic over on Harmony Central and thought it would be good to do one here. Essentially, what strings have you used? Which did you like/dislike - and maybe why?

Electrics
LIKE:
-Snake Oil Strings (10's, vintage series): will be trying the Rock Formula soon. NOTE: They are supposed to last a long time (with proper cleaning, which I do faithfully) but mine actually seemed to get grungy and hard to tame nevertheless (after about two weeks of use)...still, the tone didn't seem to suffer much. The D kinda died on me and the G didn't hold its tune that well on the last set I used (tremolo issues??). I'm told the Rock Formula strings hold up better on Tremolo type systems (I have a Ibanez s470 series). The tone on these is very very good as is the sustain in the upper register.

-DR Black Beauties - (9s & 10s): these were a mixed bag...all coated so I didn't need to worry about acid hands on anything; however, the basic tone was kinda funky and almost bell-like. I didn't "dislike" them but they did get a little old on my ears. They have lasted the longest - I think I got about 8 weeks solid on a a set (then one of the strings popped - time to restring!).

-Elixir Nanoweb (9s & 10s): I actually like the longevity I get from the coated strings, but I got tired of the elixir "tone" (sometimes a little muffled and lacked some dynamics); normally popped any one of the wound strings almost every set (no kidding) after about a week or so; corroded the G, B & E in no time flat; and ended up spending too much on average.

-Everly B52 Rockers (10s): really enjoyed these for the punchy tone; again, didn't live long with my acidic chemistry.

-Dean Markley Nickel Steels (9s); just put these on yesterday and they sound very good thus far. Can get some awesome pinch harmonics without trying hard at all. Using these till I can get more Snake Oils.

DON'T LIKE:
-D'Addario EXPs - seemed lifeless to me.
-D'Addario XLS - died quickly
-Ernie Balls - died quickly
-GHS (many varieties, especially the Eric Johnson ones) - died tonally literally in a few hours as a rule.


Acoustics
LIKE:
Elixir Nanoweb (10s and 12s)...wish they coated the B & E as they corrode VERY fast on me) - really they have a nice tone IMHO for acoustic rhythm work.

---Just got some DR PH-Bronze MED/LT, they were recommended and weren't too expensive (versus Elixirs).

DON'T LIKE:
-D'Addario EXP: - again, dull - regardless of Phos Bronze or 80/20. Just didn't have the pizazz I want.

-Martin SP & SP+: didn't last long... died on me quickly. I did like the tone but not the short life.

Hope this helps someone...
~A~

[Teleguy]

For big gauges that will be on the guitar a while, I like Thomastik-Infeld.

For light Rock style strings, I use whatever bargain barrel strings I can find cheap at stores. Sometimes they are Fender stainless, lately Vinci.

I'm gonna try Snake Oil strings though, 'cause he's a Bro.

[Micter]

I've recently started to use DR pure blues and I seem to get more life out of them. Quite a bit more than GHS Boomers etc... but last twice as long. I can get 2-3 rehearsals and a gig out of a set.

[kewlpack]

Dean Markley Nickel Steels are not lasting very long. :( I am only getting about 10 hours of play from a set. Now I'm waiting for the SOB Rock Formulas (Snake Oil Brand = SOB).

Eagerly!
~A~

[Old Believer]

I like Ernie Ball Super Slinkys for my Electrics. I use Elixir Nanoweb Custom Lights on my acoustic.

[Brad]

I usually use whatever I can find the cheapest! When I used to make my living playing music, I would have to change my strings every day due to the acidic makeup of my system. If I did not, I would be assured of breaking strings by the second set. At that time, ( early to late 80's ) I usually used Ernie Balls or D'Addarios. They worked fine and I could get them cheap. Since I got back into playing again a few years ago, I've been trying various string makes to see if one type or brand will work better for my guitars. Of course, price is a big consideration for me. I found a closeout on Vinci strings and bought all they had left ( about 10 sets of .09s and 5 sets of .10's ) as the price was around $2 a set. These have proven to be among the absolute best strings I've ever used in terms of tone and longevity. I tried DR's and received somewhat mixed results. I tried the Pure Blues and several sets were very good for tone. A few other sets were dead out of the gate. I will say that DR handled my complaint very well by sending me new sets of replacement strings with an apology. I may give them another shot here in the near future. I recently found Fender nickle bullets on sale for $2 a pack and again bought around 10 sets. After 35 + years of playing, I can honestly say I've only used Fender strings maybe 3 times. I'm on my first set and actually, pretty impressed. Tonewise, they seem the closest to the Vincis I've found. I've only had em on a week now, so I'll have to see about the longevity. My system must have changed as strings last longer now a days for me. As usualy, I wipe my strings down good after use and use Dr Stringfellos cleaner on them. I now get 1 to 2 months out of a set. I did have a set of Vincis on for over 6 months! It became a challange to see how long I could go. I'd love to try the Snake Oils, Pyramids, Thomastic to see how the sound.

[kewlpack]

Been using Snake Oil Rock Formulas on everything now for awhile and they are very good. Lasting a long time and staying toneful.

[stephen]

DR Tite-fits, 10-46. Luv em! I am thinking about getttin the DR pure blues 10-46, cause I ahve heard from several, if I like the tite-fits, I'm gonna love the pure blues.

[SAguitar]

Depending on scale length I use .009-.042, or .010-.046. I use Musician's Friend's brand, Carvin's house blend, or bulk packs from Webstrings, whatever's plentiful and cheap. I've got a lot of guitars that I like to rotate into the batting order, and I play them hard, so they develop divits at each fret pretty quick. I haven't used any of the big name brands for about 5-6 years now, but I'm happy with the tone I'm getting.

[Teleguy]

...I found a closeout on Vinci strings and bought all they had left ( about 10 sets of .09s and 5 sets of .10's ) as the price was around $2 a set. These have proven to be among the absolute best strings I've ever used in terms of tone and longevity...

Me too!
I stocked up on a bunch from a bargain barrel at Guitar Showcase, San Jose.
They are great strings!

I've gone through about half my stash of these last year. Need to find a steady source!

[Old Believer]

I just bought a couple of sets of Rotosound Yellows, 10-46. I'll drop a review in a couple of weeks. :innocent

[MrMike]

Sorry guys, but every time I see the title of this thread, the smart aleck in me wants to respond, "Yes. I do like guitar strings." :mrgreen:

[Pearly Gator]

LIKE:

Electric Guitar:
Ernie Ball Slinky (Regular & Rock & Roll)
Dr. Duck's

Acoustic:
Martin Phosphor Bronze

DISLIKE:

Electric:
D'Addario (Stiff)
Fender MIM (Stiff)
Rogue Strings (Musicians Friend) (Stiff)
GHS Fatties

I'm lucky that my chemestry lets my strings last for months. Two of my guitar playing sons can waste a set of strings in less than an hour.

In heaven, strings don't corrode or break... at least I hope so!


PG

[Teleguy]

[quote="Pearly Gator...In heaven, strings don't corrode or break... at least I hope so![/quote]


It's a good bet that's true:
"...and there shall be no weeping or gnashing of teeth!..."
:angel

[Wally]

Like:

Electric - Fender, Everly Rockers

Acoustic - Martin SP, Everly

I just got a deal on a bunch of Everly strings from Musicians Friend. I'll have to get around to trying some other brands sometime....

[Crunchyriff]

It's a good bet that's true:
"...and there shall be no weeping or gnashing of teeth!..."


Or guitar-discriminatin' folk.... ;)

[Teleguy]

Or guitar-discriminatin' folk.... ;)[/quote]


That's right.
Maybe they better get all that gnashing outa their systems here! ;)

[SAguitar]

I ain't no gnasher! :cool:

[sflem1039]

Electric - Gibson Vintage Reissues - sounds / feels great, last a long time

Acoutic - Martin Marquis - Sounds loud and warm, less tension on strings

[PVTele]

D'Addario EXL120 - 9-42 (on both Tele & Strat) - love 'em ... I don't find them stiff, or lifeless - quite the opposite. They're not the longest-lasting strings, but as I practically never break strings, and use a very light pick (Jim Dunlop light grey .60mm) I need something to remind me to change them! (I try to change every month regularly...) I'm fortunate enough to have very dry hands, so they go dead very slowly.

[SAguitar]

PV, I used to use those .60 Dunlop picks exclusively for about 15 years. Nowadays I only use them on songs that I have to strum really fast on, and have gone to a stiffer pick for the slower songs, to get more punch and definition in my indidvidual notes. :cool: