D'Addario strings

[mooncobra]

my Kiesel came with Elixirs, and they lasted for quite a while! they sounded good also.

 

[bish0p34]

Huge D'Addario fan here. They're pretty much all I use for the last 17 or so years. I liked GHS boomers at first, but had a lot unwind while putting them on. Since then, no strings give such a great tension, keep their brightness about them for such a long time, and refuse to break like them. A student of mine is endorsed by Ernie Ball. I got to try all their stuff, including the Cobalts. I went right back to D'Addario.

I got some free NYXL strings. I don't see a major difference, so the price isn't worth it to me.

They recently sent me their new strap lock system, built into the strap, to beta test. If they get a wider strap, made of a better material, they'll have a winner on their hands.

 

[kurtsstuff2003]

XL110's for me since the dawn of time!! great strings!

 

[Monkey Man]

Hmm... I always used XL110s (since the late '80s) for guitar and XL whatever for bass.

Couple o' years ago I was talked into switching to Slinkys. I bought a handful of packets, and the first set's top-E string snapped while I tightened the locking tuner during installation. Every set since then has had those little black-looking rust spots on the non-wound strings. Still got one unopened packet, but after reading what you guys have said, I'm not sure I'm still willing to plunk down for another bunch of sets as I was going to, having figured I must've just been "unlucky" with the rust thing.

I must say I was staggered to find that all those sets had the rust spots because these were the only sealed strings I'd ever bought, and the advertising blurb claimed that the packaging ensured no rusting. Ironically, no set of D'Addarios I'd ever bought in 24 years had even one spot of rust on it.

As I said, you guys have got me reconsidering the so-far-ill-fated switch to EB...

 

[D-Rock]

How prevelent are the counterfiet D'Addarrio XL's? As bad as they were a few years ago?

 

[oldmtlhed]

I have been using D`Addario EXL110's for years.
I tried GHS Boomers once. Went back to D`Addario.

 

[rcm78]

NYXL's here!!! They're more money but the last longer and tuning stability is definitely better. Used XL's before the NYXL's came out...

 

[Robotechnology]

I've been using D'Addario XL120's (and the occasional GHS Boomers) since I started playing. Somewhere along the way I switched to DR 10's for the more expensive guitars. Then another switch, half my guitar's went to 10 gauge and the other half stayed 9 gauge however, I switched to EB Slinky's for 9 gauge and went to D's XL110's for 10 gauge. With Gibsons I stay with the reissue strings. And I tell you what. I really like GHS' 9.5 gauge strings! But all in all D'Addario strings are solid and cheap so why not. If I want to spend some extra money, I think EB Cobalts are worth it and Elixer Nino web strings do last forever and work great on lively sounding guitars like Anderson's.

 

[D-Rock]

I actually don't like that glassy, metallic new string sound when playing high gain. Only for clean.
I like it when they even out and calm down bit.

I used D'adarrio for years on a guitar that needs some brightening up.
But otherwise, I've been using EBs because they are almost 2 bucks cheaper a pack, sound good, and don't break.
Nothing really against D'adarrio, they are my second choice for the most part.

 

[metalmaniac93]

I'm neutral on them as I've been using GHS Boomers since the mid 80's or so

This!!!! Love boomers, but tried D'Addario's on and off in the 90's. I just prefer GHS Boomers.

 

[maddnotez]

I used GHS for 20+ years until I tried D'Addario.

I like the 115 quite a bit although I wish that set had a wound 3rd, I can't see myself switching back.

 

[NinjaRaf]

I used daddarios for years because they were $12 for 3 sets on Amazon. But I have used various strings over the years....GHS boomers at first, then DR for a little while, then daddario for a while, and now EB Cobalts. I find the Cobalts last longer for me than 3 daddario sets, and they are punchier by a significant amount.

 

[Bishop5150]

I used daddarios for years because they were $12 for 3 sets on Amazon. But I have used various strings over the years....GHS boomers at first, then DR for a little while, then daddario for a while, and now EB Cobalts. I find the Cobalts last longer for me than 3 daddario sets, and they are punchier by a significant amount.

Big fan of the cobalts. They seem to last and don't break. They also don't seem as slippery as most new strings do.

 

[vchizzle]

If I use a standard gauge like regular 10's or 10-52, D'Addario are usually my go to. I like the NYXL as they seem to last a little longer. I use custom gauges on my Drop C guitars for the band. I get them from juststrings.com because I change them on my main guitar before every gig. So they're one of few places I can get whatever size I want in bulk, quickly and cheap. Not sure of the brand as they won't tell you, but I've had pretty good luck with them and they sound and feel pretty good.

Edit: I did have DR making me custom sets for a bit. Liked the sound well enough but the round core bugged me. I had some problems at one point getting them on time(not sure if it was the store or DR's fault), but that made me make the jump to juststrings and they were quite a bit cheaper and I get them direct to my door.

 

[Fragglerick]

I've been using them for 20+ years on both Floyd and non Floyd guitars.

 

[APO]

I play flatwound chromes in C#; they sound great with no string noise and have lasted months with regular use.

 

[Lord Toneking]

Been using them for years. Mainly because I bought the 10 packs for around $24. Now they're $40!

Now I just buy the 3 pack for $12

 

[Beandust]

Never got a feel for them. The NYXL was the best feeling one but like any strings ive played the acid content in my hands lets them last maybe a bit longer but 3x longer? Not for me. Cheers to those that get months out of them. I prefer EBs which last about a week of dedicated playing, and after any gigs they all get replaced. Even the nyxl with its walmart packaging. Lots of great players use D'Addarios, i just cant bond with em

 

[Ventura]

Been using them for 100 years.

Awesome....

 

[Ventura]

I've used them in the past and have several packs of new threads kicking around the sound room. I've been an EB user for years, prior to that good ol' Dean Markley (do they even make those anymore?!?!) when they were all you could get in the 80s. But ya, EB cuz they're cheap and cheerful. As for feel, couldn't give a rats ass as my fingers start dry and smooth and work into a sweaty mess after an hour+ of playing. They work. D'Addario work. GHS work. Elixir work, but are pricey and I don't quite get too jazzed with the tech, albeit my surf buddies who live in the tropics *need* them, for this I can understand.

But ya, gimme anything that won't break or requires constant tuning due to stretch and I'm typically a happy player.