How Big Of A Difference Do String Make On Tone?

[gibson5413]

I just was looking for your experiences (I kind of know the answer). Ususally I much prefer my EBMM Petrucci over my EMG equipped Schecter. I recently restrung my EBMM with D'Addarios over my usual Ernie Ball strings. I hate to say it but I have been super disappointed with the D'Addarios. I have heard so many great things about them that I decided to give them a shot. They sound really harsh in the high end and a tad flubby on the lows. I have always heard and read so many great reviews on them that I thought it was just me. It has been over amonth and they just don't seem to be breaking in. I am going to go back to my normal Ernie Ball strings.

In your experiences, do strings really make that big of a difference in how your guitars have sounded in the past? I am a "creature of habit" so I just haven't experienced this that much. Just curious!

 

[Random Hero]

I think so. Not a huge difference in the grand scheme of things but it's there. I was a DR user for a long time but then they started to sound too bright to me so I switched to EB. Used them for a while but the lifespan of them became irritating so I switched to D'Addario a few months ago and really like them. My Suhr came with Elixirs which were OK, they felt great and still looked new but I always think they sound a bit dull. Switched them out for D'Addarios and all is well.

YMMV of course since it's all relative but I'm a D'Addario fan.

 

[sebby123]

I just was looking for your experiences (I kind of know the answer). Ususally I much prefer my EBMM Petrucci over my EMG equipped Schecter. I recently restrung my EBMM with D'Addarios over my usual Ernie Ball strings. I hate to say it but I have been super disappointed with the D'Addarios. I have heard so many great things about them that I decided to give them a shot. They sound really harsh in the high end and a tad flubby on the lows. I have always heard and read so many great reviews on them that I thought it was just me. It has been over amonth and they just don't seem to be breaking in. I am going to go back to my normal Ernie Ball strings.

In your experiences, do strings really make that big of a difference in how your guitars have sounded in the past? I am a "creature of habit" so I just haven't experienced this that much. Just curious!

A very simple answer or yes they make a huge difference blue steels have my heart

 

[Random Hero]

I just was looking for your experiences (I kind of know the answer). Ususally I much prefer my EBMM Petrucci over my EMG equipped Schecter. I recently restrung my EBMM with D'Addarios over my usual Ernie Ball strings. I hate to say it but I have been super disappointed with the D'Addarios. I have heard so many great things about them that I decided to give them a shot. They sound really harsh in the high end and a tad flubby on the lows. I have always heard and read so many great reviews on them that I thought it was just me. It has been over amonth and they just don't seem to be breaking in. I am going to go back to my normal Ernie Ball strings.

In your experiences, do strings really make that big of a difference in how your guitars have sounded in the past? I am a "creature of habit" so I just haven't experienced this that much. Just curious!

A very simple answer or yes they make a huge difference blue steels have my heart

Are Blue Steels the ones that basically carve away your frets?

 

[sebby123]

I just was looking for your experiences (I kind of know the answer). Ususally I much prefer my EBMM Petrucci over my EMG equipped Schecter. I recently restrung my EBMM with D'Addarios over my usual Ernie Ball strings. I hate to say it but I have been super disappointed with the D'Addarios. I have heard so many great things about them that I decided to give them a shot. They sound really harsh in the high end and a tad flubby on the lows. I have always heard and read so many great reviews on them that I thought it was just me. It has been over amonth and they just don't seem to be breaking in. I am going to go back to my normal Ernie Ball strings.

In your experiences, do strings really make that big of a difference in how your guitars have sounded in the past? I am a "creature of habit" so I just haven't experienced this that much. Just curious!

A very simple answer or yes they make a huge difference blue steels have my heart

Are Blue Steels the ones that basically carve away your frets?

Yes when your frets arnt stainless steel such as your suhr modern but honestly the tone and feel of blue steels do it for me like no other string.

 

[Random Hero]

I just was looking for your experiences (I kind of know the answer). Ususally I much prefer my EBMM Petrucci over my EMG equipped Schecter. I recently restrung my EBMM with D'Addarios over my usual Ernie Ball strings. I hate to say it but I have been super disappointed with the D'Addarios. I have heard so many great things about them that I decided to give them a shot. They sound really harsh in the high end and a tad flubby on the lows. I have always heard and read so many great reviews on them that I thought it was just me. It has been over amonth and they just don't seem to be breaking in. I am going to go back to my normal Ernie Ball strings.

In your experiences, do strings really make that big of a difference in how your guitars have sounded in the past? I am a "creature of habit" so I just haven't experienced this that much. Just curious!

A very simple answer or yes they make a huge difference blue steels have my heart

Are Blue Steels the ones that basically carve away your frets?

Yes when your frets arnt stainless steel such as your suhr modern but honestly the tone and feel of blue steels do it for me like no other string.

I think I can remember trying them a few years ago and liking them but being scared off by the potential for mass fret wear!

 

[MrDan666]

FWIW, i have used just about every string brand i can think of.. And for the longest time i was using Dean Markley, not the Blue Steels but the normal ones (Signature Series nickel steel).

About 4 months ago i tried Dunlop Strings. The tone and feel is hands down the best i have ever had from any guitar strings. Plus they last ages, and im normally rusting out other strings from other brands in 1 day.
EB's only last a couple hours for me. D'addario last a tiny bit longer than EB's but still go bad fast. Dean Markleys were good and twice as long lasting as EB or D'addario. I HATED Elixirs, they felt and sounded weird to me.. almost dull sounding when theyre brand new out of the pack.

But those Dunlop's are lasting me several weeks at a time, as long as i wipe them down everytime i put the guitar down Seriously impressed!! I'll be sticking with them from now on!

 

[Random Hero]

FWIW, i have used just about every string brand i can think of.. And for the longest time i was using Dean Markley, not the Blue Steels but the normal ones (Signature Series nickel steel).

About 4 months ago i tried Dunlop Strings. The tone and feel is hands down the best i have ever had from any guitar strings. Plus they last ages, and im normally rusting out other strings from other brands in 1 day.
EB's only last a couple hours for me. D'addario last a tiny bit longer than EB's but still go bad fast. Dean Markleys were good and twice as long lasting as EB or D'addario. I HATED Elixirs, they felt and sounded weird to me.. almost dull sounding when theyre brand new out of the pack.

But those Dunlop's are lasting me several weeks at a time, as long as i wipe them down everytime i put the guitar down Seriously impressed!! I'll be sticking with them from now on!

Interesting. I kill strings like crazy too, with black patches after only a few hours on EB. D'Addario do last a bit longer but it's irritating. Which Dunlops exactly? You got a link? I may have to give them a try.

 

[RaceU4her]

i always notice a difference in size more than company. i usually like the feeling of 12s but 10s usually sound better to me

 

[RaceU4her]

Interesting. I kill strings like crazy too, with black patches after only a few hours on EB. D'Addario do last a bit longer but it's irritating. Which Dunlops exactly? You got a link? I may have to give them a try.

i had the complete opposite luck with d'addarios, the little store around the corner was only carrying d'addarios for a while so i got a couple packs, and i broke both top strings when i never broke one of them in my life

 

[Dallas Marlow]

Strings make a HUGE difference in the sound of your guitar, every aspect, the tension, the materials, the list goes on forever... Looser slinkier strings play, feel and sound looser etc. I prefer GHS boomers, I've tried everything and they are the only ones that have the sound I really go after... everything else just doesn't seem to have any balls to it!

 

[projectx102]

I've been using DR Pure Blues for some time now and they are just killer.

 

[jski59]

I just switched to D'addarios and have been pretty happy with them. I used GHS boomers for years, but then they started sounding a little flat to me. I tried EB's for awhile...they sounded good, but they didn't seem to last long and I broke a lot of strings.

Differerent strokes for different folks, I guess.

Jason

 

[dawnofdreamx97]

I've been using DR Pure Blues for some time now and they are just killer.

+1 Dr pure blues are my favorite. They are a fairly warm string with a perfect balance of highs mids and lows. Nickel strings are supposed to have better magnetic property (pickup interaction) and are supposed to have minimal fret wear compared to steel strings also. The round core and pure nickel / compression winding results in a great feeling and sounding string, they last pretty long to! . 10 -52 does it for me

 

[MrDan666]

Interesting. I kill strings like crazy too, with black patches after only a few hours on EB. D'Addario do last a bit longer but it's irritating. Which Dunlops exactly? You got a link? I may have to give them a try.

Which gauge are you after?

There are either 9-42 or 10-46 Dunlops on eBay, 2 packs for £6.99 with free delivery. The company is something like 'Aire Guitars', the store is based in Bradford. Pretty good deal considering 3 packs of D'addarios are £12.00 plus delivery usually. You can get 4 packs of the Dunlops for around that price.

 

[Random Hero]

Interesting. I kill strings like crazy too, with black patches after only a few hours on EB. D'Addario do last a bit longer but it's irritating. Which Dunlops exactly? You got a link? I may have to give them a try.

Which gauge are you after?

There are either 9-42 or 10-46 Dunlops on eBay, 2 packs for £6.99 with free delivery. The company is something like 'Aire Guitars', the store is based in Bradford. Pretty good deal considering 3 packs of D'addarios are £12.00 plus delivery usually. You can get 4 packs of the Dunlops for around that price.

10-46. Thanks, I'll go look now.

 

[MrDan666]

10-46. Thanks, I'll go look now.

Cool man, i hope you find them to be as good as i do They feel great to play, they sound great and they last longer for me!

 

[mrp5150]

I honestly don't think the brands sound all that different. As other people said, different gauges definitely sound different, and that's what I notice most.

 

[Gitfiddler]

my sweat kills them all within a few hours, so i can't justify the extra $ (yes, that's what she said). I've always felt like ernie ball strings have been a little extra special

 

[sebby123]

I might go try these dunlop's.