Strings Thread, just because...

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I'm a Dean Markley fan...used to use the regular signature series...recently started using the Blue Steels and love 'em. I have tried Ernie Ball, GHS, D'Addario, Fender and probably a few others...but I like my Dean Markleys the best
 
What do you use? - D'Addario XL series 11-49
What did you use before? DR Hi-Beams, DR Dimebag before that. 11-50. I now have more things to pay for and had to make cutbacks.
Why do you like what you use? D'addario are a good medium for everything that I play, I've never had one break and they last better than others I've tried
What musical styles do you play? I play modern rock, metal, jazz, funk and dub.

Note: I use 11-49 because they come in 3 packs, I would prefer 11-52. I play in E. When in Drop C# (my preferred metal tuning) I use 11-56 w/ wound 3rd.
 
Dean markley helix hd 11-52 for me. Was blue steel before these came out but these win.
 
Ernie Ball 10-52 on my electrics, Elixer medium for acoustic. I tried D'Addario for about 6 months and had issues... had strings breaking while restringing and have NEVER had that issue with EB. :dunno:
 
Interesting bit about ALL the strings coming from only a couple sources, I've often wondered this, shouldn't be too difficult to figure out who does what... So far so good, so these Elixirs, they're coated yes??

Interesting...
Mo
 
I know DR and Martin make their own strings...not sure about the others. I had a rep tell me back in the 90's that Slinky's and Boomers were the same strings.
 
rupe":144mwmdt said:
I know DR and Martin make their own strings...not sure about the others. I had a rep tell me back in the 90's that Slinky's and Boomers were the same strings.
Just for shits and giggles, I'm going to research this... I would NOT be surprised, especially considering their package material is almost the same (if not identical).

Mo
 
Yeah, a lot of this strings out there sound similar to me and have similar wear.

My main string has always been the Earnie Ball Regular Slinky, it's bright and live and has good wear. Cheap. Flexible for bends, but the low end is fat enough for brown sound and heavy stuff.

The only other string I gravitate to is D'addario. It has a more full, bright, lively acoustic sound. I use it in medium gagues for my Gretsch because it's hollow body. I also use D'addario on my solid body jazz guitar, which has a great acoustic sound. IMO both guitars benefit from the more full acoustic sound of the string. I also use D'addario EJ16 light bronze wound stings on both my acoustic guitars.

I wish I had a more full experience with strings. I have only dabbled in GHS, Powerwound, Britewires, and DR. I experimented heavily with Dean Markley, but ultimately decided that there is nothing there I can't get with EB and D'addario.

I think I am pretty set with what strings I play now. However, I will have to look into nanowebs for my practice acoustic. I live in an apartment, and I play open mic nights only, so my main acoustic gets beat on a lot. I could really learn to like not having to change the strings out what feels like every 2-3 weeks. They are back to being dull again already, and it's frustrating. I could do with fewer string changes, even if there was a small cost/tone sacrifice.
 
Elixir's. My hands eat regular strings in less than a week. I can, and do, keep Elixir's on for months.
 
DR Hi Beam .11-.52. I've used them for about 15 years now. I have an artist deal so I can get them really cheap, so that usually deters me from trying anything else. I just buy a few cases a couple times a year and I'm good.

Although, I do think I might try some other brands to see if I can get a little more brightness out of them. Sometimes the DRs feel like they go dull and rubbery pretty quick.
 
Anyone use Roto's out there?? They usually come with a set of new BKPs and of course, I slap 'em on, and surprisingly, I think they sound 'different and better' than others. Just a thought though, could be that they're usually coupled with a brand new set of BKP pups :lol: :LOL:

Mo
 
used ghs boomers for years and got tired of breaking strings all the damn time when they would go dead. they last longer than EB's on the new life span era.

been using EB's lately and once they get some miles on them they last and last and LAST. out of the packet i prefer GHS but they break with some miles on them. EB's wear out much quicker but tend not to break as often or at all compared to GHS.

i go back and forth, but lately its been mainly EB's.
 
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