Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Philosoful on September 29, 2008, 11:46:44 AM
-
Why, what genre/s you mainly play and the main tonal aspects of the strings.
Anytime I need new strings I'm trying all the brands, only got through a few so far but DRs next, heard some good stuff about them.
-
I'm cirrently using Ernie Balls, as I have done for years and years. Next time I buy a batch though, I'm going for D'Addarrios as I'm looking for a slightly snappier tone.
-
I'm using Snake Oil Brand vintage nickels for most things, though I use DR and D'Addario sometimes. When I am setting up guitars I tend to use any strings I have for the gauges because I'll throw them away after a week or so. In the USA I can get the 25 set boxes of D'Addario for less than $100 (sometimes way less on special sales), so they are a good cheap alternative. Having a lot of guitars though, I buy strings in bulk anyway.
-
D'Addario 11s for me, use them on everything. I don't like the feel of ernie balls, though do like the rotosound strings that come with bkps, can't seem to find a bulk buy option for them though.
-
I use D'addario 10s right now but I might go up to 11s. Hate the rotosounds that come with bkps, they never stay in tune for me and only last a day or so before snapping :\
-
It's been D'addario's mostly. Usually 9 - 46.
But recently I've been into DR's because of the Round core, instead of Hex Core.
I had to go with a set of Ernie Balls with my Carvin though because no other company makes the specific set (12 - 56) that I need. Never had much luck with EB's in the past but these seem ok at the moment.
-
I use D'Addario 11s on both Fender/Gibson scale lengths.
Up until recently I've been using their nickel plated steel for everything, but I'm currently trying their pure nickel 11s on my strat. I'm going to go back to a standard set when they wear out - just to check what the difference was - but I'm reaching the conclusion that pure nickel is what I want on a strat for tone.
However, I'm also suspecting that I might have to bite the bullet and try them on everything - they seem to be lasting a hell of a lot long than standard nickel plated steel strings...
-
Ernie Ball Regular slinkies or D'addario 10-46
^^^^^^^What Tom said about the Rotosounds worst strings I've ever used, they either go flat sounding and corrode in no time or snap like buggery.
-
^ Isn't it weird?
After D'Addario, Rotosounds are my next choice (not the BKP supplied ones, they're too light, I give them to my nephew) - I used them for years.
I won't touch Ernie Balls with a barge pole, because, er... "worst strings I've ever used, they either go flat sounding and corrode in no time or snap like buggery" (and they're far too bright when I first put them on).
Strange how we all get on different with different brands :lol:
-
^ Isn't it weird?
After D'Addario, Rotosounds are my next choice (not the BKP supplied ones, they're too light, I give them to my nephew) - I used them for years.
I won't touch Ernie Balls with a barge pole, because, er... "worst strings I've ever used, they either go flat sounding and corrode in no time or snap like buggery" (and they're far too bright when I first put them on).
Strange how we all get on different with different brands :lol:
I'm sure string Longevity is all in the diet.
-
I won't touch Ernie Balls with a barge pole, because, er... "worst strings I've ever used, they either go flat sounding and corrode in no time or snap like buggery" (and they're far too bright when I first put them on).
Strange how we all get on different with different brands :lol:
I agree on that.
Rotosound 10-52, or 10-46 for Kahler for me
-
D'addarios.
I'm kind of backed into a corner to use them though, because I need odd guages.
I string 12 15 20(p) 34 44 62 and get strings direct to assemble sets for me, cos that isnt really out there pre-packed.
I like the sound of the D'addarios though - bright, but a lot of nice fat low end, they last pretty well (not as long as my prefered boomers, which have a smoother sound that I prefer too)
DR's are OK, but they sound somewhat thin, IMO.
-
D'addario 9 - 46 recently (I have given up on Ernie Ball) & Rickenbacker compressed roundwounds
I have quite liked Rotosound in the past
I would like to try the Snakeoil brand ones and Pyramid, but theyre a bit hard to come by in my neck of the woods
-
D'Addario 10-46 on everything. I'm not butch enough to go any heavier than that, and not entirely convinced of the benefits of heavy strings in any case.
Musical style: old-man rock (I would say dad-rock but I'm not a dad).
I can't really describe the tonal qualities of the strings, but I've used lots of other brands over the years and settled on D'Addario because (a) they're consistent (b) they rarely break (c) I like the coloured ball-ends (although the new ones aren't as nice).
-
Im using elixir nanowed 10-52
-
Im using elixir nanowed 10-52
the best! :D
they are very smooth without getting loose and buzzy and the TONE lasts for at least 5 months (ddadarios start to suck after the first week)
-
i tried a few different brands and types the last years, and my search ended with Ernie Ball Power Slinky for standard setups on my guitars.
there are many other great sets but ernie balls sounds great to me, and are not expensive so i can frequently change the strings on the guitars i play most.
-
Im using elixir nanowed 10-52
the best! :D
they are very smooth without getting loose and buzzy and the TONE lasts for at least 5 months (ddadarios start to suck after the first week)
yup i was amazed when i first tried them.
Im interested in trying DR strings but none of my local stores stock them
-
I play high gain / high speed lead stuff. Vai/Satch/Gilbert/Petrucci etc.
Way back in the days when I was playing strat-scale, I played 08-38. Not only have I come to appreciate strings with a little more mass, but 8 gauge are bloody impossible to find in stores, which gets to be a hassle.
I've been playing Dean Markley "High Gain" 9-42 for a couple years now on my les paul scale guitars. I like them a lot. A good tone and good longevity. Supposedly they're treated for corrosion, and they do seem to last.
Lately I've come to feel like 9-42 is a little light for all my les paul scale guitars. I'm thinking of going 9-46. Dean Markley doesn't have a 9-46 high gain string set, so I'm thinking of starting my search from scratch. I hear good things about the DR Hi-Beams.
Speaking of DR, I used a set of DR "Black Beauties," the ones wrapped in a black plastic or polyethelene type material. I had 10-46 on an ESP Eclipse with a floyd. They were pretty cool, I liked the feel. But I came to realize that with only part of the string actually being steel/nickel, the power of the output suffers greatly. I put a set of black Beauty 9-42 on my Shawn Lane charvel and I regretted it. They were so thin sounding it was painful.
-
out of what i've tried, i like rotosounds... i prefer a warmer tone (for most guitars), though. :)
-
another string thread :)
it depends on the guitar, but the default choice is feline 11s. they have the absolutely best feel i've found so far.
i don't really prefer the heavy 50 E on that set though (except when i rarely do drop tunings), so i'm almost as happy using a d'addario set of 11s (49 E), which i used to use for years. it seems silly, but i think the difference affects the feel/sound of that low E quite a bit. though as i say, its great for drop tunings.
to be honest, although i like the feel of heavy strings - i've realised in the past weeks i do prefer the tone of 9s, which i used when i was starting to play.
one would think that 10s would be the ideal compromise, and i've tried a couple of sets, but its an akward 1/2 way house to be honest - neither fish nor fowl.
if anyone can suggest a really bright sounding set of 11s, i might experiment again.
-
I won't touch Ernie Balls with a barge pole, because, er... "worst strings I've ever used, they either go flat sounding and corrode in no time or snap like buggery" (and they're far too bright when I first put them on).
That is basically my look on it. Plus they detune like a bar-steward, i mean once i put them on EVEN WEEKS LATER they are still detuning obnoxiously like a mofo.
-
D'addarios Nickel Wound 11-52. They last ages, and I couldn't gig without them. I like to have confidence they won't snap after some big hard chords. I like the tone of 'em too.
-
I use Hybrid Slinky's on my standard tuned guitars, and Skinny Top, Heavy Bottoms on my C# guitar. I used to use Elixir, but I much prefer the tone and feel of the Ernie Balls.
-
D'addario XLs here too : 10 - 46 on Fender / longer scale guitars , and 10 - 52 on Gibsons and my Tanglewood 335 copy.
Nice detailed, balanced and articulate sound. The bass end is just bright enough to sound clearly on a mahogany guitar, where I find another favourite ( GHS Burnished Nickel ) gets a bit too soft on the bass strings.
They are consistent - and seem to be the choice of a lot of famous 'clean' players and tone hounds , such as Mark Knopler, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford e.t.c. Once broken in, they are easy to intonate accurately - and stay in tune /stable for a long time. They also seem to last a long time for me too. when last gigging, Ernie balls seemed to go too mellow sounding, and the nickel plate would come off of the top tree strings, leaving me with black fingertips and a duller sound. D'addarios claim no 'magic' quality, but I.M.O. are a great balanced 'workhorse' amongst strings.
The only drawback, is that if loosening the top 'E' string to any large degree ( to allow fret polishing / maintainence work ) e.t.c. - that same top 'E' always seems to snap when re-tuned at the point where the string goes around the rear of the ball end.
Still my choice though ... :)
-
OOps ! double post... :oops:
-
Well damn. Yall must have some big old hands. It seems like the consensus is 10's and 11's. Maybe they just grow them big back in Britain, but I just can't handle big strings like that. Especially on 25.5" strat scale. I'm too much into the bends and vibrato and little tricks, I try to play a strat with the Stevie Ray type strings and I just about pop a callous.
Oh well, to each his own. That's what makes guitar great, there are as many approaches to style and equipment as there are players.
:)
-
^I'm the same as you JSHRED. I've tried to like 10s or 11s but in the end 9s is where I'm most comfortable.
-
I've got Elixir on an accoustic - and they do last a very long time, without tone deteriorating drastically. But the initial tone when they're new does seem a bit dead for me, so I'm likely to stop using them next time I restring the thing (Unfortunately I've become a BKP-fuelled tone-snob since I last restrung the thing!! :lol:)
if anyone can suggest a really bright sounding set of 11s, i might experiment again.
Have you tried steel strings? Last band I was in (crumbs, 5 years ago, I guess), the other guitarist was getting horrible sores on his hands, and he found out that he had, or had developed a nickel allergy - poor b@stard. Anyway, he had to switch to steel strings - they seemed a lot brighter.
They're not for me though, I like "clear but mellow" it seems. They also seemed to feel a touch "rougher", and I believe they EAT frets if you've got a heavy left hand (like me!).
-
Well damn. Yall must have some big old hands. It seems like the consensus is 10's and 11's. Maybe they just grow them big back in Britain, but I just can't handle big strings like that. Especially on 25.5" strat scale. I'm too much into the bends and vibrato and little tricks, I try to play a strat with the Stevie Ray type strings and I just about pop a callous.
Oh well, to each his own. That's what makes guitar great, there are as many approaches to style and equipment as there are players.
:)
:lol: I ended up with 11s sort of by accident.
I started out with 9s (must be thirty years ago) on humbuckers. I got a strat in the early 80s, and 9s were OK but there was something missing with the switch to single coils...
Then SRV's Texas Flood came out, and it was WTF!!?? how does he get that sound? We read the articles etc, and all ran out to get our 13s... and promptly ditched them! I switched to 10s on fender scale as a compromise then - and it did sound better for me - and I stayed with it for years.
Then when I started gigging on gibson scale with 10s, it was all too floppy, and I was having trouble keeping chords in tune while I was concentrating on doing the vocals. So I upped it to 11s, keeping 10s on fenders.
Then I "retired" and didn't play electrics at all for a few years. One day I wanted to play my strat, and all I had was a box of 11s. I was a bit wary putting them on, but it sounded great :)
Now I use 11s on all electrics (or, er, 15's if I'm setting one up for slide only!!) I like the way that gibson and fender lengths respond differently to the same gauge, and at 11, both work for me. Note, though, I am not a fast/smooth/arpeggio sort of guy :lol: - I play big bends and lots of vibrato (and wear frets out like nobody's business) and I expect to "feel it" when I push the things...
But yeah, it IS great how we all do it differently :D
EDIT: I (selfishly) wish guitar shops would string their guitars with 11s though - I have to use a lot of imagination nowadays to figure out what a guitar really feels like :lol:
-
D'Addario Jazz medium strings (13 to 60-something I think) The EJ-22 set.
Heavier strings are a MUST for downtuning! I'm in A-E-A-D-F#-B. I've yet to break one, and I destroy my 3mm stubby triangle picks in one gig or two practices. All three corners.
Roo
-
I use:
D'addario .009 to .042 (six string) & .009 to .054 (seven string)
I used to be a die hard Ernie Ball fan for more years than i care to remember. I tried a D'addario set on a whim one day to find to a large portion of my locking trem stability issues were down to the Ernies.
Also once you have got used to the way most brands of strings bend the E.Bs just seem like nasty rubber bands.
Martin
-
I have used d'addario 10-46 for years, d'addario phosphor bronze 12s on acoustic :D Did use coated phosphor bronze for a while and they are very good, but I've gone back to plain phosphor bronze as they are a bit brighter. I tried elixir coated acoustic strings once & hated their dead sound so much I took them off after 2 days! :(
-
EDIT: I (selfishly) wish guitar shops would string their guitars with 11s though - I have to use a lot of imagination nowadays to figure out what a guitar really feels like :lol:
[/quote]
Ha, I have the same problem in reverse. I try to play Trilogy Suite or Erotomania or The Crying Machine or something on a store guitar with 10s and I'm like owie! Agony!
Hey, somewhat unrelated rant, but what is up with guitar stores that can't or won't set up guitars that are for sale? Maybe it's a bigger problem in the US with all the mega-retailers, but seriously, I get SO tired of guitars with inch-high action that are out of tune. And worst of all is all the Floyd locking nut guitars that aren't even set up. And you bother a salesman about it and they act all bothered like you're trying to sell THEM something. Every store should have a tech who comes in part time or full time (depending on store size) and maintains the guitars. Nothing kills a store demonstration experience like grabbing a guitar that plays like garbage.
-
I use Rotosound Reds (11-48)-nickel.My local store sells 3 for 2 and so I buy them in batches. They seem fine to me.
-
i use wussy 9s too, unless i tune down slightly.
-
I use Ernie Ball 10s on everything, and have done since I switched to 10s about 3 years ago. Now get driven nuts playing anything with 9s on it. I really should try something else, but I can only be arsed to change strings fairly infrequently, and I've just stuck a load of new EB 10s on a fair few of my guitars.
I will try something else at some point. Maybe. :wink:
-
Lots of interesting stuff in here!
I used Dean Markleys for a while, they were alright but didn't really grab me, then I tried Eernie Balls which seemed to have a slightly more piercing tone (it's very bizzarre but I feel something in my (human) neck when doing bends and such on higher frets :? didn't have that on the Dean Markleys) and I've got a set of DRs on the way.
All of these strings = 9 - 46 on a 7 string guitar (bought a 6 string pack and need to buy the low A sharp separate).
It's good to play with the extremes, I had a set Boomer Zakk Wylde 70s on a guitar in drop D (think it's a 24.75 scale length) and although bends = impossibility it was a piano like acoustic tone I got out of it, the guitar = an Ibanez Iceman but it sounded awesome, probably should've adjusted the neck for such a tuning... :lol:
-
10s on Fender, 11s on Gibson.
I've got GHS Burnished Nickels on my LP Std w PGBlues. First time I've used them and they do sound 'vintage'.
Normally I use D'Addario ELX (I might try their nickel XL next) or Ernie Ball Slinky.
-
I used D'Addario 11-49s for years (10+), then switched to Dr Duck strings which have a tighter feel to the wound strings which gives them more 'umph' for AC/DC and Who style chords.
I've recently got some Pyramids and am still deciding on what I think of them.
Overall, I'd say D'Addarios are hard to beat - they're cheap, consistent and last forever.
-
I used D'Addario 11-49s for years (10+), then switched to Dr Duck strings which have a tighter feel to the wound strings which gives them more 'umph' for AC/DC and Who style chords.
I tried the Dr Duck's and was underwhelmed by them, prefering the tone of D'Addario's. Further to my earlier email, I used to use Scalar strings for a long time and then John Pearse (always nickel), but once Dean stopped making Scalar, I was drifting a bit and went to DR pure blues or D'Addario nickels. When he started SOB's, I got some and have to say that they are even better than the Scalars were. I use 2 custom gauge sets, 10,12,16,26,36,46 on Fender scale lengths, 11,13,17,28,38,48 on Gibson's.
-
What is a the Fender/Gibson scale length? I understand it's the length they build their guitars but... is that 24.75? and something else or?..
-
I don't know the exact lengths Philosoful, but fender is a bit longer. This means that the same strings tuned to the same pitch are a higher tension on a fender scale length than a gibson scale length, so the actual tone from the strings is slightly different before all the woods/pickups come into play. The action feels stiffer as well.
I used to use heavier strings on gibson length for this reason, so that the two feel "similar", but I've ended up loving both scale lengths for what they give me, so I use the same gauges on both to give me the difference.
EDIT: Thanks Will! :D
-
I used to use lighter strings on gibson length for this reason, so that the two feel "similar", but I've ended up loving both scale lengths for what they give me, so I use the same gauges on both to give me the difference.
:? shouldn't that be heavier on Gibson's to give extra tension to short scale length
-
I used to use lighter strings on gibson length for this reason, so that the two feel "similar", but I've ended up loving both scale lengths for what they give me, so I use the same gauges on both to give me the difference.
:? shouldn't that be heavier on Gibson's to give extra tension to short scale length
oh god... you've got me thinking/doubting now :lol:
YES! You're right - typo :oops: I did use heavier on gibbo length - I shall edit it!
-
Always D'addario 11's
-
On my Teles;- Ernie Ball Stainless Slinkys, 11s
On my Acoustics;- D'addario Stainless steel Jazz 13-56
On my Tele-resos;- Newtone Michael Messer Electric Slide Classics 13- 56
On my Acoustic Resonator;- As above but 15- 58
-
D'addadaraniros 9-42s on everything
-
My 8 string's going to be fun playing with guages when it comes, it's going to be a pretty wide gap, like 64ish - 8 :D Got my DRs through the other day, going to play them once I get the best out of my current strings/make them last.
-
On my Teles;- Ernie Ball Stainless Slinkys, 11s
On my Acoustics;- D'addario Stainless steel Jazz 13-56
On my Tele-resos;- Newtone Michael Messer Electric Slide Classics 13- 56
On my Acoustic Resonator;- As above but 15- 58
I've used Newtone Michael Messer strings as well - thinking of getting some for restringing the Republic. Are you saying that you use the Electric Slide Classics on your accoustic as well? I've used them on a tele, but only accoustic ones (both Phoshor Bronze and Nickel) on my old resonator. I prefered the PBs, but I did wonder about putting electric strings on it.
-
What is a the Fender/Gibson scale length? I understand it's the length they build their guitars but... is that 24.75? and something else or?..
Gibson's typically have a 24.75" scale, PRS have 25" and Fender 25.5"
-
Elixir nano's! They last for ages and sound fresh the whole time, they feel great and don't budge after a bit of a stretch. Agree with the ernieball comments, they are just plain nasty.
-
I've got a set of those I've still yet to try I think!^^^
and cheers Philking :)
-
Ernie Ball 54-11 on my Explorer and SG. Feline 52-10 on my Kelly.
FELINE, PLEASE MAKE SOME 54-11'S!!! YOU'RE 52-10 SET IS GREAT BUT NOT HEAVY ENOUGH!!!!
Andy.
-
Yeah, I'm suprised more manufacturers don't do more specific gauges and such.
To any/many companies sell the G/B/E sets? I'm a guy of using until they rust so seeing as the low strings last ageeees/don't damage the frets as much as high strings I'd find this most useful.
-
Andy R.
Yes, I use electric strings on all my guitars. Bronze strings just dont seem to keep their tone for me, and even on my acoustics I use D'Addario Stainless Steels, and on my acoustic resonators I use the Newtone Electric Slide Classics.
I love the Newtone slide strings, the 13-56 set is great for the Sollophonic guitars, and for electric slide playing. Despite being heavy gauge, they actually dont feel as heavy under you fingers. This set is easily capable of being tuned up to open E or A as well, should you want to. They do have a plain G string though. The 15-58s are more suited to acoustic resonators IMO, I have used them in standard tuning, though I have never taken them up to open E or A. I have to say that I have never had one of these strings break on me, and although the Newtones take a bit longer to settle down tuning wise, once they have their tone and stability is great.
I did try the D'addarios on resonators but they didnt seem to give the tone, and were more prone to breaking. They sound great on my Simon and Patrick dread though.
-
^ Thanks for that :D