String advice

[Doadman]

I play an Ibanez RGT42 in a Rock Covers band but due to the time it takes to change strings with the floating bridge I've been using Elixir 10-46. I'm thinking of switching to either a set of 9-42 or 9-46 and as that will entail some set up work I thought it might be the time to investigate some alternatives. What I'm looking for is a string with excellent tone that is consistent and lasts a long time. So far I'm looking at the following:

Elixir 9-46
Thomastik Power Brights 9-42
Thomastik Power Brights 9-46
DR Black Beauties 9-46

I've heard good things about the DR strings though I've never tried them myself. I found a place on Ebay that sells them at a price close to the other two but oddly enough, I'm wondering if there will be any problems at a gig playing black strings on a black guitar with a rosewood fingerboard. The Thomastik strings sound very good on the website but I don't know anyone who's used them. I put two different gauges down for Thomastik as their gauges seem unusual so I may have to go with a standard set of 9's with that brand. So, does anybody have any experience with these and could either recommend one of them or suggest an alternative that I haven't thought of?

[Stevepage]

Ever thought of Ernie Ball Stainless Steel strings? They last longer, sound a little 'brighter' I surpose but not in a jangly/brittle way.

They're great for metal. Not that expensive either.

[dave_mc]

just watch stainless steel strings don't wreck your frets. Only time i've ever worn out frets on a guitar is when i was using those... could just be a coincidence, but aren't stainless steel frets harder than the normal ones? suggests the strings might be harder than normal strings, too.

[JDC]

Since you're changing gauge, when you have to balance the floating bridge, instead of having to tune, balance bridge, tune, balance, etc. Block the bridge with a square battery, then tune, take out battery, then when you balance the bridge it should be in tune :D

[Pete24v]

from my experience going down string gauges looses that big ballsy tone, why not go up to 11's. I made the move to them a few years ago and won't go back now.

+ it makes you feel like a real man... because with 11's you are!  8)

[Stevepage]

just watch stainless steel strings don't wreck your frets. Only time i've ever worn out frets on a guitar is when i was using those... could just be a coincidence, but aren't stainless steel frets harder than the normal ones? suggests the strings might be harder than normal strings, too.

Oh yeah forgot about that. I don't have that problem because my Carvin has stainless steel frets.

Ok another suggestion is Ernie balls titanium coated strings (i think they're called that).

[tomjackson]

I find 11's just a bit too much on a fender so went to 10's with a heavy bottom.  So the bottom 3 strings are closer to a set of 12's whereas the top is from a set of 10's

It means you can be a man when low riffing and a lady when trying those unison country bends :D

As to the make I like Daddario, not interested in the coated strings, it's like putting long life milk in tea - it's just not right.

[impossible]

I know a few serious hard-working guys (mostly in the metal crowd) who will only have DR tite-fits. They reckon they last better especially with people who're prone to killing strings. They're wound on a round core under pressure and they definitely have a different feel to your average nickel strings. Tighter but more consistent IYSWIM. I know people who use GHS for the longevity reason too.

I personally don't buy into the coated string concept because I think it tricks you into leaving your strings on longer than is good for their tone, but then as a professional guitar tech changing strings is something I don't mind doing more frequently.

Since you're changing gauge, when you have to balance the floating bridge, instead of having to tune, balance bridge, tune, balance, etc. Block the bridge with a square battery, then tune, take out battery, then when you balance the bridge it should be in tune :D

You make it sound so simple :D

My vote goes with changing strings a bit more frequently - you'll soon get speedy at it with the practise. Finding the right string gauge for you is obviously a good idea, I really dig the 9-46 sets on a 25.5" scale guitar, especially with floating trem

[timski]

D'addario XL?
Been using them for the last decade. Occasionally tried others but always come back to them.
Try the XL110 (10-46).
I'm amazed how people can play with 9 or sometimes 8 gauge strings - to me they just feel and sound so weedy and weak.

[Madsakre]

I think that rotosounds are the best strings made on the market, so no matter what you ask for, my answer will be. ROTOSOUND!

[PhilKing]

Check out Snake Oil Brand - I have been using them for years (I've known Dean since he had Scalar Strings).  Ben (D&L) did a check out of them against his DR Pure Blues & the SOB's kept their tone 3 times as long, even with his aggressive playing.  I use several different gauges, Strats - 10,12,16,28,38,48 - Tele's 10,12,16,26,36,46 - PRS 11,13,17,28,38,48, Gibsons - 11,13,17,30,40,50.  The 50's give a huge bottom end with my JTM 45 (especially if I add the Ear Candy 1x15 with a Sidewinder!

[38thBeatle]

I have a whole load of DR Blues from a mate in the USA. I haven't yet used them but I look forward to doing so.

[Ratrod]

One thing is for sure, girly strings aren't the answer. You'll lose sustain,  tuning stabillity and they won't last very long.

10's usually work fine on Fender scale guitars but I wouldn't be afraid to put 11's on it since the vibrato unit reduces the string tension.

[Pete24v]

Yeah, Rotosound are my choice of string, and for £3.50-£4 a set you can't go wrong. I get 4-5 gigs from a set of 11's, but i play hard and sweat lots. I only got 5-6 gigs out of £10 set of Elixir.

I have Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky 11-54 on a Strat (5 springs in the trem pulled all the way back so it don't move) when i want to work really hard.

[Doadman]

MMmmmmmm......

I'm not sure I'm any further forward as yet. There is no doubt in my mind that the Elixir strings last longer conventional strings and the tone doesn't deteriorate in the way that normal strings do. Sure, there's a drop in performance but it's not like it drops off the edge of a cliff like normal strings have done in the past. It's this longevity and consistency that I want to keep and I may ultimately stick with Elixir but I do think it's worthwhile exploring other options. I really would like to hear from someone who has some experience of either Thomastik Power Brights or DR Black Beauties, especially if they are able to compare them to Elixir strings. The Ernie Ball Titanium strings sound good but wouldn't titanium wear frets even more rapidly than stainless steel?