Any time-resistant strings?

[metale]

Hi everyone.

I've been using nickel wound strings for 15 years, and I'm not familiar with what else is on the market, kind of overwelmed by all the choice really.

I play way less than I should; couple that with the fact that I have 7 guitars, and my strings end up dulling out from age rather than from me wearing them by playing. I sometimes end up changing 2-3 years old strings that saw as little as 3 hours play.

If I was to keep all my guitars in top-shape, I would replace strings every 6 months on each, but that gets expensive.

So :) my question is, If one would string a guitar and leave it on a stand for 3 years, which strings would keep their tone/feel better?

[juansolo]

Something coated. I'm fond of D'addario EXPs.

[PK]

I'm a big fan of Dean Markley (both the blue and the black packs), they last quite long. And if a guitar has not been played in a while there is some oxidation, but it wipes of very quickly.
Also I use Fast fret to get rid of some of the oxidation, and to prevent the strings from oxidising.

[metale]

I think I've read on the Optima Gold strings thread about the coating coming off the strings. Is that frequent?

What would be best, coated strings or stainless ones?

I think I've got a small bottle of 'fast fret' but haven't tried it on strings.

[PhilKing]

I'm not sure if you can get them any more, but Snake Oil strings keep their tone for a long time.  On their bass strings, I had a set on a bass for more than 5 years and the tone was still there.   On a guitar, I've had them on some for 2 years and they are still OK (with as many guitars as I have, there are some that really don't get played enough!).

[MrBump]

I'm not sure if you can get them any more, but Snake Oil strings keep their tone for a long time.  On their bass strings, I had a set on a bass for more than 5 years and the tone was still there.   On a guitar, I've had them on some for 2 years and they are still OK (with as many guitars as I have, there are some that really don't get played enough!).

... and time you feel like donating some this way, just let me know and I'll send you my address...

[metale]

It's hard to find anything other than D'addarios, Ernie Balls or Elixirs around here..

Thinking of trying D'addario EXPs.

[38thBeatle]

The only ones I have experience of are Elixirs which do last well ( I get about 5 gigs out of a set) but I have had two newish sets where top E strings have snapped either straight away or within one usage session including at a gig whilst I was nplaying the intro to a song and everyone else had just joined in- but that is out of around 15 sets- even so, it has caused me to view them with a little suspicion . So I'll see what others suggest here.

[Lucas]

you might find more info here:

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31226.0

I`ve had an experience with white coated DRs, and that coating is coming off quite quickly but I suppose that due to playing not staying idle. But that`s only a blind guess, guitar with them had been being used and abused very often.

I suppose you`re after Elixir strings. I`ve never used them, but can confirm that DRs Dimebag last surprisingly long. I`ve been using them for about 4 years now, and with everyday playing nearly change them sometimes once every 2 months, mostly month and a half or so.

[ericsabbath]

elixir can last up to 5 months, playing once or twice a week, if you always clean up after playing
I just put some ernie balls and I bet they're already all rusted after the first rehearsal I did
probably going back to elixirs soon

[metale]

I've got a friend who shouldn't try guitars on stores, the screws on them start rusting after like one hour! He has really corrosive sweat, he goes through string sets like... gum?

Myself, don't really have that characteristic. But I also make muuuuuch less money from music that him :) (like none)

On a side note, this next Sunday will be a month since I paid the dealer for my Abraxas :(

[JDC]

+1 for Elixirs, last set I had on for a whole year but I'm also one of those people who never gets around to changing strings