String guage - What do you use? - Page 2

rockinr0ll · 09-24-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watchtheskies

currently have Ernie ball Titaniums on my Les Paul and Explorer
.009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046

not sure that I like the coated strings too much though, might go back to standard EB's

This is what I am using and they rock, nothing beats ernie hybrid.

Tele52 · 10-17-2009, 02:34 PM

Roto Sound Nickel Pinks on my Gibsons 9-42, Fender 250L on my Strat, it came with them on it, and it seems to like them, although they don't last very long

Webslinger · 10-19-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watchtheskies

not sure that I like the coated strings too much though, might go back to standard EB's

Coated strings. People seem to either love em or hate em. Or they dont really hate them but think they're a waste of money.

I'd say as far as the longevity, they do last much longer. But if you are a pro player and change strings more than twice a month then yes, it's not economical. But for a guitar that doesnt get played often, then thay can be great cause they do last a long time.

As for tone, it depends on the brand. I've tried both type (poly & nano) Exlir acoustic strings (11-47). I cant tell the difference between poly & nano, but they do sound better to me than uncoated.
I also tried some no-name brand of coateds suggested by my amp tech becuase he thought that Elixrs were overhyped....but they sounded awful!
I went back to Elixrs. Yes, they are not super bright... but I like that.
I also noticed that the "G" on the lighter gages is more durable. With XL-gauge, the winding on the G is very thin and usually breaks and unravels at the 2nd or 3rd fret. The G goes very dull, while the other 5 stings still have life. I dont see this happen with Elixrs.

I also tried Elixrs for electrics (9-42) but wasnt impressed by the tone, but they did last longer.

Two things about coated strings though;
1-When they finally do begin to loose tone, it is rapid and noticeable. When they're dead, thats it!
2- And if the coating should begin to come loose (you'll notice what looks like fuzz caught between the winidngs) then the tone takes a nosedive.
And string cleaners like FastFret seem to disolve the coating so you cant use it at all on these strings.

Fcal124 · 10-19-2009, 10:00 PM

D'Addario XL10's on all my electrics including my Fenders.
11's on my acoustics

StootMonster · 10-21-2009, 04:54 PM

I use GHS BOOMERS .011's

I have used quite a few strings over the years. I think I started with anything I could afford. But then I played: Blue Steel, Ernie Ball, DR, I think I even played a Fender String... but when I played GHS Boomers it was all over. I've been on them for about 10 years now. I bumped up from .009's to .011's after I heard SRV talk about the tonal differences. He was so right. I would encourage any of you that play a light string and want to have a better tone; switch to a heavier guage.

The string life is a lot longer on the Boomers. Plus they just plain ole' sound good.

Webslinger · 10-21-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StootMonster

I use GHS BOOMERS .011's
I've been on them for about 10 years now.
Plus they just plain ole' sound good.

Yeah, heavier sounds better, but they are a bitch to get used to, and you need a guitar with really easy action. The GHS Boomer series tends to use the next heavier class on the lower side, like a hybrid set in every gage, which is why they sound so full. What Boomer sizes are you using?

They make 11-15-19-33-43-53 these are pretty much normal, but they also offer some weird combinations in 11's like:
11-15-18-26-36-50 (a big step down to the low E)
11-14-18-36-52-70 (this has to be brutal to play... except for Dick Dale)
They also have a set of 10-13-15-26-32-38 which is like a reverse hybrid Lt/XLt set. Sounds interesting...It might fatten-up the high-end without being murder on your solos..I might give those a try.

StootMonster · 10-21-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webslinger

Yeah, heavier sounds better, but they are a bitch to get used to, and you need a guitar with really easy action. The GHS Boomer series tends to use the next heavier class on the lower side, like a hybrid set in every gage, which is why they sound so full. What Boomer sizes are you using?

They make 11-15-19-33-43-53 these are pretty much normal, but they also offer some weird combinations in 11's like:
11-15-18-26-36-50 (a big step down to the low E)
11-14-18-36-52-70 (this has to be brutal to play... except for Dick Dale)
They also have a set of 10-13-15-26-32-38 which is like a reverse hybrid Lt/XLt set. Sounds interesting...It might fatten-up the high-end without being murder on your solos..I might give those a try.

I use 11-15-18-26-36-50

HOT TUBES 70 · 10-21-2009, 11:18 PM

WOW !! you guys all use ropes !!
i use 9-46 boomers or dadarios xL's

Jesstaa · 10-22-2009, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adwex

At Musician's Friend, I pay over 5 bucks for a set, where the regular Slinky's cost about 4 bucks.

Lucky you. I pay $17AUD for a set of Regular Slinky's, even if you convert that to USD and take into account the shipping it's still stupid

big dooley · 10-22-2009, 10:50 AM

EB not-even-slinky's:
.012 .018 .024 (plain) .032 .044 .056
in standard E-tuning

yes, i've got shrekhands MWOEAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

D.Dailey · 10-22-2009, 01:12 PM

Standard 10-46 set's on my electrics..

D'Addario XL's Currently.

They came on my Ovation Custom Legend, so had to check them out on my electrics..

Have used the Markley Blue Steels, but seen alot of fret ware on a couple of my guitars...
Went back to nickel wrapped..

Probebly used Fender on my Fender's and Gibson on my Gibson's more than anything..

Tele52 · 10-22-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesstaa

Lucky you. I pay $17AUD for a set of Regular Slinky's, even if you convert that to USD and take into account the shipping it's still stupid

If you want to buy a lifetime supply, these guys ship internationally. There prices are good, and the strings are fresh.
JustStrings.com - Strings for guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and other musical instruments

StootMonster · 10-28-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tele52

If you want to buy a lifetime supply, these guys ship internationally. There prices are good, and the strings are fresh.
JustStrings.com - Strings for guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and other musical instruments

I love you man.

^AXE^ · 10-28-2009, 12:39 PM

I use and approve of these.

kernal · 11-09-2009, 06:19 AM

Fender super bullets .009

Tried many others, but always come back to the bullets.

Landshark · 11-09-2009, 06:38 AM

Ernie Ball light top heavey bottom. 11-52. Hot!

Xiderpunk · 11-12-2009, 09:02 PM

Have tried many brands but last couple of years have stuck with D'Addario XL 10-46. I have quite a heavy touch and find 9's harder to control for bends and vibrato at least on a 25.5 scale neck. These strings have not broken on me yet and last a good while.

Selah · 11-13-2009, 03:00 PM

Currently using Dunlop Zakk Wylde Signatures 10 - 56, I was using roto 10's but they died within a few weeks, these zakks are lasting 3 months(of heavy gigging) best strings I've ever used....easy

10-17-2009, 02:34 PM	#32 (permalink)
Tele52 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 19	Re: String guage - What do you use? Roto Sound Nickel Pinks on my Gibsons 9-42, Fender 250L on my Strat, it came with them on it, and it seems to like them, although they don't last very long __________________ 1990 Bluesbreaker 62RI I'm waiting for my Class 5

10-19-2009, 10:00 PM	#34 (permalink)
Fcal124 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: S.I., N.Y. Posts: 13	Re: String guage - What do you use? D'Addario XL10's on all my electrics including my Fenders. 11's on my acoustics

10-21-2009, 04:54 PM	#35 (permalink)
StootMonster Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Clover, SC Posts: 38	Re: String guage - What do you use? I use GHS BOOMERS .011's I have used quite a few strings over the years. I think I started with anything I could afford. But then I played: Blue Steel, Ernie Ball, DR, I think I even played a Fender String... but when I played GHS Boomers it was all over. I've been on them for about 10 years now. I bumped up from .009's to .011's after I heard SRV talk about the tonal differences. He was so right. I would encourage any of you that play a light string and want to have a better tone; switch to a heavier guage. The string life is a lot longer on the Boomers. Plus they just plain ole' sound good.

10-21-2009, 11:18 PM	#38 (permalink)
HOT TUBES 70 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SASKATOON Posts: 1,675	Re: String guage - What do you use? WOW !! you guys all use ropes !! i use 9-46 boomers or dadarios xL's __________________ MARSHALL 6100LM MARSHALL 1960A W/-G12H 30's CUSTOM BUILT 2X12 W/-V30's "MARSHALL" - only the best will do !

10-22-2009, 10:50 AM	#40 (permalink)
big dooley Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: zealand, netherlands Posts: 397	Re: String guage - What do you use? EB not-even-slinky's: .012 .018 .024 (plain) .032 .044 .056 in standard E-tuning yes, i've got shrekhands MWOEAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

10-22-2009, 01:12 PM	#41 (permalink)
D.Dailey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Beer Tent Capital of the World (Muskegon , Michigan) Posts: 66	Re: String guage - What do you use? Standard 10-46 set's on my electrics.. D'Addario XL's Currently. They came on my Ovation Custom Legend, so had to check them out on my electrics.. Have used the Markley Blue Steels, but seen alot of fret ware on a couple of my guitars... Went back to nickel wrapped.. Probebly used Fender on my Fender's and Gibson on my Gibson's more than anything..

10-28-2009, 12:39 PM	#44 (permalink)
^AXE^ Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 46	Re: String guage - What do you use? I use and approve of these.

11-09-2009, 06:19 AM	#45 (permalink)
kernal Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 25	Re: String guage - What do you use? Fender super bullets .009 Tried many others, but always come back to the bullets.

11-12-2009, 09:02 PM	#47 (permalink)
Xiderpunk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Farnborough, UK Posts: 122	Re: String guage - What do you use? Have tried many brands but last couple of years have stuck with D'Addario XL 10-46. I have quite a heavy touch and find 9's harder to control for bends and vibrato at least on a 25.5 scale neck. These strings have not broken on me yet and last a good while. __________________ Marshall JCM2000 DSL-50 with 1960A 4x12 (2 x GT-75's + 2 x Vintage 30's) V1: NOS Mullard 12AX7 V2: Sovtek 12AX7-EH V3: JJ ECC83S V4: JJ ECC83S Power: JJ KT77 or JJ EL34L http://www.myspace.com/taintedgraceband

11-13-2009, 03:00 PM	#48 (permalink)
Selah Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hull Posts: 4	Re: String guage - What do you use? Currently using Dunlop Zakk Wylde Signatures 10 - 56, I was using roto 10's but they died within a few weeks, these zakks are lasting 3 months(of heavy gigging) best strings I've ever used....easy __________________ 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom Artisan w/ x2 Gibson 500T & EMG 85 - Walnut 1966 Gibson SG Standard - Cherry 1968 Gibson ES355 - Cherry Sunburst Marshall 6110 30th Anniversary stack Marshall Mode4 Half Stack

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