What kind of strings?

[zepo]

I was just wondering what kind of strings everyone prefers and uses.Gauge,Brands,and why you use 'em. I just use S.I.T Power Wound .010-.046 light # S1046. Thanks for any info.

[Kevin Taylor]

Dean Markley Custom Lights 9,11,16,26,36,46
Only reason I started buying em was the cool picture and sticker they used to give you of a guy giving the finger & a pair of breasts in the background for mountains. Then they got all politically correct and environmentally friendly, got rid of the rude stuff and stopped giving out stickers...real bummer cause I had a whole wall plastered with those things.

[Jon Broderick]

The guy who tuned up my intonation is into really fancy strings I never heard of. I have been using these strings from Germany that he told me about called "thomastiks" that cost like $10/set. They are nice strings. I don't think I'll go back to the other ones as long as I can afford it.

Jon

[will]

i'm only a beginner, but the guy at the local guitar store turned me on to Ernie Ball strings. ive got an old Guild t-100 hollow body electric, and the strings i use are pretty light weight (easy on the fingertips!)

[jake sommers]

i don't have a set pair of strings i always get, over the past year i've had martin's,ball's,darco,d'addrio's,fender's, i hear elixir's are pretty good and expensive.
and i've been known to have 3 E strings on a guitar, one in the b string position or have a b string in the g string position i usually that on my acoustic or my first electric where the action wasn't so good.

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Jake Sommers

[ekstasis16]

Currently, I swear by Ernie Ball Super Slinky's: 9-46. There was a period when I was into Testament and tuning down to C# or something like that, and for that I used the heavier Ernie Ball sets. Now, following the path of Vai, I moved back to 9-46. They're easier on the old fangers when doing crazy stuff. Either way, Ernie Ball rules. They last really long.

[Uncle Istvan]

I have to agree with ekstasis16- EB are by far the best and longest lasting. My suggestion for getting a bit more life from any string is to clean 'em after every playing session with a rag. I keep one in my guitar case and it's right there, never to be forgotten.

[Uncle Istvan]

Also- When I played with a fixed bridge, I got the EB Re-enforced strings. About 2 bucks more but worth the cash by far. Now I play with a Floyd Rose, so they don't do me any good, but back in the day...

[John O'Carroll]

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky's (.010 - .046) for many, many years. I've tried others but the EB's have proved to be the best for the money.

[milkybardave]

I'm only a beginner,so have not tried a large selection if strings, I'm currently using Ernie Ball Super Slinky 9's. I also clean the strings after each practice session in the hope that they will last a bit longer. I recently got my hands on a Les Paul strung with EB Super Slinky 10's, and boy!, were the bends a lot harder!! So I'll stick with my 9's til the strength improves in my fingers.

Take it eazy

Dave

[Buzz]

Earnie Ball 10's.
I played 9's for years but as my playing got more aggressive I just kept breaking strings so I deceded to go up to the 10's.

[Atonal Warrior]

I use Dean Markley Blue Steel 9-46. Why? Cause they sound like ice!!!

[Kevin Taylor]

Do ya really notice a difference with the Dean Markley Blue Steels? I tried em a couple of years ago and felt like I was just paying $2 extra for the plastic wrapping.

[maton]

I think Thomastik-Infeld 12-59's are the best strings I've ever had on my acoustic. They are silk wound which means they are much easier and smoother to play. They kick ass over D'dario's.

[maton]

I think Thomastik-Infeld 12-59's are the best strings I've ever had on my acoustic. They are silk wound which means they are much easier and smoother to play. They kick ass over D'dario's.

[Demoralizer]

I'm using on my electric guitar La Bella, lite (9 - 46). Don't know why... Nooh', just kidding. They're not-so-expensive and they feel nice on my ... fingers.
Btw. I have never used to clean my strings after playing. Is that healthy?
*g*

[ekstasis16]

I never clean my strings either. I don't think it matters that much unless you have a gig almost every night.

[warchild]

I used to use DiMarzio's .009 - .046 when I used to play a lot of lead stuff and I still string up my old Jem with 'em.

But nowadays we tune down a lot and I don't really appreciate pristine tones in our style of music. So, I don't really give a **** what brand the strings are, just give em to me HEAVY.

[zepo]

Thanks to all for the feedback.

[Johan]

The only strings someone recomended to me was Dean Markley, but I don´t care much about what brand of strings to use. In my ears it all sounds the same (atleast when I play them through distortion). I try to change strings as often as my wallet permits, so that the strings doesn´t get too rusty.
I must say that I buy the cheapest and thin strings (09...etc) so I could bend them much with less pain.

[BadHorsie]

I'm pretty surprised to find almost everyone here using EB strings. Personally I think they feel like old coroded strings http://www.guitarforums.com/gtubb/eek.gif. Blue Steel 9 guage super lights all the way for me. As far as longevity goes for any string, I wouldn't know. I change my strings at least every other week along with using Dr. Duck's axe wax on them every time I play. http://www.guitarforums.com/gtubb/tongue.gif

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In order to hear something, you have to shut up first!

[Rockinstrat]

i use EB strings too, super slinkys. Regular .9 guage and on. I use them cause they are always giving them away at one fo the gutiar stores if you try out something. They are nice, they last a long time. The strings that came with my guitar lasteda long time, dont know what they were.

[MunkDoggyDogg]

I use Ernie Ball customs, 10-46 for the top 6 strings on my Ibanez then I use a low B from Dean Markeley, I also use Ernie Ball on my six string.

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~Munky's Slave~
"all I want in life is to be happy..."

[loner92]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Times, Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jake sommers:
i don't have a set pair of strings i always get, over the past year i've had martin's,ball's,darco,d'addrio's,fender's, i hear elixir's are pretty good and expensive.
and i've been known to have 3 E strings on a guitar, one in the b string position or have a b string in the g string position i usually that on my acoustic or my first electric where the action wasn't so good.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Thats not too good of an idea, you WILL mess up your intonation that way, you have to re-set it every time you change gauges for the best possible action (especially on a Floyd). Also, changing guages can mess up your guitar's neck if done too much, because evey time you change string gauges, you're changing the amount of tension on the neck. Putting 3 high e strings on a guitar will most definitely have some very bad side effects after a while, like neck warping.

[loner92]

I'll use almost anything I can find in the 9-46 set on my Hamer (normally Ernie Ball or Gibsons), 9-42s on my Kramer.

[Uncle Istvan]

My Uncle told me about SIT - Stay in Tune strings. He say's that they're really high quality and not too expensive and they don't corrode too fast. I can't find anyone around me who sells them, but the next time I go to Portland I'm gonna pick some up.

[zepo]

My brand right there(SIT) I love them 6.37 a pack and they are overall a great string. Thanks again for all the feedback everyone

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Crank it to 11!

[robrules]

Fender 250s
10-46
because they cost $2 a set and I don't gig yet

[BadHorsie]

You guys are such wimps! 9 guage? Hah! I use bass strings on my guitar http://www.guitarforums.com/gtubb/smile.gif . Just kidding, I use Blue Steel 9 guage. when I get tired of Blue Steel, I use Blue Steels'. I kinda like Blue Steels' because they don't cost a lot but they feel great. Elixirs' are good but they are really hyped up, and they aren't that good for rock or metal. Fact: There is only 3 actual companies that make the string itself. They then distribute the strings to all the other companies like D'Addario, DR, Elixir, Blue Steel, Ernie Ball, etc. Just a little tid bit I picked up from Guitar Center I thought you'd all like to know.

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BadHorsie, holdin' it down like Gravity!

[Raskolnikov]

Well, I've been playing Trace Elliot strings on my basses (both steel and nickle wound) .045-.105, and .045-.130, but I couldn't get any a while back and I bought a set of Rotosounds and I don't think I'm going back. They have lasted an excetpionally long time and have maintained really great tone.

As for guitar... well, I play GHS, .011-.050, but I'm thinking about throwing heavier strings on my Tele, 'cause it's been living in open d tuning lately. Basicly, my main thought when buying guitar strings has classicly been "ok, how long is it going to take for to break THIS set?"

[AtomicMassUnit]

I use GHS Boomers 9 1/2's on the Strat and the les paul, and DR (handwound) 11's on the Jazzmaster and the other guitars with higher action. for acoustic, i use Martin lights or extra lites.

Have you guys seen those little basses with the rubber strings? theyre made by that little company fender bought, D'Armond. they look like tiny elephants, Scary!

Atomic

[Raskolnikov]

yeah, the Asbbury's... I hate them.
They sound fine, but they don't play well, and the intonation is hopeless. I know this cause the bassist from the band with which we share a jamspace has one. I can't wait to see how long it survives considering how he mauls his real bass and his amp.

[Reinout]

I heard from my teacher GHS boomers are very good and very cheap also. D'addario is very good, but you pay for that.

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Reinout Vrijhoef
reinout@tref.nl

A great amp can get a lousy guitar sound great
A lousy amp will make a great guitar sound lousy
A great player will sound great with anything

[Greaserbeef]

i use dean markley light top heavy bottom, .52 - .10 ... I've never used anything else, except for the strings that came on the guitar and those didn't break for a year. Then these broke every week, what the hell is the diff? what do i use if i just play ****ing heavy **** but i want to bend too and everything...?

[loner92]

I just put a set of Blue Steels (9-42) on my Kramer, they seem to feel and sound better than the Ernie Ball ones did (new). I like these so much, I might put a set (9-46) on my Hamer instead of the EB hybrid slinkys (also 9-46).
I just hope the last longer than the EBs.

[metalisbest]

I usually use GHS Boomers 15 gauge, but I'm going to try Ernie Ball becuase I've heard good stuff about them. D'addario and Martin are also good.

[Lordathestrings]

Originally posted by metalisbest
I usually use GHS Boomers 15 gauge...15 gauge?!?!? Fifffteeen!?!?!?! :eek:

[metalisbest]

yea, what about it?

[hendrix4ever]

I use ernie balls for my electric, and i try to keep the guage heavy but i also gotta take care of my fingers. My personal opinion on acoustic strings is that martin marquis have to be the best. They have a very nice tone, ESPECIALLY when brand new. I dont think I can imagine using anything else for acoustic.
I hear those fender bullets are supposed to work pretty good for keeping your guitar in tune when using a whammy bar by not letting the strings twist inside the bridge.

[Lordathestrings]

Originally posted by metalisbest
yea, what about it? What else can I say, man... I just have to bow in respect to man that can use coathanger wire for guitar strings. Oy!!!

[hendrix4ever]

what do you do to clean your strings? I heard of boiling them but that seems to be over-kill if you clean them after every time you play.

[ButcherKnifeTotin'Annie]

to clean strings, wipe them with a rag or whatever.
i usually wipe them with my sleeve. :)
i never tried to boil them. maybe i'll try some day,
to see what happens.

[metalisbest]

My fault, I didn't mean 15 gauge, i meant GHS 15s.

[SLY]

Originally posted by hendrix4ever
what do you do to clean your strings? I heard of boiling them but that seems to be over-kill if you clean them after every time you play.

Excuse me , but what do you mean by boiling the strings ? and how are you going to do that ?!

[Lordathestrings]

If you ever get to be too broke to buy a new set of strings for your axe, you can extend their life (a little bit), by taking them off and boiling them in a pot of water to get the oil and crud out of the windings. This doesn't always work, though, because sometimes the heat and the tension release of taking them off the guitar can loosen the wraps.

[MikeP.]

Yeah I've heard of doing that before but even if i wanted to (Wich I don't) I couldn't because I snip off the extra string thats left.