Strings N' Such

Hey yall! Im the kind of player who changes his oil a lot more frequently then his guitar strings, although I play all the time. I finally decided to change my strings and I had a new pack of GHS BOOMERS (probably a few years old, but new in the case) I put em on and they sound like complete crap! The guitar in quesiton is a Gibson SG. Gibson makes strings too correct? Guess that would be a good start. What kind of strings do you guys use and are Boomers crap, as they seem in this case?

I don't mind Gibson strings, PRS I don't like and Ernie Ball strings rock my world !!

I normally play either the EB slinkies (10s) on my strats or Super slinkys (9s) on my Jackson, LP or PRS and seem to go through them by the box load. I don't snap em the way I used to snap Fender super-bullets even though I'm giving them a lot more grief in the bending department these days. This may be due to the Grphtech saddles Im using at the moment !

I had a go with Boomers on my PRS, I thought they were OK but nothing special !

thanks doc! EB's eh? I think thats what kind I used on my bass and I do like those a lot better then the "stock" fender bass strings. Will check em out!

Sorry, will keep my thread titles rated PG from now on.. hehehe

EB's are the greatest. I've used GHS boomers on my Epiphone and the sound compared to the EB's on my ESP (same gauge and relatively close sounds from both guitar's pickups) can't come close to the joy it brings my ears. Currently using 10s as I'm used to 9s. Seems murder on my fingers...

But yeah, EB's all the way. The good doctor knows how to pick strings. :P

I personally prefer D'Addario's myself, with EB's comming in as a close second. I play 10-52ga. strings which are basically the skinny/light top, heavey bottom style. I've also play fender strings, GHS, Elixer, and numerous other brands. The elixers were pretty good, but not quite my D'Addario's. The GHS's just weren't quite my cup of tea, and the Fenders founded dead as soon as I put them on.

Ernie Ball Power Slinky's here......I like the heavy gauges.

I just recently discovered the Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky's....Ohhhh, the heavy gauge.

Gibson has brought back the "Gibson Brite Wires" strings(they are saying they are NEW but they are only new to the younger crowd :-) ), they had these in the 80's, and back then I wouldn't use anything else, most here prob have never heard of them. I plan on grabbing a set or 2 the next time I am in town.

I prefer the Elixir Nanoweb style strings, they hold up very well and keep the sound new for a good while, as for the Elixir polyweb tend to start turning the moment u start playing them.

EB, GHS, GHS Boomers are all ok but they do not hold up like the Elixir nanoweb strings in my opinion....the GHS Zack Wyldes are the crappiest I have ever played...

I guess it is to each his/her own we all have our opinion on the variety of strings offered

Im a big fan of the Elixir Nanoweb strings. They feel great and last for a hella long time.

I always used D'addario .010's , but recently I've found that Ernie Ball is cheaper , and just as good if not better ... That's what I'm buying after I finish all the D'addario packs I have.

i've been looking round to replace my (rather crappy) GHS strings, but haven't been able to find any decent gauge 8's that don't brake all the time... ideas?

Uhh... switch to 9s or try Ernie Ball 8s...?

I never used .008s myself , but whenever I play a guitar with that string gauge I break the high e almost instantly ... I remember breaking my friend's new strings that he just put on the last night , it was so embarassing !!

Switch to .009s (they usualy never break before a month at least) , or buy a few individual e-strings with each pack ... And always make sure you have brand new strings installed before any gigs or auditions ! ;)

yeah i suppose going back to 9's would be easier. i always played with them untill a few years ago when i went through my "oooh... wouldn't it be cool to play like malmsteen" period.
i suppose now i've realised how boring his stuff is to play i should change back... i've gotten so lazy when it comes to holding down strings :p ...

I use the ernie balls, 9 or 10s , either way. And i like Elixir too but those are a hell of alot more expensive, and the difference in quality isnt worth the difference in price.

The strings that my BC rich 'Ice' Acrylic Warlock came with are really awesome, but i have no clue what they are. i'd use the top and bottom ernie ball strings and then the rest would be the ones that came stock, if i knew what they were.

as for buying strings, it is most times better to buy from your local music shop than to order strings from online, even if you do not have to pay tax online the shipping & handling will cost you alot more.

example - Elixir nanoweb custom lights online most places $12.99 plus shipping and handling

local music shop- same strings 10.95 + tax ( have seen them from 10.95 to 12.00 even locally)

when buying strings, think of the way you play your axe, if you are into heavy metal and thrashing the strings, then buying cheap strings would prob be better, if you are into country, blues, classical stuff then a more expensive brand like Elixir nanoweb will save you money in the long run.......

for you rockers try them Gibson Britewires I mentioned earlier, they should be cheap and see what you think of them......