Strangz (strings for the g'itar)

[plopswagon]

I don't have an immediate need for new strings, I still have several packs of Ernie Ball strings in a box I bought on sales a while back but, I'm tired of what I've been using. Mostly GHS and Ernie Ball for MY WHOLE LIFE.

I don't need titanium coated dragon tooth core cryogenic cyber quantum shreadmasters just some nice neutral long lasting strings (that aren't rusting in the package—I'm looking at you Mr. Ball!

What do y'all use?

[sunshiner]

Whatever is cheap. Dunlop, Fender, Ernie Ball. All 9s. I can't play for shit, just a cowboy/power chord basher

[Thom]

Been using Rotosound yellows for a few years.

[Ankhanu]

For guitar I mostly settled on d’Addario EXL115W, for that wound third action with ready availability and lower cost.

[Gavin]

I've been using D'Addario 11-49 forever at this point

[Bacchus]

I used Ernie Ball (power slinky, I think) when I was 14 or because they looked cool and had the best ads in guitar magazines, then used Roto oranges for a while because they gave you an extra e string and I was always breaking mine. Then a guy at the guitar shop said that d'Addario were better, and I switched to those. I liked the coloured ends and weird packaging they came in which made them seem professional and mature to 16 year old me.

I've used 10-46 since I was about 22 (so 16 years ago), but have more recently switched to their NYXL version of the same set, mostly because I'm a fancy fucker. If I've spent decent money on amps, guitars, pedals, cables and all the other bullshit, I think it makes sense to spend a few quid more on the fancier strings, even if it is a placebo.

Before that, I varied strings from guitar to guitar, but rarely lighter than 11s, except for my Jag-stang where I'd put 09s on in order to lean into the low tension, slinkiness of it being shortscale. I used to put strings on that I thought matched the guitar. So my Squier '51, with it's thicker neck, would get 13s to make it feel like I had to fight it a bit.

Acoustic, I like d'Addario Silk and Steel. This is probably brand loyalty. I only have one acoustic, and when I went to clean it up and restring it, I chose d'Addario, then chose the Silk and Steel ones because it's a small body parlour guitar anyway, and I like the idea of leaning into that mellower, less brilliant sound.

[MattK]

For guitar I mostly settled on d’Addario EXL115W, for that wound third action with ready availability and lower cost.

Same here, consistently good strings. Sometimes I bump to 12s for the short scales. I got a few newer nickel wound ones in a recent online deal so I’ll be interested to try.

Bass wise, I had the misfortune of buying a bass with La Bella flats on it and it’s basically impossible to be satisfied with anything else now.

[dub]

Yeah I like a wound G too, and probably tension on the spongier side. but I've been less fussy lately. After doing silly custom things and swapping out particular strings I usually just stick the d'addario D tuning set on most of my guitars. 11-56, and mostly all in d standard. I've got a bunch of wound .19's I stick on the third string when I can be bothered. The EGC likes a bit more tension so sometimes I stick a .60 on the bottom. I think all my guitars other than the jaguar are Gibson scale.

The jaguar has the light flat wound jazz set on it I think? 11-50, and is currently in DADGAD, funnily enough I tuned it up to standard the other day and all the behind the bridge harmonics came back, which was fun, so I might stick a heavier set on it when I tune it back down again.

I originally settled on d'addario cause ernie balls would rust almost immediately on contact with my skin, and they seemed to last longer.

[Gavin]

Yeah, same. I used ernie balls many moons ago but my sweaty paws turn then to rust within hours.

[MattK]

For the wound-third fans, D'Addario EXL115W are the 11-49s, but there are also D'Addario EXL110W (10-46) and D'Addario EJ21 (12-52). GHS Nickel Rockers 1315 (11-50) and John Pearse 2600 Light (11-50) are both nickel wound, but I haven't tried em yet.
For true gross-out, I have a set of Dean Markley Vintage 1975 (11-52, wound G) on my favourite Tele, they've been on it for 12+ years and have gone black on the front side of the plain strings. They still sound good and I don't want to mess with anything on that guitar.

[plopswagon]

Bass wise, I had the misfortune of buying a bass with La Bella flats on it and it’s basically impossible to be satisfied with anything else now.

I relatively recently bought La Bella flats for my fretless. Delish.

[NickD]

D’Addario 9s. Changed very rarely. I used 11s for years but had some RSI issues that went away after switching to lighter strings.

[plopswagon]

D’addarios seem to be the overwhelming favorite.

Thanks for everyone’s input.

[Bacchus]

Changed very rarely.

Same. Possibly a topic for another thread, but I go years without changing. Maybe I don't play enough these days, but I seem to get away with it.

[NickS]

I generally use D'Addario or Rotosound 9s. I have very dry hands and my strings don't normally tarnish from playing. My son Matt does have problems with tarnish so he uses Elixir Nanoweb coated strings.

[plopswagon]

Changed very rarely.

Same. Possibly a topic for another thread, but I go years without changing. Maybe I don't play enough these days, but I seem to get away with it.

I prefer strings on the old side as well. Particularly on bass and acoustics.

Speaking of, I use John Pearse strings on my acoustic and mandolin.

[Doog]

Used D'Addario 11s for YEARS, but have recently switched to Rotosounds, pretty much purely since they do a specific set that works well for the tunings I use in Doghands (E standard, drop D, drop C-n-G), are a bit more affordable, plus that extra high E is never a bad thing to have kicking about.

I have broken a couple of strings since, which is rare for me (admittedly on a different guitar), so jury's still out. Might just need to get the files out and do some detective work.

[Gavin]

I like play my guitar like a I make love to a beautiful woman, and as such I haven't snapped a string in years. (try my best for 5 mins and then have a nap)

[plopswagon]

I like play my guitar like a I make love to a beautiful woman, and as such I haven't snapped a string in years. (try my best for 5 mins and then have a nap)

Do you use a capo?

[Gavin]

never