Strings D'addario vs. Fender vs. Gibson vs. Ernie Ball

[lespaul24]

I've used D'addario XL .11's on my 2009 Les Paul Studio. I've been using them for about two months and they oxidize WAY too quickly for me. I use them because my favorite guitarist (Mark Tremonti) uses them and it works for him. I have no clue what to do. Are Fenders good? Ernie Balls? I had the Gibsons .09s stock on the LP and they were too thin and kinda twangy.

 

Thanks!

[Dom_JEM]

i use RotoSound and Ernie ball mostly...im looking for something that doesnt oxidise as quickly though

[Blackie]

Ernie Ball ...9 , 10 , 11's

[Shnate McDuanus]

Ernie Ball 11s are what I use. They last a good long time.

 

On the other hand, I don't mind an old string, as long as it still sounds nice. The Ernie Ball sets tend to sound pretty nice even after a good four to six months.

 

You ought to change strings more often than that, though...

[DAS44]

I use these (11s)... I wish they made em in 12s considering I really want to move up a guage.

 

I love them

[KL]

I've used Ernie Ball strings for many years. Slinkies (10's) on my LP Standard, Tele and strat, and Power Slinkies (11's) on my LP Deluxe. They are good strings, constant quality and reliable.

[Thundergod]

I use ernie ball strings mainly, most of my guitars have them. Some have 9s, most 10s and a couple have 11s.

 

That said, my main axe is currently using half a daddario set and half an ernie ball set (the daddario's been the flat wound part of what my guitar uses right now, and it's awesome).

[Nick Beach]

I use DR tight fits on everything. Depending on the guitar the exact string model may change.

 

But if you want stuff that never oxidizes get yourself some coated strings. I personally hate them, but one of my friends with a high PH balance and was constantly rusting out strings swears by coated strings.

[jameslucascalvert]

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkys for everything but my Custom, which I keep in C Standard with Not Even Slinkys.

[Josh James]

Mark Tremonti dosen't have to shell out 6 bucks everytime he needs a change...lol Go with Ernie's I say! sweat like a beast and they keep ticking for a couple of weeks before they start croakin'.

 

 

 

 

J

[mcmurray]

You know it's likely that all those strings come out of the same factory.

[Shnate McDuanus]

You know it's likely that all those strings come out of the same factory.

 

Actually' date=' yeah. It [i']is[/i] very likely that they all come out of the same factory...

[FirstMeasure]

I have Acid Sweat that eats through metal like something from Star Trek. I've found Dean Markley's last the longest.

 

I've used these for years and years. They discontinued them for a long time so I switched to Markley's Signature Strings. They didn't sound the same, but they still lasted the longest, but now they've been reissued.

 

{Tip} Wash your hands with Boraxo Hand Soap or just straight Boraxo. It keeps the hand oils down longer than regular soap.

[FirstMeasure]

I'm gonna do that Jocko. I'm always on the lookout for something better

[milod]

I mostly prefer the Elixir with the heavier "web" on 'em but it depends on the guitar.

 

I'd reeeeeeally like to know what the modern equivalent is of the old 8-38 Guild nickle wound strings, 'cuz they seemed to "work" better than anything else. I'm trying some variations of Ernie Ball as soon as I get energy enough to change strings. Old age, you know. <chortle>

 

m

[milod]

I only use 'em on the Guild. I dunno... I told you I'm pretty gentle. <grin>

 

m

[mcmurray]

Actually' date=' yeah. It [i']is[/i] very likely that they all come out of the same factory...

 

This is the company that makes strings for Martin, Gibson, Fender, D'Addario, D'Aquisto, Peavey, DR, SIT, Ernie Ball, Dean Markley, Vinci, Roto Sound, GHS, Black Diamond.

 

http://www.mapeswire.com/

http://www.mapeswire.com/specialtywire.html

 

So, all you should be concerned about is the string size - because they're all EXACTLY the same, any perceived difference in longevity is a placebo effect.

[mcmurray]

Sweet my 2.00 a set strings are the same as my used to be 5.00 a set strings and the same as those damn expensive Gibson strings....

 

Thanks

 

Yep.

[sgman]

Ernie Ball 10's on my SG '61, and Fender Bullet 9's on my strat. I just go with what feels and sounds good for a particular guitar.

[Shnate McDuanus]

This is the company that makes strings for Martin' date=' Gibson, Fender, D'Addario, D'Aquisto, Peavey, DR, SIT, Ernie Ball, Dean Markley, Vinci, Roto Sound, GHS, Black Diamond.

 

http://www.mapeswire.com/

http://www.mapeswire.com/specialtywire.html

 

So, all you should be concerned about is the string size - because they're all EXACTLY the same, any perceived difference in longevity is a placebo effect.

[/quote']

 

Neat! Thanks for doing the research and sharing it with your peers.

 

I'll get right on buying the cheapest strings from this company that I can.

[FirstMeasure]

This is the company that makes strings for Martin' date=' Gibson, Fender, D'Addario, D'Aquisto, Peavey, DR, SIT, Ernie Ball, Dean Markley, Vinci, Roto Sound, GHS, Black Diamond.

 

http://www.mapeswire.com/

http://www.mapeswire.com/specialtywire.html

 

So, all you should be concerned about is the string size - because they're all EXACTLY the same, any perceived difference in longevity is a placebo effect.

[/quote']

The websites seem to be down right now.

[mcmurray]

The websites seem to be down right now.

 

The links work for me

[milod]

The site worked for me...

 

Now it really makes me wonder. Mother Maybelle told me she was using "Mapes Extra Heavy" strings on her archtop Gibson. Now I know why they seemed like piano strings.

 

BUT...

 

Note that they say they make wire for those string brands, not that they actually make them.

 

Also, we're still at the question of how many types of wire... which core and which wrappings... etc.

 

Yeah, the links obviously worked here...

 

m

[mcmurray]

Here's a bit of heresy from the agf;

 

"I'm not sure which ones either, but I know GHS, Martin, D'Addario do wind their own. Mapes used to wind strings and sell them in gross to alot of the manufacturers who would then package them under their own name, I don't know if they still do or not but would think they do."

 

http://www.taylorguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68048

 

So yes, it's possible that their may be slight differences between strings depending on if the manufacturer actually wound them. I dare say though that most of the string 'manufacturers' are just resellers.

[S t e v e]

I've used D'addario XL .11's on my 2009 Les Paul Studio. I've been using them for about two months and they oxidize WAY too quickly for me. I use them because my favorite guitarist (Mark Tremonti) uses them and it works for him. I have no clue what to do. Are Fenders good? Ernie Balls? I had the Gibsons .09s stock on the LP and they were too thin and kinda twangy.

 

Thanks!

 

i like tremonti too!

 

ernie ball 9-46 on my les pauls and d'addario 9-42 on the strat and ibbys...works well for me and both make of strings last a long time' date=' just remember that if you sweat when you play then wipe over the strings when you finish