strings???

[khoysagk]

hey everybody. I have a Epi LP custom silverburst coming and was wondering about strings. I read alot about how people change their strings but I really know nothing about strings yet. Was wondering if anybody knows a good website where I can learn about strings like which ones to use, what difference certain strings make and so on.

thanks.

[iansmitchell]

hey everybody. I have a Epi LP custom silverburst coming and was wondering about strings. I read alot about how people change their strings but I really know nothing about strings yet. Was wondering if anybody knows a good website where I can learn about strings like which ones to use' date=' what difference certain strings make and so on.

thanks.[/quote']

Trust either:

Ernie ball for distorted

Fender light for cleans

Gibson Brights for blues/partial drive

 

0.10s for the ernie ball

0.09 for fender

0.08(I think) for gibsons

[Ron G]

Hey, Oregon guy!! Corvallis here. Trying different makes, types and gauges of strings is something you'll be doing for a long time, maybe forever. So start now - nobody can tell you what's right. The previous suggestions are good ones but you'll want to find the strings that you like ultimately. I buy/try strings on eBay - cost about 6 bucks a set, shipped. I do recommend that you replace the stock strings ASAP; if nothing else, they're old.

[charlie brown]

Can't tell you what you'll like...but, I use Ernie Ball "Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom" strings,

on my Gibson Les Paul Custom. D'Addario XL 10's on most other guitars, or Elixar Nanoweb lights (10's).

11's on the Gretschs.

 

Try 'em all, and then some.

 

CB

[Ricochet]

Trust either:

Ernie ball for distorted

Fender light for cleans

Gibson Brights for blues/partial drive

 

0.10s for the ernie ball

0.09 for fender

0.08(I think) for gibsons

 

? Either brand or gauge of those is good with any type of music...

What brand and gauge you recommend using a delay and phaser?

[Biff]

 

+1.

 

Hell, I'd even say +2 if possible, but they are too expensive around here (I can buy two or three packs of GHS for that price).

[Notes_Norton]

I'd say that if you are new at guitar, get something cheap at your local music store and use them for a few months, (changing them every month). Then when you get used to the sound, try something different.

 

What you end up with will be determined by your guitar, amp, and personal tastes. All major string manufacturers have decent strings. The nuances between the sound of one brand vs. another will not be apparent to a beginner, so don't worry about it.

 

Personally, I like the nickel wound strings on my Casino, but it has very different pickups than your LP. Plus I live in a corrosive climate (seaside in Florida) and the nickel doesn't corrode so quickly. Besides, I like the way they sound.

 

I've been experimenting with different brands, but almost a year after I purchased my Casino, I still haven't made up my mind as to what works best for me with that guitar and the amp-simulator I use. They all work well, they all sound similar, but it takes a while to hear all the differences.

 

So far I find the DR strings last the longest, but I'm not sure they are worth the premium price. The D'Addarios come in an anti-corrosive package (so they don't rust before I put them on), and with all the strings in on envelope, seem friendlier to the earth (less trash) and are inexpensive so if they don't last as long, they don't cost as much either. But it will take a lot of listening and playing different brands before I decide just what I like the best. Fortunately, I like listening and playing so the "hunt" will be a pleasure.

 

Insights and incites by Notes

[ricach]

Better yet, keep those strings on until you decide you don't like them. Then change them - maybe you'll notice the difference. I haven't yet. Aside from determining I like .10's best, I have zero preference on who makes the strings. Over the years I'm sure I'll become more in tune with the differences on my own.

[Obed]

With a new guitar, changing strings is the FIRST thing I do when I get it home from the store. Typically the stock strings are ancient and of iffy quality.

 

I prefer Di'addaro MXL's in 13's for my acoustic. And for my electrics, I usually get Elixer Nanoweb's in 11's. I like a heavier gauge than many, though. On my Strat it required some adjustment to the bridge.

[khoysagk]

so there really is no way of reading up on it or learning the differences other then trying some out and experience,eh? Well, then maybe I will try the stock ones for a while and then change them and see if I notice a diffence, lol.

 

Ron G: I live in Astoria, had enough of the rain yet? My twins lived in Corvallis (one still does) went to OSU. I like the town, very nice there.

[layboomo]

Ernie Ball and D'Addarios are both good choices for inexpensive strings. If you go with the skinny top heavy bottom you may have to adjust your intonation a bit on the lower strings....no biggie but I thought I'd mention it.

[RobinTheHood]

My 2 cents: If you're a beginner, I would personally suggest starting with D'Addario's. They are cheap, and settle quickly. Slinkys (Ernie Ball) are good, but it takes a good while for them to settle and (to me) they sound dead once they do. Not much experience with DR guitar strings, but they seem to last a long time on my bass.

 

I just put a set of Elixers (.10's) on my Kramer. They are expensive, but I was told they last twice as long as "regular" strings. We'll see...

[Obed]

so there really is no way of reading up on it or learning the differences other then trying some out and experience' date='eh? Well, then maybe I will try the stock ones for a while and then change them and see if I notice a diffence, lol.

 

[b'][/b]Ron G: I live in Astoria, had enough of the rain yet? My twins lived in Corvallis (one still does) went to OSU. I like the town, very nice there.

 

Differences in brand tend to be personal taste. I like the D'Addario MXLs and the Elixers because they're coated in nanoweb. Most of the other strings mentioned here are non-coated. The coating makes 'em last longer (protects the strings from your hand's oils) and makes the sound brighter. Some folks don't want that brighter sound and don't like the feel of coated strings, however.

 

Thicker gauges make for slightly beefier sound, but they also make for less ease in playing. I go for thicker gauges 'cuz I prefer the beefy sound and like the greater tension they make. I like the feel of more difficult strings 'cuz I can dig in a bit more (comes from years as an acoustic player).

 

For people that don't really know what they want I usually recommend Earnie Ball Super Slinky's 'cuz they're a good generic electric guitar string.

 

But, yeah, you'll do a lot of experimenting.

[OutoftheBlues]

My 2 cents: If you're a beginner' date=' I would personally suggest starting with D'Addario's. They are cheap, and settle quickly. Slinkys (Ernie Ball) are good, but it takes a good while for them to settle and (to me) they sound dead once they do. Not much experience with DR guitar strings, but they seem to last a long time on my bass.

 

I just put a set of Elixers (.10's) on my Kramer. They are expensive, but I was told they last twice as long as "regular" strings. We'll see...[/quote']

 

I use Elixers on my Martin and Taylor Acoustics and they do last at least twice as long. I wipe everything down after I play, including the strings and fingerboard with a Googalies cloth, which helps prolong their life.

[pohatu771]

I use D'Addario almost exclusively on my Casino. I don't know exactly what I have now (I keep the packages, though, don't worry), but they've been my favourites. They're nickel, I know that, and 10s.

 

On my acoustic I really like some Fenders I've been using, but I have a set of Martins I just bought, waiting to be tried out.