slimjimdom Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Hi, This is my first topic on the new forum. I'm looking for some feedback on which strings everyone prefers on their SG's. i pretty much stick close to what came on the guitar (Gibson brite wires) I did however switch to the Gibson vintage Reissues and I like them but i think i'd like to try some others. Since there are so many things to consider when choosing string and so many brands and types of strings, what better place to start somewhat of a string database. Maybe some info could include GUITAR/s Player's Style or Sound Strings Gauge Tone Playability/Feel Quailty/Life Value/Ca-Ching $$ Review/Summary i'm sure this has been done before, But.......New Forum, New people, New start... Thanks in advance for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjimdom Posted February 7, 2008 Author Share Posted February 7, 2008 Heres my limited experience to start GUITAR - SG Special Faded 490r/490t Style - Pretty Rounded but I like a Vintage rock sound Strings - Gibson Vintage Reissue Gauge - 9-11-16-24-32-42 Tone - Darker, Vintage Playability/Feel - They feel good new, but doesn't last. They become stiff feeling rather quickly imo Quality/Life - Again they feel great freshly strung, but i don't think they last as long as the original brite wires. Value/$$$ - Not Great but could be worse Overall Impression Overall the Vintage Reissues sound great as long as you dont mind changing strings to keep that sound or if you don't play frequently (I play about 45 mins a day). They are a little pricey compared to some of the others though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Pup Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Guitars - 2006 SG 61 reissue w/57 Calssics - 1999 Flying V w/496R &500T Styles - Rock, Blues, Jazz, Metal, and anything else I can learn Strings - D'Addario EXL 110 Guage - 10-13-17-26-36-46 Tone - A nice and slightly bright sound with good balance. Playability/Feel - Easy to bend and stays in tune. Quality/Life - I have never had them tarnish on me but I change string about every other month. Value/$$$ - about $5.00 a pack. Overall - I've played a lot of strings but keep coming back to the D'Adddario's for both my acoustics & electrics. They are the best all around strings I've found to date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Guitars: 1975 Les Paul Standard, 2000 Historic '59 ES-345 Styles: Blues, Jazz Strings: D'Addario EXL 112 Guages: 11-14-18-28-38-49 Tone: Not too bright, not too dark, just right Playability/Feel: Great feel, easy to play Quality/Life: Consistant sound from out of the box throughout their long life. Time to change only when they no longer will stay in tune. Value: Great value, a 3-pack for about $10 or $4 for a single set. Overall: I played GHS Boomers for years, they sound real brite out of the box, but that didn't last through the first gig. I changed to the D'Addarios about 10 years ago because they sound the same from the time you put them on to the time you take them off. On my jazzboxes I use LaBella Nylon Tape Wound 14's. But that's another story all together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson CS Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I have been useing the same type strings for over 20 years, and I wont change. Dean Markley Blue Steel 10-46 To me, they simply sound better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesse92 Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 2007 Faded Special Ernie Ball Pure Nickel 9-42 Great Tone- Bright Punchy Sound good For Any Music I Play Anything. 5.00 A pack Can Be Used On Acoustic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AS90 Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Ernie Ball Super Slinkeys 9 - 42. The best strings ever!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingarmadillo Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 I haven't worked out what strings work best (for me) on my SG (61 reissue-Classic 57 pups) so right now it has the stock Brite Wires. I have a feeling it may end up with Slinkys or Super Slinkys but I haven't finished trying things yet. For my other guitars, Super Slinkys on the LP (Burstbucker Pro pups), Fender 250s on the strat and tele (9-42) (SCN pups), d'Addarrio (lights) on all my acoustics and the Casino (P-90s), although I may switch the Casino to Slinkys. Style is anything I feel like playing, but mostly rock, classic rock, and country. I've tried just about everything on each of the guitars and that's what works best for me as far as feel and tone for each guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjimdom Posted February 10, 2008 Author Share Posted February 10, 2008 Alot of helpful info here, Thanks. I think I'm going to give D'addario a try for a set or 2. I used to use super slinky's on my old Epi 56' Goldtop. i didn't really like them much at all. I'm also thinking about trying wrapping over the tailpiece so I can lower the tailpiece as much as possible. It's pretty high at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson CS Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Has anyone ever used "Tape wound" strings? I have not, but im curious to hear how they sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Has anyone ever used "Tape wound" strings?I have not' date=' but im curious to hear how they sound.[/quote'] Yes, I use LaBella Nylon Tape Wound strings on my L-5 and L-7. I was introduced to them by the Pizzarelli boys, John and his dad Bucky. I just love the tone they get, John on his signature model built by Bill Mole in Springfield, Missouri, and Bucky on his Benedetto "Bucky Pizzarelli" model. I figured they'd have to sound good on a couple of old Gibsons. I used to string my archtops with regular flat wounds until I played Bucky's Benedetto, and I was sold on the feel a playabilty of the nylon tape wounds. If these are the "Tape Wounds" your asking about, let me know, I'll write up an in-depth review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Am I the only person who likes Brite Wire 10's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouijayes Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 i use Gibson,Dean Markley or ErnieBall 10-46 , good allaround and my fav gauge for solos, my SG'61 love them too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingarmadillo Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Am I the only person who likes Brite Wire 10's? I don't mind them, but I have arthritis in both hands and the Super Slinkys and Fender 9's are a lot easier to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjimdom Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Am I the only person who likes Brite Wire 10's? I like the brite wires too, They're a bit pricey though and harder to come by than say, slinky's or D'addarios since my local Guitar Center doesn't keep them in stock (well that almost sounds like they just run out) i should say they don't order them ..... and the smaller stores aren't authorized to sell them or just don't for whatever reason. i could always order a couple 3 packs online,...thought I'd try a few other more convenient brands and see if any feel like gold to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dragyn Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 EB 10-46s Regular Slinky's on my SG. They always sound brighter to me. Usually buy them in a box of 12 off ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happydog Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Has anyone ever used "Tape wound" strings?I have not' date=' but im curious to hear how they sound.[/quote'] They sound good on big hollowbody jazzboxes, but to me, on solidbodies they seem muffled and lack clarity, especially on humbucker equipped solidbodies like the Les Paul and SG. They're pretty much unsuitable for any kind of rock and roll, because in general they aren't meant for extensive bending. They are also usually heavy gauge strings and will require a good bit of truss rod, nut and bridge adjustment in order to get the intonation right. For jazz purposes and big jazz boxes like the L5 or ES-175 they often work well but outside of that context they can be disappointing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happydog Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I have a 2005 SG Special Faded. I generally play classic rock and originals though I have been known to dabble in pseudo-jazz and classic country. As far as strings go I like using a 10-46 gauge. Elixirs are my preference but I also think that Dean Markley SLP and D'Addario's are just fine. I tend to wipe down my strings before and after I play so my strings tend to last longer in general. Overall, on 24.75" or 25" scale guitars I use 10-46 but with 25.5" scale guitars I use 9-42 due to the fact that the longer scale increases string tension. I used to firmly believe that heavier gauge strings were the way to go but when I started listening objectively there seemed to me to be no real difference and I was wearing out my hands. I play in standard tuning almost exclusively. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjimdom Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 Update I put on a set od D'Addario EXL120 strings. Also tried wrapping them over the tailpiece and dropping it down as far as possible. First Impression it seems to have a slightly more resonant "woody" tone, but.... Someone please add if they have experience with this: The strings seem to be lacking tension compared to the Gibson Vintage Reissue 9's. im not sure if its because of the tailpiece setup or if the D'addarios just feel lighter. Also the tuners seem alot easier to turn...is this normal? Thanks AJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaii Islander Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Has anyone ever used "Tape wound" strings?I have not' date=' but im curious to hear how they sound.[/quote'] I don't use them for guitar, but I do have a set on my P-bass. The strings are very slick and pliable. They have low fret noise and are great for slides and bends. Great mellow tone for bass, but I have no idea how they would sound on guitar. I'm currently using DR Red Devil mediums on my SG Standard. They tend to peel where you pick, but it doesn't seem to affect the sound. They're similar to Elixirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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