who makes the best guitar strings?

12/4/2005 4:06:02 PM

Elixir, IMO... but they're more expensive (about twice the norm)


Decent priced...

Electric - Ernie Ball
Acoustic - D'Addario

12/4/2005 4:12:40 PM

I've always liked (and used) DR's.

12/4/2005 4:17:39 PM

Classical - Augustine

12/4/2005 4:21:55 PM

second on the Elixirs

12/4/2005 4:32:03 PM

Quote :

"Elixir"

12/4/2005 4:40:30 PM

depends on acoustic or electric. Acoustic, elixir is the way to go. They're expensive, but in my opinion, worth it. I used them on my Taylor, and been going over a 1 1/2 year without changing strings. (I need to change them soon though, whenever I have time.) Electric, I like Ernie Ball's super slinkys . They don't last as long, but I like the feel, and they're easier to play.

12/4/2005 4:55:15 PM

rub wd-40 on them to make them last longer.

12/4/2005 4:55:46 PM

i love elixers for acoustics. I put em on my taylor and my yamaha...if you go to the small music store beside el-rodeo on Glenwood, they're only about 13 bucks a set. If you're playing a show and want cheaper strings that sound real good for a short amount of time, go with Martin SP's. as far as electric go, i use GHS Boomers size 9's.

12/4/2005 5:06:45 PM

Dean Markley for acoustic

12/4/2005 5:12:23 PM

electric

looking for the good stuff

elixir it is i suppose

12/4/2005 5:48:06 PM

Well, and part of it, too depends on how you're tuning and stuff. I tune WAY down, and I have to use GHS baritones so the strings don't flap around.

But if you're staying within a pretty standard range, the Elixirs will last a long time without losing tone.

And as far as where to get them, I buy them online with other orders or buy like four packs at a time online. Comes out cheaper, usually, and there are more size options. Try using http://www.froogle.com and type in "Elixir Strings", then sort by price.

Froogle = sweet.

12/4/2005 11:36:11 PM

I'm surprised by how many people like Elixirs.

Sure, they last longer, but that's because the strings are shrink-wrapped in plastic. That crap doesn't help their sound one bit. They certainly have a unique sound, but not for the better, imo.

I've always liked D'Addarios and Martins.

12/4/2005 11:46:36 PM

I actually like the sound of Elixirs.

Otherwise, I'm with you on the D'Addarios. They're good shit and cheap. Thats what I buy mostly and have strung up now.

[Edited on December 4, 2005 at 11:55 PM. Reason : .]

12/4/2005 11:50:28 PM

For some reason, the elixir and taylor combo sounds really good.

12/4/2005 11:59:47 PM

Yeah I definitly think they sound better on acoustics. I have the elixers on my Yairi and the D'Addarios on the electric.

12/5/2005 12:03:32 AM

for my fretted:

D'Addario45-105
Dean Markely Blue Steel 50-110

Fender Nylon Flatwounds on my fretless

12/5/2005 12:14:02 AM

elixir's.. ive tried martins, d'addario's, bunch of others.. and elixir sound the best and last longest.

12/5/2005 1:09:01 AM

D'Addario.

I change my strings enough that Elixirs don't mean shit to me, and I don't like the way they sound. D'addarios are cheap, effective, and consistent.

12/5/2005 1:16:32 AM

Elixir.

12/5/2005 11:12:10 AM

ernie ball have always been my favs.

12/5/2005 11:17:30 AM

D'Addario for me

12/5/2005 11:31:30 AM

I like elixirs fine, but I break way too many strings to use them


Been playing a bunch of acoustic slide that last year or so. I play pretty aggressively anyway, and the slide doesn't help the longevity. I'm lucky to get a week out of a G-string before its either torn up or broken.

12/5/2005 11:31:41 AM

strictly ernie ball.

12/5/2005 12:07:40 PM

elixir's are fine if you don't want to change your strings very often

but I like ernie ball for my electric and d'addario for acoustic

12/5/2005 2:00:22 PM

i like martin strings

12/5/2005 4:13:08 PM

Quote :

"D'Addario for me"

12/5/2005 10:44:15 PM

OK here is the deal, i want to get my friend some strings, he plays a lot. Do these things come in sizes?

12/5/2005 11:42:20 PM

I would play Elixirs on both my acoustic and electric, but A) I'm poor, and B) I break strings way too often to spend that kind of money on strings. If you're like me and go through a normal set in a couple of weeks or less, try some Martin Marquis 80/20's. They're super cheap and sound great, if only for a short time though. For my electric, I use GHS boomers and would have nothing else. They're the best strings for the money, IMHO, and if you don't use them already, you should definitely give them a try. If you happen to like the coated strings, but are short on cash, you can pick up a pack of DR coated strings for around half the cost of a pack of Elixirs, only marginally more than a set of normal strings.

12/6/2005 2:01:08 AM

Yeah, all kinds of sizes, but you need the right one to make the most of the instrument. What kind of music and what kind of guitar does he play?

12/6/2005 2:02:04 AM

i would say rock/jazz and hes got like 8 guitars

12/6/2005 11:37:19 AM

at least you guitar players dont have to shell out $20 just for cheap strings

12/6/2005 12:05:53 PM

how long do bass strings last?

12/6/2005 12:17:11 PM

I'll easily go though $20 in guitar strings compared to how long bass strings last. I need to start ordering my strings in bulk, especially the g.

12/6/2005 12:33:57 PM

depends

my flatwounds are at least 1.5 years old


the Dean Markleys lasted about a 4 weeks or so before they became dull enough to piss me off, and the D' Addarios last about a month

i actually like the sound of 'dead' strings, so i use my strings longer than most people would

12/6/2005 12:35:24 PM

yeah he has at least one bass too i think

damn i wanted to get him some good shit, but this is getting confising

12/6/2005 8:48:55 PM

you gotta find out what gauge he prefers first. There's nothing I hate worse than playing a guitar at heavier gauge than I preferred.

12/6/2005 9:07:37 PM

i play with d'addario because they offer them in bulk... something like 10 packs for 30

also, wiping down the strings with a cheese cloth after playing makes the strings last much longer

12/7/2005 12:16:46 AM

Quote :

"I used them on my Taylor, and been going over a 1 1/2 year without changing strings. "

i've never had any kind of string, including elixirs, last anywhere near that long.... maybe i just have greasy fingers

12/7/2005 12:51:24 AM

make sure your friend isnt allergic to nickel strings before you get him some

12/7/2005 10:36:23 AM

Quote :

"Elixir"

12/7/2005 5:25:14 PM

i just realized i've been playing for over two years, but i've only bought strings 3 times


hmm

12/9/2005 1:09:37 AM