D'addario EXL110s?

[Medgeking]

So, I've been using Elixir nanoweb strings for a number of years and I've been very happy with them overall. However, I recently had some work done by a luthier on one of my guitars and he put a different set of strings on the guitar. After playing it for a month or so, I've found that I really like the change of strings from my usual Elixirs.

I find that this new set mellowed out really quickly and they have a wonderful vintage blues rock sound. The attack is a bit softer and overall, I feel like the sound is just rounder and a bit more organic.

Here's the thing though, I'm not sure exactly what set he used. I called and asked and his best guess was that it was a set of D'addario EXL110s.

I'm thinking of buying some of those, but thought I'd check in with you all on this to see if you have any specific suggestions or comments about the EXL110s.

Let me know what you guys think . . .

 

[78deluxe]

Some of the most used strings for electric players on the planet. They are pretty much "standard issue"

Good strings.

I've used XL115s for years (same thing heavier gauge).

With my particular hand chemistry I eat them up quite quickly. But they sound very good and are made well.

 

[justnick]

They sure work for me.

 

[trap]

Love them! And I've tried a lot of boutique strings, but I always end up with D'addario's!

 

[Bobby Wasabi]

I switched to EXL110's about 15 years ago. Switched to EXL120's about a year ago (9's). Good tone, playability, durability. I've had a good experience with them.

 

[abnerfm]

I have tried D'Addario Pure Nickel strings, Roto Sound (nickel wound), etc... curiously, I prefer the cheaper D'Addarios. Here is how I hear it, and how I compare it to the others I have mentioned:

Pure Nickel: lower output, less bass and clarity and "loser" feel (the core in the wounded strings is softer) compared to the other 2 sets. I use to call them "the Tube Screamer of the strings", if that makes sense;

Roto Sound (nickel wound): more output than the other 2 sets, "harder" sound, not as chimey as D'Addarios, but more chime than the Pure Nickel set;

D'Addario EXL 110's: more output, bass and clarity than the Pure Nickel set. Less output than the Roto Sound nickel wound set, but not as hard. Smoother and clearer than the Roto's.

After all, I like D'Addarios EXL110's more than the others. But I just bought a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt and soon I'm gonna try them. This is the best thing you can do: try everything you can, so you can decide what is better for you.

 

[abnerfm]

BTW, contrary to what most people say, they last long with me, but everyone has his own chemistry in the hands... maybe mine are too dry?

 

[Medgeking]

Wow, great feedback guys, thanks.

Yeah, my brother-in-law has super acidic sweat and he can corrode a set of strings in a couple weeks.

For me, strings seem to last indefinitely, even with non-coated strings. I guess I'm lucky. Anyway, I just placed an order from juststrings for the exl110s and the exl115s along with pure nickel versions of each as well.

We'll see what sticks - thanks again!

 

[Bobby Wasabi]

Anyway, I just placed an order from juststrings for the exl110s and the exl115s along with pure nickel versions of each as well.

I'm curious, why would you have to order these strings? Virtually every guitar store I've ever walked into has D'Addario EXL's. They are quite inexpensive too. Did you get a wicked deal ordering them???

 

[Texas Jake]

I've used XL110's for 20+ years and have always had good luck with them. Like some others, I have very corrosive sweat and go through them rather quickly. When I was gigging full time, a 4 or 5 set night is all I'd get out of a new set of strings so I made of a habit of restringing my guitar before each gig. As long as I did this, I would RARELY break strings and more importantly, my guitars would tune quickly and stay in tune. The tone was also very consistent so what they lacked in longevity, they certainly made up with consistency.

I've tried Ernie Balls, GHS, Dean Markley, and a few others just to see what I was missing but have always (quickly) returned to the D'Addarios. 99% of the time I play Tele's and mostly country, rock, and blues if that matters. YMMV.

 

[Medgeking]

I'm curious, why would you have to order these strings? Virtually every guitar store I've ever walked into has D'Addario EXL's. They are quite inexpensive too. Did you get a wicked deal ordering them???

Well, it seems that every time I go to a local guitar shop, they are out of something . . .

However, when I lived in Santa Cruz, CA, that wasn't a huge problem because there are so many good music stores in the area. Unfortunately, I now reside in an area that has only one music shop and it is literally the most god-awful pathetic music store I've ever been in.

Not only do I have real doubts that they would have the 4 different sets of strings I ordered, but I've got no interest in supporting their business. I'm usually a staunch supporter of local business, but this place is the exception to the rule

I actually have fantasies of opening my own guitar shop in this area - I know it could be done!

 

[Stratobuc]

If you haven't yet, you should try Curt Mangan strings. They are mellower from the time they go on, and they outlast D'Addarios by about four times.

 

[Adagietto]

I've tried a bunch of different strings and like the D'addario EXL110s about as well as anything, except on a couple of guitars where I prefer pure nickel.

Pure Nickel: lower output, less bass and clarity and "loser" feel (the core in the wounded strings is softer) compared to the other 2 sets. I use to call them "the Tube Screamer of the strings", if that makes sense;

Pure nickel strings can benefit from raising the bass sides of the pickups slightly. I doubt that the core is any softer (it should be standard steel), but the pure nickel is less magnetic than steel. Of course, the unwound strings are steel.

 

[abnerfm]

Pure nickel strings can benefit from raising the bass sides of the pickups slightly. I doubt that the core is any softer

Well, it feels floppy compared to nickel wounded strings anyway

 

[shoegazed]

check to see if the ball ends are different colors, that would mean d'addario...

 

[Adagietto]

Well, it feels floppy compared to nickel wounded strings anyway

No argument there. Different string sets of the same nominal gauges can have different tensions. I recently tried some Fender Bullet pure nickle strings and the tension was the highest of anything I've put on my Strat in that gauge -- and it was noticeable in the feel. Lots of folks like the 'softer' feel of Pyramid Pure Nickle Classics, which have relatively small cores. I didn't happen to note the relative tension when I had a set on my Strat recently, though.

 

[Liquid_Mojo]

I've tried a lot of different string brands and I still go back to these. As someone else mentioned, they're pretty much the standard for a lot of musicians.

 

[Troy T. Blues]

Been playing them since the very beginning! Very consistent...never had a dead string yet.

 

[Structo]

I am among the players that have tried a lot of different brands and alloys.

I always seem to come back to D'Addario.

For the last couple years I have used the EPN110 Pure Nickel, Regular Light, 10-45

Less bright than the nickel alloy wrap.

They have a "rounder" sound and sound real good with a punchy, clean amp.