What strings brands and gauges do you use - and why?

On my electrics I use either Snake Oil or Gibson Vintage Reissue, both are vintage style nickel strings. I use .011s on my 335 and telecaster style guitars. On my jazz guitar (175 style) I use Gibson flats in .012 gauge. I can hardly play an electric guitar with .009 gauge strings.

Bryan

 

I've tried a bunch of different brands, but keep going back to D'Addario XL's for the most part. I typically go with 10's tuned standard because they sound and feel better than 9's. I used 11's for a while, but found my hands get fatigued faster.

Here's the breakdown:

PRS CU24: 10-46. Not too light, not too heavy.

Strat 1: 10-52. I like the extra thump of the big wound strings on Strats

Strat 2: 11-54. See above, but I keep this one tuned flat so I like the extra tension out of the 11's. I use the "Just Strings" brand for this set. Sound good.

USACG S Hollow: 11-49. Also tuned flat, so again I like the extra tension and fat sound.

PRS HBII: 11-49. Tuned flat. Same as above.

Ibanez Talman: Currently 11-49, but I don't play this one much. Have yet to decide what to do with it.

 

Snake Oil Brand Vintage formula 009"s . Best I have ever played they sound great and last a very long time.

 

Another SnakeOil string user. Vintage 11-50. They feel amazing

 

..10-46"s on everything. I like the same gauge on all my guitars . That way the strings are the constant, and the guitars are different. I like Electro harmonix. They are not real popular ,or easy to find. In fact, I fear one day they will just stop making them.

 

I also use 11's...I prefer DR's but if I can't get them I'll go with Gibson Vintage Reissue.....I don't really like to change strings that often, and kind of prefer the sound of broken in strings

 

D'Addar "e-i-e-i-o" 9.5 's (EXL120+) , just right , 3 sets $10.

 

Pyrmiad (?) 10 guage. I got a set at NAMM. Is thrity bucks for a set of strings worth it? Like I said I bought them at NAMM in January. Its now the end of June and I haven't changed yet. They still have a great tone. I really like the feel. When you play and bend, you can really "feel" them. If I wear them out, I may purchase a set. But at this time, there just not ready.

 

I've always used D'Addario 9's or 10's. I like how they sound and how they feel. They also last a long time. Any time I try a different brand of strings, they just don't feel/sound right.

 

Snake oil 11's...

the best i've ever played!

:AOK

 

D'Addario 10-46, played 11-49 for a couple of years but recently switched back to 10's. like the feel better and don't really notice a major difference in tone.

 

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky - 9-46. I have tried several other brands but for some reason I keep coming back to these - I think it's because I've been using these strings for 25 years...Although, I think I am going to try the Snake Oil, Sfarzo, and Knucklehead Strings as these seem to be getting great reviews.

 

Well, I guess I'm the odd duck here but I use Elixers Nanowebs 9-42 or 10-46 on all my stuff. Anybody else like the Elixers?

 

+1

Easy bending on the tops and better tone on the lowers

Regards,

Harry

 

Snake Oil Brand Original Nickel .11-.48 for my electrics
Snake Oil Brand PBM .13-.56 on my acoustics

Simply the best strings I've had on any of my guitars, especially the longer they are on each guitar.


kev

 

I used DR & Pyramids for over 10 years but changed to Snake Oil Brand just over a year ago.
(...& won't be changing back!)

10-46 on the Strats & 11-48 on the shorter scale Les Pauls, so as to get similar tension/playability on all the guitars.

* rorschah - I remove crud & keep the strings clean with Zippo (or Ronsonol) lighter fluid after every gig or practice, & occasionally use GHS "FastFret".

I've been told by from several friends that the very best product to clean strings & keep 'em fresh is Bill Chapin's "Fine Guitar Gloss". I've not tried it myself yet...
- anyone out there use it?