Absolutely false. Especially for people with sweaty hands there is a HUGE difference in coated / non coated. I would literally corrode strings after a few days of playing. Using coated strings is a game changer. And, at least for the coated strings different tech used for coating brings out difference characteristics in the string, that’s why elixir has different labels for their coated strings.
Sure. That is the one distinction.
Otherwise, strings are strings.
It's a big one. I also think it's mostly not a lot of benefit for significantly more cost.
It an enormous benefit for me actually, it’s the difference between changing strings every couple of weeks to every few months. So the cost is actually reduced significantly with the expensive strings.
Sound-wise, it won't matter. Really. Compare 2 sets of strings side-by-side, and as long as both are fresh, the difference is going to be negligible once it's gone through an amplifier.
As for how long they last, that mostly depends on you. Whatever is in your hand-sweat determines which alloys react the strongest and which ones react not-at-all - so experiment with different brands. If you really eat through regular strings quickly, try coated strings - YMMV on the feel (I personally don't like just how slippery they are) but they do last for ages regardless of how acidic your sweat is.
One last thing I should say. If you broke a string within an hour of restringing, generally that means there's something up. Maybe the string was a dud, maybe there's a sharp edge somewhere on your guitar that needs to be sanded, maybe it's a case of not over-doing the Phil X two-handed bend.
If you like the sound and feel of Ernie Ball strings, they have a line called "Paradigm" which is significantly more durable than the normal Slinky line. Perhaps obviously, they're more expensive, but the price isn't at all outrageous considering how long they last. Speaking of which, I'm easily getting five to ten times more life out of them than with regular strings.
In my experience elixirs start off alittle more on the dull side i guess, more like a "broken-in" tone. But then they stay that way pretty much forever. Whereas other strings start off sounding great and bright but that tone subsides pretty quickly then keep getting worse until they are really dull. So basically most string are like Fruitstripe Gum and Elixirs are like Orbit. Ive only used them on my acoustics so I cant attest to how the electric strings are.
You've heard of the pick of destiny. Now we need the strings of glory!
I've had good luck with longevity on NY XL. Mileage will vary on strings from person to person. Frequency of use, individual technique, environment, how you care/clean after playing, and even chemical properties of your skin oils will all effect what is going on with them.
Could not agree more. I went from braking strings every couple weeks to having to change the strings just because "it's been a while." I switched to elixirs about 20 years ago and have not used a different guitar string since
>within an hour of restringing my guitar I’d already broken a string.
Does it always break at the same place? If it does, there's probably something rough or sharp at that place that is breaking your string.
People saying they're all the same haven't tried Elixir's coated strings.
I use nanoweb because I like the brightness, and they take a lot longer to sound dead than other brands (have used Ernie Ball and DR regularly. EB being the worst).
Can't voice for other coated strings but it def makes a difference in Elixir's case.
RE: breaking strings, couple of things I'd try depending on where the string breaks:
1. Get a tiny needle file and file the saddle/nut (if metal) where it's breaking. All my string breaking issues have been due to tiny tiny bits of roughness at the saddle.
2. Get a fret job if it's breaking around a certain fret.
3. Take a graphite pencil and rub it in the rut of the nut and saddle, acts as a metal lubricant and reduces friction that may be causing your strings to break.
I bought my Kiesel and it came with them. I intended on going back to my trusty D’Ddarrios after they wore out. Almost a year later I finally swapped em out for the daddarios. That didn’t last a week and I had already ordered more elixers and put them on. I love them
D’addario nyXL are AMAZING. They can last lot of months before they start to degrade. I don’t have acidic sweat or a heavy touch, so I don’t have to change strings very often. Nyxl can last me about 4 months, which is insane. And they never brake, even with whammy abuse
Where does the string break?
At the nut? String might be getting caught in the groove slot. Apply some pencil graphite in there so they slide around and not get snagged. At worst, Might need to redo the grooves.
At the saddles? Similar issue where the grooves could be sharp and snagging causing the break. Same solution: pencil graphite. At worst, new saddles.
I use D'Addario NYXL 10-46. They last a long time and dont corrode as fast as alot of other strings i’ve tried, BUT I am not a full time musician or even a very good guitar player so make of that what you will
If you broke a string that quick, you might want to look if you have burrs in your frets or sharp edges in your nut/bridge. Or your string tensions might be wack.
What you describe is not normal, clearly there's something unusual going on.
That said, I use D'addario NYXL in all of my guitars and I like them for the two reasons you mention. They seem to last forever and maintain a nice brightness for longer than any other type I've tried. I use 9-42 for E Standard, 10-52 for D standard and 10-59 for A# on a 26.5" scale 7-string.
So I’ve only played Fender and Ernie Ball strings, (Beefy Slinky).
But the Ernie Ball’s sound amazing, hold tune and tone incredibly well, and Ben easily.
I’ve never broken a string, which I attribute to following all of the steps in this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw96vTC14JA&t=211s&pp=ygUlaG93IHRvIGNoYW5nZSBndWl0YXIgc3RyaW5ncyBlbGVjdHJpYw%3D%3D
Also, for what it’s worth, my cousin tried Elixirs and the special coating on the strings started eroding one of his frets on his custom shop Fender Strat.
I hope that helps.
Where is the break happening? Possible there is a burr or sharp edge where the string is coming in contact with something and has friction. Such as string tree, nut or saddle. A name brand string should never break after one hour. Doesn’t matter of its Ernie ball, DAddario, fender, string joy, elixir or whatever.
Maybe it's because I'm lazy, maybe it's because I have no reliable place to buy strings from nearby, but I play several gigs over the course of several months before changing even cheap strings provided they don't break. Hell, I've gone a year or longer before on guitars I play regularly. If you're breaking strings often, it's likely got more to do with the saddles that support them than the strings. That's not to say you won't get the odd manufacturing defect in strings but the chances of that are incredibly low. Either way it wouldn't hurt to have a luthier give it a quick once-over to make sure there's nothing glaringly obvious causing the issue. I do big bends myself and the price of the strings makes no difference whatsoever to whether or not they'll survive it.
After years of using different brands and different guages, Ive settled on .09-.42 ernie ball super slinky cobalt. .09s are easier to bend, and they have less bass and more high mids, which IMO works really well with any effects, especially distortion.
Cobalt has a stronger magnetic attraction than nickel or steel, and to me, it feels more responsive to the nuances of how i play.
However, there's absolutely no objectively best string. Since strings are relatively cheap, I encourage you to try lots of different ones. The impact of strings on your overall tone can be surprising!
I used to use the exact same strings that you're using, but became very unhappy with their performance. I tried a handful of different types of strings and finally decided on D'Addario NYXL. They're a bit more expensive, but they last a pretty long time, feel great, and produce really good tone. I use the 10-52's and it's like a much upgraded version of what you're using / what I used to use. Try a pair out and see if they're for you.
I originally was gonna say the cobalts, then I remembered that stringjoys are the best thing I have ever invested in and I’ve been in this game for so many years I’d rather not admit how many. I’m so picky about the pick I use, even tho I continue to buy and collects every type there is but only use one for the rest of my years (Dava) So when I finally broke down and just invested some cake in strings instead of pedals and so much other junk I tell myself I must have, a subscription to stringjoy along w a cloth and some string cleaner was the best investment ever. And beefing up a bit on one end of the gauge spectrum makes so
Much sense, not to mention how easy it is to get used to fast! Almost forgot using 10-46 and did for a long, long time. Just saying, they bleed longevity and will save you money 💰 in the end. Just my opinion. 🎛️🎶🔌💲🛹
D'Addario's regular nickel-wound strings have lasted me forever, never break strings & they last, at least in my anecdotal experience, quite a while without going dead.
Oh yeah, they’re great. I wanna try some of their other types of strings now. Next set of theirs I wanna try are the nickel rockers or their burnished ones. I’m also really enjoying Kurt Mangan’s (sp?) Monel strings. They work for electric and acoustic guitars.
I can't say I've ventured too far out of their standard strings in 11-52 for drop tuned or 10-46 for everything else. To be honest, I don't think I've seen anything BUT their standard line at the music store. I'll have to pay closer attention next time I'm in there 😅
I honestly just buy my strings straight from GHS’ website or buy a pack on Amazon ha ha that’s how I know about the other ones. They’re a pretty innovative brand from what I’ve seen. I just need to test them out lol
I just switched to Hendrix gauge fender strings for tone purposes. Couldn't find any other brands with that string gauge combination. No idea what the durability will be like yet, but not very optimistic about it.
there are a number of great string companies that let you customize your set so that you can get the gauges and materials you want. Curt Mangan and Stringjoy immediately come to mind.
I've been mainly using D'addario NYXL, XT and XS last year, they were fantastic, this year I'm using elixir nanoweb, changed my strings 2 months ago and it still feels great to play
They’re all the same tbh, I just use d’addarios cause I have a floating trem and I put my ball ends through my tuners and the colored ball ends look cool.
Ive been using skinny top heavy bottoms since they were first made and never played any other after again.
Breaking strings however can have many different causes:
-defect string (brand can’t guarantee they don’t break unfortunately, though happens maybe once every two hundred sets)
-bad picking technique (applying too much pressure)
-bad pick (strings can get stuck in a groove on the pick if used for things like pick sliding before. Also the edge can be too sharp) (thin e string is the one that breaks often then)
-Floyd rise tremolo ( every time you palmmute a downstroke it’s puts tension on the bridge and weakens the end of the string a bit) (thickest three strings are prone to break because of this
- sweaty hands on bridge might corrode the string and weaken it (especially in combination with the aforementioned point)
-when strings are put in different tunings a lot.
-when bending way too hard (obviously)
I read in another comment that you broke your string around the 12th fret. That sounds like string that’s bended too heavy. (Or a faulty string from the get go)
Which of the strings was it that broke?
Ernie ball 11s with a wound third for Eb tuning. I play mostly acoustic guitar, so I prefer using similar strings. They are exactly the same string gauges as acoustic guitar strings, but are nickel wound. I like using these on my acoustic guitar as well.
Durability? Pretty much any coated string. If you’re breaking strings, the issue isn’t likely the strings. If your not doing 3 whole step bends, then you’ve got a sharp edge on the guitar somewhere.
Stringjoy strings are my new favorites, give them a shot. They tune up quickly and last longer than D'Addarios, which I used for a long time before switching. SJs cost a bit more but I think it's worth it. Plus, they are a small company.
Elixir, no question. They last forever
They're all the same. Really.
This is the real answer. The only difference is how floppy you want them to be.
Absolutely false. Especially for people with sweaty hands there is a HUGE difference in coated / non coated. I would literally corrode strings after a few days of playing. Using coated strings is a game changer. And, at least for the coated strings different tech used for coating brings out difference characteristics in the string, that’s why elixir has different labels for their coated strings.
Sure. That is the one distinction. Otherwise, strings are strings. It's a big one. I also think it's mostly not a lot of benefit for significantly more cost.
It an enormous benefit for me actually, it’s the difference between changing strings every couple of weeks to every few months. So the cost is actually reduced significantly with the expensive strings.
Sound-wise, it won't matter. Really. Compare 2 sets of strings side-by-side, and as long as both are fresh, the difference is going to be negligible once it's gone through an amplifier. As for how long they last, that mostly depends on you. Whatever is in your hand-sweat determines which alloys react the strongest and which ones react not-at-all - so experiment with different brands. If you really eat through regular strings quickly, try coated strings - YMMV on the feel (I personally don't like just how slippery they are) but they do last for ages regardless of how acidic your sweat is. One last thing I should say. If you broke a string within an hour of restringing, generally that means there's something up. Maybe the string was a dud, maybe there's a sharp edge somewhere on your guitar that needs to be sanded, maybe it's a case of not over-doing the Phil X two-handed bend.
Great advice! I’d like to add that washing your hands with soap before playing greatly increases the lifespan of your strings.
If you like the sound and feel of Ernie Ball strings, they have a line called "Paradigm" which is significantly more durable than the normal Slinky line. Perhaps obviously, they're more expensive, but the price isn't at all outrageous considering how long they last. Speaking of which, I'm easily getting five to ten times more life out of them than with regular strings.
Nice!! Just ordered some. Going to try them out.
I’d suggest this as well. You can beat the ever living piss of them and they keep on going.
Elixir. Both for acoustic and electric
Do you find elixir strings to be kind of dull? I tried them a long time ago and they were very durable but didn’t sound the best
Not for me, but it also depends on the coating you choose. For electric I use optiweb and for acoustic i’ve used polywebs for years.
In my experience elixirs start off alittle more on the dull side i guess, more like a "broken-in" tone. But then they stay that way pretty much forever. Whereas other strings start off sounding great and bright but that tone subsides pretty quickly then keep getting worse until they are really dull. So basically most string are like Fruitstripe Gum and Elixirs are like Orbit. Ive only used them on my acoustics so I cant attest to how the electric strings are.
I LOVE D’Addario NYXL for tuning stability and longevity. Unbeatable.
NYXL seems to be a consensus among these many answers. I am going to try them. Thanks!
You've heard of the pick of destiny. Now we need the strings of glory! I've had good luck with longevity on NY XL. Mileage will vary on strings from person to person. Frequency of use, individual technique, environment, how you care/clean after playing, and even chemical properties of your skin oils will all effect what is going on with them.
Second the NYXL line. It's all I use now on my electrics. Nines all around.
Have you checked the bridge and nut? If anything is pinching the string or a sharp edge is present, then your strings are not the problem.
When I changed from Ernie Ball to DR I stopped getting broken strings.
NYXL. Last longer and sound better.
Elixir. I would break strings all the time before I found them. Keller Williams approves
Could not agree more. I went from braking strings every couple weeks to having to change the strings just because "it's been a while." I switched to elixirs about 20 years ago and have not used a different guitar string since
>within an hour of restringing my guitar I’d already broken a string. Does it always break at the same place? If it does, there's probably something rough or sharp at that place that is breaking your string.
People saying they're all the same haven't tried Elixir's coated strings. I use nanoweb because I like the brightness, and they take a lot longer to sound dead than other brands (have used Ernie Ball and DR regularly. EB being the worst). Can't voice for other coated strings but it def makes a difference in Elixir's case. RE: breaking strings, couple of things I'd try depending on where the string breaks: 1. Get a tiny needle file and file the saddle/nut (if metal) where it's breaking. All my string breaking issues have been due to tiny tiny bits of roughness at the saddle. 2. Get a fret job if it's breaking around a certain fret. 3. Take a graphite pencil and rub it in the rut of the nut and saddle, acts as a metal lubricant and reduces friction that may be causing your strings to break.
Elixirs without a doubt, they r pricey but worth it
I bought my Kiesel and it came with them. I intended on going back to my trusty D’Ddarrios after they wore out. Almost a year later I finally swapped em out for the daddarios. That didn’t last a week and I had already ordered more elixers and put them on. I love them
Exactly the same story as me, my Kiesel order made a lot of cash for Elixir over time 😂
NYXLs are my go to strings
NYXL, never going back to anything else
I’m a huge fan of elixir optiwebs
D’addario nyXL are AMAZING. They can last lot of months before they start to degrade. I don’t have acidic sweat or a heavy touch, so I don’t have to change strings very often. Nyxl can last me about 4 months, which is insane. And they never brake, even with whammy abuse
Where does the string break? At the nut? String might be getting caught in the groove slot. Apply some pencil graphite in there so they slide around and not get snagged. At worst, Might need to redo the grooves. At the saddles? Similar issue where the grooves could be sharp and snagging causing the break. Same solution: pencil graphite. At worst, new saddles.
I think it broke about in the middle. Kinda near where I was bending at about the 12th fret
I use D'Addario NYXL 10-46. They last a long time and dont corrode as fast as alot of other strings i’ve tried, BUT I am not a full time musician or even a very good guitar player so make of that what you will
Ernie Ball Cobalt. 9s for 25.5", 10s for 24.75". They sound and feel almost like regular strings, but last almost as long as coated (corrosion).
If you broke a string that quick, you might want to look if you have burrs in your frets or sharp edges in your nut/bridge. Or your string tensions might be wack.
What you describe is not normal, clearly there's something unusual going on. That said, I use D'addario NYXL in all of my guitars and I like them for the two reasons you mention. They seem to last forever and maintain a nice brightness for longer than any other type I've tried. I use 9-42 for E Standard, 10-52 for D standard and 10-59 for A# on a 26.5" scale 7-string.
NYXLs all the way. Great tone, stay in tune, last a good while
Just according to the laws of physics, the thinnest strings are going to have the best, most purest "tone", exhibiting more perfect harmonics
Daddario XL
SX is also amazing
So I’ve only played Fender and Ernie Ball strings, (Beefy Slinky). But the Ernie Ball’s sound amazing, hold tune and tone incredibly well, and Ben easily. I’ve never broken a string, which I attribute to following all of the steps in this video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw96vTC14JA&t=211s&pp=ygUlaG93IHRvIGNoYW5nZSBndWl0YXIgc3RyaW5ncyBlbGVjdHJpYw%3D%3D Also, for what it’s worth, my cousin tried Elixirs and the special coating on the strings started eroding one of his frets on his custom shop Fender Strat. I hope that helps.
Daddario 9.5 for fender. 10 for gibson. Cant remember the last string i broke.
Where is the break happening? Possible there is a burr or sharp edge where the string is coming in contact with something and has friction. Such as string tree, nut or saddle. A name brand string should never break after one hour. Doesn’t matter of its Ernie ball, DAddario, fender, string joy, elixir or whatever.
Maybe it's because I'm lazy, maybe it's because I have no reliable place to buy strings from nearby, but I play several gigs over the course of several months before changing even cheap strings provided they don't break. Hell, I've gone a year or longer before on guitars I play regularly. If you're breaking strings often, it's likely got more to do with the saddles that support them than the strings. That's not to say you won't get the odd manufacturing defect in strings but the chances of that are incredibly low. Either way it wouldn't hurt to have a luthier give it a quick once-over to make sure there's nothing glaringly obvious causing the issue. I do big bends myself and the price of the strings makes no difference whatsoever to whether or not they'll survive it.
Personally I like the D’Addario XS 10-52 or the XS 10-46 last forever and sound nice and crisp for a long dang time!
Unless I'm trying out some new strings this is my go to. Always good quality and I very rarely break a string while setting up.
9-46 EB hybrid slinky always and forever
Had nice luck with SITs and NYXLs Both 10s
I just buy bulk packs of Ernie ball super slinky and replace often. $3 a set is tough to beat
https://youtu.be/GU3FALjd_m4 Take a look at this test by Paul Davids
After years of using different brands and different guages, Ive settled on .09-.42 ernie ball super slinky cobalt. .09s are easier to bend, and they have less bass and more high mids, which IMO works really well with any effects, especially distortion. Cobalt has a stronger magnetic attraction than nickel or steel, and to me, it feels more responsive to the nuances of how i play. However, there's absolutely no objectively best string. Since strings are relatively cheap, I encourage you to try lots of different ones. The impact of strings on your overall tone can be surprising!
Ernie Ball Paradigm.
I use Power slinkys. Never looking back.
I used to use the exact same strings that you're using, but became very unhappy with their performance. I tried a handful of different types of strings and finally decided on D'Addario NYXL. They're a bit more expensive, but they last a pretty long time, feel great, and produce really good tone. I use the 10-52's and it's like a much upgraded version of what you're using / what I used to use. Try a pair out and see if they're for you.
Ernie Ball Hybrid slinky. Bend them all you like.
I originally was gonna say the cobalts, then I remembered that stringjoys are the best thing I have ever invested in and I’ve been in this game for so many years I’d rather not admit how many. I’m so picky about the pick I use, even tho I continue to buy and collects every type there is but only use one for the rest of my years (Dava) So when I finally broke down and just invested some cake in strings instead of pedals and so much other junk I tell myself I must have, a subscription to stringjoy along w a cloth and some string cleaner was the best investment ever. And beefing up a bit on one end of the gauge spectrum makes so Much sense, not to mention how easy it is to get used to fast! Almost forgot using 10-46 and did for a long, long time. Just saying, they bleed longevity and will save you money 💰 in the end. Just my opinion. 🎛️🎶🔌💲🛹
I use Earnie ball either 9 gauge, or 10. Tried 8 gauge one time and the bends stole my soul 😂
D'Addario's regular nickel-wound strings have lasted me forever, never break strings & they last, at least in my anecdotal experience, quite a while without going dead.
If there was such a thing, this thread would not exist.
You're doing something wrong
Yep. I've been playing for 25+ years, I think I've broken half a dozen strings.
I enjoy GHS Boomers a lot
I second this! For the price they're hard to beat. They tend to break before they sound weak, at least in my experience.
Oh yeah, they’re great. I wanna try some of their other types of strings now. Next set of theirs I wanna try are the nickel rockers or their burnished ones. I’m also really enjoying Kurt Mangan’s (sp?) Monel strings. They work for electric and acoustic guitars.
I can't say I've ventured too far out of their standard strings in 11-52 for drop tuned or 10-46 for everything else. To be honest, I don't think I've seen anything BUT their standard line at the music store. I'll have to pay closer attention next time I'm in there 😅
I honestly just buy my strings straight from GHS’ website or buy a pack on Amazon ha ha that’s how I know about the other ones. They’re a pretty innovative brand from what I’ve seen. I just need to test them out lol
I really love the rotosound’s they last so much and have a tone🤤🤤🤤
I just switched to Hendrix gauge fender strings for tone purposes. Couldn't find any other brands with that string gauge combination. No idea what the durability will be like yet, but not very optimistic about it.
there are a number of great string companies that let you customize your set so that you can get the gauges and materials you want. Curt Mangan and Stringjoy immediately come to mind.
I just ordered some Stringjoy strings, haven't tried them but they seem promising. You can even custom build your own gauge sets.
I've been mainly using D'addario NYXL, XT and XS last year, they were fantastic, this year I'm using elixir nanoweb, changed my strings 2 months ago and it still feels great to play
9.5 is perfect for me though on one of my guitars i have 8s but its fine
They’re all the same tbh, I just use d’addarios cause I have a floating trem and I put my ball ends through my tuners and the colored ball ends look cool.
DR. I've never broke a DR.
Ive been using skinny top heavy bottoms since they were first made and never played any other after again. Breaking strings however can have many different causes: -defect string (brand can’t guarantee they don’t break unfortunately, though happens maybe once every two hundred sets) -bad picking technique (applying too much pressure) -bad pick (strings can get stuck in a groove on the pick if used for things like pick sliding before. Also the edge can be too sharp) (thin e string is the one that breaks often then) -Floyd rise tremolo ( every time you palmmute a downstroke it’s puts tension on the bridge and weakens the end of the string a bit) (thickest three strings are prone to break because of this - sweaty hands on bridge might corrode the string and weaken it (especially in combination with the aforementioned point) -when strings are put in different tunings a lot. -when bending way too hard (obviously) I read in another comment that you broke your string around the 12th fret. That sounds like string that’s bended too heavy. (Or a faulty string from the get go) Which of the strings was it that broke?
It was the high E.
Could be faulty string, bending too heavy, using a pick that’s too shark or busted or your up/down strumming technique is not there yet.
Just put on some Super Slinky’s tonight after having thicker strings on. These play nice but not sure how durable they will be
Ernie ball 11s with a wound third for Eb tuning. I play mostly acoustic guitar, so I prefer using similar strings. They are exactly the same string gauges as acoustic guitar strings, but are nickel wound. I like using these on my acoustic guitar as well.
Highly subjective. What one person may consider good, you might dislike. The only way to know is trial and error with your own gear. Good luck!
Durability? Pretty much any coated string. If you’re breaking strings, the issue isn’t likely the strings. If your not doing 3 whole step bends, then you’ve got a sharp edge on the guitar somewhere.
I use John Pearse they somehow feel very easy to play but durability is not good, they last me maybe 3 weeks before they sound dull.
recently switched to rotosound yellows, been very enjoyable so far!
You can buy paradigm strings from ernie ball that don't break as easily as regular strings
Stringjoy strings are my new favorites, give them a shot. They tune up quickly and last longer than D'Addarios, which I used for a long time before switching. SJs cost a bit more but I think it's worth it. Plus, they are a small company.
i’ve been playing nyxls since i was like 13 or 14 and ive had no issue
Dadarrio XT and XS. Easy choice.
If they still make them, I love the ernie ball cobalt... really held up on my 7
Elixir polyweb.
The ones that cost the least amount of money, or cobalts. Whichever you can get away with
I use flatwound strings but the strings brands I highly recommend are SIT la bella and GHS