Strings, strings, & strings

When you guys go out to purchase a set of strings, or even thinking about changing to a different set or brand of strings, what do you typically look for? What are some of the qualities and characteristics that particularly stand out to you? (tone, longevity, etc) And how do you think these qualities complement your playing?

Yes... Tone, longevity, feel, [slickness slinkyness, tautness]... how do they bend, and maybe price.. I just get D'Addario,10s and I don't think about it.. I used to use Ernie Ball 10s, and I switched because someone thought I should, and I did. Now it is just a habit... But there are so many brands....why not experiment? The thing for me is, that if I change brand or gauges, I might have to do a set-up again. Everything on my Teles are set-up for the D'Addarios.. And they do sound good..

I've never found as much difference tonally between different brands of guitar strings as I have bass strings. Over the years I've tended to be pretty satisfied with D'Addario 10-46's although I've used some EB Slinky's from time to time too.

I'm not that hard on strings so they'll last a while before I have to change them. Since I prefer them broken in a bit I try not to change right before a gig but rather when I have time to put a few hours on them and get them settled in.

My basses have almost always had either DR or GHS strings in them and there I do find a much bigger difference in the tonality of the bass depending on the strings I'm using. I've thought about giving their guitar strings a try as well but so far I haven't done it just being the creature of habit I am.

I've never found as much difference tonally between different brands of guitar strings as I have bass strings. Over the years I've tended to be pretty satisfied with D'Addario 10-46's although I've used some EB Slinky's from time to time too.

I'm not that hard on strings so they'll last a while before I have to change them. Since I prefer them broken in a bit I try not to change right before a gig but rather when I have time to put a few hours on them and get them settled in.

My basses have almost always had either DR or GHS strings in them and there I do find a much bigger difference in the tonality of the bass depending on the strings I'm using. I've thought about giving their guitar strings a try as well but so far I haven't done it just being the creature of habit I am.

Well Said! Same here with Bass vs. Guitar strings. I do have a preference of Nickel wound or plated strings but most of all is feel and longivity. Bass it is DR's and TI's

Another vote here for D'addario 10's. Nice and cheap, they feel good and last well.

Totally agree about bass strings though, there's much more variation in feel and tone with them. I put some cheap Olympia flatwounds on about a year ago and love them, they have a nice woody thump and I don't see that they'll need changing for a long time.

Just curious, have any of you tried doing the A/B method to compare strings or even test out new strings? Personally I haven't because I don't have the money and time to do that, but it's something I've been considering.

How much does the tone (clarity, highs and lows, punch, etc) affect your opinions about the strings when you're playing your electric guitar acoustically? Do you notice a difference after you plug it in?

Never really compared them. Tbh I think standard guitar strings are pretty much of a muchness, the only difference I've ever noticed is longevity with some staying brighter for longer. Can't say I've noticed much difference in tone once you plug into an amp and pedals.

try lots of different brands and the chances are you will find one that you like ... then try to buy in bulk ... it's cheaper and more convenient to have a stock on hand than to drive across town to buy a $4 pack of strings ...

There is only a small handfull of string factories and they end up in a lot of different packages, including, I suspect, www.webstrings, for which I pay about $2.50/set.
At that price, you can afford to change them often.

I see. Are there any particular tonal qualities that you guys look for? A lot of friends and players that I know express that some strings just feel right and sound right for them, and they don't really know why. What are some of the tonal or feel qualities that you particularly enjoy from your strings?