What Brand (if any) and gauge strings do you prefer on your guitar(s)?

[jvanhorn]

Daddario NYXL 9-42, but i pull off the 9 and 11 strings and replace them with 9.5 and 11.5

Use GHS phosphor bronze 10-46 on my acoustic and acoustic electrics

 

[Blazer]

I used Fender Dynamaxx and Super bullet strings in my formative years because they were affordable. But I wasn't satisfied with those strings, because they would dull quickly and leave black corrosion on my fingertips.

So, I started asking around for an alternative, and was told about D'Addario XL strings, I tried them and stuck with them since.

 

[zsullivan38]

I've always used Ernie Ball Slinky. I assume I was told to when I first took guitar lessons when I was a kid. Or maybe I just thought the bags looked cool. I used the coated for a long time. I think that was just because someone upsold me on them when I was younger. I don't remember why I eventually tried the normal ones instead of the coated, but have stuck with them ever since. Never felt a need to try any other strings, I guess.

Used 9s for the longest time. Recently started using the Hybrid sets, though. 9s on the treble side and 10s on the bass for my 25.5 inch scales. I use 11s on my 24 inch scale guitars at the strong suggestion of Johnny Marr in his video about his signature Jaguar. Haven't gotten on with them that great, but am very slowly getting used to it anyway. Pretty steep learning curve for me - feels like a huge difference for whatever reason. Going to try the "hybrid" 10/11 (called Ultra Slinky) set soon, though. Bought a pack, just waiting to see which guitar I want to put them on first. I do agree the 11s sounded better than the 10s that came on it, though, so we'll see how the Ultras are tone-wise.

I feel like the hybrid sets work well because most of the difference I hear is in the bass side strings, and most of the trouble heavier gauges give me is in bending the treble strings. Best of both worlds with a 9-46 or a 10-48 set. Intonation can look a little goofy so it can lead you astray a bit the first time if you start thinking "there's no way they should line up like that, what's wrong?". Once you know to expect it, it's not an issue, though. Guess it would be on a Gibson-style wrap tailpiece, possibly?

 

[Billy Claire]

been using EBs since the 60's
tried other brands but always go back
started with 9's, these days 10's
I put that s**t on everything

This is exactly me, too...

 

[jvin248]

.

Favorite guitars get Curt Mangan, the others get whatever has low prices.

.

 

[fretknot]

EB Super Slinky 9-42 on the Tele.
D'Addario 80/20 Bronze for acoustic

 

[Dik Ellis]

GHS Boomers LXL (.10-.38) on all my electrics except my Parker Fly Classic, which uses GHS Boomers (.09-.42).

 

[regularslinky]

Despite my username, D’Addario 9s on most Fender scale guitars, D’Addario 10s on Gibson scale guitars, and Fender Voodoo Child 10-38s on the two T styles I use to fake jazz with a band. They sound more balanced to me for that stuff than normal sets.

 

[gimmeatele]

Recently moved into EB slinkies 10, but also use a hybrid set of 9.5, is just seems to thin in the high strings

 

[JRapp]

Depends on the guitar...anything from .044-.010 to .048-.0115 flatwounds. I like round core on some bright guitars, hex core on others that need a little clarity. I use GHS, Curt Mangan, Ernie Ball, Rotosounds, DR; anything that works.

 

[Guithartic]

I use to use Ernie Ball Super Slinkys (.009-.042) Pure Nickel electric guitar strings for my guitars, but they didn’t last long enough for me even under light playing and wear (I’m a bedroom picker). A couple years ago, I found StringJoy Broadways online and prefer them for their long life and tone. Have you found a string brand and gauge that you prefer? What’s the story of how you found your favorite strings and why you choose to use them now? (Note: I’m sorry I didn’t realize there was another thread about strings someone else made today)

I use to use Ernie Ball Super Slinkys (.009-.042) Pure Nickel electric guitar strings for my guitars

That’s what I use. 10s sometimes too.

 

[Zepfan]

I've used D'Addario XL since the 90's. 10gauge.

 

[Holy smokes]

I have lots of different guitars . So I use stringjoy customs they keep all my info so I’ve named the different sets . I belong to a charity guitars for vets and once in while I get discounts .

 

[The Eggman]

Elixir. I combine 10-52 sets with 11-49 to make 10-49 and 11-52 since that feels more balanced to me with elixir sets for some reason.

 

[fender4life]

D'Addario EXL110 for the following reasons
1. tried many others including the popular ones like GHS, EB, and the D's feel and good as any. better then most.
2. they are consistent. In the many decades of use not one bad string and they haven't changed.
3. you will NEVER be discontinued ! Many others i tried would go away after a time. D's will always be there and readily available.
4. Price is good as any and they are always going on sale. In recent times MF regularly has a box of 12 for $40
5. IMO they sound a lot better for cleaner tones and a bit better dirty then the EBs that seem to be about as popular as D's.
6. If i ever broke a stings with D's, i cannot recall it ! I have by accident like going the wrong way with a power driver with a string turning bit. Or from loosening strings slack to install something a number of times with the same set till finally the hi E fatigued and broke. But from playing? Not once that i recall in the approximately 45 years i have used them.

So no reason to change and i stopped trying others in probaby the late 80s. I started on EB's in the 70s and i think i went to D's in the early 80s. Tried other still after that with no real reason too, but being young and stupid and having GAS, and a few times finding deals i couldn't pass up. Now for acoustic i prefer martin for the tone. D's tend to die much quicker for acoustic strings while not the case with their electrics.

 

[hopdybob]

Harley Benton 09 coated strings. work well, sound good and it takes long before they are corroded to much
coated strings

 

[northernguitar]

Tariffs have made D'Addario and Ernie Ball strings more expensive than Rotosounds, I decided to try a few packs of Roto yellows (10-46). They come with an extra high-E string and sound and feel as good as anything I've ever played.

FWIW, at band practice, the A string broke on a set of Slynkys at the ball end. This is the second time this has happened.

 

[Rstewart8706]

Ernie Ball
10s on 24.75 in scale
9s on 25.5 in scale

 

[RCinMempho]

Acoustic - John Pearse Acoustic Six String Guitar Phosphor Bronze Light Gauge, .012 - .053, 600L

These John Pearse strings are simply awesome. I've tried a few different gauges, but they are all fantastic for both sound and longevity.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

Acoustic - John Pearse Acoustic Six String Guitar Phosphor Bronze Light Gauge, .012 - .053, 600L

These John Pearse strings are simply awesome. I've tried a few different gauges, but they are all fantastic for both sound and longevity.

My fave non-coated acoustic strings, for the past 10+ years,
Pearse PB Lights

( however,
completely unexpected, I have jumped ship ( 2 years now) to the D'Addario XS PB Lights on my gig acoustic*
-incredible tone, volume, last forever, and finally a coating that is not annoyingly slippery to my fingers. I can actually feel and grip strings when fretting/ forming chords)

* I use one acoustic for gigs only ( no home play), and one for daily home play. Strings last longer on both!