Guitar Strings 101

SkyMonkey said:
I'm one of the Elixir heretics!
I never break strings with the weak-ass way I play.
Don't really sweat either (hard to get hot in Yorkshire!).
The new, thinnest coating, Optiweb Elixirs are just the best of all worlds for me.
9's for Fender scale, 10's for Gibson and Eb, custom 11's for drop C (52).
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The two issues I see are
It's usually the guitar that causes strings to break. The issue is usually not caused by the brand of stings.
Sharp edges at the bridge, saddle, or nut.

Tuning stability:
It's the way (the method) that stings are installed on the guitar.
It's not really that one brand stays in tune better than any other....
And many players put the strings on wrong...which causes the tuning ----- to slip out of tune.

In that case, I can use any cheap stings (like Ernie Ball) and it will work fine.
It stays in tune, and it doesn't break.

Ambient Temperature:
Of course temperature changes will cause tuning drift, no matter what brand of stings.
Temperature colder: pitch increase.
Temperature hotter: pitch decrease.
 
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Amp Mad Scientist said:
The two issues I see are
It's usually the guitar that causes strings to break. The issue is usually not caused by the brand of stings.
Sharp edges at the bridge, saddle, or nut.

Tuning stability:
It's the way (the method) that stings are installed on the guitar.
It's not really that one brand stays in tune better than any other....
And many players put the strings on wrong...which causes the tuning ----- to slip out of tune.

In that case, I can use any cheap stings (like Ernie Ball) and it will work fine.
It stays in tune, and it doesn't break.

Ambient Temperature:
Of course temperature changes will cause tuning drift, no matter what brand of stings.
Temperature colder: pitch increase.
Temperature hotter: pitch decrease.
Click to expand...

I never break at the saddle or the nut, FWIW

Try nailing the 2-1/2 step bend in Buddy Guy's "I Smell A Rat."

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20201124_155642.jpg
 
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smitty_p said:
I only use Elixers on my Taylor acoustic. I tried regular phosphor-bronze strings once. I tried them out for fifteen minutes then I went back and got a pack of Elixers.

Much better.

It’s only been Elixers on the Taylor ever since.
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Which Elixers are you using? How do they sound?

Maybe I'll give them a go on my Martin.
 
SG John said:
Which Elixers are you using? How do they sound?

Maybe I'll give them a go on my Martin.
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I‘ve tried both the polywebs and the nanowebs. Taylors actually come from the factory with Elixirs, but I don’t know which variety. Either are okay, though the nanowebs tend to be just a touch brighter. I use a pretty light gauge, as well, though I can’t remember exactly what I bought last time!

The sound of Elixirs is less bright and tinny than regular strings. Taylors tend to be on the bright side, so Elixirs balance the sound out very nicely. A lot really depends on the guitar. If an acoustic already tends toward a darker sound, Elixirs may push it too far in that direction. But, it’s worth experimenting!
 
Thanks guys! I’ve done my math….ordered a set to try. I went with the polyweb, as my Mexi-Martin leans on the bright side(thanks @Don O :) ). I’ve got to trim my bridge a bit more with this change. I chickened out on the math last time…:facepalm:…never should have second guessed myself….but hey, it’s easier to trim than replace…right?
 
Sp8ctre said:
I'm a big fan of these. They don't break the bank and I like the way they play and sound...

View attachment 72008
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Four out of my five bass guitars are strung with LaBella strings! I adore them! I have flats on my super cheap J style bass…amazing thump! I have black, and white, tapewound on 3 others…absolutely spectacular! The white 760T 60-115 sets are my favorite bass strings ever!(says a life-long Rotosound roundwound user)
:cheers:
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Four out of my five bass guitars are strung with LaBella strings! I adore them! I have flats on my super cheap J style bass…amazing thump! I have black, and white, tapewound on 3 others…absolutely spectacular! The white 760T 60-115 sets are my favorite bass strings ever!(says a life-long Rotosound roundwound user)
:cheers:
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I sent my broken string to Ernie Ball in Coachella. They sent me 100 sets of Hybrid. 009's.
 
Robert Herndon said:
I sent my broken string to Ernie Ball in Coachella. They sent me 100 sets of Hybrid. 009's.
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Forgive me….I don’t understand the relevance?
I mean, I have enjoyed my experiences with LaBella bass strings of various types.
Whilst….
You broke an Ernie Ball guitar string in Coachella, and they replaced it 600 times over?
….weird…..but cool.
:cheers:
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Forgive me….I don’t understand the relevance?
I mean, I have enjoyed my experiences with LaBella bass strings of various types.
Whilst….
You broke an Ernie Ball guitar string in Coachella, and they replaced it 600 times over?
….weird…..but cool.
:cheers:
Click to expand...

Oh! Just sharing! I'm hyper...recorded all day at East-West on Sunset...trying to wind down!

Ernie Ball has been very cool. I tried the Labella Benders, and they were nice strings. But, I break them all if I don't change them after each session/performance.
 
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