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Post by colchar on Apr 11, 2010 15:53:05 GMT -5
As a new guitarist I am still figuring out which strings suit me best. I have considered going to .10s but figure I would be best served by sticking with .9s for now as they are supposed to be easier to play (if I am incorrect in that assumption please let me know). I have tried Boomers and didn't like them much. I have mainly used Ernie Ball Super Slinkys and really like them as they feel great, etc. I am currently considering trying Rotosound Pinks just to see what they are like. But before I make the change, I wanted to pick the brains of more experienced guitarists.
Does anyone here have any experience with them? If so, would you mind giving me a mini-review? And can anyone who has played both offer a comparison to Super Slinkys?
Finally, I have only used wound strings but am wondering about pure nickel strings. I understand they are supposed to give off a more 'full' sound but can anyone here tell me anything about them in comparison to wound strings?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by kevina on Apr 11, 2010 15:59:07 GMT -5
To be honest mate ive tried several strings and the ones I like are Ernie's, but try D'Addario ones as they are good.
The one thing I would say is if your changing the string gauge it could result in the guitar needing a set up so I would speak to someone who has experience in this or go to your local guitar shop and see what they can do for you.
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Post by Mohikanas on Apr 11, 2010 16:09:28 GMT -5
Actualy strings are very individual mater of taste for every guitarist. Personally I use pure nickel strings (11s.) It delivers more powerful sound and I like it  |
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Post by colchar on Apr 11, 2010 16:11:31 GMT -5
There is a minor problem with the nut on my new guitar so, because it is still under warranty, I am having it fixed at the store from which I bought it. If I decided to change gauge it would be simple enough to tell them to do a set-up while replacing the nut and putting on new strings. For all I know, they might have to do a set-up anyway once the nut is replaced.
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Post by Happy Jack on Apr 11, 2010 16:11:53 GMT -5
To be honest mate ive tried several strings and the ones I like are Ernie's, but try D'Addario ones as they are good. The one thing I would say is if your changing the string gauge it could result in the guitar needing a set up so I would speak to someone who has experience in this or go to your local guitar shop and see what they can do for you. D'addario for me as well, I don't like Ernie Balls at all but it is a matter of taste You should be OK changing up or down a gauge without a major set up but if you have a strat with a trem you may need to adjust the trem springs as a heavier gauge of strings will pull the bridge up off the body. This isn't a big deal and is pretty simple to do. Action and intonation may need adjusting but it is all pretty easy to do. There is loads of info on the net and if you struggle just ask for on here and someone will be able help |
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Post by colchar on Apr 11, 2010 16:16:11 GMT -5
My apologies, I should have mentioned that I am playing an Epiphone G-400 SG so I don't have to worry about a trem system or anything like that.
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Post by Happy Jack on Apr 11, 2010 16:29:01 GMT -5
My apologies, I should have mentioned that I am playing an Epiphone G-400 SG so I don't have to worry about a trem system or anything like that. I apologise as well - because you do say what you are playing in your thread about effects My Luthier says as a a rule of thumb - strats / tele types 9s, Les Pauls / SG types 10s I would think you could go up to 10s without a problem. Loads more tone IMHO but it is personal taste really |
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Post by colchar on Apr 11, 2010 19:54:11 GMT -5
My Luthier says as a a rule of thumb - strats / tele types 9s, Les Pauls / SG types 10s Hmmm, that makes a lot of sense especially when you consider the individual qualities of those guitars. That's a great rule of thumb to keep in mind - thanks for that. More tone is what I'm looking for so I think I will try out some 10s (particularly since I'm having a warranty repair job done tomorrow so neither that, the strings, nor any set-up that might be required will cost me a dime - if it turns out I don't like 10s I won't have wasted any of my own money on them!). As much as I love the feel of the Ernie Ball Super Slinkys one of my big issues with them is that the B and the E strings seem to sound a little bit brittle (I'm not sure that is the correct term but it is the best one I can think of at the moment). I think switching to 10s will remedy that a bit. My fingers may not be used to the thicker bass strings but that will come in time so no big worries there. I think I'll forget about Rotosound strings for now and will stick with the Ernie Balls. I guess the only decision left is whether or not I should try their Classic Rock N Roll strings as they are pure nickel. If switching to 10s gets me some more tone and, more importantly, a less brittle sound then I'm thinking that switching to their Classic Rock N Roll 10s might complete the job and give me exactly what I am looking for. Or maybe I'll just go with regular Slinkys to see how they feel/sound and will leave trying the Classic R N R strings to another time (ie. take two small steps rather than one larger step). Decisions, decisions... |
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Post by colchar on Apr 11, 2010 20:32:49 GMT -5
Further to my previous post:
I found an article about strings in an old Guitar Player magazine which said that "[w]hile pure nickel strings exhibit a wonderful warmth and nuanced richness when you are playing with clean tones, those virtues are quickly compromised as you crank up the gain . . ." Although I am not one to crank the gain to ridiculous levels I do use it so I think that, for now, I will just go with the regular Ernie Ball Slinkys and will leave trying the pure nickel ones to another time.
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Post by Happy Jack on Apr 12, 2010 2:07:47 GMT -5
That is exactly how I felt about Super Slinkys.
Try D' Addarios - at the end of the day they are only £5.00 at most and you will changing them again within a couple of months anyway. I tried all types of strings Fender, RotoSound, Ernie Ball, Elixir bur prefered the D'Addarios
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Post by WhiskeyHotel on Apr 12, 2010 8:05:07 GMT -5
I counted over 100 different types of strings in Guitar Center the other day - not counting different gauges. Strings are a difficult choice.
Has anyone tried the coated strings? nano-coating?
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Post by kevina on Apr 12, 2010 9:18:06 GMT -5
I had colour coated strings but they snapped a bit too easily. Cant remember the brand though.
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Post by Happy Jack on Apr 12, 2010 9:42:37 GMT -5
I counted over 100 different types of strings in Guitar Center the other day - not counting different gauges. Strings are a difficult choice. Has anyone tried the coated strings? nano-coating? Elixir Nanoweb on my acoustic - hated them! Don't know why but I just didn't get on with them with either the sound nor the feel |
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Post by kevina on Apr 12, 2010 10:53:38 GMT -5
I've got martins on my Dove which I quite like
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Post by pwfirst on Apr 12, 2010 11:38:51 GMT -5
Ditto for D'Addario. have been using them for years. I have used some of the coated string elixer and such and they are pretty good and last much longer. For my Rock guitar I have gone to 10's on almost every thing because they have a fuller sound. The bigger the string the bigger the sound. For my semi holowbodies I play a flat wound 11's for that real bluesy sound.  Phil |
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Phil