Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

[blueman335]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

d'addario here. Cost-effective and the string tension works for me. Tone's good too. No complaints.

+1.

[baritone]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

Do your guitars have different scale lengths? I recently switched from Ernie Ball to D'Addario on my instruments.

[arellanon]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

Do your guitars have different scale lengths? I recently switched from Ernie Ball to D'Addario on my instruments.

They are both 25 in scale.

[mojorisen]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

In my experience the guitar has alot to do with the tension of the string. Gibsons strung with the same guage string as a Fender will have a slinkier feel to it. I also used 8's at one time and went to 9's because it seemed like I didn't have as much sustain with 8's.

http://www.myspace.com/jonathanrisen

[AudioWonderland]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

In my experience the guitar has alot to do with the tension of the string. Gibsons strung with the same guage string as a Fender will have a slinkier feel to it. I also used 8's at one time and went to 9's because it seemed like I didn't have as much sustain with 8's.


http://www.myspace.com/jonathanrisen

Thats due to the difference in scale length mentioned earlier

[Ayrton]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

D'Addario strings do run a little "looser" than some other brands I have tried. I have no actual reason why, so I have to assume it is in how they are made.

I went through a phase where I tried various brands, and just came back the Ds.

Can we please stop with the whole "bigger strings are manly, sound "better", help you get chicks", etc.

Larger gauge strings will definitely sound different, and that works better for some, and not so much for others. However, to say that someone has poor "tone" because they happen to run whatever gauge is misleading and just plain wrong.

Use the string that sounds best to you, and more of your natural tone will come through. I personally like 10s tuned down a half on 25.5" guitars, and 11s on short scales. However, some people pick up my guitar and don't understand how I play with "wet noodles".

What in the world did we all stress about before the internet?

[arellanon]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

D'Addario strings do run a little "looser" than some other brands I have tried. I have no actual reason why, so I have to assume it is in how they are made.

I went through a phase where I tried various brands, and just came back the Ds.

Can we please stop with the whole "bigger strings are manly, sound "better", help you get chicks", etc.

Larger gauge strings will definitely sound different, and that works better for some, and not so much for others. However, to say that someone has poor "tone" because they happen to run whatever gauge is misleading and just plain wrong.

Use the string that sounds best to you, and more of your natural tone will come through. I personally like 10s tuned down a half on 25.5" guitars, and 11s on short scales. However, some people pick up my guitar and don't understand how I play with "wet noodles".

What in the world did we all stress about before the internet?

Ayrton, I totally agree with you. The D'Addarios just seem a little more loose for, at least, the 09-42 gauge since I have tried both the Ernies and the D'Addarios at that gauge.

Most definitely, thicker gauges will sound different, not better per say. But they might; in fact, they do sound more powerful while really slamming down chords! I guess I need to play more rhythm and less lead, lol.

I did use 10-46 gauge for Eb for years, but recently my playing has been much more dynamic so I need more control over the strings; I use tons of vibrato and bend a lot so I can't be messing with heavier guages. It would be to my disadvantage.

Can we please stop with the whole "bigger strings are manly, sound "better", help you get chicks", etc.

ROFL! I need to add this to my signature! *high five*

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

Can we please stop with the whole "bigger strings are manly, sound "better", help you get chicks", etc.

Who implied that?

[arellanon]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

Who implied that?

I think just a vibe in general from most guitarists since not too many play light.

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

I think just a vibe in general from most guitarists since not too many play light.

Most likely....

But, no one can refute that given the same guitar, with the same amp and settings, put a set of 8's on and strum a chord. Then put a set of 11's or 12's on and strum the same chord. There will be a noticeable difference in volume and tone. At least to my ears.....

I'm not trying to argue of demean anyone's point; this is just what my ears hear. The quickest string change I ever did was when I was using Ernie Ball 10's and I found out that Jerry Donahue used Ernie Ball Stainless Steel 9's. I bought a set. They were the most uncomfortable strings I ever played. very bright and tinny to my ears. They were rough on my fingers too...

[beandip]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

More than likely, the way the strings are made will have a huge effect on how they feel, even on the plain strings.

For example, material that is stretched while heated to the desired diameter will have a looser feel than material stretched while cold or at room temp due to the molecules in said material being heated and being loose.

If you're seriously interested in knowing why, both D'Addario and Ernie Ball have excellent customer service (I've dealt with them both many times) and I'm sure would have absolutely no problem answering any questions you might have.

[arellanon]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

Most likely....

But, no one can refute that given the same guitar, with the same amp and settings, put a set of 8's on and strum a chord. Then put a set of 11's or 12's on and strum the same chord. There will be a noticeable difference in volume and tone. At least to my ears.....

I'm not trying to argue of demean anyone's point; this is just what my ears hear. The quickest string change I ever did was when I was using Ernie Ball 10's and I found out that Jerry Donahue used Ernie Ball Stainless Steel 9's. I bought a set. They were the most uncomfortable strings I ever played. very bright and tinny to my ears. They were rough on my fingers too...

Yes, a definite change in tone and volume, no doubt about that. And to your ears, this change is for the better. Interesting though, is the fact that you feel a set of 9s, a gauge down, started to make your fingers uncomfortable; similar is my experience with this D'Addario/Ernie Ball experience.

[LtKojak]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

D'Addario XL 10-52 in 24 3/4" and 25" scales, 10-46 in 25 1/2" scale.

D'Addario EXP 10-47 in acoustic guitar, D'Addario Ultra High Tension in acoustic nylon string guitar.

I guess I'm a D'Addario man, now that I think of it...

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

Yes, a definite change in tone and volume, no doubt about that. And to your ears, this change is for the better. Interesting though, is the fact that you feel a set of 9s, a gauge down, started to make your fingers uncomfortable; similar is my experience with this D'Addario/Ernie Ball experience.

True dat....

[arellanon]

Re: Ernie Ball/D'Addario users.....

True dat....

Fo sho....