D'addario vs Ernie Ball

[DeadandBuried]

About to run out of my latest bulk supply of Ernie Ball regular slinky strings, and considering switching back to D'addario. I used to use them in my earlier guitar playing days, I found they lasted longer but EB's seemed cheaper and brighter.

So what do you guys use and what do you think is the better brand?

 

[blueman335]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

Been using D'Addario for decades, never needed to look for greener pastures.

 

[Godin15]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

D'Addario that's all I ever use. They take a beating sometimes I strum a little on the heavy side from time to time. They are the only ones I will use they have proven themselves to me.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

Like em both, I usually stick with EB

 

[JB6464]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

I use D'Addario strings but their new packaging sucks.
What does everyone think of GHS strings ?

 

[Mr. B]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

I do like Ernie Balls. Their tone seems brighter to me, but they also seem to deaden quicker that D'Addarios. D'Addarios break less when you detune and retune while making pickup mods, etc. I usually stick with D'Addarios. Their 9.5 gauge set is my go-to.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

So what do you guys use and what do you think is the better brand?

I use D'Addario XL's and I prefer those over EB's because they are brighter and feel better string-to-string, in short.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

Been using D'Addario for decades, never needed to look for greener pastures.

I've already done the extensive legwork for you and D'Addario's are the superior string.

I use D'Addario strings but their new packaging sucks.
What does everyone think of GHS strings ?

The hipster packaging, ugh.

I don't like GHS strings but, not because they're bad. Due to their round core it makes the strings easier to bend - even moreso then Slinky's - which just never feels right to me. Also, the round core makes the tone a touch warmer and has less attack than a hex core. But, their Boomers (in particular) still have plenty of punch. They aren't a weak string whatsoever.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

EB, D'Addario, GHS, Fender... I use 'em all pretty indiscrimanately. I go for EBs first, but if there's a big deal on any of those other, I grab 'em.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

Some of my guitars likes EB better than D'Addario's.
But all the electrics I use either D'Addario or my last batches of Fenders 250's before they switched manufacturer.

 

[Hank-]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

EB Slinky's don't work with my body chemistry but i like the way they sound.

Daddario exl i have been using mostly for the past few years, their coated acoustic strings(non phosphor bronze ones) i find to be amazing for long life & tone. Would like to give their coated electrics a try.

Recently have switched over to Dean Marley's for electrics. The Helix sounds fatter than the Signature lineup but i don't notice more smoothness in their feel over others. Don't think i like the sound of the Sig lineup much but they have less tension than D'adds exls.

 

[greekdude]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

My problem with D'addario XL's is that they last too long, that I forgot how I set it up the last time. I stick with 9-54 7-string set.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

D'Addario.

Bill

 

[Securb]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

I use D'Addario strings but their new packaging sucks.
What does everyone think of GHS strings ?

I have been using Boomers since the 80s, love them. I will use D'Addario strings if I find a great deal on a box.

 

[uOpt]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

I mostly switched to DR strings. Well made, American made and they tell you what you get. What kind of core, what kind of wind etc.

I noticed from your OP that you don't know what you have for winds there, and you noticed brightness differences. If you want to get that under control (to steer instead of going randomly) you need a vendor that makes it easy to navigate the space.

Having said that, I still use Dean Markley Nickelsteel for all testing purposes since that is how I started soundclip recordings. They recently changed packaging and descriptions but they seem to still sound the same and hopefully made in the same factory. I find them to be long-lasting and nice sounding with plenty silky sparkle. The most bothering thing about them is that most sets have a too thin B string, for guitar.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

D'ads here...

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

Who's your D'addy.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

I think boomers sound great for about a week, but I've always had them snap on me... One week and they break for me.

 

[dave74]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

Never had a durability problem with any strings ever, so I don't even consider that an issue myself.

As for tone; Depends on the guitar/pickup-set.

I stick with boomers for my guitars with EMGs,,,,,,,,just seem to thicken the lows/low-mids a bit IMO.

I've back-to-back-to-back swapped the 6th strings on a couple different guitars with D'addario(xl), EB(slinky), and Juststrings.com(house),,,,,,,and IMO only the xl was different (see what I'm saying here).

The D'addarios sounded a bit more focused,,,,like a step in the direction of the ghs,,,,and the EBs sound a bit more open and full-ranged, but also ever-slightly more scooped.

Small differences I suspect have mostly to do with the core-wire sizes, and shape in regards to the boomers.
Round-core is more flexible, but they bump-up the size slightly to keep them from getting sloppy.

For floyd-wanker guitars I'd stick with hex-core just for good measure,,,,due to less potential for slippage between the core and wrap.

If you made me use only one brand and you picked it for me,,,,,,,,I really wouldn't care much at all which.

 

[B2D]

Re: D'addario vs Ernie Ball

My problem with D'addario XL's is that they last too long...

In 18 years of playing I've never heard someone say that. Just when you thought you've heard it all... wow.

I love EB/MM guitars but I do not like their strings at all. They have never really worked for me. Decent sound, but weird feel and weird overtones, and they don't last very long.

I've been using D'addario for 17 out of my 18 guitar playing years and I always come back to them no matter what I try. They last a good long while, they sound nice and even and balanced, they stay in tune well, and they very rarely break on me.