High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

[Jeff_H]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I use the Elixers on my Taylor...won't use anyting else. The set I have on now has been there over 6 months...still snappy with no wear. Totally worth it for $10 a pack.

I just ordered 5 sets of the Snake Oil strings, and they arrived today. Haven't had a chance to put them on. However, I have a set of EB Hybrid Slinky's on my Hardtail that have been there for 6 months+. They still sound fine. If the Snake Oil's last as advertised, I'll only have to re-string once a year, or when I change pups. That's worth $8.50 a set to me.

It's like buying a Corvette or Mustang, and then putting on the cheapest tires you can get at Walmart. Strings are the very first part of your tone chain....why use the cheapest thing you can?

 

[nahfuten]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

All I know is going SUPER cheap is a bad idea. I will NEVER use any of Musician's Friend's "Premium" guitar strings again! (The bass strings aren't that bad though) For $1.99, you get what you pay for!

 

[B2D]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I like Elixirs on acoustics and basses (where I think they work best), but on electrics they're too slippery for me.

 

[54stratlover]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

Pyramids for me...... medium priced, but they last longer (sound wise) so i figure that evens out the cost

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

since i've been playing i think i've honestly tried strings from each major company and now it's D'Addario XLs or nothin' for me!

-Mike

 

[Zerberus]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

Well, I had my pick of brands and guages a few years ago,and I tried them all...

While some of the really high-end sets do have "features" that work, I find the perfect compromise between playability, Tone and Life in my DR Tite-Fit 12-52s

 

[Davey]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

been from daddario 9-42 to dean markleys, to daddario 8's, earnie balls, then back to daddario 8's then 9's, then 9-46 and settled on daddario 10-46 .. they feel and sound the best in my ears, last long and are reasonably priced

 

[Loserchief]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

i use EB exclusively on my electrics(gibsons on accoustic).They are not so expensive sound good and last long enough. I change them quite often also since i don't like old and lifeless strings. I would become a poor man if i started using elixirs.Ok,not poor but it would definitely cost me lots of money.

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

daddario 10-46

that's what i've been using for the past year and a half or so...i've never broken one, and i've found that these last longer than the EB's, GHS, DR and other strings that i've tried. but of course that also depends on the chemistry of your skin...i have pretty dry skin and my stings will last up to 2 or 3 months, but one of my buddies who always has clammy hands will make my strings sound completely dead if he plays my guitar after it's been restrung for less than an hour.

 

[Woodcutter]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I use EB strings. I'd rather buy les expensive strings and change them more often.

 

[FretFire]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I like Elixirs on my acoustic, but I had a set on my strat and the coating wore off on the fretboard, left nasty gray spots all over the nitro. Never again. I mostly use D'Addarios on my electrics, but after trying a set of DR Pure Blues on my strat... nothing else will do for that guitar. Awesome strings.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

Well, I had my pick of brands and guages a few years ago,and I tried them all...

While some of the really high-end sets do have "features" that work, I find the perfect compromise between playability, Tone and Life in my DR Tite-Fit 12-52s

+1 on DR Titefit. Great strings, and reasonably priced.

And YES, they really do sound better.


I think the lesson to be learned from this thread is to find what works for you. If it sounds good, lasts long enough, and you can afford it, use it.

Jeff_H is right; why spend $1500 on a guitar and then put $2 strings on it?

Elixir: loved the tone on my acoustic...and they lasted a long time. But when they died, they DIED. From decent to dead overnight.

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I use Rotosounds exclusively. They cost about $25 a pack here in norway (damn taxes), but i take good care of them, wash my hands before i play and always wipe off the strings with a piece of cloth.

In my opinion, there is no string that has such brilliance, chime and deepness to the tone than the rotosounds. I also like D'addarios, which i think sounds smoother and more balanced.

I've never got into DR strings, i tried a pack and they sounded like strings full of fat, very little brilliance and harmonics, but fat and thick sounding.

Just my 2c,
-Erlend

 

[FELIX57]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

because of that protective webbing they have the strings dont sound as vibrant and end up sucking alot of ur tone dry, so u have strings u paid a lot for that u dont have the sound u desire if u love a lot of tone

 

[papersoul]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I have used Boomers, D'Addario, EB, and DR. Now, I only use Snake Oil because they feel great and last me months through giggs and practice. Best part - no coating!

 

[Zerberus]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

....It's like buying a Corvette or Mustang, and then putting on the cheapest tires you can get at Walmart. Strings are the very first part of your tone chain....why use the cheapest thing you can?

:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :clap: :beerchug:

Although I can Imagine a nice ´65 Convertible, with 50$ Walmart tires: should get about to the exit ramp, then have to turn around for new ones

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I really like the sound and feel of Elixir strings on my acoustic . . . they made a world of difference when I play it (I usually play acoustic in the summer more than my electric, so I'm always sweating more and corroding the strings, I'd say that they last 4-5 times longer for me)

i agree. elixers are good only for acoustic. but for electric, they are crappy. they dont sound better, and i have found that they break more easily than others for electric. doesnt make sense, but its true.

 

[strat_master]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

im not sure if the string i use are expensive. Theya re usually 7-8 bucks a pack so what does that count as? I deifnately wont be paying extra for elixers though.

 

[SOLO GUITAR STEWIE]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I always string both my acustic and electric with elixer nano-web 10's, they easily last 2-3 months.

chris

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I have tried a few of the high $ strings, and somehow I always end up with D'Addario in the end. So not worth it for me.