Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

Rockstar216

Rockstar216

New member
2013-11-08_21-10-28_842.jpg

Ok first let me start of by saying this was a bit of an experiment for me for two reasons.
1. I wanted to try a new set of strings
2. I wanted to experiment with a wound G-string

D'addario had two sets of 10s I wanted to try. A regular set of 10's but with a Wound G. The other set the Balanced tension set.

So I bought a BT set and bought a Wound 18 gauge G string.

The difference between a regular set of 10s and the BT set is

Regular 10/13 /17/26/36/46

BT set 10/13.5/17/25/35/46 I added a Wound 3rd so it would be W18 instead of 17

I'm on my third set of these and in my opinion they feel great and better then a regular set of 10s and this is on a guitar with a Floyd and 25.5 scale. On the A and D strings bending and vibrato is much easier so is the low E string as well. All the strings feel even under the fingers. When picking to me feels more even from string to string except for the low E. The E feels a bit chunky when picked compared to the others. I think I might bring the gauge down to a 45 or 44.

Now to the Wound G string. Their was a dead spot on the 12 fret but now it's mostly gone since I've started using the Wound G and the octave G sustains longer now. But to bend a whole and half step you have to bend A LOT further, think of when you see Stevie Ray Vaughn bend and he looks like he's about to tear the string off the fret board. Mind you to me this is not an issue because yes you have to bend farther but the string is easy to bend since it's not that much stiffer then a plain G. Also you will only get a whole step up when you pull the bar rather then a minor third with a Floyd. As for the sound difference between wound and plain the G sound fuller (to me better) then a plain G but you can still get some nice spank and twang if you hit it right. Also the wound G intonates and holds tune better then the plain G.

For those of you with strats I think you would benefit with a Wound G the most since strat pups were designed around their being a wound G from the start. A 18 or 17 gauge.
 
Last edited:
Re: Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

Part of the beauty of a Strat is the warts... I find bliss in controlling that wild G string.

I've been thinking of something else - to me the high E needs to be slightly heavier - like a .0105 for slightly more volume on that string. But there goes my fingertips - I had issues with even coated strings.
 
Re: Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

Cowboy up. Play as heavy ga as you can handle. This well temperd kav thing will never get G3 in tune. Buzzy bla bla ba. You f w/ that first fret angle.. you get what you pay for.
just my .02
PC
 
Re: Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

Wound Gs...Oh that brings me back to the days when I used 12s and 13s for Eb. I do miss the intonation of wound Gs, but I moved down to 9s because I was tired of having to search all over the place just to get the type of strings I wanted (I pretty much buy strings in store only). Paying more for shipping than the actual product is dumb, and I don't buy strings in bulk otherwise I impulsively change strings every week.

But 3-saddle tele bridges benefit the most out of wound Gs. All of a sudden you're able to accurately intonate the D and G string together!

How does the wound G hold up in a Floyd? I've only tried it on hardtails so far because I'm thinking the core wire might be too thin for the string abuse of a Floyd in Eb.
 
Re: Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

Myaccount876 said:
Wound Gs...Oh that brings me back to the days when I used 12s and 13s for Eb. I do miss the intonation of wound Gs, but I moved down to 9s because I was tired of having to search all over the place just to get the type of strings I wanted (I pretty much buy strings in store only). Paying more for shipping than the actual product is dumb, and I don't buy strings in bulk otherwise I impulsively change strings every week.

But 3-saddle tele bridges benefit the most out of wound Gs. All of a sudden you're able to accurately intonate the D and G string together!

How does the wound G hold up in a Floyd? I've only tried it on hardtails so far because I'm thinking the core wire might be too thin for the string abuse of a Floyd in Eb.
Click to expand...

For me their are no issues with the wound G no string breaks have occurred yet and this is my third set. I can still get the squeals and pinch harmonics. Me personally I like the feel better overall.
 
Re: Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

The lack of smooth bending on the G string has turned me off of wound G's on my electrics, but I do like some bulk so over the years I have come to use 11's. The 9's are way to light for my hands and the 10's, well I have a harder time keeping them in tune. The 11's on electric just work for me. Wound G's..... maybe on acoustic not electric. But I guess it does have a lot to do with what style of music you play. For blues... no way.
 
Re: Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

Its been a long time since I've actually used it, but a set of 9's tuned down a half step really seemed to me to have components of the old Van Halen vibe.

I'm fundamentally lazy (actually not a bad thing if channeled in the right direction) so I just go easy and get 10s in bulk. Presently have 2 tuned down at the moment - not sure they will stay that way.
 
Re: Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

Myaccount876 said:
Wound Gs...Oh that brings me back to the days when I used 12s and 13s for Eb. I do miss the intonation of wound Gs, but I moved down to 9s because I was tired of having to search all over the place just to get the type of strings I wanted (I pretty much buy strings in store only). Paying more for shipping than the actual product is dumb, and I don't buy strings in bulk otherwise I impulsively change strings every week.

But 3-saddle tele bridges benefit the most out of wound Gs. All of a sudden you're able to accurately intonate the D and G string together!

How does the wound G hold up in a Floyd? I've only tried it on hardtails so far because I'm thinking the core wire might be too thin for the string abuse of a Floyd in Eb.
Click to expand...

BRINGS YOU BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN...?! Friend, you're a quite savvy and informed 16yo, but sixteen nonetheless! Give it a few years before ya start grumblimg about the good old days (which will likely be circa 2012~2014 for you!)...
 
Re: Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

Ive heard good things about the balanced tension sets.. Yet to try one tho
 
Re: Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

BloodRose said:
Ive heard good things about the balanced tension sets.. Yet to try one tho
Click to expand...

You should they feel great. But if your one of those people who like to fight your strings then you may not like them.
 
Re: Review of the D'Addario EXL110BT (Balanced Tension Set) with a Wound 3rd

No, I can hardly play accoustic, so I dont like to fight em. I always ran .10s on all my electrics tho, but did switch to .009s for my long scales and .10s for shorter scale for more consistant feel
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top