String recommendations

[80's_Metal]

I think I want a brighter tone from my LZZY HALE explorer with regular blackouts.
I think I can get there with different strings.

She's tuned drop B
I usually play Ernie ball beefy slinky which are 11-54
I don't think I want to go thicker than 54 top because then I gotta start widening nut etc.
But I will do it if something says I need to. I think thicker strings are generally darker though, am I wrong there?

What's brighter than these strings?

Over the years I've tried all kinds of strings but I forget what I did and didn't like bout them all, always go back to Ernie ball. They're cheap, stay in tune for a long time and hardly break.

What do you recommend guys? Stainless, nickel, coated, heavy core, etc etc???

 

[Demanic]

Re: String recommendations

I've become a fan of the Dunlop Heavy Core series. I'm currently using the 10-48 set, but they make heavier sets.

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[80's_Metal]

Re: String recommendations

Anybody like the paradigm strings?

Boomers? Stainless? Is stainless too hard on my frets?

 

[nexion218]

Re: String recommendations

I'm a passionate EB loather. Never liked them but the last drop was when I once let myself be talked into a Paradigm set. I was buying an 1000+ Jackson and I said to myself that I am gonna do this the Richie Rich way: paid for setup and a "top of the line" strings, which they told me is Paradigm. The setup was crap (3,5 mm action on a shredstick and a skislope neck ) and the A string broke without me even touching it. I was noodling on the B and e strings when I heard a pop and suddenly my playing was more out of tune than usual. At first I couldn't find what's wrong, because the core of the A string broke and the winding held it somewhat together. So based on that I'd say steeer clear of tem, but I am sure many people love them. For a period I used Thomastik Power Brigths but I eventually settled on Cleartone Heavy Series, 10-46(56 for 7 string). I always want brighter. I never heard a JB to be ice picky and I like Cleartone. I think that means its quite bright.

 

[kramer.geetar]

Re: String recommendations

Have you checked out the NYXL’s?

 

[dave74]

Re: String recommendations

Boomers are great on guitar/pickups that are naturally scooped or have thinner/brighter tone. They really bring thicker and brighter mids to my ears.(maybe it's the round core) Also I find the name misleading. If anything they have less boom to the lows than standard hex-core sets.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: String recommendations

Coated boomers (should have 11-54? though I always use the lighter gauges)

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: String recommendations

I used Blue Steels 0,11 (all steel) strings on my Ibanez RG270DX for many years- (playing heavy metal riffs)

though they ATE trough the frets

-They had a much much heavier, louder sound than any nickel string.

I use regular D'addario 0,11's now. (nickel coateds). My tone and playing style is more moderate as I grew older.

Have you tried cobolt strings? I had some on an acoustic bass. They were advertised to be more magnetic, and brighter, than nickels.

-Erlend

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: String recommendations

Have you checked out the NYXL’s?

Yes I have used them on one of my Jacksons in std tune, like them well enough.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: String recommendations

I used Blue Steels 0,11 (all steel) strings on my Ibanez RG270DX for many years- (playing heavy metal riffs)

though they ATE trough the frets

-They had a much much heavier, louder sound than any nickel string.

I use regular D'addario 0,11's now. (nickel coateds). My tone and playing style is more moderate as I grew older.

Have you tried cobolt strings? I had some on an acoustic bass. They were advertised to be more magnetic, and brighter, than nickels.

-Erlend

I have used the cobalt strings before, but it was a while back and I don't remember if I liked them or not.

As I was typing this out I was thinking cobalt or boomers were brighter.

 

[Jacew]

Re: String recommendations

Have you checked out the NYXL’s?

I used NYXL's before. They're good, but rather dark sounding.

Ernie Balls have sharp brightness in plain strings that's recognisable in comparison. I don't really like it, and I can't really say if I've ever heard strings brighter from there.

For wound strings Curt Mangans I know use are brighter compared to D'Addario or Dunlop, can't say about EB's as it's so long I've played them.

 

[Hsb]

Re: String recommendations

Boomers are definitely bright, to my ear at least.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: String recommendations

Go to a thinner gauge. You’ll get a brighter tone with less bass.


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[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: String recommendations

I used NYXL's before. They're good, but rather dark sounding.

That’s my observation as well. I have them on my Parker at the moment.

The new XT strings are brighter.

I usually just use the XLs.


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[kramer.geetar]

Re: String recommendations

I’m using NYXL’s in my Silver Sky at the moment and they sounds quite good and never noticed them being darker in tone, although I’ve noticed I get the strings darker, as in dark patches on the plain strings, a lot quicker than EB’s for example. I noticed this with regular XL’s as well. Might just be my DNA makeup and their material, and like I said Slinky’s go a bit longer staying shiny I’ve noticed.
I do like the tone of the NYXL’s and their tuning stability, have had them on other guitars as well. Very solid string.

 

[Sirion]

Re: String recommendations

Go to a thinner gauge. You’ll get a brighter tone with less bass.


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I second this. If you want to go brighter from EB, this is likely to make a bigger difference than any brand change.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: String recommendations

Uncoated stainless steel strings are supposed to be the brightest sounding, the thinner the string gauge the brighter the sound too.
So if I were you, I'd try a set of uncoated stainless steel strings in a thinner gauge than what you are using now.
Steel strings are noticeably harder on your frets though!

 

[dave74]

Re: String recommendations

11-54 is already quite slinky in drop-B. (p.i.).
Try Boomers first IMO. They're cheap and easy (on frets)They are anything but muddy or dark.