What are your go to electric guitar strings?

GHS Boomers, 9s--been that way since high school. Tried 10s for a year or so, but I couldn't play the way I play on 'em. Switched back.
 
10-46 has been my standard on electrics for a couple of decades. My electrics are either 25.5 or 25 inch scale length. Initially I was all about 9-42 and at one point I had strung a couple of my guitars with 11s without any problems. But my newest guitar (Godin Session Custom) came with 9s and it feels nice...I don't know if I'll go lighter on my other guitars though (I am seriously considering it whenever I change strings on the other guitars).

My brand of preference for the better part of the last 20 years has been DR. They sound good, feel good, and haven't given me any issues. Of course I've used strings from Ernie Ball, D'Addario, and GHS on my electrics, as well as La Bella, SIT, Dean Markley, Fender (never tried the bullets), and Gibson a few times.

With acoustic strings I've yet to settle on a preference. I've used the strings that came with my acoustics until they crapped out. D'Addario, Martin, Washburn (had to be rebranded, but not sure from who), La Bella, and Gibson are sets that I've played. One of my last rounds was experimenting with a set of 12 or 13 D'Addario Jazz with the wound G-string on a couple of my acoustics. They are very snappy and stay that way far longer than bronze strings. I've like they wear into sounding like new bronze strings after an initial stage of what some would likely feel is too bright. I've yet to try Elixirs, but I might in the near future.

This all said, I haven't strings on most of my guitars in years...some more than 10. Too many guitars, not enough playing. I should probably find a new home for some of them...we'll see.
 
My standby is Thomastik-Infield's round 11s. I recently went to Thomastik flats on my Smith pickup equipped guitar and I'm enjoying them.
 
BlackCat said:
My standby is Thomastik-Infield's round 11s. I recently went to Thomastik flats on my Smith pickup equipped guitar and I'm enjoying them.
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Always wanted to try TIs, but it was always so much easier to buy the cheapest strings that was most comfortable/familiar with. TIs were always at least double the cost, but I always heard they sounded great and were worth the investment...from artists that endorsed them of course. :thu:
 
Dogsinotpalc said:
Always wanted to try TIs, but it was always so much easier to buy the cheapest strings that was most comfortable/familiar with. TIs were always at least double the cost, but I always heard they sounded great and were worth the investment...from artists that endorsed them of course. :thu:
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I tried them. Bought 2 sets, a 9 & a 10 set. Very good strings but I didn't notice any tonal difference between those and say, Cleartone's or Elixir's or other higher-end strings.

I DID notice that they are a 'tighter' string...if when stringing the guitar you try and leave enough slack to wrap around the tuning peg like your regular go-to string, it will be in tune much quicker with less windings (almost didn't have enough windings on a couple of strings, the first set I put on). Also the set of 9's felt like most 10's, and the set of 10's felt like 11's, so yes, tighter.
 
Different guitars... different music... different strings. I even have different gauges on my two Les Pauls. Both get Nickle Rockers, but the LPC likes 0.011s, the Trad Pro likes the EJ 0.010 set.
 
Ernie Ball Power Slinky 11-52.

Do not like coated strings.

I apply a good amount of Finger-Ease to the fretboard and neck prior to playing.

I tried the wound G string on my Les Paul for awhile and switched back. IMHO good or slightly better tone for chords/rhythm, a PITA for bending/leads and tuning.
 
Custom sets, all 20 guitars, not all the same sets, takes scale length into consideration as well as desired tension...both individual string and total neck load....

Mangan for round wound strings .. stays in tune immediately, no need to stretch, sounds great. I love these rounds, I don't like their plains...

Thomistik for flats... Pricey but last forever and its the right sound for vintage jazz boxes..

Juststrings.com for bulk plain strings... I don't find a lot of difference between plain strings by manufacturer.. So I buy these in 12 pack from these guys, they sound the same as any other brands and yes , I'm insane, I've A/B tested them... not enough difference to choose one over the other....

And for acoustic bronze, anywhere I can find singles as they are drop tuned and also custom sets. Bronze have been tougher to find singles , so when I do find them, I buy a lot....

I aim for as close to even tension across the neck as possible but a few I go heavy bottom...
When you do your own sets, you can custom the feel and sound the the Nth degree... of course still limited to whats available...
But from what is available, you can get very honed in.
All my guitars have custom calculated sets..

If interested I can share more of that info,but most aren't this involved and just go with off the shelf sets, which, if you like those, is fine :)

I did not invent this approach, I read a blog where a guy was doing this, I dug in an yep, certainly convinced me...
Been doing this for 30 years now... Every body that plays my axes wants this done to theirs...

Rock On!
 
Jbird said:
I tried them. Bought 2 sets, a 9 & a 10 set. Very good strings but I didn't notice any tonal difference between those and say, Cleartone's or Elixir's or other higher-end strings.

I DID notice that they are a 'tighter' string...if when stringing the guitar you try and leave enough slack to wrap around the tuning peg like your regular go-to string, it will be in tune much quicker with less windings (almost didn't have enough windings on a couple of strings, the first set I put on). Also the set of 9's felt like most 10's, and the set of 10's felt like 11's, so yes, tighter.
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Well they probably were... I've found what's on the wrapper isn't always whats inside...
I use calipers to double check, many are not whats written..
SoI take note... if I want 9s for example , I know to buy 8s for some.. Or whatever the case may be... Some go the 0ther way, 9s are 8s...
 
DiAddarrio, 10s or 11s, just because they are ubiquitous. Also like the color coded ends.
TIs for flatwounds
Acoustics get Elixer Nanowebs in light or med gauge.
LaBella Deep Talkin Flats for bass.
 
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