Guitar string buying advice? (acoustic)

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
i use d'addarios and ernie balls.

elixirs are for beginners. i don't know of any big-time pro guitarists who use them. why? probably because they sound lame. if you're having trouble with finger noise, it's because you have poor technique. if you're having trouble with pain, it's because you haven't developed proper calluses yet. learn to play and neither will be an issue. but i recommend against using strings like this even if you are a beginner because it's just going to allow you to develop poor playing habits that will come back to bite you when it's time to take your playing to the next level.

go to elixir's artist page. now go to the ernie ball artist page. 'nuff said.

I would disagree with poor technique. I still get that noise on the wound 4-5-6 strings, and really get it if I use a wound 3rd string. I suppose you could lift your fingers more, but sometimes you can't get around it.

 

[mrCide]

i know plenty of good players who play with elixers, i love elixers. nothing wrong with being comfortable, andthey sound just fine. i think elixers come standard on a tom anderson.

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: aircooled
Dean Markley makes great acoustic strings.

my dad really likes them and I use dean markley bass strings on a couple of my basses

 

[CptObvious]

I use Elixir Nanoweb on my Martin 000-15. IMO they don't sound as natural as regular strings but they feel the best out of any strings I've tried. They also seem to have lower tension. I'll trade sound quality for being able to play an hour without wearing away my fingertips.

 

[Mr N8]

I can't stand Elixers. The coating starts to come off of them way before I'm thinking of getting new strings. They don't sound bright enough, either. They're just not worth paying 3x more for them.

I usually play GHS Bright Bronze stings or Ernie Ball Slinkys.

 

[nakedfrog]

I'd go for Elixirs or Martin Maquis.
I've been playing for 10 years, and I like the Elixirs. I've only tried the one set, on one of my acoustics, but I was satisfied and I'm quite sure they've lasted longer than a normal set of strings would have, and do not sound dead yet.

 

[JDub02]

I like Elixir Lights with the poly-web coating. They work great for me and sound great on my guitar.

 

[Linflas]

I used to buy nothing but Ernie Ball Super Slinkys but that was a long long time ago.

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
I can't stand Elixers. The coating starts to come off of them way before I'm thinking of getting new strings. They don't sound bright enough, either. They're just not worth paying 3x more for them.

I usually play GHS Bright Bronze stings or Ernie Ball Slinkys.

I've used Elixers for bass once and had the same problem with the coating coming off. I don't buy them anymore.

 

[memo]

Elixer 10s

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Is this for an acoustic or an electric?

Do you play often? Are your fingers calloused? Is the action on the guitar high or low?

On my electric, I like 8's, b/c the action is low; higher-gauge strings would buzz.

On my acoustic, I like 10's; the action is medium-high and I prefer a big acoustic sound.

8's? Yikes that's light.

I played 9's on my Les Paul but that was even too thin for me so I went up to 10's. I've used:

Dean Markley
D'addario
Gibson
Elixir
Ernie Ball Super Slinkys

I've stuck with the Elixirs for a while but I think I'm gonna change again just for fun

 

[3chordcharlie]

10s on acoustic?

I use 11s on my 12-string and 12s on my 6-string acoustic. But I usually go with 11s on my les paul because there's just so much more sound.

I've used pretty much every brand of string there is, but I can't remember which ones I like anymore. Dean Markleys, Elixirs and Martin are definitely OK, and I always use EB slinkys on my electric, but in reality, you might as well just start at one side of the string rack, buy those, and work your way across each time you change strings; eventually you'll have an idea of what you like.

My only advice really is don't get 10s for an acoustic, they don't give you nearly the full sound of the guitar.

Edit: not Elixirs - D'addario - I know the names aren't even close, but I mixed them up when I wrote the post.

 

[phantom309]

Originally posted by: benchiu
I tried a pair of Elixirs recently, not that impressed, they are supposed to last longer than normal strings, but the coating is already starting to peel off after only a few months. I normally change my strings every 3-4 months anyways, I expected these to last a bit longer.

If you want cheap solid strings, you can go with Webstrings.com, I've bought from them before and they are a great value. I normally use D'Addario acoustic strings, they've served me well.

Some people just naturally destroy guitar strings. For me, D'Addarios last for about two hours of playing before they go dead and the G breaks. But I can play Elixers for months and they'll still sound pretty good. Well worth the extra money.

If I was in the studio I'd probably use D'Addarios though - while they last, they have the best tone of all the acoustic strings.