D'Addario XL130+ Strings....

[BigSteve22]

So, I've been using ghs GB8-1/2 strings, (.0085, .0105, .014, .022, .032, .040), on my Jazzmaster, (Modern Construction, 25.5" scale, Pao Ferro on Maple, SS6105 frets, action set to .040 at the 12th fret), and although I need to swap out the .014 for a .016, I like them a lot. But, being a tweaker at heart, I have been trying other strings just to check them out.

I tried Fender "Yngwie Malmsteen" strings, (.008, .011, .014, .022, .032, .046), but they seemed unbalanced. The low "E" was way stronger than the output of the rest of the set, and I still needed to swap out the .014 "G". They just didn't suit my playing style.

Shopping around, I came across D'Addario XL130+, (.0085, .0105, .015, .022, .032, .039). I strung up a set a few days ago. Much better balanced than the "Yngwie Malmsteen", (at least to my ears), and I can deal with the .015 string. They also seem to "feel" better than the ghs, (softer in the fingers?), and seem easier to bend. They sound good, but I really can't compare them side by side with the ghs.

Anyone have experience with D'Addario strings? I've never used them before. Do they hold their tone as well as the ghs or EB strings?

 

[mayfly]

D'Addario is all I use.  Constant and hold their tone.  Tried them all and I think they are the best.

 

[BigSteve22]

D'Addario is all I use.  Constant and hold their tone.  Tried them all and I think they are the best.

That's good to hear. These strings have been growing on me over the past few days. Thanks for the input.

 

[Cagey]

I've been using D'Addarios for years. Love 'em. They sound and feel good, last me well, and are quite consistent.

 

[stratamania]

I have predominantly used D'Addarios for over 40 years.  I do use one or two other brands and quite like Elixirs but I don't think you can go wrong with D'Addarios.

 

[Logrinn]

What Mayfly, Cagey and Stratamania said.
I've tried and used all the string brands out there, also for more than 40 years, and I always come back to D'Addarios.
But now I'm only using steel strings, not nickel, since I want some more output and more brilliance in my sound. D'Addario's version of steel strings are called Pro Steels now. I can't remember the old name. Probably XLS or some such.

 

[Re-Pete]

+1 for D'Addario strings here too.... Been using them for years.

Own a few guitars and decided long ago to standardise the gauge across them all after having an adventure with my Strat loading up heavy strings.....Too much mucking around finding the heavier strings and as I'm mostly a rhythm player, it gets overboard, so I went with 10 - 46 gauge and be damned.

 

[BigSteve22]

Good to hear all the positive reviews of D'Addario strings. I'm still experimenting and looking aroud, but they definitely are nice.

Own a few guitars and decided long ago to standardise the gauge across them all after having an adventure with my Strat loading up heavy strings.....

I could NEVER do that! Just like I could never just say "I use this bridge on all my guitars". To me strings are an integral part of the design and need to be carefully selected on an individual basis. Different scales, different set up, different pickups, different strings. I order them online, and keep at least 3-4 sets on hand for each one. Just MHO....

 

[Re-Pete]

Good to hear all the positive reviews of D'Addario strings. I'm still experimenting and looking aroud, but they definitely are nice.

Own a few guitars and decided long ago to standardise the gauge across them all after having an adventure with my Strat loading up heavy strings.....

I could NEVER do that! Just like I could never just say "I use this bridge on all my guitars". To me strings are an integral part of the design and need to be carefully selected on an individual basis. Different scales, different set up, different pickups, different strings. I order them online, and keep at least 3-4 sets on hand for each one. Just MHO....

I understand where you are coming from Steve. I did find a tonal difference using heavier strings on the Stratocaster... and it wasn't unpleasant sounding either.

 

[BigSteve22]

Good to hear all the positive reviews of D'Addario strings. I'm still experimenting and looking aroud, but they definitely are nice.

Own a few guitars and decided long ago to standardise the gauge across them all after having an adventure with my Strat loading up heavy strings.....

I could NEVER do that! Just like I could never just say "I use this bridge on all my guitars". To me strings are an integral part of the design and need to be carefully selected on an individual basis. Different scales, different set up, different pickups, different strings. I order them online, and keep at least 3-4 sets on hand for each one. Just MHO....

I understand where you are coming from Steve. I did find a tonal difference using heavier strings on the Stratocaster... and it wasn't unpleasant sounding either.

And don't get me wrong, I fully understand why standardization works in some situations. It's easy for me to keep 15-20 sets on hand because nearly all my playing is done in my living room. If I was actively gigging or touring, I'm sure I'd have to thin the heard too....  :icon_thumright:

 

[Sovereign_13]

+1 for D'Addario Strings!  I started using them 17 years ago on my violin and carried that brand loyalty over to acoustic and then electric guitar.  I usually stick to the XL Nickel-Wounds ("Regular Lights"), but there are about a thousand different choices out there.

Been meaning to give those "balanced tension" sets a try.  Maybe when I pull the trigger on my Tele Deluxe build.

 

[DustyCat]

I hear players boast about their favorite strings. I guess I'm not yet that refined enough to tell a difference. Then again, maybe if I invested $100 and a long afternoon, and changed between sets of strings while they were still fresh maybe I'd pick up on some of the subtle nuances of attack, sustain, decay etc.

There was only one time when I could tell a difference, NO! Two times! The first was when I tried Black Beauties, which are coated in black (plastic feel), the second is Elixir$ (which seemed to retain their "pop" and "snap" longer than your typical set), Ernie Ball Slinky in the green package (standard issue for me), and finally...there was one time when this variety store sold these dirt. cheap. guitar strings for $1 a set.

Dirt cheap for a reason! I don't remember very much about them except they had rocket ships on the packaging, and they didn't stay on my guitar very long. I don't know how else to explain it, but they were disgusting! I couldn't even touch them, they had to go.

 

[amigarobbo]

I could talk for hours on prattling on about the merits of various types, brands, material and gauges of bass guitar strings. Indeed I often do, even with the other person having no interest whatsoever.  :laughing3:

But when it comes to electric guitars strings, the nickel plated strings are much of a muchness, wasn't to keen on Stainless or Cobalt when I tried them.