I went to the music store today

[hillbilly-joe]

I bought some Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky strings. Nickel wound. And they are "hopefully" made in the USA. LOL. It says USA on the package. I think this is my first time to buy this this type of gauge strings. They are 9-11-16-26-36-46 gauge. I think I usually buy the 42's, but this time I wanted to try these and hear what tone they have. My thought is that they are to have a more tone bass sound and less treble to the heavier 6h and 5th string.

I haven't put them on yet. Will tell you guys what I think later.

Any of you tried this gauge of strings.

[zagatron1]

Can't say that I have, I currently use DR "Pure Blues" 10-46 nickel medium strings on all my Fender type guitars and Elixir medium 11-49 on everthing else. I used to, but I no longer use light strings, especially sets with .009s (high E). I just don't get the volume I want. I'm pretty sure the .046s will do the job for you. Thats a good move. The .016, .011 and .009 are just too light for me. Anyway, I have a string question myself HJ, have you or anybody else used "coated" strings?

[hillbilly-joe]

Can't say that I have, I currently use DR "Pure Blues" 10-46 nickel medium strings on all my Fender type guitars and Elixir medium 11-49 on everthing else. I used to, but I no longer use light strings, especially sets with .009s (high E). I just don't get the volume I want. I'm pretty sure the .046s will do the job for you. Thats a good move. The .016, .011 and .009 are just too light for me. Anyway, I have a string question myself HJ, have you or anybody else used "coated" strings?

No, I've never used "coated" strings. I think the hot, humid weather during spring and summer when we leave the windows open would probably make the coated strings feel too sticky.

[DetroitBlues]

People who want a bluesy, mellow tone should choose a pure nickel string.  For brightness, steel-nickel or steel wound strings would be best.   Nickels do wear out faster but have less wear on frets.  The EB hybrids are my next string of choice with the heavy bottom 10's....

[reb]

my fenders/squiers get pure nickel 10s by d'addario. otherwise, i am slowly slipping into the coateds on most of the other guitars. i am a neanderthal about changing strings...if they don't break, i'm apt to just play 'em.

my squiers came with 9s, joe. (fender brand) when i change them to 10s, they feel weird for awhile, and i wind up adjusting the neck just a bit.  9s bend easier, but they seem to take a little longer to settle in.

[diaper head]

my personal preference is brite wires or vintage re issues from gibson.  however, they're not available here.  so here, i use d'addario 9-46. i like the unwound strings to be lite for bending and vibrato, but the wound strings a tad heavier so i don't bend them accidentally.

[DetroitBlues]

For my acoustics, I always use Cleartones.  Those have the best tone and last the longest.  I'm experimenting with some new Martian strings treated with Cleartone's coating technology, so far not bad.  A little more mellow than the actual Cleartones, but so far they've last a long time.

[robert]

Does it matter where the strings are made? As long as they are good quality, where they are made doesn't matter to me.

I ordered a good deal the other day - 12 sets of strings for just 40 bucks. Real D'addario's too.

[diaper head]

that's a pretty sweet deal!!

[DetroitBlues]

I would have to say it doesn't matter as long as the quality is good.  Someone gave me some real cheap chinese strings that were just that... Real cheap... I usually purchase the cheapest set, but typically they are DR, EB, or GHS.  I've never like D'Addario as they seem to have the shortest lifespan and most breakage for me.  Even though about 9 out 10 professional guitarists use them.... Guess I would too if they were free and I had a new set installed every night...

[pictoratus]

I tried a couple of sets of coated strings. They were fine, I just don't want to pay the extra price for them ( the two sets I got were cheap on an eBay bid I won).

I've been using D'Addario Super Lights (9's) since you can get them on occasion cheap from GC or MF if you buy multiple sets. Otherwise I use Ernie Ball, same gauge. I've tried heavier strings but don't like how its harder to bend them.

[zagatron1]

Here's a first. I've been playing all week (sore fingers 'n' all) and after re-stringing my Tele and one of my Les Pauls, here's how it went. I had some "layin' around" string sets I used 'cause it was a last minute thing and I'm gonna re-stock this weekend. Anyway, I did the Tele first and used Dean Markley, Blue Steel (blue pack) so-called "cryogenic activated" strings. They are the 9-46 set. Took some gettin' used to, 'cause this set is too light for me but I had to use what I had. They still sound new for the most part. Now on the Les Paul, I put a set of D'addario XL, 10-46s on it and they are dead already after three nights (including this evening). I'm not complaining, it's just that I haven't taxed a set of strings in quite a while. I got back up (PRS KL-1812) to use for tomorrow. I don't usually play out, but it was fun. Just helpin' out a buddy. Made a few bucks so now I can stock up on what I normally use.

[DetroitBlues]

I tried a couple of sets of coated strings. They were fine, I just don't want to pay the extra price for them ( the two sets I got were cheap on an eBay bid I won).

I've been using D'Addario Super Lights (9's) since you can get them on occasion cheap from GC or MF if you buy multiple sets. Otherwise I use Ernie Ball, same gauge. I've tried heavier strings but don't like how its harder to bend them.

Heavier gauges are really good for people who play in drop or flat tunings... I had 11's on my Heritage 140 (LP style) in standard tuning... After two straight nights of 4 hour non stop playing with a band, my fingers hurt so much I couldn't play for two days.  So I went back down to 10's.  I only wish I had the 11's when I'm playing open G stuff....

[reb]

i think mf just had d'addario '10 sets' for $36.99??? ground hog sale? good ol' punksatawny phil. puscatawny? pawscitinny?? whatever....

[DetroitBlues]

that's pretty cheap!