Me neither, and I've been using DA strings for 50 years.
Strings - what a difference
- Thread starter Boomstick
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Maybe it's because there's no more oil left in our skin anymore, Wilmy. 
I think we've got a few years on Mr. Woody.
I think we've got a few years on Mr. Woody. plaidseason
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I had a D’Addario moment this weekend.
I'd argue that D’Addario phosphor-bronze are the the archetype PB strings. They are great and probably the baseline from which all other PB strings should be judged. I like DR Rares and Sunbeams better but . . .
when I dropped of my new M40 at my luthier's and he asked if I wanted new strings (I have no idea what was on there when the guitar arrived), I said "yes." And then he asked if D'Addarios were OK or if I wanted something else. I said, "D'Addarios are great." Because they are.
I got the guitar back on Saturday morning and with a shimmed saddled and those new D'Addarios, it sounds magnificent. Like, my money has never been better spent on a guitar, magnificent.
What I don't know is if it will sound better with DR Sunbeams. And I'm not sure I care to mess with a good thing. So . . . the next time I restring, I will probably just pickup another pack D'Addario PB 12s.
I'd argue that D’Addario phosphor-bronze are the the archetype PB strings. They are great and probably the baseline from which all other PB strings should be judged. I like DR Rares and Sunbeams better but . . .
when I dropped of my new M40 at my luthier's and he asked if I wanted new strings (I have no idea what was on there when the guitar arrived), I said "yes." And then he asked if D'Addarios were OK or if I wanted something else. I said, "D'Addarios are great." Because they are.
I got the guitar back on Saturday morning and with a shimmed saddled and those new D'Addarios, it sounds magnificent. Like, my money has never been better spent on a guitar, magnificent.
What I don't know is if it will sound better with DR Sunbeams. And I'm not sure I care to mess with a good thing. So . . . the next time I restring, I will probably just pickup another pack D'Addario PB 12s.
LOL could be. But I didn't notice it in 1973, eitherMaybe it's because there's no more oil left in our skin anymore, Wilmy.
dwasifar
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Interesting. Next time I open a pack, I'll wipe down the trimmings with alcohol and see if that removes anything.
No doubt. I have liked the way my guitars sound better with John Pearse though.
Love these string threads.
The only thing I know for sure is that strings make a huge difference in tone and feel. The hunt is fun.
dwasifar
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On the same topic: Fender-branded PBs are D'Addario too.
I used to use Elixir's a bit. They have slightly toned down highs which worked for the F-50. When they first started, I had no problems but eventually they started to peel - I think it was production issues that have since been resolved, but I have since found several other better sounding strings that I prefer anyway. There are better coating technologies out there like Cleartone which is now owned by Martin, and the D'Addario XT's and also XS's. I cannot tell the XT's are coated. No peeling, they feel like normal strings and actually have more highs than the standard non coated XL's. I would say give them a shot if you haven't, they did a very good job on these.
dwasifar
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When did that happen? The Cleartone/Everly and Martin websites have no mention of it.
Sorry, bad wording. Martin bought the coating technology from Cleartone, not the company.
dwasifar
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Ah. Bought it outright, or just licensed the rights to use that process?
From what I understand, they bought it and used it on the Lifespan strings. I'm pretty sure Cleartones haven't changed as well, I used them for a bit on my F-50 until I found the DR Veritas which are perfect. It is possible they licensed them, but several people had told me they outright bought the technology.
I would say this probably happened in early 2018 or not too long prior maybe, which is when my dad first gave me the F-50. It was the best coating technology around at the time too imo
Westerly Wood
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It's all about the SAS, for me, Chaz. lolNo doubt. I have liked the way my guitars sound better with John Pearse though.
Love these string threads.
But I should revisit JP PBs, as I can get them a decent price from Strings By Mail. I know their light gauge PB is very popular.
stringsandbeyond offers the JP PB's for $6.95.
Boneman
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I have been using D’Addario since I started playing and never noticed any grease or oily substances. I don’t like coated strings either, I like to feel the wire. Last year I got a deal on Ernie Ball Earthwoods, put a set of their PB .12s on my D25, because since I obtained that guitar, the bridge had a slight lift. Kept lights on it since for that reason, and then last year I reglued the bridge, but still kept .12s on it……until this weekend. I said man I need to go back to my old faithful, DA PB EJ17s on this and see what’s up.
OMG, I found the D25s voice, it just bellows now, the bass is so full and really what I was used to hearing from my acoustic playing. I don’t think I even want to use the Ernie Balls anymore. True comparison would be the EB .13s, but I’ve tried the JPs and DRs too, and they are all similar enough that I just stick with the best. Plus they are a Long Island Co, and in Farmingdale no less. I oftentimes went to visit my uncle who was an RA at the SUNY school there, and we used to hit up Adventureland, ahhh the 70s.
I think if you don’t like D’addario PB you probably aren’t using the .13 gauge, IMO, dreadnoughts need that to really provide a sense of their full capability across the tonal spectrum.
I said man I need to go back to my old faithful, DA PB EJ17s on this and see what’s up.OMG, I found the D25s voice, it just bellows now, the bass is so full and really what I was used to hearing from my acoustic playing. I don’t think I even want to use the Ernie Balls anymore. True comparison would be the EB .13s, but I’ve tried the JPs and DRs too, and they are all similar enough that I just stick with the best. Plus they are a Long Island Co, and in Farmingdale no less. I oftentimes went to visit my uncle who was an RA at the SUNY school there, and we used to hit up Adventureland, ahhh the 70s.
I think if you don’t like D’addario PB you probably aren’t using the .13 gauge, IMO, dreadnoughts need that to really provide a sense of their full capability across the tonal spectrum.
Okay, let's turn it around. What are the worst strings you've tried?
I have a couple of candidates, but I'll save my stories until a few others have replied.
There's a few strings I don't like.
DR Neons - I generally like DR strings a lot. Veritas (for maple) and Rares (for hogs) are probably my two favorite strings and they're also well priced. But they missed the mark with the Neons. They're coated with this super thick coating that feels and sounds like they're wrapped in the red cloth at the end of some strings. What a great way to ruin a great guitar - or make a bad guitar worse. My dad had a set on his G-37 when he offered it to me. I wasn't sure if I even liked the guitar, because the strings were so bad. So I put a set of Martin PBs on it and hey not only is this guitar not half bad, but I actually love the way it sounds. I guess the upside is they never lose their sound, but they never gain it.
Also I'm not a fan of Elixirs, probably not a common opinion. I used them when they first started on the F-50, they had slightly tamed highs and the guitar has enough overtones where they sounded alright, although they do sound thin compared to virtually any other strings. As I had mentioned in a prior post, eventually I started buying new sets and each of them would peel something rotten, forcing me to change out a brand new set of strings. This didn't leave a good taste in my mouth as I could buy much cheaper non coated strings that would have lasted longer. I'm pretty sure they worked those QC issues since, but there are much better coated string technologies out today as well.
My third strings I avoid are standard Ernie Ball electrics. They have a shorter lifespan than even other pure nickel strings and also break more often - although I do like they way they sound for all of ten minutes or so.
I'm not sure if I ever used anything else I downright didn't like or wouldn't buy again.
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I'm not fan of Martin's strings. They start out better than my DAs but decay much faster. My DAs start out a tick less bright but maintain it much longer. If I was gigging every night I'd use the Martins and change them after 2 or 3 days. But, I don't so I prefer to change my DAs every month or so.
I haven't had too many problems with Martin strings not holding up, but try DR Vertas. They have similar high and lows but richer mids than a Martin, but you probably won't notice too much of a difference on a mahogany or rosewood guitar but they hold up pretty well.
I'm lazy and probably change them at most every couple months.
Westerly Wood
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I agree, Bone, the EJ17 is their best string.I have been using D’Addario since I started playing and never noticed any grease or oily substances. I don’t like coated strings either, I like to feel the wire. Last year I got a deal on Ernie Ball Earthwoods, put a set of their PB .12s on my D25, because since I obtained that guitar, the bridge had a slight lift. Kept lights on it since for that reason, and then last year I reglued the bridge, but still kept .12s on it……until this weekend.
OMG, I found the D25s voice, it just bellows now, the bass is so full and really what I was used to hearing from my acoustic playing. I don’t think I even want to use the Ernie Balls anymore. True comparison would be the EB .13s, but I’ve tried the JPs and DRs too, and they are all similar enough that I just stick with the best. Plus they are a Long Island Co, and in Farmingdale no less. I oftentimes went to visit my uncle who was an RA at the SUNY school there, and we used to hit up Adventureland, ahhh the 70s.
I think if you don’t like D’addario PB you probably aren’t using the .13 gauge, IMO, dreadnoughts need that to really provide a sense of their full capability across the tonal spectrum.