• Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 176

Topic: Strings

Hi everyone!
My stock of Ernie Ball Power Slinkies 2220 (11-48) is running short, I just have two sets left. So I'd like to try something new. I know I'll just stick with EB because I've always been satisfied with the quality of their strings.

So I'd like to know if you guys have ever tried the "Rock and Roll" sets of Power slinkies 2250? The EB website advertizes them as being warmer, richer sounding than the ones I use. They are Pure Nickel. What do you think about them?

There's also the Light Gauge set number 2208 which looks cool, it's nickel wound, including the G string. I might also change for a 12-54 set (number 2206) because I have a strong left hand and I like the feel of thicker strings. Then this 2206 set would be my only chance at getting this gauge with EB. 13 is a little too thick for me so I might give a try to a 12.

Have you guys made up your minds on one of these sets and won't change them ever? I'd like to try the 2206 but if you guys tell me to get Pure Nickel because it definitely sounds better then I'll do so.

It's amazing to realize how this forum has made me change my music gear approach. Joe and you guys made me buy a plexi shield, a Fender Super Reverb (thanks StratPaul...), a Les Paul and you all made me turn my amp's volume up (to the general dismay of my bandmates...) Amazing! So now make me change my strings, lol! Oh and I forgot to say that Joe has made me change my guitar's action. I've put it up a few notches... I definitely like it better like this now!

Cheers!

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Strings

The rock and roll set I haven't tried in like 7 years.  I wasn't impressed with them back then, but I wasn't the guitar player I am today either...  I swore by Ernie Ball strings for 10 years and would only make changes if it was the only thing around town and I need a string asap.  I think if your going for Nickle strings there may be a better brand out there.  EB makes good stuff and I would try them you may love them, but I didn't.  Now fast forward to today I found that the brighter the guitar the more I want nickel strings.  I use DR Pure Blues.  Why?  Because I know for a fact these strings are nickel, and DR doesn't mess around they use round core wires where EB uses Hex shaped cores.  Why does this matter?  Mass.  I run .009-.042 and if you could mearsue them they will be right on the money size to size and because there are no air gaps caused by a Hex shape you get more metal for the same size.  More mass = more Tone.  I used to use .010's and .011's but I couldn't do a bend with a vibrato like Clapton does so lighter gauge strings helped me get there... or closer anyway.  One thing about nickel is its so much easier on Frets then steel strings are.  BTW E,B,and G are plain steel in all brands. 
About the wound G  really don't like that because a wound G on acoustic guitars are hard to bend... same with an electric but it sound wonderful for slide.

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2008-02-02
  • Posts: 51

Re: Strings

The best "wow" I had with my History Les Paul (Japanese guitar) was when I tried Dean Markley Nickle strings (vintage Electric re-issues, regular guage) for the first time in a practice studio somewhere in Tokyo.

The thing is, the studio had a really nice Marshall top (can't remember which one) and so I don't really know whether it was the strings, the Marshall or just the combination of those and the settings on my Boss Blues Driver - but it was the best sound I have had out of my guitar. I have not been back to that studio nor encountered the same type of Marshall - whichever it was anwyay -  and things have have not sounded that good since! (my band plays once a year, so mostly I just plug into my Mac/Garageband)

anyway, I know for sure it wasn't me, haha.

You never know what's going to happen.....
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Strings

Always been a big fan of the D'Addario stuff myself.  I like the 11-49s best for tone especially on a Strat.  I like the ability to go bonzo on a set of 9s so I find a happy medium with the D'Addario 10s.  You can buy them in bulk which is nice for me due to my sweaty hands.  I can go through a set of strings in a few days  sad

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2009-12-20
  • Posts: 155

Re: Strings

I'm a good ol' user of the Ernie Ball Power Slinky .11-.48's in the Purple Package. Love them, one of these days I may experiment and see if there's better.

Guitars - Cheapo "Jay Turser"
A beautiful Blue guitar made by "Agile"
2009 Fender American Standard Stratocaster - Olympic White, Maple Wood Fretboard
1994 Blue Gibson Les Paul Studio Lite, Black-Chrome Hardware
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Strings

I've used 80% Ernie Ball in the past 15 years. 10's in the green package. Man - I'm checking now and MusiciansFriend.com has 12 sets for $40... not bad!

I Simply LOVE DR strings. +AD3Three's comment, I really like the Pure Blues strings that they have. Usually I'll flop between those and EB strings, but the Ernie's are cheaper, so  I'll use them more.
If you're hands sweat a lot, I like Elixir nanoweb strings because they last a long time. great strings again, but expensive.

I never really got into D'Addario because I don't like the package design. (call me a snob, I'm a graphic designer) - who knows, maybe I'm missing out.

The Gibson brand Les Paul strings used to have this red cloth wrapped around the string near the ball end... I tried those for a while, and they were just ok for me.

Among the strings I want to test: Dean Markley Blue Steel, GHS Boomers?, Dunlop? Cleartone strings?

I guess the more we generalize, all strings end up being pretty similar... I don't know how much placebo is in the 'brand."

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 176

Re: Strings

Thanks guys! Looks like I'm gonna investigate the DR Pure Blues and the D'Addario...

  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Strings

D'Addario +++

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Strings

What do you like about D'Addario vs. Ernie Ball? or vs. DR?

-I'm interested and willing to give it a chance I guess.  big_smile

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 176

Re: Strings

I just bought two sets of DR 11-50 Pure Blues and 2 others of DR 12-52 Pure Blues. I'll tell you what I think about them and how they compare to my Power Slinkies...
Cheers!

  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Strings

I have played D'Addarios for so long I don't even think about them anymore...maybe I should experiment with new ones but I am so happy with them why change? I have heard good things about DR though...

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

What do you like about D'Addario vs. Ernie Ball? or vs. DR?

-I'm interested and willing to give it a chance I guess.  big_smile

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Strings

Make sure with the pure blues you crimp the ends because they are round wound cores they can come unfrade on the ends easier then the Hex core.  At least thats the warning on the box.  ENJOY!

AD3THREE's Website