Well, I posted on this a while back but I've now made the switch to Ernie Ball strings! Although the Elixirs are amazing they're just too damn expensive and I find I hardly ever break strings anyway.
I have to buy singles separately -
10p-13p-17p-30w-42w-54w
I tune to C-standard. I find this set is a good compromise for tight rhythm, lead work and chords for consistency, etc. It seems to work nicely with the axis.
I was using Heavy Top Skinny Bottoms for about 2 years on my Axis tuned to Eb.
However Ive went to the Hybrid Slinkys now and tune to E. Although I wear out a set of strings in mere hours...
im checking out most brands i can get my hand on.. lately ive tried the following:
elixsirs: didnt like em. they seem stiff and they need some play-in to get rid of that clang clang sound. also they are so slippery it feels like downhill skiing :lol:
i tried the all nickel fenders (7150): they are consistent in sound.. not very bright but they keep the lil overtones they got for a long time. they are the opposites of the elixsirs slip-wise. a lil sweat and your fingers are stuck! and they also got that good accentuation on the attack.. boom boom i like nickels that way..
now im on a set of rotosounds. nickel coated.. just put em on so i really cant say how they sound yet
i also ordered some eb strings, and im tryin those next
Was using regular slinky's for years, but about 12 months back, decided to opt for power slinky's in standard. Have my main axe (Gibbo LP Studio) strung with 'em since.
Recently acquired a set of Not Even Slinky's, decided to slap em onto my Epiphone LP Standard (believe it or not it plays pretty nicely) in D standard. Gotta say, i love the feel of them
Regular Slinkies and 7-string Regular Slinkies...might put a thicker lowest string on the J-Custom though since it's only used for Drop D since I got my JP.
I've been using EB Regular's most of the time but I also tried EB power's a couple of times and they sound a little.. bit better then the Regular 10's.
I just switch every now and then, I've also been thinking of getting the Hybrids a try.
The higher Regular's strings with the lower Power's, sounds good I think?
I haven't broken them yet..I just takem' off and boil them ..I filled out the warranty card..and sent it in...I thought they'd send me new ones when I needed them ???
After getting the 20th SR5 I'll be using Slinkys now on that bass and the Dargie SR5 too. .045-.130. Just perfect. My old teal SR gets D'Addarios XLs .045-.100.
My guitars all has Slinkys .010-.046. on them. One upcoming guitar will get XLs in the same gauges. My fretless Jazz wears Rotosound Swing Bass strings .045-.105. For some reason those string really match that bass.
I've tried every string brand and gauge I can think of. And my favorites are Ernie Ball and D'Addario nickel rounds in "regular light gauge" on both bass and guitar.
Ernie Ball Slinkys has a ballsy, raw sound. While D'Addarios XLs has a smooth, softer sound. I love 'em both.
But in closing I'd like to say: BUY ERNIE BALL STRINGS!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been using Elixir 9's on all of my guitars for a while, but they don't seem to agree with my JPMM. I am going to have to start experimenting with new strings. I think I may try a set of Cleartones. I hear good things about them.