what strings??

[Big Dainjerus]

Hey guys I am bringing my axis tomorrow to get it checked out and set up again etc. What strings should I put on it? Im sure most of you will say ernie ball, which is fine, but what gauge and brand should I get? I like to tune my axis down a 1/2 step to jam to some Van Halen, so should that make a difference? I talked to the guy today and suggested getting something called 'custom' something, my memory sucks so does this brand or string type ring a bell? Please let me know I have to meet this guy tomorrow afternoon!

 

[tommyindelaware]

Hey guys I am bringing my axis tomorrow to get it checked out and set up again etc. What strings should I put on it? Im sure most of you will say ernie ball, which is fine, but what gauge and brand should I get? I like to tune my axis down a 1/2 step to jam to some Van Halen, so should that make a difference? I talked to the guy today and suggested getting something called 'custom' something, my memory sucks so does this brand or string type ring a bell? Please let me know I have to meet this guy tomorrow afternoon!

1/2 step down........... i'd put power slinkys on 11-48 product #2220 (purple pack) . they sound fat !!
if your really light handed....you could prob. get away w/ regular slinkys 10-46 product # 2221 (yellow pack) .

pick a set you can easily find over & over again...so your setup job stays consistant w/ string changes...

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I personally like Optima Gold plated strings 10-46. Love EB guitars, not so keen on the strings...

 

[Jimi D]

The Axis comes with Super Slinky's (.009-.042) standard from the factory, but if you're tuning down a half step I'd recommend moving to either the Hybrid Slinky (.009-.046) or (preferably) Regular Slinky (.010-.046). Of course, there are heavier guages still, but I think the Regular Slinky's tuned down a half step should probably give you a feel pretty close to Super Slinky's... oh, and I love Ernie Ball strings - any strings good enough for Joe Perry, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert and Dweizel Zappa are good enough for me ... my 2¢

 

[SteveB]

I've always used Super Slinkys (gauge 9), even when tuning down to E flat. A half step doesn't make that much difference in my experience. If you're going more than a 1/2 step, I'd definitely go up to Regular Slinky (10) or the 11's that tommyindelaware recommended.

I love Ernie Ball strings. Haven't used anything else for ages. Way back when I started, I tried many brands. But I would always break strings (especially with GHS boomers for some reason). I don't think I've broken a string now for at least 10 years. Once I had a wound 'D' string that unwound due to a sharp edge on a string saddle, but that's about the only problem I've had and it was the guitar's fault.

Now, I *do* change my strings pretty regularly. Generally I don't keep a set on more than 2 weeks because I shed a lot of skin on those babies and even my constant Fast-Fretting can't keep 'em 100% clean and free of corrosion. Dirty or rusting strings are brittle and will snap. Clean strings bend nicely!

 

[jimmyp]

I've always used Super Slinkys (gauge 9), even when tuning down to E flat. A half step doesn't make that much difference in my experience. If you're going more than a 1/2 step, I'd definitely go up to Regular Slinky (10) or the 11's that tommyindelaware recommended.

I'm with you on this one - it would take a hell of a lot of down tuning to get me away from my super slinky 9s. I played at E flat for a long time on 9s but recently went back to concert. I am also a massive fan of EB strings - used them for years - can could the dud ones on less than one hand.
dave