This is my first post here. I read over some of the previous posts and why I decided to post in this particular thread I'm not sure. I guess cause it had one guy who dramatically puts down one brand of strings and others who praise them highly. This makes me wonder what 2 people could be doing so differently.
For one thing, I think it's a little bit wrong to go to a site and put down the company who sponsors the site. Like going to a band's website and saying "your band sucks boooo" But I'm all about freedom and life isnt a bed of roses so what can you do. I suppose its some sort of rebellion to fly in the face of power on thier own ground, I dunno. I do only use D'Addarios however and heres why.
I have been playing for over 10 years now and the ONLY strings I have seen broken were EBs. I changed several sets of EB's with a broken E string, broken during a bend. I know, I know, BS on me, I'm an rookie and all that, but thats just my experience and even after playing only a few years I was sharp enough to realize the pattern. I switched to Dean Markleys and they had the most wonderful tone of any string I have ever had, but they seemed to die too soon. I switched to D'Addarios and the tone wasn't as crisp, but they seemed to live longer. I said "seemed" which brings me to my next point.
Honestly, is there really that much of a difference between brands? I mean REALLY that much that you cant adjust an EQ setting or two and get the tone you are looking for? This is the year 2004, where is the magical mystery technology involved in making metal these days. Is it so hard and expensive for a scientist to alloy a hundred different blends of metal, extrude them into a string and pluck on it? If its not right, is it that difficult to make a hundred more alloy percentages? I can understand fancy coatings for extended life and corrosion resistance, as well as the shape of the windings for different feel or sustain maybe, but come on now...it's only a metal wire. Humans have been forging metal alloys since time forgotten.
So...whats the big difference. One brand has one alloy blend which might corrode first. One brand has a blend that is harder, so it is brighter but breaks easier. One alloy is prone to stretch. I dunno. Just random thoughts..
I love EB strings. I use EB 10's exclusively. They just feel right when I play them. They are also, usually, cheaper than most of the strings that I get. Go figure. I practically get a smile on my face every time I put a new set on my guitar.
They are very much unlike this post, which makes me feel ashamed for adding to it.
I think the thread starter was out of line. I use D'Addario XL-110's (10-46) and have for 15+ years. I like them and I stick with what I like (usually) I had an occasion to use the same size EB's and they seemed like quality strings it was just that they were what the package says - "slinky" - nothing wrong with that. They felt a little looser to me than the D'addario's but that may have been more in my head than anything...I don't know...but I'll stick with what I feel comfortable with. BTW I pay $3.33 a set via the net.
hahaha. i agree totally with punkin. whoever started this post, SHUT THE HELL UP! Just because you dont like the strings dosent mean that they are bad. you just don't like them. Dont post anything stupid like that ever again.
JERK!
pitslayer....do yourself a favor and use spell check next time. I'm "Zac Wild" will appreciate it.
The only way a set of strings is going to last a year is if you're not playing them and the guitar is in storage. Enough of that...
I came back to the EB's after straying to be honest I can't fnd a better string. I play enough to have to change them once a week and they deliver when I need them to so....
I like how he clearified that "nobody likes em." LOL
That's odd, everyone I know at least likes them. Most of the people I know will play one brand of strings for a while and switch to see if the grass is greener...
Now, since nobody likes em, I wonder why there are so many stinkin endorsers of these strings... Steve Vai, The Eagles, Angus Young, Aerosmith, Lincoln Brewster, gosh... there are hundreds and hundreds on that list.
Oh, and the scummy comment really cracks me up. Every, I repeat, Every brand of strings I have ever played can and will get scummy after just a few days if you don't take care of them. You can't get your crummy dirty little hands all over them and and not wipe them off and expect them to stay clean. I've never had my EB strings get crummy as quick as was mentioned here and in all my travels I've never heard any consistancy in such a complaint.
I submit that it is mostly user or environment related.
He also seems to dislike washing his hands. In addition, I am not totally positive that English is his first, or even first three, language. He may also suffer from some odd, type driven form of turrets (SP)syndrome.
Although it is rather ironic that in my attempt at flaming this guy about his grasp of english, I also use a word that I am not overly confident in my spelling of. Maybe I should just shut up.
I think that Ernie Ball's strings are the best string...I've been playing them ever since i could Remember...but then again that's just one person's opinion.
What a moron. I've never read such stupidity in my life. Obviously, not a professional player. Using same strings for over a year??? I change mine after every 2 or 3 gigs and before any recording session. Strings are covered with crud? How does that relate to the quality of strings? Sounds more like a hygiene problem. Leaving marks in your fingers? Apparently, you don't play very often. Durability? I've never broken an EB in my 22 years of playing. I've tried em all and won't settle for anything but my pure nickel SS's. If I was in a bind, I would go with Dean Markley's though.
I like EB Super Slinky strings
I have tried 3 other brands in the last year
Fender, Martin , and a nameless wall mart brand
The Fender and Martin stings were good comparable to EB
Been using EB for years ,, I have no complaints,
Tend to stay with ,what has worked in the past
The wall mart strings were needed on a Sunday night .
The guitar shops were closed,
the WM strings were s****ty, would not stay tuned after 4 days , and were removed
Phey came in a twin pack with two sets , I gave the spare set away
This is the first time that I have ever heard any complaints out of Ernie ball strings. They are some of the best strings that are being made. Stop Complaining.
First off, dorky name for some dude who is probably thirteen still wondering why things are the way they are. Second, try some soap and water. They work wonders for scumminess. Better yet, stay off the forum if you cannot produce a logical expression than the one you posted. BTW, most people here are pros and you sound like you have no idea how to even tune your axe. If you would have asked for help, you would have gotten it. Since you tried to flame the forum, you get beat down. Go to the BC Rich forum where you will be accepted by those over there who would love your name. I bet most of them use EB strings. If you don't like the strings, get some that you like. Simple as that. But, I would try soap and water (use these items to wash yourself) and have yourself a nice day.
Most likely has a whacked guitar that will not hold a tune along with someone that needs to wash his hands before playing and wipe his strings and neck after use.
i had some ghs boomers... they held their tone for quite awhile...but a week after i started using my whammy bar again they broke (three simultaneausly no less).......so...THEY SUCK COMPARED TO ERNIE BALL!??!!?!