What brand strings do you use & are they made better today?

    What brand strings do you use mostly and do you think strings are made better today? 37

    1. D'Addario (16) 43%
    2. Elixir (7) 19%
    3. Ernie Ball (7) 19%
    4. DR Guitar (2) 5%
    5. StringJoy (2) 5%
    6. Fender (1) 3%
    7. GHS (1) 3%
    8. Other Brand (1) 3%

    I have used GHS, Fender, and Ernie Ball. I'm currently using Fender pure nickels. Prior to that I was using GHS boomers exclusively.

    In 6+ years, I've only had one string break and it was an Ernie Ball .09s high E that broke after install when I was stretching them out. It seems to me that string breakage was more prevalent in the past decades. :/

    Larry Mar @ Lonegun Studios. Neither one famous yet.

    Quote from quemper

    Is Fender a rebrand of another string?

    Fender-branded strings are primarily manufactured by D'Addario to Fender's specific proprietary formulas and specifications. While Fender historically produced their own strings, they currently outsource the manufacturing of their string lines (such as the popular Super 250s) to D'Addario's facilities in New York.

    So, yes but no.

    Larry Mar @ Lonegun Studios. Neither one famous yet.

    I think manufacturers have continuously improved the quality of their strings over the years. For example, strings have better corrosion resistance, so they don’t rust as quickly. At least in my experience, strings used to break more often in the past.

    Also, strings usually break because of sharp edges on the nut or the bridge. When that happens, it’s often the same string that keeps breaking.

    I don’t always use the same brand, but I always use the same gauge, of course. But for example, on my Duesenberg I use Duesenberg strings.

    I used DR 9-46 for a long time but they got to where they corroded too quickly (I believe they have fixed that), so about 8 years ago I switched to EB Super Slinky 9-42 for almost all the electrics, except one Epi LP set up for slide, and a Gretsch electric 12 string, and have been very happy with those. I used Elixir’s on the acoustics - although for decades I used Guild Phosphor Bronze until they stopped. The acoustics don’t get near as much playing time so the Elixir’s last well in that use case.

    Quote from GCNC8068

    I used DR 9-46 for a long time but they got to where they corroded too quickly (I believe they have fixed that), so about 8 years ago I switched to EB Super Slinky 9-42 for almost all the electrics, except one Epi LP set up for slide, and a Gretsch electric 12 string, and have been very happy with those. I used Elixir’s on the acoustics - although for decades I used Guild Phosphor Bronze until they stopped. The acoustics don’t get near as much playing time so the Elixir’s last well in that use case.

    Yeah - they had a packaging supplier let them down apparently. They replaced about 15 sets for me and I've never had an issue even with our humid climate. The Veritas sets are the only ones of theirs that I like.

    I used to use Dean Markley until the company was sold and the strings were not the same.

    I then used Apex, which was started by the ex Dean Markley employees until they went out of business.

    Now I use DR Veritas which I find closest to the above two. Great strings.

    Quote from V8guitar

    I was using EB's for the last 20+ years but recently I've had quite a few go rusty. I've now switched to Daddario's and been happy. I've also run the same gauge across all my guitars ( Skinny Tops heavy bottom)....

    Another skinny top, heavy bottom user here. Never bothered to try different strings to see if there is a difference. So many variables to mess with first before that.

    Kemper PowerRack |Kemper Stage| Rivera 4x12 V30 cab | Yamaha DXR10 pair | UA Apollo Twin Duo | Adam A7X | Cubase DAW
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    Quote from V8guitar

    I've also run the same gauge across all my guitars

    I like the same string and gauge across all my electric guitars too - except for the couple “special purpose” guitars (slide and 12 string). I’m fine moving among different neck sizes, fingerboard radius, scale length, and fret size (Strats, Tele's, LP, PRS), but I want the same string feel across the board.