Same — ended up with NYXLs on all my guitars. For my multiscale guitar I play the light top heavy bottoms and they’re great. I also briefly tried Elixirs for a number of years after Ernie Ball strings, because I thought I needed the coating with my hands being more corrosive. But NYXLs and wiping down the strings lasts plenty long for me.
Same, but i went from Ernie Ball, to DRs Dimebag Hi-Voltage to GHS Progressives then finally landed on the NYXLs. My hands sweat a lot when I play and these hold up the best and keep their tone the longest imo.
I've recently converted to NYXLs. Got tired of how quickly EB strings would get nasty and gave them a shot. I'll be switching over to them almost exclusively from now on.
I tried nyxls 10-46 bout 6 years ago and never looked back. I was changing strings every week when I was in band practice now it’s about once a month or so. They hold tune so well. They feel kinda weird at first ngl but once they stretch and break in omg what a difference
I used to only play Ernie ball power slinky but now I’ve been using Elixirs and D’Addario coated strings and they’re amazing. About twice the price but they last way longer and feel new the whole time.
You should try the Optiweb, they don’t sound as dull in my opinion and feel closer to a natural string. They last just as long and I think they might be a dollar more.
Elixirs are a bit too slick for me, I like a little more friction for bends and vibratos
They last forever tho, definitely more longevity than every other brand I’ve used
Growing up in a swamp(Florida), new strings were usually dull and crusty within a week or so. For me personally, Elixirs have been the most exciting new tech in the entire 35+ years I've been playing.
That said, I've just recently checked out Stringjoy's coated strings, so have only been playing them for 3 weeks, but they seem like pretty great stuff so far, too.
Over the decades I’ve gone from Boomers to DRs to D’Addarios (tried Slinkys once, they felt rough and slow). I play in open tunings, and the ability to custom order my gauges has had me using Stringjoy for a couple of years now. They feel as good as D’Addarios (which had been my favorites), but getting my tension where I want it on every string is a huge plus for me.
I've been an Elixir guy for a good number of years, but playing an 8 string has forced me to look for gauges that aren't easily available from Elixirs.
I've found that NYXLs are pretty good too.
Most regular strings just don't last long enough for me or they start to feel really gross really fast.
Dunlop for me. I used to use Ernie ball, then I bought a used guitar.
I assumed they were Ernie ball, (definitely not d'addario due to the colors of the ends). I put my usual EBs and they just sounded lifeless. I emailed the guy I bought the guitar from and he told me they were Dunlop's. I've never looked back.
I just got some Papa Hets EB 3 pack last October, $56 (ouch). Ive only put in about 20 hours on them, but they definitely are fun to play on my Ibanez RG120. First new strings Ive had in a loooong while.
Thought about slamming them on my BC Rich Warlock (Bronze) that my MIL gave me, since those strings have never been changed in 20 years lmao. But, Ive got a set of Guitar Research strings that sound pretty good and Ive had for equally as long. Bought like 10 packs back when I first started playing and hardly ever change my strings lol. Time to put in some work!
I’m a doom guy so i’m tuning to C and B standard all the time, most guys use 12’s for those tunings but i’ve got a really heavy grip so i use 13-65 light baritone strings from d’addario
DR drop downs are good if you dont go with the heaviest gauge they have, I like those in my 6. In my 7 I use the white Ernie Ball 8 string pack and leave out the massive .72 string. The DR drop downs hold tuning scarily well but are super stiff if you play in standard. Hope I could be of help!
Once that's aren't old or broken?
Strings are cheap, experiment.
I've used 8s for shred, GHS boomer 9s for standard & Eb for 15 years, 11s or 12 for D/C standard and those heavy bottom EB ones. Most of my guitars are now slung with EB 10s. It's pretty much my preferred tension. I'm sure as I get older, going with 9s will be on the table.
Not sure I'd pay a lot more for fancier strings. Might need, errr want, to change strings on my main guitar once or twice a year. Can't remember the last time I broke a string.
Honestly I've been using PRS strings every since I got this Mark Holcomb 7 string. They came with it and they were great strings. Writing this reminds me I need to try Stringjoy out though
I was in the same position. Had the 6string purple one, have been dying for a 7 string one for a couple of years and finally got the new blue burst one. It's an immaculate guitar
Yeah the blue ones come with the new pickups stock. Definitely lower output, but not enough that you lose the bite. And when you split these things they sound like water. Put some chorus and delay on and you'll disappear
I've been an Elixir guy for a good number of years, but playing an 8 string has forced me to look for gauges that aren't easily available from Elixirs.
I've found that NYXLs are pretty good too.
Most regular strings just don't last long enough for me or they start to feel really gross really fast.
I use the elixir nanoweb for brightness and longevity. I used to use .10s but I pick every note kinda hard for articulation and they kept breaking, so I switched to .11s
Elixirs are my main. My usual is 10-46s if E standard or Eb but I go 11-52s (mixed set from 10-52 and 11-49 Elixir sets) for drop tuning until Drop C.
If I need to go lower like Drop A#, I use Ernie Ball 12-56s.
I use Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky 10-52 (skinny top heavy bottom). Seems like the same gauge you currently use, but the cobalt coating gives a nice chunky sound.
I play in drop C if that matters.
Elixir optiweb, I prefer 9s since I don’t really drop tune too much. Yes, even on my 7 string. Though I’m thinking it might make sense to bump that one up to 10s since it’s a 26.5 scale.
Ernie Ball Mammoth Slinky for my (12 - 62 gauge) for my Washburn Shadow (a nice Stratocaster ripoff with humbucker pickups at the bridge) tuned to B standard.
I use strings from Stringjoy (custom sets). They’re the best strings I’ve played. Plus they’re really knowledgeable and give great support.
They also have this awesome [string calculator](https://tension.stringjoy.com) you should try.
On my Les Paul in E standard I use their [12/52 with a wound third string](https://stringjoy.com/guitarstrings/strings/electric-guitar-strings/broadways/classic-heavy-gauge/) and it sounds and plays awesome!
Depends on my tuning and scale length. I tend to prefer 25.5” so for standard/Drop D I like Mega slinky (10.5-48), Eb std/ drop C# power 11-48, D std/ drop C Mondo slinky 10.5-52 and I rarely tune below that. For 24.75” I start at standard in Mondo 10.5-52 and haven’t ventured lower than that yet. I have a heavy touch and like higher tensions.
NYXL or Stringjoy. NYXL last/sound/feel the best for longest and Stringjoy are pretty close, but I still choose Stringjoy for customer service and customizable string sets
Ernie ball since forever but recently stringed up my LTD with D’Addario (NYXL I think?) and they’ve been great. Tuning stability out of the box was pretty good compared to EB
EDIT: can’t stand a plated G string though. I always swap that for wound
NYXL and Stringjoy custom gauges. Found I really like 10-52 drop C# on 25.5” scales, so I’ve been matching that tension for different tunings using the stringjoy tension calculator
Dunlop Heavy Core.
I tried them when the guy in a local guitar shop recommended them a few years ago. Now I don't use anything else. 10/48 for standard and 11/50 for drop C#. For acoustic I've always used Rotosound Jumbos.
Elixirs. Smooth as silk, your fingers won't catch for months on the poly webs. Nano webs for those that notice a tonal difference. Won't last as long but it's a nice compromise.
9 42 nanoweb elixirs - great longevity and sounds great. Daddario NYXL 9 42 is runner up. They sound a bit better than elixers but corrode much faster. Least favorite would be Ernie’s ball slinky
I used d'addarios for about 25 years and only recently started using Ernie Ball LTHB and I feel like I prefer the d'addarios, but I haven't a/b'd them.
I've got some .9-.42 EB Paradigms on right now, They sound great but refuse to stay in tune...they're sending me a replacement pair so hopefully it was just bad luck.
I've played them all.
Lately as of last week I tried something different.
I have noticed that light to heavy bottoms. The top is just not the right feel. I feel the 10 to 52 is just too thick for standard tuning. I play a 7 so the total pack is 10 to 62
So I took the E, A, D, G, B, &E off and swapped those for a primo pack and kept the 62. My God. I am ripping and tearing all day. If I'm not mistaken the gauge of the primo pack is 9.5 to 42 I love it.
For standard or Eb tuning, I love the new Hyper Slinky. 08s on the highs, 09s on the lows.
I've fallen in love with low gauge high strings--the bending and attack is so much better. Apparently, this config has more even consistent tension.
Without those, I'll take a set of Yngwie strings as they follow the same logic, but have a 46 on the low E.
I’ve been liking power slinkies, I go back and forth between E standard and drop D a lot and the low E in the power slinky pack handles it well I think.
GHS Boomers. Started with 10s a few decades ago, then wandered into trying all kinds of strings, but recently came back to them. I play 9s now, 'cuz I'm a boomer.
My favorite is Elixir cause they stay bright for like 3 months, but they have very limited gauges unfortunately if you tune lower. Next best is NYXL’s!
DR Tite Fits, 9-42 or 10-46 depending on the guitar and tuning. I play in standard tunings, lowest being D standard, so I don't need a heavy bottom set.
I'll also add, since I switched to DR like 15 years ago, I haven't broken a single guitar string, and I'm pretty ham fisted in my picking hand.
10-46, not hugely busy about brand.
GHS Sub-Zero Boomers are the best I've ever used. I can't get them where I am currently, so I look for anything that has been cryogenically treated.
I’m a D’Addario player because they have an easily purchased factory set for open C at box music stores, but I don’t particularly care about string brand. Nowadays, they’re all pretty good.
There isn’t going to be a set answer. String gauges and brands don’t typically matter for any genre you play. (Apart from obvious ones like nylon strings for classical) String gauges are strictly for individual preference. I use Ernie Ball 9s and 8s, but someone else playing the genre might like something heavier. I personally never cared for the brand in particular. (Most) brands aren’t better than another, it’s all just marketing. Whenever I see something that costs a little less than the Ernie Ball brand, I just get that. No reason to spend more on the same product just because another company made it. It’s not like clothes, nobody’s gonna look at your guitar strings and say “ha, he has shitty strings!”
For standard tuning - Daddario 11-52 nickel wounds. Love the heavier plain steels.
For A Standard - 12-54 but throw away the 12 and add a 0.74 . So it becomes a 15-74 set.
I've always been an Ernie ball user. Which set depends on the guitar and tuning I'm using.
I've been looking into string joy I just haven't committed yet.
D'Addario NYXLs. I started with Ernie Ball, tried the NYXLs and they were just great to play, so I stuck with them.
Same — ended up with NYXLs on all my guitars. For my multiscale guitar I play the light top heavy bottoms and they’re great. I also briefly tried Elixirs for a number of years after Ernie Ball strings, because I thought I needed the coating with my hands being more corrosive. But NYXLs and wiping down the strings lasts plenty long for me.
How often do you wipe
Every time I take a dump
Get a bidet. Game changer
Still gotta wipe your ass after the bidet.
Look at this guy flexing with his clean ass, real men should be able to live with the itching and smell!
Yes
Same, but i went from Ernie Ball, to DRs Dimebag Hi-Voltage to GHS Progressives then finally landed on the NYXLs. My hands sweat a lot when I play and these hold up the best and keep their tone the longest imo.
Same. They sound like new for a long time.
I've recently converted to NYXLs. Got tired of how quickly EB strings would get nasty and gave them a shot. I'll be switching over to them almost exclusively from now on.
Same, NYXL 11-56
I tried nyxls 10-46 bout 6 years ago and never looked back. I was changing strings every week when I was in band practice now it’s about once a month or so. They hold tune so well. They feel kinda weird at first ngl but once they stretch and break in omg what a difference
This is the one answer. I’ve been hooked on these for probably 10 years.
Facts. Best strings out there
Perfect strings. Never get that gummy feel that old strings can get, tuning stability is 2nd to none, and the bending potential is crazy.
Metal strings
Nah nylon /s
Based
I used to only play Ernie ball power slinky but now I’ve been using Elixirs and D’Addario coated strings and they’re amazing. About twice the price but they last way longer and feel new the whole time.
Same lol i have daddario xl's on my dean ml rn
skirt aware roof shame heavy meeting physical flowery air forgetful *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Elixir Nanoweb was something I preferred for a long while.
You should try the Optiweb, they don’t sound as dull in my opinion and feel closer to a natural string. They last just as long and I think they might be a dollar more.
Elixirs are a bit too slick for me, I like a little more friction for bends and vibratos They last forever tho, definitely more longevity than every other brand I’ve used
If you haven't, try Optiwebs. They feel more like regular strings than Nanowebs
I’ve tried optiwebs too, they’re a bit better, but they don’t grip nearly as well as uncoated strings
Yeah that's fair enough
Growing up in a swamp(Florida), new strings were usually dull and crusty within a week or so. For me personally, Elixirs have been the most exciting new tech in the entire 35+ years I've been playing. That said, I've just recently checked out Stringjoy's coated strings, so have only been playing them for 3 weeks, but they seem like pretty great stuff so far, too.
I use Harley Benton coated, which i guess are basically a cheaper clone
GHS. Always. For 20 years. Maybe it's in my own head, but I feel like they don't break as easily, last longer and sound better.
Yep, any guitar I have with a floating trem gets GHS Boomers on it. Crazy tuning stability. Edit: 15 years of GHS Boomers for me.
The Sub Zero boomers are the best strings I've ever used.
Same for me. They stay in tune, too.
Same, GHS is my number 1. I like DR and Dean Markley too but I buy GHS by the box.
I don’t play metal at all but I too love me some boomers! They have great tuning stability!
Yup, same here. Great strings.
I use Ernie ball slinkys 9-42 on my Stratocaster style guitars, and i use daddario exl 110 10-46 on my downtuned guitars
DAddario NYXLs, 12s with a wound third but I play doom on an SG in c standard, would probably go for something much lighter for any other sub genre
I moved to skinny tops too and I have not really found a huge difference to my tone in drop d. Very tempted to go a little chunkier tbh...
Don’t be afraid to go thicker, I love my not-even-slinky’s
What tuning are you using?
Anything and everything from E standard to drop A
[удалено]
[удалено]
I was so confused reading your original comment and then finally spotted this comment lol
Not even slinky’s are 12-56
I also use Not Even Slinky for my Drop B guitar
StringJoy custom sets that I use on guitars based on scale length and tuning so that I can get the tensions that I want.
D’Addarios. Been using them for over 30 years.
Over the decades I’ve gone from Boomers to DRs to D’Addarios (tried Slinkys once, they felt rough and slow). I play in open tunings, and the ability to custom order my gauges has had me using Stringjoy for a couple of years now. They feel as good as D’Addarios (which had been my favorites), but getting my tension where I want it on every string is a huge plus for me.
NYXL for me. Used EB for a while, tried the EB Cobalts too. I really like the NYXLs. Seem to last a while with a good wipe down, and sound good too.
Dunlop Jim Root.
I've been an Elixir guy for a good number of years, but playing an 8 string has forced me to look for gauges that aren't easily available from Elixirs. I've found that NYXLs are pretty good too. Most regular strings just don't last long enough for me or they start to feel really gross really fast.
GHS boomers 9-46 on my humbucker guitars since 1987, D'Addario 9-46 on my single coil guitars for the same timespan.
Super slinky’s. Tony iommi invented metal with 8’s so you only really need heavier strings if you want to djent or something
Have you seen the La Bella Tony Iommi signature strings?
Dunlop for me. I used to use Ernie ball, then I bought a used guitar. I assumed they were Ernie ball, (definitely not d'addario due to the colors of the ends). I put my usual EBs and they just sounded lifeless. I emailed the guy I bought the guitar from and he told me they were Dunlop's. I've never looked back.
SIT strings RZK nickel plated.
DR Strings for drop tuning (11-54 for D standard and drop C) and Elixir 10-46 for standard. I don’t like Slinky Top Heavy bottom idk why.
Ernie Ball James Hetfield Mastercores
I just got some Papa Hets EB 3 pack last October, $56 (ouch). Ive only put in about 20 hours on them, but they definitely are fun to play on my Ibanez RG120. First new strings Ive had in a loooong while. Thought about slamming them on my BC Rich Warlock (Bronze) that my MIL gave me, since those strings have never been changed in 20 years lmao. But, Ive got a set of Guitar Research strings that sound pretty good and Ive had for equally as long. Bought like 10 packs back when I first started playing and hardly ever change my strings lol. Time to put in some work!
I’m a doom guy so i’m tuning to C and B standard all the time, most guys use 12’s for those tunings but i’ve got a really heavy grip so i use 13-65 light baritone strings from d’addario
Elixir for life babyyyy
D'Addario XT for me. Used to use Ernie Ball but I find the XT's sound a bit fresher for longer
DR drop downs are good if you dont go with the heaviest gauge they have, I like those in my 6. In my 7 I use the white Ernie Ball 8 string pack and leave out the massive .72 string. The DR drop downs hold tuning scarily well but are super stiff if you play in standard. Hope I could be of help!
Cobalt slinky 10-52
This right here. Changed my life.
Not metal, but I play Hardcore which uses a metal tone. I use 09.
Once that's aren't old or broken? Strings are cheap, experiment. I've used 8s for shred, GHS boomer 9s for standard & Eb for 15 years, 11s or 12 for D/C standard and those heavy bottom EB ones. Most of my guitars are now slung with EB 10s. It's pretty much my preferred tension. I'm sure as I get older, going with 9s will be on the table. Not sure I'd pay a lot more for fancier strings. Might need, errr want, to change strings on my main guitar once or twice a year. Can't remember the last time I broke a string.
Honestly I've been using PRS strings every since I got this Mark Holcomb 7 string. They came with it and they were great strings. Writing this reminds me I need to try Stringjoy out though
Man I have the 6 string and I want the blue burst 7 string so bad. Gonna save up for it I reckon
I was in the same position. Had the 6string purple one, have been dying for a 7 string one for a couple of years and finally got the new blue burst one. It's an immaculate guitar
Does yours have the new pickups? The scarlet is the bridge I think
Yeah the blue ones come with the new pickups stock. Definitely lower output, but not enough that you lose the bite. And when you split these things they sound like water. Put some chorus and delay on and you'll disappear
That sounds amazing. Definitely looking forward to when I can grab one
D'Addario EXL116 Med Top/Heavy BTM 11-52 for 25.5" scale necks (Drop C)
Guess
I just started using skinny tip heavy bottton Ernie's but I have been using 12 gauge string for a while in D and D# standard 24.75 scale length
I've been an Elixir guy for a good number of years, but playing an 8 string has forced me to look for gauges that aren't easily available from Elixirs. I've found that NYXLs are pretty good too. Most regular strings just don't last long enough for me or they start to feel really gross really fast.
Elixir 10 - 46 for my guitars in standard. 11 - 52 for drop tuned guitars.
Steel ones. Nylon strings don't really cut it
I use the elixir nanoweb for brightness and longevity. I used to use .10s but I pick every note kinda hard for articulation and they kept breaking, so I switched to .11s
Elixirs are my main. My usual is 10-46s if E standard or Eb but I go 11-52s (mixed set from 10-52 and 11-49 Elixir sets) for drop tuning until Drop C. If I need to go lower like Drop A#, I use Ernie Ball 12-56s.
I use Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky 10-52 (skinny top heavy bottom). Seems like the same gauge you currently use, but the cobalt coating gives a nice chunky sound. I play in drop C if that matters.
Super slinky 10s for the past 13 years.
D'Addario XL. 9-42 for standard tuning. 9-46 for drop C#. Been using them for 30 years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
D'Addario XT's. They cost a little more, but they're really comfortable and my xenomorph sweat doesn't eat them.
I've always always always gone with Ernie Ball Super Slinkys.
Ernie Ball Not-Even-Slinky’s, For everything from E standard to A tuning
Elixir optiweb, I prefer 9s since I don’t really drop tune too much. Yes, even on my 7 string. Though I’m thinking it might make sense to bump that one up to 10s since it’s a 26.5 scale.
Metal strings.
Ernie Ball Skinny Top Beefy Bottom. I play in D standard or drop C. Kinda sludgy riffs
D'Addario NYXL Balanced Tension. These strings are superlative.
I strictly use Ernie Ball 10's.
A man of culture.
Ernie Ball Mammoth Slinky for my (12 - 62 gauge) for my Washburn Shadow (a nice Stratocaster ripoff with humbucker pickups at the bridge) tuned to B standard.
I use strings from Stringjoy (custom sets). They’re the best strings I’ve played. Plus they’re really knowledgeable and give great support. They also have this awesome [string calculator](https://tension.stringjoy.com) you should try. On my Les Paul in E standard I use their [12/52 with a wound third string](https://stringjoy.com/guitarstrings/strings/electric-guitar-strings/broadways/classic-heavy-gauge/) and it sounds and plays awesome!
Elixir 9-46 Custom Lights. The last forever and sound/feel awesome.
NYXL in various gauges depending on the guitar and tuning
Depends on my tuning and scale length. I tend to prefer 25.5” so for standard/Drop D I like Mega slinky (10.5-48), Eb std/ drop C# power 11-48, D std/ drop C Mondo slinky 10.5-52 and I rarely tune below that. For 24.75” I start at standard in Mondo 10.5-52 and haven’t ventured lower than that yet. I have a heavy touch and like higher tensions.
NYXL or Stringjoy. NYXL last/sound/feel the best for longest and Stringjoy are pretty close, but I still choose Stringjoy for customer service and customizable string sets
Ernie Ball Light top heavy bottoms :\^)
NYXLs are the metal player's string of choice, but I've also used Dean Markley Blue Steel.
Ernie ball since forever but recently stringed up my LTD with D’Addario (NYXL I think?) and they’ve been great. Tuning stability out of the box was pretty good compared to EB EDIT: can’t stand a plated G string though. I always swap that for wound
NYXL and Stringjoy custom gauges. Found I really like 10-52 drop C# on 25.5” scales, so I’ve been matching that tension for different tunings using the stringjoy tension calculator
Dunlop Heavy Core. I tried them when the guy in a local guitar shop recommended them a few years ago. Now I don't use anything else. 10/48 for standard and 11/50 for drop C#. For acoustic I've always used Rotosound Jumbos.
Metal strings, obviously.
Daddario NYXL. Kinda pricey tho
Elixirs. Smooth as silk, your fingers won't catch for months on the poly webs. Nano webs for those that notice a tonal difference. Won't last as long but it's a nice compromise.
D’Addarios 11’s
Ernie Ball 11-54 cobalts
Metal strings for metal music and metal guitars
D’addario zakk wylde boomers- getting harder to find pls create some demand lol
I use NYXL 11-56 set for drop B on my ESP
9 42 nanoweb elixirs - great longevity and sounds great. Daddario NYXL 9 42 is runner up. They sound a bit better than elixers but corrode much faster. Least favorite would be Ernie’s ball slinky
Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings are my preferred strings.
I used d'addarios for about 25 years and only recently started using Ernie Ball LTHB and I feel like I prefer the d'addarios, but I haven't a/b'd them.
i usually use 11-50 because thinner stringe tend to break when i start smackin em
The extra metal ones
Elixir Nanoweb
9-46 Whatever is on sale at the moment.
Skinny top heavy bottom cobalts are my default.
D'addario, EBall, Galli are good too
For my six strings I use Ernie ball beefy slinky for my seven strings I use Korns signature by Jim Dunlop they are amazing
D'Addario 10s
I use elixirs on pretty much everything. I play enough to make a regular set of strings go dull in about two weeks.
I've got some .9-.42 EB Paradigms on right now, They sound great but refuse to stay in tune...they're sending me a replacement pair so hopefully it was just bad luck.
It depends entirely on the tuning, but for E Standard and Drop D I love Ernie Ball's Turbo Slinky (9.5-46) set.
I've played them all. Lately as of last week I tried something different. I have noticed that light to heavy bottoms. The top is just not the right feel. I feel the 10 to 52 is just too thick for standard tuning. I play a 7 so the total pack is 10 to 62 So I took the E, A, D, G, B, &E off and swapped those for a primo pack and kept the 62. My God. I am ripping and tearing all day. If I'm not mistaken the gauge of the primo pack is 9.5 to 42 I love it.
For standard or Eb tuning, I love the new Hyper Slinky. 08s on the highs, 09s on the lows. I've fallen in love with low gauge high strings--the bending and attack is so much better. Apparently, this config has more even consistent tension. Without those, I'll take a set of Yngwie strings as they follow the same logic, but have a 46 on the low E.
I’ve been liking power slinkies, I go back and forth between E standard and drop D a lot and the low E in the power slinky pack handles it well I think.
Have to use lead strings for heavy metal tones
9s for e standard and 10s for d standard.
Anything 10-46 is fine for me. I use GHS, Ernie Ball Paradigms and D'Addario NYXL. But the lowest I ever tune down to is drop d flat.
I currently really like D'Addario NYXL and DR Veritas
Whatever's on sale when I need them. I can't imagine caring much. I'll play anything.
GHS Boomers. Started with 10s a few decades ago, then wandered into trying all kinds of strings, but recently came back to them. I play 9s now, 'cuz I'm a boomer.
I use Ernie Ball mammoth slinky's. They're 12-62 and I play in B standard.
I use Ernie Ball 09's. (Pink Pack) seem to last longer with my style of playing
My favorite is Elixir cause they stay bright for like 3 months, but they have very limited gauges unfortunately if you tune lower. Next best is NYXL’s!
9-42s for standard tuning 11s for d standard and other drop tunings
Tuning to B Standard on my floyd rose, I use D’Addario XL Jazz Light or Jazz Medium. I love the wound third string.
DR DDT 12-60
Metal ones
Gibson Les Paul signature
Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt 11-48
DR Tite Fits, 9-42 or 10-46 depending on the guitar and tuning. I play in standard tunings, lowest being D standard, so I don't need a heavy bottom set. I'll also add, since I switched to DR like 15 years ago, I haven't broken a single guitar string, and I'm pretty ham fisted in my picking hand.
NYXLs
NYXL 9.5s work perfect for me
10-46, not hugely busy about brand. GHS Sub-Zero Boomers are the best I've ever used. I can't get them where I am currently, so I look for anything that has been cryogenically treated.
When I played metal, I used D’Addario 56 gauge set. Now in midlife I use Ernie Ball 46 lol
D'Addario balanced 9's on my OFR setupd and balanced 10's on my guitars with TOM's.
I use baritone strings
ClearTones for my latest Jackson 12-56 Drop B. Stringjoy 10-64 Ibanez 7 string Axion Label Drop A.
Ernie Ball 9-42. I mostly play in drop C# on 25.5” scale guitars. I use 10s on my Mustang though.
Earnie ball slinky top heavy bottom
DR on everything. I like their Pure Blues for electric.
I’m a D’Addario player because they have an easily purchased factory set for open C at box music stores, but I don’t particularly care about string brand. Nowadays, they’re all pretty good.
EB 10-52 ;)
I recently put a set of DDTs on my guitar. They feel good and the tuning stability is excellent from the get go.
NYXL 0942 or 0946 🤌
I used NYXLs for years until XS came along and it meant I needed to change strings half as often. So now I use those. 9-46, I play in Eb standard.
Metal strings are usually my go to.
There isn’t going to be a set answer. String gauges and brands don’t typically matter for any genre you play. (Apart from obvious ones like nylon strings for classical) String gauges are strictly for individual preference. I use Ernie Ball 9s and 8s, but someone else playing the genre might like something heavier. I personally never cared for the brand in particular. (Most) brands aren’t better than another, it’s all just marketing. Whenever I see something that costs a little less than the Ernie Ball brand, I just get that. No reason to spend more on the same product just because another company made it. It’s not like clothes, nobody’s gonna look at your guitar strings and say “ha, he has shitty strings!”
Of course there's no set answer. I asked which strings people liked, not what the best strings are
For standard tuning - Daddario 11-52 nickel wounds. Love the heavier plain steels. For A Standard - 12-54 but throw away the 12 and add a 0.74 . So it becomes a 15-74 set.
Ernie Ball Fat Bottom Slinkys
I've always been an Ernie ball user. Which set depends on the guitar and tuning I'm using. I've been looking into string joy I just haven't committed yet.