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I guess it's time to start a string thread here, what strings are you guys using and what sizes?

For the past year or so I have really dug my 26.5 setup in C with .58 - .11. My only problem has been that the only brand that makes a .58 is Ernie ball and they corrode so quickly(yes, even coated and premium materials, see attached vid) and I use a floyd rose currently, so I really have to find a set I like and stick to it no matter what...

.60 is a bit big for C on 26.5 so until I cop a Monson i'm probably going to work back down to .56, the reason I initially jumped from .56 to .60 was the only sets I could find in .56 had such gigantic 3rds, or wound 3rds. Was digging wound 3rds for a little while, but the pick just wasn't rolling in a way I was used to anymore so I jumped to .58 which ended up having a more pliable plain 3rd.

A bit ago I stumbled across cleartone strings and was intrigued, especially with the balanced large string sets they make claiming last 3-5x longer than most strings, such as this monstrous .80 with a surgeon general style warning:



Then when I saw this video I was sold, if a fairly new company is out performing all of these other companies with years of experience and funds behind them it would be stupid of me not to at least give them a shot, 13.99 is pretty spendy for a set of string, but if they really do last 3-5x longer as this video clearly demonstrates I think its definitely worth it:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX6WKIKGSkg[/youtube]

This looks good, I wonder if they are in Europe as well.

As far as what I use, Ive been using Di Addario 12-60 tuned to C on all my guitars and they are 24.75 scale. I've tried a number of different strings but find these are the ones I always come back to.

I currently use Circle K strings ( https://www.circlekstrings.com/store/ ) on my 7 strings, I use custom balanced sets that are .12-.79 for drop F tuning. They are the best out of the box sounding strings I've tried and the quality is top notch, plus you can build custom sized sets as they do all their own winding and sell individuals. Also their prematched sets come in 5x the variety of gauges then any big box manufacturer. On my six strings I usually use ernie balls as d'addario's are too bright out of the box and DR's are too dull out of the box. I use .11-.54's for either C standard or drop B. The only problem with EB's is they die off waayyyy too quick for my liking, even if I freshly string a guitar and let it sit for a couple weeks unplayed I come back to dead and semi rusted strings, even in my humidity controlled basement. (I use a dehumidifier cause my basements in a flood zone on my plot and I have way too much wood in there to let it get too humid.)

Ancient Astronaught wrote:I currently use Circle K strings ( https://www.circlekstrings.com/store/ ) on my 7 strings, I use custom balanced sets that are .12-.79 for drop F tuning. They are the best out of the box sounding strings I've tried and the quality is top notch, plus you can build custom sized sets as they do all their own winding and sell individuals. Also their prematched sets come in 5x the variety of gauges then any big box manufacturer. On my six strings I usually use ernie balls as d'addario's are too bright out of the box and DR's are too dull out of the box. I use .11-.54's for either C standard or drop B. The only problem with EB's is they die off waayyyy too quick for my liking, even if I freshly string a guitar and let it sit for a couple weeks unplayed I come back to dead and semi rusted strings, even in my humidity controlled basement. (I use a dehumidifier cause my basements in a flood zone on my plot and I have way too much wood in there to let it get too humid.)

Ah I had forgotten Circle K! I will definitely be giving those a shot as well.

samzadgan wrote:This looks good, I wonder if they are in Europe as well.

As far as what I use, Ive been using Di Addario 12-60 tuned to C on all my guitars and they are 24.75 scale. I've tried a number of different strings but find these are the ones I always come back to.

I'm not sure what retailers would carry them in Europe, but here's a link to order from Musician's Friend:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... ed-strings

ridingeternity wrote:Ah I had forgotten Circle K! I will definitely be giving those a shot as well.

I've used em for both bass and guitar and never had any issues at all, love them strings I just wish they were a lil cheaper. But they last twice as long as any other set i've used so they balance out.

I'm still experimenting with strings, even after I thought I had settled. I have used the 13 RW set from Zachary, yes that douche that everyone bags on. BUT, his strings are nice and balanced; in standard tuning every strings feels like it has exactly the same tension and that always really impressed me. However, ordering from him is a PITA, so I'm back to building string sets with potentially lighter strings. I'm getting ready to put a custom set of the juststrings brand strings on my guitar. I think if I can live with a 60 for low C down to A#, then I may bulk order these, given they don't suck. Supposedly they're made by the same factory as D'addario, but take that with a grain of salt.

I was impressed with Matt's 9 string in drop B with much smaller strings than mine, so I think having a slightly lower tension won't bother me too much.

Ancient Astronaught wrote:

ridingeternity wrote:Ah I had forgotten Circle K! I will definitely be giving those a shot as well.

I've used em for both bass and guitar and never had any issues at all, love them strings I just wish they were a lil cheaper. But they last twice as long as any other set i've used so they balance out.

Also the fact that I can order my own custom set is quite appealing, would make it much easier to experiment with sizes replacing singles as needed rather than having to buy a full set or from a brand that doesn't quite match.

Exactly, the other great thing about that site is that he has an awesome tension chart so you can take your tuning decide on a low string and then match the rest of the set's tension to that low string by going down the chart. all my strings tension is in the 14.5-15lb range (according to that chart which is for bass guitars) and I can't tell a difference on the tension on any string. So then if you try and set and your like well I'd like it a lil stiffer you go in find the string gauge and tuning and then look for the next size and tension up. Super handy.

Ancient Astronaught wrote:Exactly, the other great thing about that site is that he has an awesome tension chart so you can take your tuning decide on a low string and then match the rest of the set's tension to that low string by going down the chart. all my strings tension is in the 14.5-15lb range and I can't tell a difference on the tension on any string. So then if you try and set and your like well I'd like it a lil stiffer you go in find the string gauge and tuning and then look for the next size and tension up. Super handy.

You just saved my life with that recommendation, sure i'd heard of them before, but timing is everything and just the fact that they took the time to put the tension chart together they sound like my kinda guys!

Just a reminder that those tensions are for standard scale bass but they go up incrementally for guitar, so its basically irrelevant just match the tensions in the chart and your good to go.

http://circlekstrings.com/CKSIMAGES/CircleKtensionChart.pdf

I use Naked Strings, 12-70 (forget specific gauges). Tuned to F#C#F#C#F#A. They hold up well against my corrosive sweat and you can get 5 packs for 20 bucks or so. Pretty sweet.

XL Chrome Flatwound 56-13 on LP in C Standard, XL Chrome Flatwounds 70 to 17 on Baritone in A Standard. I just use flatwounds all around.

new05002 wrote:XL Chrome Flatwound 56-13 on LP in C Standard, XL Chrome Flatwounds 70 to 17 on Baritone in A Standard. I just use flatwounds all around.

I figured you used flatwounds from your vids, only played them on a Vintage V once but the dampened tone is unmistakable.

I'd like to set up a hollow body for jazz with some one day, but as far as main tone I have come to rely on switching attack from angled for more grit to flat for more body.

It's cool that you prefer them over round wound, everyone I have ever talked with about them either hates them or has no clue what they are.

Damn I didn't know they made a set of 17-70 flats, might give that a try.