Guitar strings recommendations, please?

[97tbird]

I need to replace the strings on my Washburn X50 electric guitar and wife's Epiphone acoustic guitar (no nylon strings).

i play regular, basic stuff, and want strings to be easy to play on. Nothing fancy; just good sounding and affordable.
and anything decent and under $7.00 for a set will be fine. Most of string sets on amazon are about $5.00.

please take a look at these links (more than 1 page) and choose something from them if possible. I;d rather get them on amazon as i have some other stuff to order anyway.

electric:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_kk_2?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aelectric+guitar+strings&page=1&keywords=electric+guitar+strings&ie=UTF8&qid=1251561797

acoustic:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_kk_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aacoustic+guitar+strings&page=1&keywords=acoustic+guitar+strings&ie=UTF8&qid=1251561797

thanks a lot IA.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I use GHS Guitar Boomers exclusively, they work really good and last quite a while. They're also fairly inexpensive and found on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/GHS-Strings-Boomer...2524&sr=8-3

I don't know about Acoustic since I only play electric however.

 

[Pablo]

I am interested in your findings as well for our guitars and my bass. I know it's a personal feel thing, but I would trust MarkC and Tom Slick on such matters as a starting point.

I do just want to try some other strings on my J bass, just for fun....a leetle more expensive for bass though:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=electric+bass+strings&x=17&y=17

 

[tom slick]

I'm biased but I say use Ernie Ball Strings. You should be able to buy them locally for less than $7 a set.

Slinkys for both guitars are a good starting point from there you can tailor them to the sound you like, i.e. heavy bottom, extra light, etc. The Earthwoods for acoustic are also good.

 

[johninmemphis]

Pablo - Search the Fender forum for tons of info on Fender basses, strings, amps, etc. Bass players are always searching for the perfect string but so much depends upon your attack (soft or hard) and whether you want a bright sound or a thud. I play fretless P and J basses mostly using D'Addario XL nickel round wounds. When I feel old school and want the thud, I switch to Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats (with a light attack), or D'Addario Chromes for more. Many players like Carvin strings for inexpensive alternatives.

http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html

 

[Pablo]

Oh man I didn't know about that forum...dangerous

 

[MarkC]

Best acoustic strings, no question: D'Addario Phosphor Bronze...and be a man , use medium gauge.

 

[97tbird]

Thanks for all the replies so far; will order by end of day and post what I ordered.

Mark:
so for even for someone with small hands/fingers, you won't recommend light gauge?
and any rec's for electric?

 

[mechtech2]

Is that an acoustic electric? Or an electric only model?
I'd use a set of 10s on an electric. Proper set up will make it super easy to fret and play. You can use a set of 9s if you really need a lighter feel. But some tone will be lost. So will volume and intonation.
For an acoustic, sure, you can go a bit lighter than regular.
A well set up guitar can use 12s - no problem, but 11s or even a set of 10s is perfectly OK. Once again, tone, volume and intonation will suffer somewhat.
But who is counting? ARe you a professional artist? Or do you want to actually enjoy playing and practicing?
Get lighter strings if it makes playing something that you want to do, instead of pain.
But like I said, set up is very important. With a good set up, you can use 2 gauges thicker and not notice, and get better tone.
What is set up? Level and crown the frets, adjust the truss rod for a hair of bow, and set the bridge height.
D'Addarios phosphor bronze are great, and their electric sets are great also [nickel plated steel - normal type].
If you don't like changing them, try the plastic coated ones on the acoustic. A bit less initial tone, but they last 3 times as long.
I have 13 guitars to keep running.

 

[97tbird]

i am a beginner. and i just play for fun at home.

 

[uc50ic4more]

Just as a frame of reference for those of you who think you've got it tough trying to find good strings: I play a custom built fretless 6 string bass with a pau ferro (very soft wood) fingerboard. I need, therefore, a set of *flatwound* 6 string bass strings every year or so! I just end up assembling a set string-by-string at the local music shop using individual strings of the gauges I like. As far as I am concerned, the gauge is much much much more a critical decision than brand.

 

[MarkC]

97tbird, Medium gauge strings are the way to go. The sound is much better and they stay in tune better and last longer. Doesn't matter how big or small your hands are, the frets and neck are still the same size, no matter what strings you use! Plus, though it may sound backwards to those who don't understand, mediums will actually make the action better. Your hands will get strong very quickly and you'll be surprised. Light gauge strings on acoustics are for girls sitting around strumming.
On an electric, using 10's might be much. You're plugged in, so you can make your guitar sound about like you want anyway. Jimmy Page used 8's or 9's.

 

[bretfraz]

I've been a beginner for 20 years. Currently use Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (10's) on my electric. I'm happy with them, quality seems very good, but I'm not super picky.

I have a set of D'Addario XL 11's to try next. For about $5 each at Guitar Center, it's worth it to experiment a little.

 

[cven]

I've been using "SIT Power Groove Pure Nickle" strings for a few years now and have liked them alot. The are USA made about 20 miles from my house in Akron, Ohio.

Ernie B's have been good for me in the past. Gibson Vintage are said to be nice string also but I've haven't tried them yet.

Some strings are rumored to be made in the same factory with different packages so who really knows what your getting??

If you sweat battery acid like I do it might not matter what strings you use, they'll tarnish fast and won't last long. Cleaning them after every use will help.

Can't help on the acoustic strings.

 

[mechtech2]

Mediums don't make the action better.
This makes no sense.
Your action must be set up for each gauge of strings that you use on any individual guitar. Heavier/lighter strings will at a minimum change the bow of the neck.
All else being equal, light strings always play easier - because they are lighter and have less tension.

 

[MarkC]

Mediums make the action "better" in that most guitars seem to come with light gauge strings and low actions. Using mediums will allow you the benefits of getting the strings up off the frets and immediately give you more volume.
You might have to tweak the truss rod a little, but not usually.
Ease of playing? Bah! Play mediums, play every day, play a lot, your hands will get stronger and you will soon not be able to remember light gauge strings. Light gauge strings don't let the guitar use its full tonal capability. On acoustics, the extra tension transmits more sound to the top, which is what you need. The playability difference is minimal anyway.

 

[mechtech2]

You have it backwards. Raising the action is not better, it is worse.

 

[MarkC]

Worse for what? If you have the typical wimpy setup, your action is too low. Few things sound more amateurish and annoying than the sound of strings slapping the frets.
Raising the action will give more volume and sustain, and medium gauge strings let your guitar sound the way it was meant to.
I'm not talking about having a half-inch of space between the string and the fret, just a reasonable amount. Of course these days, many people feel like they must have their acoustic set up like an electric, and use onboard( or clamped on, plugged, etc.) pickups, so they can get what they imagine is good sound.
Ever watch someone like this try to play an unwired "normal" acoustic? Usually not pretty.
Raising the action is "worse" only for a small amount of playability, which is easily dealt with by simply paying a lot.

 

[AdRock]

The action is best as low as you can get it and not have it fret out. I think that's what you're trying to say? And as far as the tone goes, 95% of it is in the hands of the player. This is why you can recognize players even if they're playing on sub par equipment.

I will agree that on an acoustic hearing all the fret buzz is nasty.

 

[mechtech2]

As a beginner, don't let MarkC near your guitar.