What kind of guitar strings should i get?
brett the hippie asked:
I really like to play the blues, i have a steel for my guitar and everything. My strings are getting really worn out and im wondering what type i should get.
I know im gonna get steel but like ernie ball - super slinky? or something like that? i kinda want to get ernie ball because i know they make awesome guitar strings but do you guys have any suggestions for a blues player?
I really like to play the blues, i have a steel for my guitar and everything. My strings are getting really worn out and im wondering what type i should get.
I know im gonna get steel but like ernie ball - super slinky? or something like that? i kinda want to get ernie ball because i know they make awesome guitar strings but do you guys have any suggestions for a blues player?
Its not about what type of music you play. Its about your tuning vs guitar neck length and tension.
If you play in standard tuning, Ernie Ball Regular Slinky will be just fine. Ownership 101
It doesn’t matter what strings you get.As long as it has good quality, don’t waste your time getting better strings.Just tune it a bit so it’ll sound like blues. flameball
I like the Ernie Ball Power Slinkies, personally.
At 5 bucks a pack, you should have enough time and money to be able to test a few different sets of strings to see what you like the most.
And hey, you gotta pay your dues if you wanna play the blues, right? This is a question that really, nobody can answer for you but yourself. Ernie Ball is a good start, from there on it’s all trial and error. Sal Chaech
Personally, I like D’Addario strings much better than Ernie Ball strings and would go with D’Addario EXL115 Nickel Blues/Jazz Electric, but strings are really a personal preference and a lot depends on your playing style and your guitar.
I’ve tried these D’Addario EXL115W Nickel Blues/Jazz Wound 3rd Electric Guitar Strings before too. They’re kind of different because the 3rd string (G) is actually a wound string which gives you a different midrange tone.
Right now I have a set of D’Addario EHR310 1/2 rounds somebody gave me. I haven’t tried them out on my guitar yet, but the next time I replace my strings I’m going to see if I like them. With these, the wound strings are then ground semi-flat on the outside to make them smooter. You get less squeak when you slide your fingers on the strings that way. Haven’t tried them yet though.
I got a set of Ernie Ball strings once and really didn’t like them, but others swear by them, so it really is a matter of preference and getting the sound you want.
The best thing you can do is try different kinds out (record yourself playing with them). Maybe change them every month or so. After a while you’ll settle on some you really like and keep using that kind. OnTheRock
I prefer the D’addario myself - never let me down. That said, there ain’t that much a difference between the various brands. Like others rightly has said, it’s more about personal preferences and finding the right gauge (thickness).
You say you have a steel - do you mean slide steel? If you intend to play slide, then you will need something heavier than 009 (super slinkies). A set of 010-046 would probably be a minimum. You will also probably need to raise the action on your guitar slightly if you intend to get the most out of slide blues guitar.
In any case, heavier strings and not too low action - that’s often times the “blues way of doing things”. Stevie Ray Vaughan used something like 013 and tuned down half a step (like J. Hendrix). Massive tone! Torbjorn