D'Addario Strings recent take

[deacon Mark]

I normally buy strings in bulk 12-52 round wound. I also have been using sometimes flat wound D'addarios too 12-52. I use the roundwound set Ej21 they are the ones I buy in bulk. I decided to try some different sets and see the results. I bought a set of the Pure Nickle's that I have never used before that I remember. Well I put them on the Hollenbeck and wow I like these a lot. They seem to be better than the standard EJ21's, warmer and less finger noise, much less to me. The amplify really great and I don't know right now but these may be my "go to" strings, at least acoustically.

I also bought a set of the half-rounds EHR350's. This gets interesting in I have used them in the past but way over 10 years ago so almost like starting over. I put these on the old Barker and it was a mess. The 3rd string G made a weird noise winding it up and then checking the intonation at the 12 fret is was 12 cents sharp. I did a double take. I reseated the string and proceeded to tune it up slow and even checking again. Still way off 12 cents. It was off 15 cents at the 19th fret. I also noticed the string themselves just seem all uneven. I found they had finger noise and scratchy, and sure enough they did not intonate all that great. I never moved the bridge and in fact put a roundwound G back on and sure enough it intonated fine. The others intonation at 12 was off enough that it bothered me (my ear).

I don't know if it was a manufacturing error or not. I don't how they looked normally as only had one set. I checked the other strings going up the neck on each fret to see the difference in intonation. Depending on the guitar as such for most guitars each individual fret as you go up should be maybe 1 or 2 cents at least through 12 fret. Well all of them showed variances of at least 2-3 cents sometimes 4. Plus they just sounded horrible.

I sent email to D'addario they are an excellent company and they are going to sent me another set. That I am glad and they had to give them the players code on the package. So first question does anyone use these strings and how do you like them?

I also bought a set of John Pearse 12-52 rounds have not tried them yet so will see. Along with that I bought a set of GHS flatwounds have not tried those either but I use to use their compound wound strings they don't make anymore. GHS make good strings. So to sum up my experiment it so far is this.

Pure Nickle Strings are wonderfull
D'addario is a top flite company great customer service.
Half Rounds the jury is still out.
Flatwound Chromes I like but they were not part of this just an aside.

[JSanta]

Thank you for the review, especially on the Pure Nickle strings! I prefer round wounds, and I bought a couple of sets of the XT coated strings to try out, and I really like them. I am going to eventually grab some of the Pure Nickle strings to try out as well, my local shop was out when I last visited.

[wintermoon]

The pure nickels are very good.
Last year bought a set of the nickel coated and pure nickels as a comparison.
Coated were good, pure better.
In the meantime I picked up a box of coated on CL for dirt cheap but once they're gone the pures will be my go to.

[jazzkritter]

After years of DAdarrio flats I tried TI George Benson flats pure nickel. Never touched DAdarrio after that. Richer sound, last longer, great feel playing, and mostly you don’t have to wait a week or two for the stainless steel brightness to go away.
So months ago I decided to reevaluate flat strings. Tried TI Jazz Swings, GHS, Pyramid, LaBella, Dogal (who knew!) , and Kurt Mangan.

Long story short: too dull: LaBella, Pyramid. Too bright: Mangan, GHS. Dogal really interesting, nice sound and feel but the high strings lacked ‘creaminess’.
At 20$ less than the Bensons, I’ve gone to the TI Jazz Flats on the L5, TF, AF200 and PM200. Love ‘em. There definitely is a difference in the wound strings JS to GB, I find the GB wounds to be a bit bright for my taste. YMMV, IMHO, and all that jazz)

Why can’t a US company make pure nickel? OSHA laws? Costs? I don’t get why all US flats are stainless. Oh well, on to next year. ?

[deacon Mark]

After years of DAdarrio flats I tried TI George Benson flats pure nickel. Never touched DAdarrio after that. Richer sound, last longer, great feel playing, and mostly you don’t have to wait a week or two for the stainless steel brightness to go away.
So months ago I decided to reevaluate flat strings. Tried TI Jazz Swings, GHS, Pyramid, LaBella, Dogal (who knew!) , and Kurt Mangan.

Long story short: too dull: LaBella, Pyramid. Too bright: Mangan, GHS. Dogal really interesting, nice sound and feel but the high strings lacked ‘creaminess’.
At 20$ less than the Bensons, I’ve gone to the TI Jazz Flats on the L5, TF, AF200 and PM200. Love ‘em. There definitely is a difference in the wound strings JS to GB, I find the GB wounds to be a bit bright for my taste. YMMV, IMHO, and all that jazz)

Why can’t a US company make pure nickel? OSHA laws? Costs? I don’t get why all US flats are stainless. Oh well, on to next year. ?

I am really against the price of the TI's. You got me thinking given the experiment that I may need to try the TI flats if they are nickel only. I am crazy about the gages. The one set is 12-50 and the other is 13-53. I am not keen on the third at .21 that is pretty small 3,4, and 5. But hey they make the strings so they know more about that than I.

[QAman]

Deacon Mark,
I tried the half rounds once and they were just horrible. My experience was similar to yours, and I took them off and never tried them again. I believe the manufacturing process of modifying a full round into a half round, may produce a slight eccentricity problem to the hex core string......just my opinion.

However, D'Adarrio is a very reputable manufacturer of strings , and have done their homework with string design. In fact, they are the only manufacturer that provides string tension data on their website. Unfortunately, I never liked their strings - the tension always felt too stiff to me - and I just prefer reduced tension of the round core design.

I'm not really a plug in player, or flat wound user, but with my few experiments with flats ......nothing compares to TI's - simply because they are wound on a round core and the sets ( gages within the sets) are designed to provide more of a balanced feel on the guitar.

For those wanting to learn more about string tension, design and the affect on sound - I suggest reading the " Luthiers Handbook by Roger Siminoff".

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[Michael Neverisky]

Well, I love the half-rounds myself. 11 gauge has an unwound 3rd.

[Stefan Eff]

The D‘Addario pure nickels are very nice, but man, try the Stringjoys Broadways!

[rob taft]

Pure Nickel D'Addario strings are the only strings I use on my electric semi solid and solid body guitars. Always fresh, very consistent and inexpensive. I also use there Pro D'Arte on one of my classical guitars. And I agree the company has great customer service. A few years ago, I pointed out via email an error of their website regarding their D'Arte strings and they thanked me by sending me two packs of strings.

I don't care for their half-round strings nor do I like their Chrome strings. In fairness to D'Addario, I haven't found a half round string I like. As far as my flats go, its TI all the way. Yes, they are pricey but they last a long time, sound great and feel even better under my fingers. I change out my two plain strings at about half life on the set.

[neatomic]

next time try some thoms be bops, pyramid vintage classics or dr pure blues......they are all pure nickel wrap with a vintage round core...dr (og guild family owned) pure blues are usa made and readily available, relatively cheaply...pure nickel wrap is softer on the fingers and a bit mellower sounding...the round inner core further accents those positives

d'addario is a great old stringmaker...perhaps just not as adventurous these days as they could be

almost every usa string company makes a pure nickel roundwound string...but most use the newer hex inner core


cheers

[vinnyv1k]

If you like nickel rounds try the Pyramid polished rounds. I am strictly a TI flats guy but for rounds these are very nice. Round core also.
Not too pricey too.

[jazzkritter]

I always get a kick out of folks with expensive guitars... jazz or classical... then saying they want the cheapest string. Funny isn’t it?

And the whole endorsement thing is such BS. They get a deal, get free strings, hand them out at clinics, and record using what ever they feel is best.

I get the buy American thing, I’d love to, but I’ve had no great experiences with DAdarrio. They’re after a different market than us. LaBella on the other hand, talking to them re their flats (and classical ) strings, man those cats rock! Could not have been more forthcoming or helpful. Customer service is more than just replacing strings. Too bad the LaBella flats are so dull. . Oops I forgot I tried the DR flats... too bright for me.

Strings are an incredibly personal taste thing. But for flats it’s hard to beat TI. (Their classical strings... meh.)

PLEASE 2021 kick 2020’s axs

[Stringswinger]

next time try some thoms be bops, pyramid vintage classics or dr pure blues......they are all pure nickel wrap with a vintage round core...dr (og guild family owned) pure blues are usa made and readily available, relatively cheaply...pure nickel wrap is softer on the fingers and a bit mellower sounding...the round inner core further accents those positives

d'addario is a great old stringmaker...perhaps just not as adventurous these days as they could be

almost every usa string company makes a pure nickel roundwound string...but most use the newer hex inner core


cheers

It seems that I like pure nickle strings with a round core, so it is TI Flats (on all my archtops) and DR Pure Blues for me (on my Strat and Les Paul). I am real happy with those two choices.

My Gypsy guitars get Argentines, My Classical gets Savarez and my Martin flattop has Martin Phosphor Bronze on there now (I am going to try DR Sunbeams on this guitar at the next string change since I seem to like round core strings).

[Bezoeker]

I completely understand the objection to the cost of T-I Swing in the us. But they are the best of the best way to make musical noises with flats.

For semi’s the GHS Nickel Rockers are beyond superb. I know the roller-wound creates a surface artifact (and I can see it at even 4X magnification) but the actual playing experience is superb.

For rounds, both T-I Be-Bops and DR Pure blues require subbing in a nickel wound G, but are great sets.

I know the T-I swings are expensive per set. But per note? Maybe a bargain.

[deacon Mark]

I always get a kick out of folks with expensive guitars... jazz or classical... then saying they want the cheapest string. Funny isn’t it?

And the whole endorsement thing is such BS. They get a deal, get free strings, hand them out at clinics, and record using what ever they feel is best.

I get the buy American thing, I’d love to, but I’ve had no great experiences with DAdarrio. They’re after a different market than us. LaBella on the other hand, talking to them re their flats (and classical ) strings, man those cats rock! Could not have been more forthcoming or helpful. Customer service is more than just replacing strings. Too bad the LaBella flats are so dull. . Oops I forgot I tried the DR flats... too bright for me.

Strings are an incredibly personal taste thing. But for flats it’s hard to beat TI. (Their classical strings... meh.)

PLEASE 2021 kick 2020’s axs

Not sure where you get the idea that those with expensive guitars want the cheapest strings? One has to look a diminishing returns. Even the guitarist ability and talent since that is the essence of sound.

I ride a bike with $350 wheelsets and regularly go faster than a few friends of mine with $2000 carbon fiber wheels.

I am looking for a sound at a price point. I have put all kinds of strings on my guitars. It was never really an Epiphany some just better.

[BickertRules]

I use these for all my electrics, substituting a .012 and a .015 for the E and B, so 12-48. Longlasting, great tone, smooth feel. Not very expensive - especially compared to Thomastik. D’Addarios have a harsh upper midrange to my ear and a stiff, rough feel.



Pyramid Monel Classics Electric Guitar Special 11-48

Monel - Wikipedia

Plucked with the fingertips (no nails!) or picked with the rounded side of one of these in Extra Heavy, lovely.



Pyramid Standard Celluloid Flat Pick | Extra Heavy 1.20

[QAman]

It seems that I like pure nickle strings with a round core, so it is TI Flats (on all my archtops) and DR Pure Blues for me (on my Strat and Les Paul). I am real happy with those two choices.

My Gypsy guitars get Argentines, My Classical gets Savarez and my Martin flattop has Martin Phosphor Bronze on there now (I am going to try DR Sunbeams on this guitar at the next string change since I seem to like round core strings).

I also really like the DR string offerings - great strings and inexpensive.

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[wintermoon]

If one of these companies made a pure nickel 13-52 or 54 I'd try them.
Not hard to find 13-56 but that 56 can be boomy on a full depth archtop.
The D'Aquisto nickel coated I used for yrs came w a 54

[Wildcat]

"Different strokes for different folks"
Not sure how I found them but I love them 12-52 D'Addario NYXL roundwounds (wound 3rd string). Cost is on higher side at $12.95.

[Beaubs]

I just put on D’Arddario flat wound chrome 11 -50 on my Montreal Premier.

I’ve never played with flat wounds. I really like the mellow tone - very different than I am used to. Hard on the fingers though

[neatomic]

I just put on D’Arddario flat wound chrome 11 -50 on my Montreal Premier.

I’ve never played with flat wounds. I really like the mellow tone - very different than I am used to. Hard on the fingers though

try thomastik jazz swings...low tension..they use 2 wraps of soft pure nickel on a round core...super flexible & comfy...and they maintain tone for long while

chromes and mostly all usa made flats are stainless steel wrap on hex core...way different tone and feel


cheers

[Beaubs]

Thanks!! I’ll buy a set and give those a try too.

[jonh]

However, D'Adarrio is a very reputable manufacturer of strings, and have done their homework with string design. In fact, they are the only manufacturer that provides string tension data on their website. Unfortunately, I never liked their strings - the tension always felt too stiff to me - and I just prefer reduced tension of the round core.

TI also lists string tension on their website. Nothing against D’A but personally, I love TI Jazz Swing 13’s for the tone and the feel. YMMV.

Jon

[QAman]

TI also lists string tension on their website. Nothing against D’A but personally, I love TI Jazz Swing 13’s for the tone and the feel. YMMV.

Jon

Jon,
Yes - you are correct TI does list tension for each string. I should have stated that D’Addario provides the most comprehensive analysis of string tension and hertz as it relates to pitch and scale length - of any manufacturer that I’ve seen. This is very helpful in putting together a balanced set of strings , especially if you want to leave a guitar in open e ( like a dobro) and don’t want to leave your instrument with the increased tension on the g, d and a string. You simply use the chart to determine what gage would give you the same pitch and tension and replace just those few strings - and now your still in open e, but with the same feel as standard tuning. I have my dobro set up this way - and the chart was very helpful in making this determination.

See attached link

https://www.daddario.com/globalasset...hart_13934.pdf


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[DMgolf66]

Not sure where you get the idea that those with expensive guitars want the cheapest strings? One has to look a diminishing returns. Even the guitarist ability and talent since that is the essence of sound.

I ride a bike with $350 wheelsets and regularly go faster than a few friends of mine with $2000 carbon fiber wheels.

I am looking for a sound at a price point. I have put all kinds of strings on my guitars. It was never really an Epiphany some just better.

I think you misunderstood. He never said "all" people with expensive guitars do this, he was saying when that situation comes up he doesnt understand it.

Frankly, neither do I. I'm a fisherman and it boggles my mind when I see guys spend over a $1,000 on a rod, reel and cheap out on the line and hooks to save pennies. Your whole connection to the fish lies in the line and hook and your fingers on the strings are your connection to the guitar and seem to be or can be a pretty big factor in your tone. I was a golf pri for half my life and see guys who take the game seriously and spend a ton on equipment and then buy average golf balls. Makes zero sense to me. If you have 30 guitars to string up I guess that's one thing, but how often are you changing strings, particularly well made flat wounds like TI. I'm a neophyte in the guutar world, so maybe I'm missing something, but this approach seems to have many parallels to other endeavors.