D'Addario XL Nickel EXL125-3D Electric Guitar Strings, 09-46, 3 Sets

My daily drivers for many years. You've got to be able to trust your strings, especially when recording or playing out. And if you're on a budget, it's more important that you get value out of each set. I don't break strings in normal use; practicing, playing out, recording, whatever. Occasionally I'll break a string stretching a new set, and I mean occasionally. Recently I tried Dean Markley Blue Steels in the same gauge, since I have a replica Hentor Sportscaster - the infamous hot-rodded Strat Rush's Alex Lifeson played in the early 80s with the Bill & Becky Lawrence L500L in the bridge - and Lifeson used Dean Markley Blue Steels in this gauge - 46-9. I tried them out to see if there was a tone differences, to see if it was a necessary part of the "replica." I bought a 3-pack. The B string in the first pack broke during stretching (and I was being extra-cautious, in case they were weaker than the D'Addarios), so I opened the second pack and replaced the string. THE SECOND ONE BROKE during stretching. The B string in the third pack didn't break, but I burned three packs of strings for one change, and that's just simply unacceptable. I'll break a high string occasionally when using D'Addarios, but never, ever like that. And I play hard. Having a replica of one of Lifeson's axes, you might guess I play a little Rush here and there. The secret to sounding like Lifeson is less distortion than you think, but hitting the guitar harder. His chords sound like explosions partly because of how hard he's hitting the strings. Despite hitting them harder than your average player, I don't break D'Addarios while playing. (Of course, it helps to change your strings regularly, I normally don't go more than about two weeks on a set, and breakage increases exponentially with string age.) Another thing I started doing because of my research on my replica Sportscaster, was using these regular bottom/super light top strings. I grew up playing on 9's, but the whole set was "super light" - so the bottom E was 42. With these strings, the three bottom strings are heavier. This gives me a more balanced and versatile sound - I still have the light strings on top for leads and Gilmouresque 1.5-step bends, but I can really dig into the lower strings for super-heavy chording. I imagine that the heavier bottom cushion the blow of Lifeson-style hard-hitting chording, and absorb a lot of the energy that might stress the higher strings. I've gone to EXL-125s on my other electrics as well. On the occasion that I need to play in a lower tuning, like open C, I like the EXL-115's, which are 49-11. I should see if there's a set that's like these for lower tunings, with heavier lower strings, maybe 52-11, but the 49 gauge seems to tolerate tuning down to B with just a little variation in pitch if you hit it hard enough.

Good strings. Put them on my Yamaha Pacifica 112v

I have been using on and off D'Addario for decades. I have 20+ guitars and use different string depending on what guitar and type of music I am playing/recording. D'Addario strings are solid and reliable and I will continue to use them in the future. You can't go wrong with these strings.

After using these I found that these are excellent for tuning stability & great sound, the gauge of these feel nice & they don't feel cheep, works very well for a variety of techniques from everything from Rock to Metal, these string work as advertised. Highly recommend.

Historically, I've used EB Hybrid Slinky 2222 Orange package strings that have the low 3 strings from a set of 10s and the high 3 strings from a set of 9s. For me this is perfect because you get the best of both worlds: thicker low strings for sludgy or crunchy chording and lighter, thinner, easier to bend higher strings for single-note phrases, runs and solos. However, I'm mainly a bass player, so I've bought D'addario bass strings for a long time as I prefer their black nylon tape-wound strings and while they're still pricey for a 5-string set, they do not compare to the expense of the more famous brands of black nylon tape-wound strings, which can exceed $100/set. D'addario also gives you codes redeemable for points towards free sets of strings and since I maintain a veritable fleet of instruments and do luthier/guitar tech work, I go through A LOT of strings. Finding that D'addario makes a set that gauge matches my preferred guitar strings means that I can still get what I want/need while maximizing my ability to get rewards and earn FREE string sets. It's all coming up Milhouse!!

I have bought all different guitar string sets. I would have to say that D'Addario offers a unique sound and tone that you don't find with many other brands. I buy theses more often than anything else.

Great product

Good quality brand

seem to be authentic strings.

Tra i set di corde più usati, queste D'Addario sono ottime per qualunque chitarra, dalla più economica alle più blasonate. Ossidano poco e rendono bene a un prezzo contenuto.

I've tried GHS, Elixer, Ball, Duncans, and more - I've found these to be the best all-around strings - flexible but strong, rich tone, bright but not shrill, smooth but not 'coated'. And the price is great. Recommend you give them a try.

Guter Klang und leicht zu Spielen.

4～6弦が太くテンションが稼げ、1～3弦はそのままなのでチョーキングしやすいです。 半音下げチューニングでメタルやるのに丁度いい感じ。