D'Addarios vs. Ernie Balls?

[TheJazzTerminator]

I posted this on DreamTheater.net, too, in the guitar forum, but I'm curious as to what you guys think:

Last month, I bought an Ibanez RG3120 from a friend of mine (even made a thread about it). When I bought the guitar, I had a local luthier set it up; neck adjustment, intonation, etc., etc. I asked him to put D'Addario 10 gauge strings on it. They did an excellent job setting up the guitar, but it just felt really ... stiff. My left hand didn't seem to glide over the strings like normal. And, I know it wasn't my technique because I'm used to playing a Gibson ES-175 with 11's on it and an Ibanez RG550 with 10's. The weird thing is that the RG3120 only has three springs, so it couldn't be the springs causing the tension.

Anyway, when I changed my strings today, I decided to try Ernie Ball 'Slinky' strings. The second I started playing, I could feel a huge improvement. The guitar wasn't stiff at all. My left hand legato technique was back and sweeping was way easier (before, my left hand was having a little trouble moving across the strings). So, what's up with these Slinky strings? Why do they feel so much better than the D'Addarios?

Has anyone else experienced this?

[elcid]

They definately don't feel better, I tried them once on a friends guitar (without knowing) and they did feel "slinky" though.

[TheJazzTerminator]

Originally Posted by elcid

They definately don't feel better, I tried them once on a friends guitar (without knowing) and they did feel "slinky" though.

I guess it depends on the guitar, person playing the guitar, etc. Apparently, they didn't feel better to you.

I play very lightly and barely push down on the strings (something I got from my Classical background in college), which is how I get my speed. If the strings are too stiff, I feel like the guitar is playing me rather than the other way around.

Maybe you like to dig in more...?

[elcid]

Yeah, I like to fight with the guitar a little, I use 11s on all my electrics.

[thadood]

I LOVE D'Addario strings. They may have that "stiff" feel to them, but I've found them to retain tone longer than EB's. I've tried several EB sets, and the tone was sucked out of them within 2-3 hours, and were dead soon after. Personal preference, I guess. I've been with D'Addario's for 4 years, only busted one string =)

[TheJazzTerminator]

Yeah, D'Addario strings do sound awesome. I didn't hear a drastic change between those and the Ernie Balls, though.

Maybe I'll have to give it a few days to hear if they lose their sound quickly.

[marianozz]

I guess i have sweaty hands or something, and that kills EB strings...

Daddarios last me way longer

[brothersnowgone]

I break EB's in minutes for some reason, at least e and b. And I use D'addarios because I can get them in bulk cheap. But I wish GHS made bulk packs of thier custom lights!

[dime666bag]

i used the daddarios light top heavy bottom, those are great. but i was told that i need another spring.

[jaxadam]

I used to use Ernie Balls for quite some time, but I was always switching around strings anyway. GHS Boomers aren't bad, either. They sound really good at first, but they lose something pretty quick. I now only really use either D'Addario's or DR's anymore.

[mi2tom]

I switch fom ernie ball to daddario, I like daddario better, they last longer but I didn't notice that daaddario is stiffer than the ernie ball

[Mr.WizardNeck]

What are these light top heavy bottom strings anyway?

[brothersnowgone]

thinner plain strings and thicker wound strings usually.

[Ironjose]

i´ve been using Daddarios from the begining, 9 years ago... coz when i firts started i like the coloured ball ends... but a year ago, the store brought EB´s the gave a pack for free for me to try them, the day i put them they were great but the next day they were all black and dirty (i clean them before i put the guitar away "sometimes" that day or session i did), that never happend to me with the D´s the last longer and feel better, i usually change the strings every other month sometimes they last a whole year, and they still have that juicy feel and tone (note: not the year old strings but the 3 or 4 month old) i´d never change my string brand again ... !!!
i love and worship d´addarios !!!
JJ

[Racerx2k]

A YEAR?! Dude, I'm changing string every other gig.

I stopped using GHS Boomers, cause I was breaking too many strings. I tried EBs, and have been quite happy, since. When I started playing about 26 years ago, I think I was using Markleys. So far, I like the EBs, the best.