What strings do you use - a poll

[Mark Stone]

Eeeeeeeeeeee-Lixir!!! All the Way!

[Silly Moustache]

!!! PLEASE READ !!!
Hi folks, some update, on this poll.
It is going extremely well and we have over 70 responses already with more than 14 days to go - I'd hate it to be ended due to excess of responses rather than votes. I wish I could end it sooner but don't know how.

n.b - I've been told that Legacy are repackaged Rotosounds.

I made my list of brands from those offered by the largest string retailer in the UK, and was only thinking of acoustic strings, but also vote if you use electric strings as it is about BRANDS not type.

NOTE: If you use one (or more) of the brands listed, you only need to vote for them - explaining which type is not necessary

HOWEVER !!! if you use a brand for which you've voted as "other" please DO tell me what that brand is as I'm keeping a record. I am maintaining a list of "others" which I'll publish at the end of this poll.

I'm listing some brands that I've never heard of - possibly because they are only for electrics - and/or unavailable in the UK/EU.

Thanks. Andy

[NoodleFingers]

To Clarify:

My vote for Ernie Ball is not for the (uncoated) Earthwoods, but for the coated Paradigm (and previously, Everlast) strings.

I find they last at least as long as the Elixirs, without ever feeling or sounding like a coated string. I especially like that they don't have any of that Elixir first-week slipperiness, which really bugs me.

[noledog]

I use both the EB Earthwood medium 80/20 and/or Darco medium 80/20... both sound very similar. I like the EB Paradigm and they do last, but the intonation goes bad before the tone does due to the dent wearing under the strings, especially on the G/3rd. this happens about after 3 to 6 shows so I still end up changing them too frequently. So I went back to the ol' Earthwoods; all three sound very similar.

[SingingSparrow]

I like John Pearse PB and Silks

[Don W]

I use Adamas on my Ovation, Savarez on my classical, Dadarrio on my Epiphone and Ernie Ball on my Strat

[Laughingboy68]

Martin Retros or D'Addario EXP mediums on my Tak. Martin or Curt Mangan half gauge (.125-.55) on my Martin, John Pearse lights on my Furch. I find every guitar likes different things. I've been liking nickel strings in lieu of coated ones recently, for durability. I haven't ever liked 80/20s for anything, but PB is fine.

[bseej]

I rotate between DR Sunbeams, John Pearse PB's and Jim Dunlop PB's (all 13's) on my D-18 (at least so far). John Pearse 12's on my older sitka/rosewood dread (an '82 Washburn D-62SW).

[mischultz]

D'addario Nickel Bronze when I'm in that mood. DR Sunbeams when I'm not. But the round core Throbaks are the current standard against which others are judged. Preference in reverse order of appearance.

[AllHat,NoCattle]

Originally Posted by Rosette

Marked other for the Santa Cruz low tension lights, but I also use and like several of the D'addarios (EJs and PB) and DR's (Sunbeams and Rares)

Love Santa Cruz low tension... if you’re looking for coated strings but are tired of the Elixir sound, give them a try. Highly recommended.

[ssynhorst]

D'Addario is my gold standard, and I find that after a while to settle the EXP coated versions suit my ear as well as the uncoated.

One more comment: I have an Ovation which is very balanced and playable but always seemed a bit dull. D'Addario 80-20 bronze EXP coated really woke it up! - Stevo

[Frostie]

Other: Straight Up Strings
https://www.siminoff.net/straightupstrings

I’m a big fan.

[Silly Moustache]

REPEAT - If you voted for one of those listed, NO NEED to write an explanation.
Please, Just write in to explain if you voted "OTHER"

Thank you.

[KenL]

Elixir PB Lights are my default strings, but I've been reading some good reviews of Santa Cruz Parabolic Lights. So I ordered a set.

But I probably won't get them delivered and then installed by the time the poll ends.

S.M.- these strings are for my just-received E20P. I know you're a fan.

[Silly Moustache]

Well, this was interesting!
We had a total of 454 votes - NOTE as multiple votes were permitted, that doesn't mean 454 voters, just 454 votes.

Reduced to one decimal point here is YOUR verdict:

1. D'addario - 208 votes - 45.8%
2. Martin/Darco - 140 - 30.8%
3. Elixir - 131 - 28.95
4. John Pearse - 89 - 19.6%
5. OTHER - 79 - 17.4% (n.b. - from my best efforts I have detailed these below).
6. DR - 50 - 11%
7. Ernie Ball/Earthwood - 48 - 10.6%
8. GHS - 46 - 10.1%
9. Rotosound/legacy - 8 - 1.5%
10. Jim Dunlop - 7 - 1.5%
11. Pyramid - 7 -1.5%
12. Cleartone - 5 - 1.1%

I prepared the above list from the ACOUSTIC brands available from the largest string supplier in the UK. I did NOT look at the brands for Electtinc guitars, and so the following brands were not offered : Stagg, Savarez, Dean Markley, La Bella, Fender, PRS, Picato, Optima.

Black Diamond strings may still be avaialble but none could be found.

OTHER -explained.

Taken from 33 comments :
Newtone - 9
SCGC - 6
SUS - 3
Gibson - 3
Wyres - 2
Mangan - 2
Thomastik -2
Galli - 1
Adamas - 1
SIT - 1
Throwback - 1
Lowden - 1

Note: this does not reflect all that were resulted in the 79 votes (17.4%).

Clearly Newtones represent a significant number of users and would account for maybe 1.5%.

By definition and from some unclear responses - this is an approximation, but it certainly shows us the D'addario, Martin, Elixir and John Pearse are the major players.

Thank you all for your contributions folks !