Who Really Makes The Best Strings?

[rokdog49]

I know this is totally subjective. Still, I am interested to hear from all who care to share their opinions of non-coated strings. In this case, please offer your thoughts on PB or 80-20's only. The qualifiers are tone, longevity, feel or anything you personally wish to prioritize.

[arwhite]

I’m a D’Addario fan. Either PB or 80-20. I go back and forth between those. Have kind of settled on their Bluegrass gauge set on my D18.

[llew]

Another D'Addario fan for PB or 80/20. But Also like John Pearse for the same.

[RussL30]

Elixir is up there, but since you said non coated, I’m going to mention my two favorite companies.

Martin and Ernie Ball have been the best for me so far. With Martin, I really like the Retro, SP, Marquis, and Lifespans ( I know they’re coated). I’ve had equal luck with 80/20 and PB depending on the guitar.

With Ernie Ball, the Aluminum Bronze and Earthwood 80/20’s have been winners for me. I haven’t tried their PB offerings.

The only Daddarios I like are the Nickel Bronze. I haven’t liked the John Pearse strings I’ve tried. I’m still wanting to try several others such as Santa Cruz, Straight Up, Newtone and GHS.

[Muddslide]

I like EB and D'addario nickel bronze, but as you said: "totally subjective."

[Basalt Beach]

Totally subjective, and guitar dependent, and no particular order (YMMV)

GHS PB's - currently using
JP's PB's - currently using
D'Addario's PB's - currently using
DR's Rare's and Sunbeam's
Newtones

[Goodallboy]

I get great long life from Curt Mangan Medium Lights (PB). They have a great one from start to finish, so much so I can't really tell when they reach the point they need to be changed, I just go by the time they've been on. How can you beat that?

Disclaimer: I clean my strings after each session with Kyser Dr. Stringfellow cleaner.

[steelvibe]

Originally Posted by Goodallboy

Disclaimer: I clean my strings after each session with Kyser Dr. Stringfellow cleaner.

I've not tried Mangan strings but I can't find a true medium set which seems to work best for my style and on my guitars. JP makes a true medium and so does Retro (the Laurence Juber set). I just found out that D'addario also has the "balanced tension" set which are the same gauges.

Thumbs up on the Dr. Stringfellow. I bought some on your recommendation, but it only makes sense to use it on strings that are not nickel/ monel....or coated (obviously). I got at least another week out of a set of JPs using it. I'm a fan

[Rosewood99]

There is no "best strings". All have their virtues and it depends on your guitar and your preference.

All you are going to get is a dozen different answers on what each user's preference is, but it will have no relations to what you might prefer.

The only way to find your best, is to just keep trying different ones.

[Ed66]

I'm a fan of both D'addario and Martin. Until I shifted to NB and Retros, respectively, I was cleaning my PB strings at least every couple of weeks with Dunlop Ultraglide 65 which did a passable job. Since the change to NB/Retros, I've not cleaned one string at all. That's great, since I rate it as one of the least productive uses of my time and the dogs, wife and kids all hate the noise it makes. My everyday player had NB's on it since September and is still amazing.

I'm not a fan of Elixir's at all. Put them on once and had them off within a week, I won't be going back there again.

[mmasters]

I think John Pearse PBs are the best.

[Wild Bill Jones]

The best strings? The ones you like the best on your guitar. I am a bit partial to Pierce and LaBella.

There is no best string for every guitar.

My go-to strings:

• Pearse PB on my Waterloo WL12
• Pearse Pure Nickels on my LG2
• Martin Retros on my National M2
• D'Addario EJ16s on my Guild D30

[Jaden]

I don’t know who makes the best strings. I find D’Addario reliable and I’m good with hex core, so 80/20 lights (EJ11) on everything. If a guitar doesn’t sound good with them the guitar will get sold = Good old fashioned bronze wound all the way.

[Klimski]

I love LaBella's (medium silk & steel). But now I have just put a set of light Thomastik plectrums on my dread and I am amazed. Play super light, yet output great volume. Am waiting to see how the sound develops before I post a full review, but it seems that these disprove the theory that 0.11's are to lightbto drive a dread..