Strings and pickups questions

[raymix]

Hi,

I would like to know which brand of strings is popular around here.
I was using Dean Markley "Blue Steel" but I always end up breaking the
1st, 2nd and 3rd strings when bending.

I bought D'Addario XL (.010-.046) this time (is that decent?)
I have to put them on the guitar to see if they sounds nice.
I got this Floyd trem and I have to cut all the steel balls to install them.
Also will have to redo the intonation as I changed gauges.

My next question is about p-ups . Right now I have Jackson CRV2 Humbucker but they sound kinda thin to me.
Is there affordable passive p-ups with more tone you guys could suggest me ?

Thanks !

Ray.

P.S. Sorry if a similar topic already exists, if there is one, just point me to it.
I don't want to be redundant.

[Kevbocat]

I use Dean Markley Signature Nickelsteel Electric strings. Model LT-2503B which are pretty much .09 -.042. They do me well but I was thinking about going a bit thicker next time round after I'm done this box.

[disobedience]

I use D'Addario strings and really like them. I bend the heck outta my strings and they seem to hold up really nicely.

As far as pickups go. What do you mean by "affordable"?
I installed a Dimarzio D-Sonic in my Dean a short while back and absolutely LOVE the new sound. But..the P'up was $149.00.

Before you start looking at replacing your pickup, make sure the height is adjusted properly.
http://projectguitar.com/tut/aph.htm

There's other options as well...like changing out the Pots or other parts of the electronics.

[Kevbocat]

I use D'Addario strings and really like them. I bend the heck outta my strings and they seem to hold up really nicely.

As far as pickups go. What do you mean by "affordable"?
I installed a Dimarzio D-Sonic in my Dean a short while back and absolutely LOVE the new sound. But..the P'up was $149.00.

Before you start looking at replacing your pickup, make sure the height is adjusted properly.
http://projectguitar.com/tut/aph.htm

There's other options as well...like changing out the Pots or other parts of the electronics.

Project guitar is a great site. Lots of great info there. I've been checking out the finishing and refinishing tutorials and am seriously considering re-doing my stratocaster in a Star Wars theme with fabric. Will hopefully get started soon and will take pics along the way.

[raymix]

Affordable means, like 100$.

Well, 150$ for DiMarzio ain't bad after all specially if it improve a lot of the
sound output :)

I would change the bridge one.

@kevbocat: Great ! Keep us in tune with your project !

Ray.

[BrianG1110]

I like ernie ball strings, i tried them all basically from the .08, to .09(regular) to .10's, and now I have on .12's, really thick, the top string is .56, In my opinion they are allittle to thick, so the .11 might be better for me next time, but they hardly ever break on me.

[Hendrix]

Ya dis hit it, D'addario's work great. I have .10s and i bend them up 4 frets on the high e and b and ive never snapped anything.

Only strings I ever use

[Musicca]

Count me as # 3 for the D'Addario string club. .010's to .046 regular light gauge. As mentioned above, I also bend the hello out of 'em, with no major issues. The regularity that I change mine is dependant on the usage, the more I use them, the more I change them, but I've had guitars sit around for months with them and still had no problems. I've tried cheaper brands and I've tried the more expensive brands and pound for pound these are the undisputed number 1 based on reliablilty and price. IMO that is.....

If the height adjustment doesnt fix your P/U woes, then I also suggest looking not only at Dimarzios, but also Seymour Duncans, very reliable and many choices ( much like the Dimarzios ). Also I'm not sure what kind of guitar you play, but dependant on the sound you are looking for, a big brand name replacement might be more of what your looking for.( ie: Gibson 57 classic humbucker or 57 strat reissue ) I know a few of these examples are a little higher priced than the $100 range you want to shop in, but for just the right sound an extra $50 will be worth the expense no question ! good luck pickup hunting ! :D Peace

[Rock Monster]

I've used Ernie Ball's ever since i got my guitar and have tried the Super Slinky's (.09 - .42 (i think)) and the Regular's (.10 - .46) and they've worked really well for me... I bend pretty hard playing the "Seize the Day" solo by Avenged Sevenfold and haven't snapped any string yet except the low E string, so i'm gonna go with some Skinny Top/Heavy Bottoms (.10 - .52) next time i switch.

I can't really give any advice with pickups, as i've never had to change mine because my guitar has single coils and the guitar is just not worth changing them anyways. My next guitar is most likely gonna be a Schecter C-1 FR, but it comes with active pickups, and i don't like having to use batteries with my guitar. So after i get it, eventually when i get fed up with the batteries i'll change them to some passive Seymour Duncan Invaders (unless the actives that come with it sound good). So sorry i can't help, good luck satisfying yourself (its pretty hard with all the options you have these days). Have fun!

[Johan]

I've tried the D'Addario's and the Ernie Ball's, but I prefer Fender Bullets above all of them. They've always been reliable and they're not expensive at all at $5 a set. I've kept them on a guitar for about 4 months playing daily and, at the end, they sounded just as good as when I got them, so I would go for those. I use the .009-.042

[vaxwell]

I've trialling a load of different strings ATM.
I started with Dean Markley Nickle Steel .10-.52s
Onto D'Addario .10-.52s and I've just got my hands on a brand called S. I.T (Stay In Tune) and I'm using the .10-.52 Powerwound Steels...

Hey, what can I say? I like light tops, heavy bottoms...

[raymix]

Thanks for the huge replies everyone :)

I'm set with d'Addario now and never broke a string yet
(bending them like hell) and they stay in tune no matter what I do to them ;)

I prefer .10/.52 (low end and not so thin high strings) best of both worlds.
I tried the .11 series and it's almost impossible for my fingers to bend like
I usually do ... my choice is done now.

Ray.