chuckebaby Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 I'd like to do a review on these strings as this is the first time I've used them. I used the 9-42. I am a bender by nature and love the feel of lighter gauged strings. The package said Maximum output and clarity. These strings cost almost double what I normally use Ernie Ball super slinky Pinks. So I was cautious to buy into gimmick strings. I've had the strings on my guitar now for almost 2 weeks. I must say the longevity of the strings has indeed held out very nicely. As for the maximized output and clarity, There is a slight difference, I wouldn't say maximized output, but I would say improved sustain. The clarity is a toss up, they have sounded like brand new strings for almost 2 weeks now so I guess there is some truth to that as well. Over all I would say im impressed. Not sure I would put them on every guitar I own but for guitars in the recording studio, these make life a little bit easier because of their lasting sound. Dare I also say I found them to stay in tune slightly more than the normal EBSS Pinks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synkrotron Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Interesting. So you would say more than just Snake Oil @Chuck E Baby? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hidden Symmetry Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 I tried a few sets on several different guitars, 9's & 10's. I didn't like the gritty feel & they chew through fret wire faster than others. Of course if you're tracking in the studio & they sound good I'd say go for it. My favs were FireWire strings but they're no longer in business. They sounded & felt great plus lasted longer than any of the other brands I've tried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckebaby Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 1 hour ago, synkrotron said: So you would say more than just Snake Oil @Chuck E Baby? I don't know, I personally didn't think so. but its not like a hover car where I was blown away. I guess I wasn't expecting much, so what ever bonus came out of it I was surprised. 11 minutes ago, Hidden Symmetry said: My favs were FireWire strings Man I haven't seen them around for almost 10 years. It stinks when you find something you like and they close shop. I use to use these back in the 80's They still make them but not like they used to back them. not sure what they did but around 1992, 93 the strings changed. I moved to Ernie Ball back then and have been happy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Tim Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 (edited) I definitely rate the Cobalts - they sound fantastic, but for recording I'm loving the M-Steel range. Suuuuuperrr bright tone, which is great for any lead guitar work, and actually also really good for any kind of sparkly clean stuff too. They also tend to last for ages too without losing their integrity, unlike a lot of other brands. Full disclosure, I'm endorsed by Ernie Ball but that was after a lot of searching around after getting let down by my previous string company. Their strings are fantastic but the quality control became an utter joke, so I went off on a huge search to find something I'd feel was at least as good. I was completely happy with everything until the quality started to slip, so it was big shoes to fill. The Cobalts and M-Steels absolutely blew me away and I haven't looked back since. Edited March 5, 2019 by Lord Tim clarity 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hidden Symmetry Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 22 minutes ago, Chuck E Baby said: I don't know, I personally didn't think so. but its not like a hover car where I was blown away. I guess I wasn't expecting much, so what ever bonus came out of it I was surprised. Man I haven't seen them around for almost 10 years. It stinks when you find something you like and they close shop. I use to use these back in the 80's They still make them but not like they used to back them. not sure what they did but around 1992, 93 the strings changed. I moved to Ernie Ball back then and have been happy. That pic sure brings back memories! I used nothing but those Markleys for years. I still have a road trunk completely covered with those yellow stickers that I plastered all over it every time I changed a set. Back then it once a week, plus top three every other night or so playing 6 nights a week, 5 hours a night, typically 48 weeks a year. Tore through alot of wire too, replaced all my guitars with SS. Now playing casually I've been using d'addario prosteels, they work pretty well for me. As you say though the quality has changed throughout the years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckebaby Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 4 minutes ago, Hidden Symmetry said: I still have a road trunk completely covered with those yellow stickers that I plastered all over it every time I changed a set. OMG, I forgot all about the stickers . I have a guitar case (For my Fender Jazz) right next to me with one of those stickers on it. As far as the Pro steels go, never tried them but I think I will give them a shot next. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckebaby Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 56 minutes ago, Lord Tim said: they sound fantastic, but for recording I'm loving the M-Steel range. That will be one of my next pick ups for sure, those and the Paradigm. Also looking forward to trying out those ProSteels @HiddenSymmetry mentioned. I knew you were endorsed by EB, but I also know you to be a man of good integrity. Looking forward to checking out the M steel's. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigb Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 I'm having flashbacks... In the late 70's and early 80's I only used Super Slinky's, but a special version called "Doc T's" 'cause Doc T was the owner of the music store we used to hang out in all the time. LOL! (Side note: Elixers suck for pick slides. Just sayin'... ?) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Tim Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 1 hour ago, Chuck E Baby said: That will be one of my next pick ups for sure, those and the Paradigm. Also looking forward to trying out those ProSteels @HiddenSymmetry mentioned. I knew you were endorsed by EB, but I also know you to be a man of good integrity. Looking forward to checking out the M steel's. The Paradigms are sooooo expensive! I've been told by a few people you're not really getting much more advantage out of them to justify the price difference, but I haven't actually tried them myself. Honestly if you're touring a lot and changing strings for every show, even regular Slinkies would be fine. I don't think I'd like to trust any kind of string to last more than a few shows if you're REALLY belting them or doing a lot of Floyd stuff. I reckon the Cobalts are the ideal half way point between affordability and that extra durability and zing you get for a more premium string. The M-Steels are most definitely a special occasion string for me, and definitely worth it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubill Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 I'm sticking to these Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubill Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 I prefer these but wasn't paying attention when I bought the strings above Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeringAmps Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 10-52 for many years now. Been lovin’ the “half rounds” lately, cuts down on the “squeak”, don’t play “out” much anymore, would use the “nickel wounds” for that. I’m old, what can I say. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckebaby Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 Ya the 10-52's are a little too heavy for me but I totally understand why some people use them, to be honest there's not much of a difference on the high E -B and G strings. But on the D- A and E strings is a big jump(.6,10,10). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synkrotron Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 On 3/5/2019 at 4:11 PM, Chuck E Baby said: I don't know, I personally didn't think so. but its not like a hover car where I was blown away. I guess I wasn't expecting much, so what ever bonus came out of it I was surprised. Thanks Chuck. My playing ability, or lack of, perhaps doesn't warrant splashing out on those things but curiosity always gets the better of me haha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubill Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 45 minutes ago, Chuck E Baby said: Ya the 10-52's are a little too heavy for me but I totally understand why some people use them, to be honest there's not much of a difference on the high E -B and G strings. But on the D- A and E strings is a big jump(.6,10,10). I have gorilla hands and don’t need a vibrato bar. I rip off 8s and 9s so I moved to heavier strings. I suppose I play and look ? and smell like one too ? though I Am not hairy you can call me hairy but I prefer bayoubill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mettelus Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I have been running the D'Addario Balance Tension strings for a while, but shifted from 10s to 9s last year partly due to a forum discussion but mainly to a funny event. I could not get the 10s to palm mute cleanly (a lot of harmonic leakage), so tried 9s for the first time. There is such a massive difference between those 10s and 9s as far as harmonics, sustain, and bending. 9s will palm-mute insta-dead and bend like putty in comparison, but have less sustain and are harder to pull harmonics from -- the difference in tension is significant on 25.5" scale. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckebaby Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 4 hours ago, bayoubill said: I have gorilla hands and don’t need a vibrato bar TBH, I don't use a vibrato bar that much either, but I do a massive amount of bending in my lead playing. This video is not a good example (because I made some mistakes in it) but you can get a good idea the type of style I play... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmcleod Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I use RotoSound Pinks, 9-42's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigb Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 1 hour ago, Chuck E Baby said: TBH, I don't use a vibrato bar that much either, but I do a massive amount of bending in my lead playing. This video is not a good example (because I made some mistakes in it) but you can get a good idea the type of style I play... Don't like to spend much on pickups, do ya? ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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