I've loved the NYXL strings, they're nearly indestructible...however, I've not liked the missing "brightness" of the harmonics on the strings that came with my guitar. I have no idea what they were. They seemed more balanced and stayed in tune a little better too. I don't think they were reinforced because they didn't last long, I think I broke one too...but what I want is that tone, playbility, and something that is long lasting...if that's possible.

So what I'm looking at right now is GHS Burnished Nickel Rockers.

I always liked GHS strings for the harmonics, and used the Zakk Wylde set on some of my guitars in the past and loved them. On the Wolfgang, I used D'Addario EXL140s, I'm not sure I want to go to those again because they wear out fast esp that high E.

But they have these EXL 111s now that are supposed to be balanced and really great, but I just don't know. Sounds like the same thing with bigger strings in the middle, which would be nice, but will always breaking that .10 guage string as always.

There's the Dean Markley Helix, sounds like the same kinda thing, but is also a signature set, and those are great in my experience. Just never liked Dean Markley strings since I first started playing.

DR Neon strings got my attention, but maybe that's just because it might be fun to record a video in blacklight or something, I dunno.

Cobalt strings...seem like a gamble I will regret.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS USE? ARE YOU HAPPY WITH CHANGING STRINGS A LOT OR THINK IT'S WORTH TRYING ALL THE NEW FANGLED STRINGS IN HOPES THEY'LL BE EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER WANTED?

I have tried GHS Boomers, DR, DM Blue Steel, Ernie Ball, and Fender but I always come back to my mainstay which is regular d'Addarios (EXL 110s). They are inexpensive, sound great, and break less often, for me anyways.

I haven't tried the NYXL strings yet..

First of all: I don't sweat much so I can use a non-coated set of strings for at least 2 months before they lose tone.
Having said that, I recently tried different brands of strings (09-46 gauge) with the same goals as you (tone, playability, durability):

• NYXL: I like them and I find them bright (no problems with harmonics), but I don't know if they're durable because i have them for less than a month. Time will tell.
• Ernie Ball Slinky: the non-coated strings that i like the best. These strings sound warm but not dull and they're not too heavy on my wrist.
• D'Addario XL: I use them sometimes but I don't like 'em much. These are the only strings that don't last me more than 2 or 3 weeks.
• GHS Boomers: a little dull sounding.
• Elixir: durable, but I found them a little lacking in bass frequencies and too round in the highs. A little too hard for my wrist.
• Cleartone: I like them! Very durable (for me more than 6 months), lot of volume, nice sound, string tension similar to non-coated strings.
• DR Neon: stay away from them! High e breaks easily, low strings sound like rubber band in less than a week. worst purchase ever.

The quest is not over, though!

I use Ernie Ball, it was recommanded by my guitar brand and I got used to them. I never broke one. I don't change them a lot.

Sounds like I might try the new EXL or the Cleartone.

I liked the EXL140s so much with my Wolfgang that I got a five pack.

I loved the Slinkies a long time ago for the tone, but they seemed to never stay in tune (cheaper guitar back then but there was definitely a problem).

I still want to say that the NYXL strings are excellent and my son swears by them, they're very balanced and playable and can take a beating. Just want a little more bite back in my tone but with that kind of strength.

I use the EXL's, NYXL's, and Elixir's.

Electric: Ernie Ball Cobalt 9s

Acoustic: Cleartone 10s

Ok, lock the thread

Okay, the EXL111's have been changed to be called the same as the 110s, with the BT added for balanced tension, and the lower number is the higher gauge now. Confusing.

So, like this:
EXL120BT Nickel Wound, Balanced Tension Super Light, 09-40
EXL110BT Nickel Wound, Balanced Tension Regular Light, 10-46
EXL115BT Nickel Wound, Balanced Tension Medium, 11-50

The EXL110BT ought to do it for now, I always wanted to make a set with less beef on the low strings but I will be trying others if I don't feel they are everything they're supposed to be.

Here's a quick review of the D'Addario EXL110BT Balanced Tension Lite Electric Guitar Strings:

Color coded ball ends like the NYXLs (I don't need to clip them off for my Yamaha Pacifica 1221MS, so still very helpful). They're wrapped together in twos, I don't know if this was better or worse, but I'm used to individually wrapped ones. On the lower strings it helped things go faster by doing both at once, I dunno.

They were quick to tune up...here's where I noticed something significant. After I stretched them a bit and locked everything down. Everything stayed in perfect tuning. No matter how much I bent them or played.

The lower strings are definitely something you'll want to feel for yourself. They're so easy to play on. Felt like I had a different guitar or some new string technology happening. VERY comfortable. More comfortable than any strings of any gauge I've ever played (I've even played with 8.5s).

The tone has some brightness, but also very full sounding. Exactly what I was looking for.

Now the cons: The top two strings seem a bit stiff. This could be a good thing as I get used to it. But it's definitely noticeable. I almost thought maybe I rearranged the B and E string when I put them on, but nope. This is how they are.

I also just changed some very worn out strings and haven't played much lately, but I think this is an accurate description of what to expect.

I think for me, I will need the balanced tension to help stay in tune and last longer, but it almost feels like I have two sets of strings (now, the G string is great though, it's just those top two that seem like there's too much something).

But they stay in tune a lot like Elixir strings, but much nicer sounding and playable. That's what the top two strings remind me of, trying to play Elixir or maybe Blue Steel strings. They're not laughably hard to play like Elixir strings, but definitely not as easy as the rest of this set, oddly.

I almost want to get a few of the regular EXL strings and try them on the B and E to make the perfect set, but I'm gonna stick this out because overall they COULD be the best strings I've had overall. COULD...

I would definitely gig with them if I was doing gigs and not such a noodler. I can almost guarantee you'll be satisfied for playing live with these without breakage and staying in tune absolutely no problems there even if you just put them on before the show.

This also means less time fooling around getting your intonation set and getting down to recording your tracks. They almost make you play things more like strumming big open chords because there's this nice balance and feel to them. Kinda cool. Sweep picking is almost too easy haha

8/10