String Change Day- a Strings Direct and XS strings review
Jan 13, 2024 11:07:05 GMT
Wild Violet, Phil Taylor, and 3 more like this
Post by forestdweller on Jan 13, 2024 11:07:05 GMT
Well, I had a big box of strings delivered to me this morning.
20240113_095858 by Robert Jessep, on Flickr
I say big, but actually it only contains two sets of strings. I approached Strings Direct about a regular custom set of strings. After much experimenting with string brands and gauges, I am now at the point where I know what I like and I know what works for me and my particular guitars. I have now settled on these D'Addario XS strings. They sound great, feel great, and last for ages. Probably between 4 to 6 months. However, D'Addario do not do the set I want/ need.
So, for some time now I have been buying up singles, and using Strings Direct custom string configurator I have actually saved some money on buying a custom set of strings. These two sets worked out to £27 each. 'What!!!?' I hear you say! Just think about it. These will last me, say 5 months. I am guessing most of you who use non coated strings probably change them every 2 months, and they probably cost you about £12? So, at the end of the day I have probably spent the same amount as you. However, I am someone who needs coated strings, and a non coated set would probably only last me about 3 to 4 weeks. So I would probably end up paying double what I have on these XS.
Anyway, I have put these in the review section, first of all because I think XS are just amazing strings, and secondly as a big shout out to Strings Direct, who I have been using for many years now, but who have gone the extra mile in compiling these sets for me at a very good price.
20240113_100051 by Robert Jessep, on Flickr
20240113_100118 by Robert Jessep, on Flickr
As you can see the gauges are:
These seem to be the only strings that D'Addario offer as a 54 for the low string (not even in their 80/20 formulation). I have gone for these gauges on my Brook (the Huss & Dalton which stays in Dadgad has an XS set but in gauges 13, 17, 24, 32, 42, 54) so as to be able to go between all manner of tunings, which the Brook seems to do extremely easily. However, I've got to the say it sounds amazing in CGCGCD and CGDGAD. Changing between those two tunings is very easy with this set.
Some people might not know either that if you want the coated strings that normally come in premade XS sets, then go for the new XT plain steel singles. They are actually coated.
Here is a shot of the now fitted strings. As you can see, I am still very keen on the one loop above and then winding down below the hole method. Has always worked for me for the wound strings. However, for the plain strings I lock them.
20240113_103246 by Robert Jessep, on Flickr
20240113_103303 by Robert Jessep, on Flickr
Anyway, the only thing I don't like about buying singles is (apart from the extra expense) the fact that you do not earn points I might email D'Addario about that and see what their reasoning is.
Robbie
20240113_095858 by Robert Jessep, on Flickr
I say big, but actually it only contains two sets of strings. I approached Strings Direct about a regular custom set of strings. After much experimenting with string brands and gauges, I am now at the point where I know what I like and I know what works for me and my particular guitars. I have now settled on these D'Addario XS strings. They sound great, feel great, and last for ages. Probably between 4 to 6 months. However, D'Addario do not do the set I want/ need.
So, for some time now I have been buying up singles, and using Strings Direct custom string configurator I have actually saved some money on buying a custom set of strings. These two sets worked out to £27 each. 'What!!!?' I hear you say! Just think about it. These will last me, say 5 months. I am guessing most of you who use non coated strings probably change them every 2 months, and they probably cost you about £12? So, at the end of the day I have probably spent the same amount as you. However, I am someone who needs coated strings, and a non coated set would probably only last me about 3 to 4 weeks. So I would probably end up paying double what I have on these XS.
Anyway, I have put these in the review section, first of all because I think XS are just amazing strings, and secondly as a big shout out to Strings Direct, who I have been using for many years now, but who have gone the extra mile in compiling these sets for me at a very good price.
20240113_100051 by Robert Jessep, on Flickr
20240113_100118 by Robert Jessep, on Flickr
As you can see the gauges are:
- 1st XT 13
- 2nd XT 16
- 3rd XS 24
- 4th XS 33
- 5th XS 44
- 6th XS 54
These seem to be the only strings that D'Addario offer as a 54 for the low string (not even in their 80/20 formulation). I have gone for these gauges on my Brook (the Huss & Dalton which stays in Dadgad has an XS set but in gauges 13, 17, 24, 32, 42, 54) so as to be able to go between all manner of tunings, which the Brook seems to do extremely easily. However, I've got to the say it sounds amazing in CGCGCD and CGDGAD. Changing between those two tunings is very easy with this set.
Some people might not know either that if you want the coated strings that normally come in premade XS sets, then go for the new XT plain steel singles. They are actually coated.
Here is a shot of the now fitted strings. As you can see, I am still very keen on the one loop above and then winding down below the hole method. Has always worked for me for the wound strings. However, for the plain strings I lock them.
20240113_103246 by Robert Jessep, on Flickr
20240113_103303 by Robert Jessep, on Flickr
Anyway, the only thing I don't like about buying singles is (apart from the extra expense) the fact that you do not earn points I might email D'Addario about that and see what their reasoning is.
Robbie