Guitar Strings - Which Brand is Best? 

Note: this is not a tone test-it's a feel test. Bends, vibrato, slides, and other elements are primarily what I'm providing feedback on.

I dunno man, Bass Pro Shop rabbit snare wire has all the tone.

The packaging for the elixir strings looks like a condom box

im sexually atracted to guitars and im looking for a realationship with no strings attached

I’m an Elixir man myself because I live in a very humid climate and don't want rust. To date, I’ve never had the problem with either the Pollywebs, or the Nanowebs. I’m just trying the Optiwebs and am very impressed. They have a more natural feel, but haven’t as yet rusted.

The strings have a feel *unlike steve vai*

I used D’Addario’s exclusively until I tried Elixirs. They once lasted almost 4 months before starting to show any rust or oxidation, compared to just a few days/week with the D’Addario’s

Personally I use the NY XL strings because of the feel and they also sound amazing 10/10 would recommend

Elixirs are the only one I CAN use, every other brand just rusts aways in a few hours. Gotta love my acid sweat hands

Tyler, it's 4 in the morning.

I loved how you kept the rhythm between comparisons when changing guitars and made it sound like an actual song!

Gotta test with just 1 guitar. When you add variables like body shape, neck thickness, pickups and pots... By then its a different universe. Should have the guitar with the best natural acoustics as the contol and the strings as the variable.

I've been using Ernie Ball Super Slinky 10's for about 15 years. Just feels right

"Ernie Ball Paradigm: Stronger Than Tyler Larson!"

“Ernie ball is pog” -Kim Il-sung

4:23 I thought he was going to play Fight Fire With Fire

The idea is good, but I don't really see the point in judging strings that are on three completely different guitars. You could have put the exact same strings on all three guitars and they still would have sounded different from one another.

When I go buy a string set I look for 3 important things. 1. Durability 2. Tone 3. Price Effectivness I feel that the NYXL string sets deliver all three of those for me.

Personal preference are D'adario for classical Ernieball for electric Elixer for accoustic

D' Addario is clean, good for rhythm, Paradigma is smooth, good for clean, Elixir is loud, good for gain boosting.

Habits of Tyler Larson, pls!

The Paradigms were bright, the Elixirs were chimey, the NYXLs were a middle ground, that's what I got from the tones

For me I am NYXL all the way on solid body electrics, great feel, they stay in tune and can take real brutality, also NYXL's seem really good working with the guitar's tone, responsive to changing pick ups to give hard edged metal to smooth jazz on the same guitar (Les Paul Studio custom) for acoustic I prefer Elixir, incredible strings, they stay bright for weeks, | have a buddy who plays 100+ gigs a year and changes strings every 4 months

Earlier this year I bought my first Kiesel Vader and it came stock with Elixer Nano web strings. I love the tone and feel of them. I had been playing on Ernie Ball Regular Slinky's for decades. I threw a set of them on my Vader for the first string change and was surprised how they really were inferior to the Elixir in tone response. Needless to say for the Vader, Kiesel got it right putting Elixer's on their guitars.

I have been using the NY XL strings on my electric guitars for the past year. They last a really long time and I dig them. But, listening to your video I thought the Elixir strings had a really great tone quality to them. I might give them a try. Keep shredding!

I think that the only tonal difference hearable is form guitar to guitar, not from a brand to another. When talking about strings it’s all about the feel.

Why I am a subscriber. You're honest, your craft and love for the guitar is genuine and you have fun. You put fun in music 🎶 (except when you make fun about bass). Love you man!

4:23 I thought he was gonna play fight fire with fire intro

G strings are the best 😉

I like D'addario for the airtight packaging. I bought a dozen sets of Ernie Balls when for one reason or another I couldn't get D'adarrios and by the time I got to the last set the plain strings had rusted

Almost all of the big brands of strings (both electric and acoustic) sold here in the US are, for the most part, made by Mapes Piano Wire (extruded wire) Co. of Elizabethton TN. A nickel .011 DR string will be the exact same .011 string for D'addario, Slinky, GHS, etc. Some brands still wind their own yet (yes the winding wire comes from Mapes too), but now mapes does that for strings brands too. Another fun fact - When measured on an oscilloscope, the vibration and amplitude (sound and volume in this case) decays 4 to 10 pct. faster (dependent upon the gage) with coated strings compared to the same stings uncoated.

It's definitely just a preference. All of them are equal in terms of delivering great tone and feel however they are all great for different uses. I feel D'addario gives a nice punch whilst Elexir has a very clear tone and the Ernie Balls fall somewhere in the middle of these two. For my playing I like the Ernie Balls especially on a Les Paul however for Strats I like using D'addarios.

I used Elixir for about almost 8 years now, started using them when there's only Polyweb, changed from Ernie Ball, feels a lot more different due to coating, early Polyweb sets have so thick coating, took a bit to get used to, been hooked ever since, My favorite is Nanoweb, feels just right, Polyweb is thinner than Nanoweb, feels more natural, but a bit too thin to my liking. Longevity, around first 3 months ( wiped down after playing sometimes ) the coating was doing it's job keeping the string nice (although the feel does change a lot) after 4 months its just depends on you now when to change it, I used mine for 6 months now, sounds much different than new strings ofc, but the strings does show any kind of wears except the coating, also not to mention, for past 8 year I have used only Elixir and I NEVER find rust on the strings. So after 4 months the strings shows the age by getting out of tune quite easy, both open strings and on frets

When I play song live on stage I will always use d’Addario but I always will break hi e and b string Then few days ago I tested few strings which is Elixir, D’Addario, Ernie ball slinky and the paradigm the one which is most suitable for hard rock and bending is the paradigm

I love this video simply for the string lock instructions, thanks Tyler!

Using Elixir Polyweb 9-42. I hate easily rust strings. Which one is the best?

I'm team Ernie Ball. 10-52 on a Gibson, perfect for metal in standard tuning, plus some flexibility for Drop D/Eb Standard.

I think I liked the D’Addarrio strings the most. Those are the strings that I’ve been playing recently. I’ve tried Gibson and Ernie Ball strings, and they seem to break easier than the D’Addario strings. Especially the Gibson strings

Been using Elixir for 10 years 11s, never failed me! Love the bright tone they give

I’m glad he decided to make this channel cause now as I try to learn the guitar I’m working on getting an electric he’s like my more knowledgeable friend on the instrument and I trust his opinions cause he’s not extremely bias if he is he admits it

NYXL. elixirs are way too bright

I've used Ernie Ball and D'Addario strings for a few years now, and I much proffer the tone of D'Addario strings. I like the brightness of them, and there's something about the Ernie Balls that I don't like. I can't quite pin point what I don't like about the Ernie's, but there's definitely something in the mid range that's getting me. I recently re-strung my Tele with some Ernie's and they sorta sound almost messy sounding, especially on a dirty/distorted setting. I think when I very first started playing guitar I think I was using Elixrs, but can't quite remember, but I do remember them getting really rust really easy like you said in this video that they're known to sometimes. So when it comes to strings, I like something rather bright sounding, like D'Addario strings. D'addario are by far my favourite out of the strings I've tried

I’ve been an Ernie Ball string user for years. I recently bought a 6-pack of Regular Slinky’s and there’re rust spots on the 10, 13, and 17s right out of the sealed foil package. I don’t know how that made it past their QC. I’m definitely switching to the Elixirs strings. Thanks for doing this comparison.

For me when I choose string brands, it really depends on which rust the least because they sound awful when they rust. I can hear a slight difference between several strings but I think I can make certain sounds with my other equipment

NYXL's are my go to. Changed over from Ernie Ball and never looked back

my favorite brand is "solez" its a brazilian string brand. i literally went a hole year using them without breaking or geting old, of course i cleam the strings every time i put the guitar away, so it dont get rusty or dirty, and this brand is super cheap. i use to use earnie ball, and it was twice the price and i could only use for like, 2 months before getting super hard and nasty to play with. super recomend solez guys x3

Thanks bro this helped me big time man, And good playing as well🤙

I really liked how clean, warm and thick NYXL sounds. I'm thinking about give it a try in exchange of Elixir's which I've been using for many years.

Elixir's tone was too crisp for me.

Dean Markley nickel steel reg.11/ 52s.....but I'm currently trying Cleartones.

Para digm sound so clean and amazing man, personally my favorite

I've used D'addario strings as long as I can remember. They just sound really good to me, and feel great when I play.

Elixir FTW! Been using them for over a decade myself. Set aside the coating and durability, the sound is as clear as a bell. That's what I look for in a string, especially when I tend to play melody chords.

Elixer is the only string that graces my guitars. Last exceptionally long without tone loss, resist breaking, and still feel great after..... Longer than I'd like to admit. I think my acoustic is going on three years.....

I love Elixir. That's my number 1. In guitar strings, I look for long life, a crisp tone, and good feeling.

Old vid I know but.......strings are never a dull topic! I actually have just put my FIRST set of Elixirs on a very nice guitar and I have to say...............I like 'em! I usually use Sfarzo or S.I.T. but these E's are truly a very nice feel. we'll see in a bit after playing time tells the story of the whole "coating" thing. Thx dude for all the work you put into this. Bless you

Swear by NYXLs. The tone, durability, and feel are perfect

I swear by Elixirs, particularly the nanowebs (have yet to try the optiweb). I have acidic sweat and strings never last that long when I use them. I recently tried out the NYXL's because I've been hearing rave reviews. One day has passed and the G string already turned black. I have Elixirs on my Les Paul that were there for a very long time now, I don't even remember when I installed it. No rust at all.

I really liked the sound of the d'addario's in this vid. Going to try those out for my next strings. Thanks for the video

I used to be team elixir but the daddarios that came with my new electric felt real nice. Then I switched to nyxl

I wish my music room was half as tidy as yours. It's hard for me to tell the difference between my music room and the bathroom. I always have to ask myself, "Can I poop in here?"

When i tie my les paul that way it behaves the same as locking tuners. Be careful on the thinner strings though.

I use SIT strings mainly because they break less often and because they're made in my hometown. :) I use tens on my Wasburn ES and all my acoustics, but use elevens on my Tele. I have a really aggressive up stroke when playing R&B and was always breaking the first string.

duration and clarity i really love Elixer, they last almost forever, i usually use them on my guitar for almost two years with average playing time, and when ever I decide to change the i take them of and put it on my other guitar (I would call it my dirty guitar cause i leave it where i gather with my friends for another around two years، that would make it total of 4 years -give and take-, and now i don't really remember when the last time i changed my strings (definitely it's more than two years and they still sound like almost new set ...

I’ve switched back and forth through all these brands. NYXL, Ernie Ball Paradigm and Elixir. Elixir isn’t bad, they sound great but break a little too easily on electric. Acoustic however, hands down Elixir! I’d have to side with Ernie ball because the tone has more punch and attack, and they last long too! NYXL is too basic for me.

But do they djent?

A guitar tech I trust told me the story behind elixir strings and it makes sense. It is second hand knowledge though and the guy hates being misquoted so I'll give you the breakdown of my interpretation of the explanation. The voting on the original elixir (I forget the different varieties) is produced by the Gortex company that uses their product for waterproofing on camping gear. The strings themselves are/ were Diaddarios as the strings were originally an idea from a guitar playing executive who wanted to make strings last longer. It is debatable weather it does or doesn't. It does however, cut down on unintended noise from moving from chord to chord or note to note. Also a lot of players do like the feel. This conversation happened years ago so even if it was accurate then it may not be now. I played elixirs for years then switched to Daddario based on this conversation. I them tried Dean Marley and find they are my preference now.

Shout out for Rotosound Yellows. I get sweaty hands, almost never clean my strings until there's a ton of crap embedded in the wound strings and crusted on the plains and they still sound good for months even when they're almost black. They do for me anyway, as a hobbyist. Found both D'Addario XL's and Ernie Ball Slinkies start to sound dead once the string loses it's sheen - which is pretty quick with my hands, pretty much as soon as I put them on and start playing.

i use elixir for many years now , never being more impressed with other brands like i am with elixir they worth the extra money compared to other cheaper sets plus they have a very long life and they dont lose their tone they sound the same like the first day till the last when they finally brake extremely happy with elixir if u havent try them yet i strongly suggest that you do editing i use the 9's

And then there's me and the other broke-ass musicians buying the $2 "Musician's Gear" strings.

I just switched to the Elixers on my Les Pauls Gold Top after 6 years of the GHS Comers ,, I was tired of string changing ,,, the Elixers still sound great after three months of solid playing ,, plus its pack to 4 packs of the GHS Boomers .. thank you for solidifying my decision. I still use the Elixirs on my Taylor .. great life and tone …thank you for your video

Great Video and review of the three string brand and spec's that I was looking at! Prior to viewing I was already leaning towards Elixir - but wanted further reassurance as I had read about premature coating 'damage' and 'failure'. Having weighed things up, I will run with the Elixir 'Optiweb' strings (thanks for pointing out that these have 'less' coating than the Elixir 'Nanoweb's) and will go with 9's as I am a relative beginner. Thanks for posting.

I love the elixirs, I use the nano web for both acoustic and electric. they feel so amazing especially for me who has sweaty gross hands after playing. they really do last longer than other strings

D'addarios had me at first pluck. It was love at first pluck.

I broke my first string yesterday and didn't want to just grab the first string in the bin-so to speak. This video SOLD me on the Elixirs! I read articles about how coated strings were terrible with bends because they slip blah blah but clearly, that's not the case. Plus they sounded great although the selections were all on different guitars so not sure how much that came into play but no reason to think the strings didn't have the biggest impact.

I was sold out on boomers medium lite since the 84 glamour rock I grew up on...Your Elixir sound great and I love your final comment of why you choose this... Thanks a lot I now have more choices with your enlighten me

I am using only Elixir string 10-46 gauge and change them every 3 months

Im using acostic guitar and my string is D'Addario string but still for me elixer is the best beacuse for me its a good coatting... And feels good and smoother than D'Addario

NYXLs on a Kahler Flatmount are a MUST. I have never had a single string break on me using the NYXLs, and they all sounded great and had awesome tuning stability even 3-4 months on.

Im currently using NYXLs and they're so good I don't want to change them, even though I got a pack of ernie ball cobalt strings 3 or 4 weeks ago and they're still sitting on my shelf in the packaging. These NYXLs still have some life in them

My faves are nyxl for tone , after years of Ernie ball hybrid slinkies. I broke two paradigm strings so the no breaking hype is just that. They sound fantastic for about five days and then sound dead. They also have a weird unpleasant feel, kind of slick. Haven’t tried the elixirs. Just got a set of optima golds ($40!) and going to try those next :) - Brian may uses them I think.

The test is absolutely useless for the tone comparison if you use 3 different guitars. The changing component should be isolated, and the rest of the chain should stay the same -- that's the only approach, which makes sense.

I like this this demo. Very informative. Well done mate.

Been using D'addario 12-54's for 2 years and so far I'm satisfied

Daddario was probably the worst for me. They sound good for a few days, but they get rusty really quick, then they feel awful on the fingers, and the sound gets messed up. Ernie Balls were the best sounding and they also offered a couple months of endurance. Elixirs were the most endurable, but they did not sound as good as the others. That was my personal experience at least.

I personally have really enjoyed Ernie Ball Cobalt strings for the last few years.

Im using the elixir phospor bronze 10/46 acoustic strings and im loving the nano web coating on them they feel smooth and they just sound amazing

I know this video is wicked old (Hi from Cape Cod), but just wanted to let you know I watched it, Sept 2022, I just put a set of Paradigm on my Strat, 9-46.. usually use Pink EB 9-42.. I love the feel of these Paradigm!! I do think they feel and sound different, I'm flyin! Thanks for the info, great video, per usual for you sir, thank you.

D"addario without a doubt

In my experience, D'addario sound quality stays good like 10 times longer than the Ernie ball strings(at least with super slinky) They fade after 2 weeks imho. Haven't tried the higher quality lines of Ernie Ball.

Thanks for sharing your impressions.

They all sound amazing to me!

Paradigm sounds the best in my opinion, the worst are Elixir.

Its Ernie Ball for me

i got nanowebs on my bass, acoustic guitar and electric guitar, i love them

It's all about them Slinks!!! Plus they come in really pretty packaging!! Which we all know is really the most important factor.

Nyxl all the way

4:22 I had thought you were going to play fight fire with fire play at 0.75 for more similar noise

I have tried numerous brands of strings but always come back my D'addarios. Every set of Elixir strings I have used seem to break much faster than my D's and the Ernie Balls I have used seemed to fade quicker. Another advantage is because you can get D'addarios pretty much anywhere. Using "special" styles of strings is great, but if you break a string and are out of town you might not find what you're looking for. So for me, I will stick with my D'addarios.

The elixirs just became my choice! thanks for the video