[zkinard]

Hi all,

So I restrung my Eastwood Wolf last night. I stopped at the local music store to pick up some string. Knew I wanted something heavier so I grabbed the Ernie Ball Classic Power Slinkys (11, 14, 18P, 28, 38, 48) and DR Black Beauties (11, 14, 18, 28, 38, 50). I strung it up with the Black Beauties. Didn't realize the name was so literal as I'm not a huge fan of them actually being black but am wanting to simply try out a variety of different brands at this general guage size. Does anyone have experience with Black Beauties or other coated strings? Do coated strings leave extra crud on the fretboard?

Cheers,
Zach

[Jon S.]

Can't help you re: the Black Beauties - I'm a dedicated Curt Mangan strings guy. https://www.curtmangan.com/

The various Elixer types I used on my acoustic guitars, however, have never left crud on anything. But their main benefit is they sound good still for longer.

[lbpesq]

Not a fan of coated strings. My experience is they start out dull, and stay that way for a long time. I usually use Optima Gold or Optima Gold Maxi-flex. Yes, they are expensive, but if you shop around you can find better prices. They sound great to my ears and they last for significantly longer than the GHS Boomers I used to play. I really like the Boomers, too.

Bill, tgo

[Jon S.]

Not a fan of coated strings. My experience is they start out dull, and stay that way for a long time.

Are you saying this for just electric strings or acoustic strings, too? Because this hasn't been my experience with Elixer Nanowebs. They're Elixer's lightly coated acoustic guitar strings. And if they admittedly start out less bright than say 80/20s, they more than make up for it by resisting dulling longer. I don't have a tech to change my strings for me every night not do I like buying new strings sets every month so this is a tradeoff I'll gladly make.

[zkinard]

Jon, which set/guage of the Curt Mangan do you prefer? I might order a few sets to try that out eventually?

[Jon S.]

Jon, which set/guage of the Curt Mangan do you prefer? I might order a few sets to try that out eventually?

For some guitars, 10's. For most, though, 9.5's. All nickelwounds. Stainless steel are too bright and rip most frets up. Pure nickel are too mellow. Nickelwound is just right.

Next to Curt Mangan, I like D'Addario strings, too. They're like the Tabasco of strings: simple; straightforward; satisfying. When I can't find Mangans, I go with D'Addario.

I'm not a fan of Ernie Ball strings. They've just never felt or sounded right to me.

And there are some other interesting options folks have posted in this thread that I've not yet tried that sound interesting!

[lbpesq]

In my previous comment about coated strings starting out dull and staying that way, I was referring to electric. I think I maybe tried coated acoustic strings once or twice, but don’t really remember. I usually use Martin Phosphor Bronze for acoustic. As for electric, I used D’Addarios for years until I switched to GHS Boomers as I found them a little smoother feeling. I still use Boomers if I run out of Optima Golds.

Bill, tgo

[Jon S.]

Optima Golds.

I just looked these up (at least what I think they are). $32.95 a set on Amazon - am I reading this correctly?!

https://www.amazon.com/Optima-Electric- ... B003JJHPW0

[Gr8fulCadi]

Haven’t tried the coated Black Beauty’s before but I recently switched brands. Always used DR’s and have been happy with them, but I’m now using Thomastik strings, very satisfied. I use their Jazz Bebop series for my Gretsch Hollow Bodies and I’m currently trying out their other series like the Blues Sliders, brights and Infield for my Strat and Phiga Eagle. By far the best strings I’ve used to date and they last a loooooooong time in all ways, tuning, feel and tone.

https://www.thomastik-infeld.com/en/hom ... 2QQAvD_BwE

[lbpesq]

Optima Golds.

I just looked these up (at least what I think they are). $32.95 a set on Amazon - am I reading this correctly?!

https://www.amazon.com/Optima-Electric- ... B003JJHPW0

I haven’t check since covid started, but the usual price was around $20-22. Looking around, I could usually find them for around $17 a set.

I just checked and Strings by Mail has the Optima Gold Maxi-Flex for $20 a set. Admittedly expensive, but they hold their new bright sound for several weeks or more.

Bill, tgo

[yodasfro]

Haven’t tried the coated Black Beauty’s before but I recently switched brands. Always used DR’s and have been happy with them, but I’m now using Thomastik strings, very satisfied. I use their Jazz Bebop series for my Gretsch Hollow Bodies and I’m currently trying out their other series like the Blues Sliders, brights and Infield for my Strat and Phiga Eagle. By far the best strings I’ve used to date and they last a loooooooong time in all ways, tuning, feel and tone.

https://www.thomastik-infeld.com/en/hom ... 2QQAvD_BwE

I have settled on Infeld strings myself they are great! I use the super alloys 11-52
https://gimmesomestrings.com/thomastik- ... r-strings/

[Gr8fulCadi]

Haven’t tried the coated Black Beauty’s before but I recently switched brands. Always used DR’s and have been happy with them, but I’m now using Thomastik strings, very satisfied. I use their Jazz Bebop series for my Gretsch Hollow Bodies and I’m currently trying out their other series like the Blues Sliders, brights and Infield for my Strat and Phiga Eagle. By far the best strings I’ve used to date and they last a loooooooong time in all ways, tuning, feel and tone.

https://www.thomastik-infeld.com/en/hom ... 2QQAvD_BwE

I have settled on Infeld strings myself they are great! I use the super alloys 11-52
https://gimmesomestrings.com/thomastik- ... r-strings/

Awesome!! Good to know. I will check those out soon.