D’Addario NYXL0838 Nickel Plated Electric Guitar Strings,Extra Super Ligh
[{'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Felt compelled to write a review after being shocked by another persons 1 star review. They had two major complaints.\nFirst, they said the strings were all twisted together and couldn’t easily be untangled? They are looped up with the end tucked twice. If you can’t untangle these, I have no idea how you have the dexterity to play guitar.\nSecondly, the were complaining that each string wasn’t individually wrapped like ernie ball strings. Ernie ball strings are individually packed in paper envelopes. NYXLs are vacuum sealed in plastic so they dont oxidize sitting on the shelf waiting for you to buy them.\n\nIve been playing nothing but these NYXLs for several years. They are the best strings out there. Minimal stretch needed. Great tone and feel. Don’t get old sounding or feeling. Playing everyday for atleast an hour they last about 2-3 months. I cant remember the last time I broke a string with these.\n\nLike most, I started on the $5 Ernie Ball Slinkys. They oxidized horribly, broke the high E and B alot, and lasted only a week or so...\n\nIf your ready for the best string experience, look no further!'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2018', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "I've been using the D'Addarios of this same gauge for years (EXL115) and decided to give these a try. I just put them on my guitar a few days ago, so I'll likely come back with an update later on to give a review on their life. But initially I've noticed they didn't require nearly the amount of stretching I have to do quite alot of with the EXL115s when I first put them on. That's a nice plus for me. Presumably they will stay in tune a little better too, time will tell. The tension also feels a little more evenly spread across the strings to me, which affects the feel nicely but not night and day thankfully...and bending is a tad easier I think. What I want to see is how long they last compared to the EXL115s, so I will try to come back in a month or two to update based on that. They are 2-3x the price of the EXL115s though, so ideally you can try to save a few bucks by buying these in 3pks or if Amazon lists any as used/like-new due to opened or damaged packaging. I'd like to give The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars right now is because I'm not yet sure they are totally worth the price...though I think how long they last will help me determine that.\n\nUpdate - 3 weeks later - I am loving these strings. Bumping up my review from 4 to 5 stars. There's something about the tone and feel that is perfect for me. At this point I am thinking I will be switching to these strings on my guitars. Hoping they will last as long as they claim. Still think the price is a smidge high but not if they last significantly longer than their standard line of strings I suppose. I will try to come back and update how long they last for me."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2017', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'When I dropped down to a 7 string from an 8 I knew i wanted to try some some different strings other than Ernie Ball. I had D’Addario strings on my acoustic and knew the tone was nice and that they were durable. fast forward about a year, I’m changing my strings over to my second set of these, never broke a single string, and the tone and tuning held up very well to my aggressive heavy metal shredding.\n\nBottom line is, you get what you pay for, I’m willing to cough up $30-60 a year for these (depending on how much I play) cause they hold up well and they sound awesome. I’ve tried a few string companies like Ernie Ball, GHS, DR, Dunlop, none compare to the tone and durability of D’Addario. I play the 11-64 gauge.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I\'ve never been much of an evangelist when it comes to strings over the 30+ years that I\'ve played electric guitar. I always used whatever was available and cheap. So when Fender sent me 10 free packs of NYXL when I bought a Telecaster back in 2014, I was just happy to have strings, regardless of what brand they were.\n\nBut I have to be honest: the NYXL strings have their own sound and feel. They are actually just a little richer in the mids and upper mids. And they feel stiffer than other strings of the same gauge. Not necessarily more tension, but a different feel when I bend them.\n\nAnd they stay "live" for substantially longer than other strings that I\'ve used. I\'m not a touring or gigging musician so my strings don\'t get abused by any means, and I usually only change strings on any given guitar about 2-3 times per year (queue facepalms from gigging guitarists, I know...). The NYXL strings sound brand new for a couple of weeks for me, and they sound "not dead" for a couple of months. After that...yeah, they\'re dead. But they\'re so dang strong, they don\'t break. So they remain on the guitar way longer than other brands.\n\nI use these 12-54 on a vintage Jazzmaster, whose strong trem spring requires such a heavy gauge. I\'ll admit that it\'s a bit of a fight, but I love it. On all of my other guitars, I use 11-52 NYXL and they\'re equally as awesome. Highly recommended that you try out a set and see for yourself.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I’m an older guy so I have quite a few guitars- since I’ve been buying for over 40 years. Suhr guitars 09-46 on their Tele style & 10-46 on the Suhr Modern.\nThey are really picky... more so than PRS, which I use 10-46, never anything lighter.\nOn Gibson’s I use 10-46, on Fenders I use 09-46, on Sheckters with sustaniacs I use 09-46. On acoustics (Martin & Alvarez) I use the same brand but the bronze 11-52.\nI really like this brand as the strings stay “chimey” longer than other strings. If you travel with your instruments, the humidity can play havoc. These strings do well going through various humidity stages. (Bring your truss rod adjustment tools ;) They cost a bit more, but last and sparkle longer. I like the 46 bottom because they don’t get “flubby.” That’s my 2 cents worth. Enjoy your guitars 🎸👍'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2016', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I got these NYXL strings for my short-scale electric guitar. They are really nice strings with fast attack and some nice mids and lots of detail. They also require very little stretching. Once on the guitar and they stay in tune very well. They are also very good for bends.\n\nThey are well made and consistent between packs. They all come in a single bag (which is supposed to be environmentally friendly). Fortunately, the ball ends are all color coded and a chart on the back specifies the thickness and order of each string. So long as you follow the color codes, installing them should be no problem. If you have a Floyd rose where you have to cut the ball ends off, I’d remove and install one string at a time and then tune them all up at the end (just to save confusion).\n\nAs well as the strings, you also get a circular NYXL sticker in every pack.\n\nConclusion\n\nA great set of strings that might require some work the first time you install them.\n\nThe only negative is that they require a little work when setting up. You can’t just switch from regular d’addario XL’s. The string tension is different and the strings oscillate a little more. You will have to intonate your guitar and move the saddles a little further back than with stock XL’s so check how much room you have to spare for the saddles. On a strat you can easily end up at the limit requiring you to either raise the action or go up a half size.\n\nConclusion\n\nBearing in mind that they cost about three times the price of standard strings and the extra work setting up they aren’t perfect. But they do sound better and last longer. I found that they are about 50% better than the cheaper strings. So I think they are worth it if you’re willing to put in the effort and don’t mind the extra cost.\n\nThese are my favorite strings for the really nice tone and longevity and stability.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2017', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Very impressed. Excellent strings. Now I understand the hype around this product. First of all, the strings are noticeably louder than other strings both playing through an amp or playing unplugged. That alone is worth their price.\n\nI got the "hybrid" set, also called light/heavy. Meaning, the bottom 3 strings are light and the top three are from a heavy set. We guitar players have been experimenting with mixing string gauges from different sets for a long time. But this is way more convenient and cost effective. For those who have not tried hybrid string sets, please do yourself a favor and try it. It is absolutely the best of both worlds because you can have a more balanced string set for both string bending/soloing and chord playing. It is not too soft or too hard, just right in the middle. An even better benefit of this hybrid set is the ability to tune down without losing too much tension - which obviously is a problem with lighter string sets.\n\nNote about hybrid sets: Depending on how your guitar nut is cut, you might have to modify it to receive the thicker bass strings. If the nut is cut for 10s, it will probably work just fine. Just make sure to use a lubricant for the strings to move freely thus reducing tuning issues. If it\'s cut specifically for for 9s you might really have to file the slots (most guitars are cut for 10s though). Not a difficult job, just need a bit of material removed. You do not want to go deep on the slots, just want to make them a bit wider. Really easy to do, can even use the new strings as "files" (like using a dental floss on the slots, just be gentle using light movements) if you do not have the right tools. But if you are insecure about it, better take the guitar to a luthier because if you remove too much nut material you can ruin your guitar\'s ability to be set up properly.\n\nI will be buying this D\'Addario NYXL strings from now on.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "If you value smooth playability and a string that stays in tune, this is the one. It definitely costs more but I would suggest anyone to watch D'Addario's website YouTube on their manufacturing process and steel selection on these strings. I honestly don't think there is anything like them on the market for electric guitars today. I use them on my G&L Commanche (Strat) where I can get LOTS of different tones and these strings really jumped to life on this guitar. The fact that they last longer than other strings justifies the cost for sure. I believe if you try them you'll love them. Hats off to D'Addario for going the extra mile and coming up with a truly new string for all of us."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I usually use Nickel Wounds...these were on sale for just a little more, figured I\'d try em out...\nNot bad...nothing wrong with them...I don\'t think (personally...feel however you want) that it\'s worth the extra money? That\'s just me...\nIf you have the money and believe these are better? Do it.\nOtherwise, stick with the nickel wound...I will only buy these if they go on sale again...\nAgain...good strings...I\'m still using them...sound good...but they\'re not like, "OH WOW! What a HUGE difference!" , ya know?\nAnyway...decide for yourself...\n"Why did you give it high stars..."\nBecause that\'s what I would have given the Nickel Wound.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "I had read that these strings made bending harder. That's not what I found.\n\nI installed first them on a Les Paul Standard. I have it set up for very low action, and I actually had to raise the bridge slightly because the A string was buzzing slightly. So if anything these have slightly less tension than the Gibson Vintage strings that they replaced. I found bending to be easier, but that might be psychological since I was expecting it to be tighter.\n\nI then installed a pair on a Telecaster. I did think that bending became slightly tighter, but it didn't impair my playing and it wasn't uncomfortable. The scale length on these 2 guitars only varies by 1/4 inch. Is that enough for me to feel a difference? I don't know. But either way, playing is very comfortable on both.\n\nThey stretched out much quicker than other strings I've used, maintaining tune with less stretching and playing than other strings.\n\nAs for the sound - I like it. It's maybe slightly less bright than the new Gibson strings, but the sound hasn't changed perceptibly over a few weeks. They still sound like they did the day I installed them."}]