Any good roundwounds?

[Waspinators]

I need a set of roundwounds with a bright, punchy sound, that don't make a lot of fret noise, don't chew up the frets, don't break too easily, and retain their brightness for a long time. Am I making a hopeless wish here or do these exist?

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

I'd suggest D'Addario EXL 160 or 170's .45-.100 gauge.

[TrevorOfDoom]

i'm in love with Sadowsky Bright Nickels.

nickels are warmer and don't eat frets the way that stainless does. and Sadowsky Bright Nickels are, like the package says, brighter than regular nickels.

[Waspinators]

Hmm, aren't those notorious around TB for lasting a short time?

[TrevorOfDoom]

Originally Posted by Waspinators

Hmm, aren't those notorious around TB for lasting a short time?

which ones? the D'Addarios, or the Sadowskys?

just wash your hands before you play, and any string set will last a long time.

[alexofc69]

Originally Posted by Waspinators

I need a set of roundwounds with a bright, punchy sound, that don't make a lot of fret noise, don't chew up the frets, don't break too easily, and retain their brightness for a long time. Am I making a hopeless wish here or do these exist?

I use DR Hi-Beams and Lo-Riders. They dont eat frets, little fret noise and are bright. They last a good amount of time.

If you want no fret noise and long lasting I say Elixers.

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

I've personally never had an issue with the d'addario's. Had a set on my Gibson SG for ages, they lasted me a few years before I moved out of state for college. My dad replaced them with something else last time since he wore them out while I was away (he started playing bass in bands again and was using my SG until he got his SG reissue). I fully intend on putting a new set of exl170's on the eb-0 next time I go home, as I didn't like the strings that my dad replaced the d'addario's with...

[Waspinators]

Hmm, I'm becoming interested in the EXL170s. Could they work for thrash metal?

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

Hmm... good question. They have a brighter, more mellow tone overall.... at least on my '65 sg shortscale. I play the .45-.100 gauge exclusively, and thrash metal isn't a style that I play. I was going to order a double pack from musician's friend, but they're sold out right now. Otherwise I'd have my yamaha rbx-374 strung with them, and be able to give some insight. Perhaps another tb'er uses the exl170's and plays thrash?

As far as what was stated above in regards to washing your hands... it's true. Not only does it help keep strings longer by removing dead skin and harmful oils, and chemical residue... but it also helps protect the finish on your instrument. Wiping strings down with a dry cloth also helps to remove sweat and oils that your fingers leave behind after you've finished playing. I've seen soaking and/or wiping strings down with lemon oil as a way to clean the strings and keep them sounding good... but I'm a bit skeptical of any methods like that.

[glwanabe]

Originally Posted by Waspinators

Hmm, I'm becoming interested in the EXL170s. Could they work for thrash metal?

If there is a string made that can make thrash metal sound good, it is a miracle!

[Waspinators]

Nevermind, I just read that Tom Araya uses them. I think I'm sold.

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

It shouldn't matter what an artist you like uses. It's always personal preference. Just pick up a set and try them out firsthand. They're actually pretty cheap with an average price around $19 for a 4 string set or less. Think musician's friend sells single 4-string packs around $15, they're sold out of the twinpacks right now (around $27 for a twinpack).

As always with any string, it's the feel, sound, and weartime you get out of strings that matters. The best strings in the world won't do any good if they aren't comfortable to play, or if they wear out in a month.

Also, d'addario's website lists artists who use their strings... I don't think that they list what strings the artist uses specifically. I could be wrong, as it's been a while since I went to their site.

I will vouch that they get good tone, and are affordable. Differences in care, playing, and manufacturing determine how long strings last. In my own example I take great care with my strings, and I'm not abusing them, they lasted quite a while... of note, I also use normal long scale strings on my shortscale and just trim them down... not sure if that affected how long they lasted, etc...

[UBU]

No one has said it yet?! Well, allow me...Try a set of DR sunbeams, sounds like it'll do the trick for ya.

[Phalex]

Look into B-52's. They're about as bright as stainless, but much nicer to your frets.