I will go straight - I will not use those strings for live gigs or studio recordings - I simply prefer the more rough sound of standard EXLs. So I thought.
After few months of using NYXLs I am slowly changing my mind.
What I was initially missing - the expression coming from more rough metal XLs is actually beaten by the stability and liveliness of NYXLs.
Don't get me wrong. I am 53. I am an old rocker. I love my lousy funk/bluesy/rock playing. And I always needed very expressively sounding strings. But in the past I was also using real amps, damn heavy Marshalls.
Nowadays I am playing mostly using plugins. I am in love with the Nueral-something-company. And that in turn slightly changes the way of playing. Recently I also dropped my old Ibanez guitars equipped with SuperDistortion at the bridge, and replaced them by custom guitars with PAF 36th Anniversary at the bridge (staying with SC in the middle and jazzy HB in the neck position).
So, that combination of guitar/nice plugin/NYXLs is simply killing now.
Why those string you will ask?
Here you go (at least in my case):
- Beautiful warm voicing
- Durability (God, I am really abusing those strings with bends and tremolo actions)
- Very even sound during very long period of time. On one guitar I have them already over three months! I am using that guitar only at home. If you are in studio, change your strings every day/session. But for practicing at home, or with band - NYXLs after that period of time are still sounding well, and - still allowing me to tune the guitar correctly (try that with any other strings).
- Nice warm sound. I've got needed impression from my fingers, can produce any harmonics I need, but now I have this amazingly warm tone (even on highly distorted tones). I simply love it!
- Dynamics and expression - those strings are following your fingers.
Reassuming -
Shall I be in studio, I will use NYXLs definitely. I will just change them every day or session. There is always that magic in sound of new strings.
Shall I be at home - I am using NYXLs everyday. On one guitar already over 3 (three) months. They still sound well and keep the tune.
Those are brilliant strings for people who just practice at home, but also brilliant strings for professionals recording in studio, or those who play live. They seem to be very durable and withstanding ultra bending and killing tremolo use.
Despite the higher price - it is clear recommendation to use NYXLs.
