Daddario NYXL1052

I had been playing with normal strings (sometimes Martin strings, sometimes D'Addarios, sometimes whatever was available at the local shops) for well over a year, and started to notice that my strings just oxidated super quickly, and I needed to replace them ridiculously soon, and I hated it, because it costs a lot of money in the long run, and is annoying and time-consuming to replace each time. I play an awful lot each day, and I think my sweat from my fingers is super aggressive or something.

Anyways, I changed to NYXLs once, and I will never ever go back! They've changed my life for the better!

Now I can leave them on for 2-3 months without them needing to be replaced because they are corroded or something. I can play all kinds of styles on it, without them ever breaking, rusting, or anything alike. Heavy picking attacks (even on the high E string (trying to play fast, or chugging and riffing wildly)) don't bother them, slapping like a lunatic (because it's trendy lol) on them either, and downtuning 1 1/2 steps and then bending the strings like a maniac (1 1/2 steps or even 2 steps at times) are not a problem at all. What a fantastic product!

Buy it once, and be glad for the rest of your lifetime that you made that decision! Seriously, it's so good! (in my opinion though)

I have been using Ernie Ball strings exclusively for 20 years, and the past 2 years I've become an addict of the "cobalt" strings.
Unfortunately, Thomann don't sell the 10-52's anymore which is the gauge I use the most so I had to look for another brand.
Since D'addario's have a very good reputation and are widely used by many guitarists I thought I should give a shot at trying them.
Unsurprisingly the quality is very good, you can definitely feel these are top quality strings and not cheap ones.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the sound, I was quite disappointed.
Not that they sound bad or anything, but I really like my strings to sound bright and cutting (used to Ernie Ball cobalts), and the D'addarios sound much warmer and mellower. It might be great for some people, but it's really too mellow for me especially for a brand new set of strings, I didn't get that "sparkle" I was expecting.

I bought a set of these strings to try tame the tuning on my Ibanez RG 2550z GK (late 2009 model). It has the typical Ibanez RG appointments. Double locking whammy with the Z system, this has a thumb adjuster on the back instead of needing a screwdriver to adjust a clay like in a standard Floyd Rose or a Fender style whammy.

After looking around at different strings I thought these looked impressive. Promotional material showed the strings preforming well during "exterme" playing, whammy bar dives, big bends and so on.

Overall the strings are good. They are a standard 10 - 52. I found my Ibanez stayed in tune a little better compared to other strings I had tried. One issue I did have was that the strings do not feel as "slick" under my fingers. This is a personal thing, some people, me included, prefer super slick feeling strings.

These strings are fairly expensive, you could buy 2 sets of a competitors strings for the same money. It all comes down to what your budget is and ow often you need to change them. Are they worth the money? My answer is possibly, you have to try for yourself. I've never seen one break, which is impressive.

The guitar strings are the first strings I played after I switched from DR Strings (after 13 years)..

They sound way clearer and brighter, punchier. They just make the guitar sound less dull.

I mostly play Drop A on a 7 String and use those strings, I play hard and normal guitar strings (ernie ball etc) ripped very frequently.. This stopped with DR and now continues with D'Addario!

The sound lasts way longer than the DR's too.

Give them a try if you enjoy heavy sounds but like to keep it clear.

I play a Shecter KM-7 MK III in Drop A or G# tuning (Periphery, Merrow, Conquering Dystopia but also stuff like Carcass, Entombed and similar)

I was a lifelong Ernie Ball player and I thought nothing could convince me otherwise. I wasn't in love with their lack of longevity but the sound was what won me over all those years.

After trying NYXL strings, the old Slinkies got a swift farewell.

NYXL last longer, sound better and stretch incredibly fast, which is important if you change strings a lot (or in a hurry, like me). I've since switched all my strings to NYXL.

The only gripe I have with D'Addario strings is the packaging - I get they're trying to be eco friendly, I get it's probably easier to manufacture and pack, but getting all the strings in one pack and then having to look at ball end colors is annoying. But I'll happily put up with that rather than a dull sound after two gigs and constantly breaking strings.