Daddario EXL110-10P

I've used D'Addario XL strings for many years now. I've tried other brands, but keep coming back to these. They suit me, and for me, they last a long time.

My only moan is that I've now had quite a few 0.010"s E strings unwrap at the ball end, which is something D'Addario need to look into remedying. But I've also had the same thing happen on Ernie Ball strings as well. It may simply be an occasional batch production problem, but when you buy a pack of 10 that have come from the same batch, and at least 50% of the E strings come undone, it is rather frustrating.

I've now taken to soldering the wraps on my high Es, which cures the problem, but it is a bit of a pain to keep doing each time.

I've been using these strings for many years and for me they just work. They are nice and bright and last a long time. I have no issues with tuning stability or feel, generally I'm happy with them and I feel they are good value for money. My sweat is fairly corrosive as evidenced by the state of the my guitar hardware but the strings fare reasonably well, they are a consumable after all. The only issue I have had is that on a guitar with a Kahler trem they used to sometimes break at the balll end twist but now I just slip a small piece of heat shrink tube (previously I used to wrap them with cotton thread) after soldering over the twist and they are then fine. This is a common issue with this type of trem though and the solder trick is often used on 'tremolo' strings anyway. On other trem systems I don't have any issues. I use other gauges of D'Addario strings on baritone and bass guitars with similar, positive results. Definitely worth trying a set of these if you haven't already and if you do use them then it is worth considering buying a multipack like this for the attractive price per set. Also worth mentioning is the environmentally friendly packaging, rock on in a right on way, eh?

I've been playing guitar for over 30 years now and whilst my first ever pack of strings was a set of D'Addario, I tried other brands over the years, but always came back to D'Addario.

I like the colour-coded ball end - it adds some funkiness to the bridge (or on the tuners on my guitar with Floyd Rose as I string the ball end first). Also, the coloured ball ends makes it easier for beginners to identify which string goes where.

The anti-corrosion packaging is a great feature, especially if you usually have a couple of 10-pack boxes that may time some time to get through.

The durability and tone retention is fine - if I play daily or do a couple of prac sessions plus a gig, I would have to replace them after 3-4 playing sessions, however if playing 2-3 times/week then I can keep them up to 6-8 weeks as long as the strings are cleaned with a cloth after each play.

The only time I every break strings is when re-stringing and pulling on the higher strings whilst tuning, but that's just my superhuman strength pushing them beyond their physical limit.

Don't really have anything negative to say about D'Addario strings - even the price tag is good!

Daddarios EXL110 are the best cost benefit in the market.
Packaging: They come freshly sealed agains corrosion from the factory in a plastic bag so no matter how long you take to open them, they will be there, intact. Other brands put their strings in some paper envelopes and if you take too long to use them, you?re gonna have a big surprise!
For beginners: They are very easy to assemble because the ball ends are identified by colours so it?s impossible to put a string in the wrong saddle/tuner.
Quality: They sound as it should, specially for metal, not so bright and not so dull. The durability is like any other string in the market made of nickel. Most people that complains about corrosion never cleans their fretboards or wash their hands before playing so it?s not a string fault.
For practising or lessons situation, they will become very dull in about 3-4 weeks but who wants a string in their guitar longer than that? It?s better changing your strings with more frequency because the moisture from your hands stick to the fretboard, pass to the strings, cause corrosion and start to sand your frets making them unlevelled.
Of course, for recording, if you play some style of music that requires brighter strings and with higher output, go for another model or brand but think in your pocket since you have to change your strings daily on a studio and on every gig.
Durability: They never broke in my hands, even playing death metal and abusing the floyd rose.

Use
I tried differend brand of strings over the years, but can`t beat these for price / performance. While ago I liked DR Pure Blues, but they are too expensive if you play regulary and change strings often.

I use these on all of my 3 electrics, Fender MIM Strat, Squire Classic Vibe Telecaster and Schecter C1 Exotic Star.

Clarity
They are on the bright side, but sounds great. Even accoustically.

pros & cons
Pros: Great product for the price.
Cons: none, if you change your strings, when they start to sound dead.
For me, I can stretch 1 set for about 3 weeks, playing 2h a day.

A few weeks ago, I had a string break which hasn't happened in a while though I knew I was pounding my set of strings hard; day in, day out I have been practicing and playing with a few buddies though my set of Ernie Ball hybrids (orange pack) took the beating well.

After which, I decided to try another brand of string and since I have ordered the D'Addario I found my strings.

Once I put on that new set though, my guitar was SET! They have a different feel to them compared to Ernie Ball strings though I actually found them incredibly easier to play. The strings actually felt like they were ready to play right out of the pack and hardly needed any sort of stretching. They are a tad bright though at the same time have a VERY balanced tone which I liked. With Ernie Ball sets, a difference in gauge can be a difference in tone though the reason for buying hybrid sets (9s on the top, 10s on the bottom) was to accomodate my lead playing with the rhythm. Though with these D'addario strings, I felt like I didn't even need any custom gauges or hybrid sets.

I can't deny that my guitar setup didn't help though considering I adjusted neck relief and action again which helped tremendously though the tone of these strings has been consistent for close to a month now and I've been playing EVERY day for at least 2 hours.