Best string set for heavy trem use

For help with setups and other technical issues.

Which set is least likely to break from trem use?

D'Addario NYXLs
8
33%
Ernie Ball RPS
2
8%
Ernie Ball Paradigm
0
No votes
Fender Super Bullets
2
8%
Stringjoy
1
4%
Kalium Strings
0
No votes
Other (state in post)
11
46%
 
Total votes: 24

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loveinathens
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Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by loveinathens » Fri Nov 23, 2018 3:45 pm

Hello there!

For context, most of us know that the high E string tends to snap from the sheer tension of the tremolo design. This doesn't happen as often to some people, and could be attributed to causes like break angle, burring, or maybe pissing on a Native American burial ground when you shouldn't have. I've made peace with that, and love the trem design regardless.

What I do want to know though, is if certain string sets fare better than others against the combined tremolo-abusing fury of glide guitar or the odd surf jam.

Here are some string brands/sets I've managed to snap at the ball end through trem use alone:
  • Regular D'Addario 11s (generally my preferred string brand)
  • Regular Ernie Ball 11s (if they aren't rusted over out of the pack)
  • DR Pure Blues 11s (I like these as well)
  • Rotosound 11s
  • Black Diamound Flatwound 12s (probably my favorite set of flats, but I broke both the high E AND the G)
  • Ibanez Flatwound 11s
I've heard good things about Fender Super Bullets since they don't have the regular string ends, and are the cheapest among the options listed in the poll above. I do however want to know what my other options could be if I have a bit more scratch than usual.

Thanks, nerds!

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niksureal
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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by niksureal » Sat Nov 24, 2018 7:54 pm

i used to use daddario and have tried DR and ernie ball a handful of times over the years. i mainly play surf or shoegaze and stopped my hunt on GHS because i seemed to have the best reliability as far as tuning and strength. i have never had any persistent issues at all but since ive been using GHS i only have had to change strings when they get too dead. using 11's on full scale and 12's on short scale. i also have read kevin shields used(uses) ghs and he is the king of gliding, so theres that. haha.

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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by andy_tchp » Sat Nov 24, 2018 8:11 pm

+1, never had an issue with GHS, Nickel Rockers and Boomers.
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Danley
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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by Danley » Sat Nov 24, 2018 10:11 pm

I love EB RPS.
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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by Soggy Donkey » Sun Dec 09, 2018 3:46 am

Thomastik-Infeld Jazz BeBop Round Wound 11s. I really like how they intonate. Expensiver, but I hardly ever restring because of laziness.

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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by brucer » Sun Dec 09, 2018 10:02 am

andy_tchp wrote:
Sat Nov 24, 2018 8:11 pm
+1, never had an issue with GHS, Nickel Rockers and Boomers.
^Same. Used to go with D'Addarios or Ernie Balls, but had occasional issues with unraveling at ball end using with JM vibrato. Don't think I've ever snapped one outright. Haven't tried the others on your list.
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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by Pacreamer » Wed Dec 12, 2018 9:20 am

I love Gabriel Tenorio strings. Give them a shot.

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timtam
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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by timtam » Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:40 pm

You could email each maker and ask what their typical breaking strength is. They would know that stuff when they choose metal grades, and it's strange that it is not published more often. It might not tell you about specific weak points, or in specific setups like offset trems ... but it would still be a selling point for the better strings. I guess it's not published because there is no regulatory body that says makers have to, and we're too dumb to demand it. Just like pickup makers get away without publishing frequency response curves (in a standardardized circuit) like speaker makers do.
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soul1
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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by soul1 » Fri Dec 14, 2018 3:37 pm

I like the Elixir Nanoweb 11-49

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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by pikmin » Fri Dec 14, 2018 5:21 pm

I love D’Addario’s sound but I have the same problem with high E string breaking on my Jazzmaster and my Jaguar pretty often.

I just installed a set of Labella Bender on my Jaguar . I will see . The sound seem pretty different compared to D’Addario strings ...

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Kadenray
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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by Kadenray » Wed Dec 19, 2018 7:19 am

I used to use D'addarios and liked them the most because they didn't seem to stretch out like other strings do. I switched over to GHS Boomers though once my high E kept breaking on my Jazzmasters. Woody from Mastery gave me that tip. He said the way the strings are wrapped at the base is different from Ernieball and D'addario and that alot of Jazzmaster players in the industry have figured this out. I haven't had a high E string break on me since the switch so I've converted to GHS Boomers.

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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by Kinx » Fri Dec 21, 2018 7:57 am

I use GHS Boomers 10-52 without any issues. I am having a bit of a hard time with tension of high e string on my Jazzmaster recently (it feels much harder to bend compared to my strats or tele), so I may try replacing the .010 wih .009 though.
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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by ingcokevin » Thu Dec 27, 2018 11:15 pm

+1 for the Boomers! Had some good experiences with Rotosounds too, but I've always favored the GHS strings above all else especially when it comes to using the trem on my jag.

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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by Haustnótt » Wed Jan 02, 2019 4:32 am

Thomastisk-Infeld Jazz Swing 12–50. Sounds great, plays smooth as butter, lasts a long time. Sounds brighter and less plonky than most flatwounds. Heavy enough for a JM stock bridge, light enough for whole-tone bends.
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Re: Best string set for heavy trem use

Post by jesterpunk68 » Wed Jan 02, 2019 3:09 pm

Nels Cline uses GHS boomers 12-56 and if they are good enough for him they are good enough for me.

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