After a batch of D'Addarios that were badly made and the twist on one of the plain strings would come undone, I returned to Rotosounds. They give you a spare top string. Currently using 9s on the Strats and the V, 10s on the Swinger IIRC.
I'm using Elixir 12-52s with a wound 3rd and I've got to admit theyre really really nice. I'm just a bit worried I'm going to break the wound G, as I always tend to break Elixirs and I haven't had the strings on that long
The only way to stop these breaking is not to play the guitar you’ve put them on
i've had the complete opposite experience. i find ernie balls to be extremely hard wearing and they never break on me, and i'm a heavy handed player (i get one rehearsal's worth out of a green dunlop pick before it's blunt, for example).
had nothing but bother with d'addarios and i tried some fancy kurt mangan ones recently and they were complete toss.
Yeah, I don't get that either. D'Addarios are the best I've used, although I have been using them for years now so there may be something better out there. Earnie Balls would just turn black after two days or summat with me. Shit and shite. But I suppose if it works for you then it does. I can confirm that Stewart strums like he's beating his girlfriend. I myself have a gentle touch, much like when I'm strumming Stewart's girlfriend.
