string coming untied from ball end

[Steve A.]

I've always used Ernie Ball. I've only started to think of trying another brand because of this ongoing problem.

I've always used Ernie Ball strings but a guitarist friend switched from EB to D'Addario saying that they sound better (brighter) and last longer.

I keep a collection of all string gauges from .008 to .060 to make up custom sets for my guitars, my lap steels and my pedal steel. I like it that Ernie Ball packages each string in its own labelled envelope so that I can file away any leftover strings.

I find the best prices at Guitar String Warehouse for either price matching at GC or a direct order from them (they charge a flat $2.99 for any order.) They only stock the more common string sets but their D'Addario singles include .0095 and .0105. Leave out the spaces in their name and google it for a link to their site:

Guitar String Warehouse

Just Strings is also cool and I often order their S I T string sets for my lap and pedal steel (they have half-round strings, too .) They are also great if you need to know the specific gauges of a set over at GC or MF.

Strings, Instrument Strings, Music Strings for Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Fiddle and More

S I T also makes Power Groove, Power Steel and Power Wound strings which I guess are semi-premium... I ordered a few sets of the Power Grooves but never did install them. My bad!

Steve Ahola