D'Addario EXL130 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, Extra-Super Light, 8-38

I bought these as an experiment: I usually use D'Addario .009 or .010 sets, depending on the instrument. Very light indeed on a 25.5" (Strat/Tele) scale guitar tuned to standard pitch. I would regard these as almost unplayably light on a 24.75" scale (Gibson). For me, the bass strings in particular are simply too light: you need a very light touch to avoid bending these strings out of tune as you fret them. Great for very low action, big bends and single notes on the treble strings: not so wonderful for rhythm. The lack of volume and 'weight' from the wound strings is immediately obvious. These might be a better choice for instruments with active pickups, low frets and flatter radius fingerboards, and for players who are more concerned with sheer speed than quality of tone. Might be useful for a player with tendinitis or related hand problems, looking for low tension. Otherwise, the usual sterling D'Addario quality: they last well and hold tune after stretching in. D'Addarios are consistently the best strings I have used without paying silly money.

They feel great, they sound great…nuff said.

I tend to use this brand for all my guitars because they last well, sound good and are great value. The extra lights are quite scary at first because they seem so flimsy (especially after a few hours of playing a base), but you can bend them to death and it forces to play gently and accurately to get a clear sound.

I've had a bit of bad luck with the first order I had. The bottom E (not the top E in case you wondered this was a typo) snapped upon restringing my guitar.. This has never happened before on any string of any gauge, so was obviously a shock and can only presume it was defective. I took a gamble and ordered another set and thankfully this time all was fine. They sound nice and bright, have a good amount of flexibility and am glad that I made the change to these strings.

perfect for job

As a long running fan of D'Adarrio I bought these for the kids' guitar. Add a light gauge string they definitely feel easy to play. In my old hands they do feel a little fragile so the jury is out on longevity, but all in all they're an easy to play string.

I have been using D'Addario strings for over 20 years they sound better and last longer than any other string I have tried. I must say I also received them in record time. Well pleased. Brendan

"Good strings."