GHS Boomers & D'Addario guitar strings

[DaPhotoGuy66]

So I just strung up my Tele with new d'addario guitar strings after installing a new bone nut. The new nut made a big difference. As soon as I went to stretch the hi E string it snapped. Never had that happen with a new string. I didn't want to open a new set of the d'addarios so I grabbed a sealed set of GHS Boomers I'm had in my gear box since 2000 to grab another E string. Even though the package was still sealed, the hi E string had rust on it. They've always been kept inside and were still in a plastic sealed packaging. The d'addario strings were just as old and stored in the same box and had NO rust on them. Is this typical of GHS Boomers?

 

[DaPhotoGuy66]

Oh, another thing. If you've never worked with real bone nuts, WARNING. Those darn things can get SHARP. Cut my thumb while sanding it to fit.

 

[BahamaDada]

I can't speak for GHS, but anything else beyond Daddario (and Ernies) is a gamble for me. At least when we talk about normal strings (no Elixir-ishs).

Some of those non-Daddario brands are ok, some are rusty from the get go (even though the package was sealed in plastic). Some snap right away and some strings never lose any "stiffness".

As much as I want(ed) to get away from Daddarios (there are way cheaper Made in Germany strings for example) I have to stick with Daddario because: They just work.

 

[Eagle]

I have seen rust on new strings from every brand. It’s more about how long and where the distributor stores them. For instance this is the main issue if you use anything off the beaten track. Steinberger double ball strings mostly come with free rust.

 

[DaPhotoGuy66]

So that package of GHS Boomers could have just been a bad batch. I just didn't have the heart to open up yet another package and grab another e string so I dealt with the little tiny bit of rust spots. Finger ease sprayed on the strings and wiped down mitigates some of it. As my son just said, I'll deal with it until it bothers me enough to get another string out. Lol.

Really digging that tele for certain sounds. So different than my HH guitars.

 

[dignlivn]

I had the same problem last month.
This was with Martin silk and steel strings.
Two sets had rust on the high E string.
Bought in 24 as a lot of 5 sets.rust never sleeps

 

[Jarick]

I generally have good luck with strings, not too many bad ones. I think the only bad experience recently was with DR Pure Blues where I had a bad set with the high E unraveling.

D'addario are the most consistently good to me and Slinkies are very close behind. But right now I've got DR Tite Fit on a lot of guitars just messing around with round core strings and because they were "only" $18 for a 3-pack.

 

[itchyfingers]

I have a bulk box of D'addarios and have a monthly delivery of nickel String Theory Club strings that I really like. The String Theory sets always include an extra 0.10 string. Not sure why, other than its the most likely to snap of the set, but I rarely if ever need the second one. So now I have at least 100 x 0.10 strings in my music room.