TL;DR - These strings are awesome for heavy playing: Amazing Tone with Stable Longevity, Staying in Tune, and just Not Breaking for many shows.
I've waited years to write this, because on my first two sets, I had almost immediate breakage on at least one string - however, I was able to get a couple sets before they were available to all the public, and my later experience as not the same, but I wanted to be sure before posting a review.
Some background...
I'm a heavy handed Gibson (endorsed) player, playing rock music akin to The Who or QOTSA - I usually wear down a 60mm pick to unusable in a couple sets. I've played hundreds of shows in the past five years, and D'addario EXL110 was what I used forever, because that's what my Luthier always put on after a setup, so I figured they were the best choice. But with the D'addario's I was almost always out of tune on multiple strings by the end of a song - so tuning between songs was always a mood killer, banter and jokes required to fill the gap in music. Worse, I was breaking 2-3 strings a set - in random fashion, not always the high E or B string - the D string maybe the highest break rate. I always had to have a backup guitar, and someone to change the broken string so it would be ready when I broke the next string. At times, I had to borrow a guitar while multiple strings were being worked on. I constantly wiped down the strings after each time playing and always stored the guitars out of the air asap. I tried many different string treatments, but nothing really mattered.
I tried the new NYXL, but for me they still had short and unpredictable lives, and the tone would change rapidly, I never knew what to expect.
As stated earlier, I was able to get in on the early batch of Paradigm strings (I use the 10-46) and though I did have some almost immediate breakage (within a few hours of playing) on those pre release sets, the replacements and others lasted what was, for me, amazingly long times. Weeks-long, and when I switch over completely to the Paradigms, I ended up actually changing strings (all of them at once) before they broke, something I hadn't done in years, unless popping on new strings for studio work.
The Paradigms were a life changer for me. Not have strings break mid-set anymore is a pure godsend. I almost never use the backup guitar anymore because of a broken string.
And there is a super bonus for me - THEY STAY IN TUNE for the entire set.
And there there is the TONE.
My experience is that the "brand new" tone takes a few hours to calm down and then the (very excellent) tone stays stable for weeks. For me, tone-wise, these blow away the former D'addario strings. In the studio, I had some extra D'addario sets left over, so I strung up a guitar and it sounded like a toy compared to another with the Paradigms. To be sure, I restrung with Paradigms, and it was full rich tone immediately.
For years, I thought I had bad guitar tuner hardware causing the strings to go out of tune. But apparently it was the strings themselves.
If I had anything bad to say, it would be that I don't love the "brand new" sound, so I don't like to play live until I've had a chance to work the strings for a few hours. But that new sound is still far better than what I was used to, just not the great sound that happens after broken in.
Also in the maybe bad department is that I am still worried about the strings breaking when new even though it hasn't been the case in years. Usually when I put on a brand new set of strings, it's because I have studio or a big show that is being recorded or something, when I least want a string to break. That said, since I have to play until the "brand new" string sound goes away - when I have done that, I am confident that I have gone past that point where a bad string would have broken.
I've seen reviews in which the tone was unsatisfactory for the player, and I suspect that it is a matter of how heavy handed a guitarist you are. If you never wear out picks, I think it might not be the right type of string tone for you. For me, I haven't found other strings that come close to the richness and pureness of these strings.
I realize that everyone is different. I know some lighter touch (usually Fender style) players that are jaw-droppingly good, that have real emotional power to their playing who swear by D'addario's and won't break a string in years of playing. But that was clearly not my case.
Do they still break on stage for me? Yes, but it's very rare and probably I should have changed the strings by then.
To sum up, for my style, Paradigms changed my music life. I just feel super fortunate that these exist. I recommend them constantly to other players - especially when I see them break a string on stage. The Tone and Tuning stability alone would have justified switching over for me, but what I really needed - and didn't really expect to find - were strings that could taking a regular beating and not break. These do that. Just awesome.
(Note: These were bought as a gift by me - the review is from the person I buy them for)
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Paradigm Electric Guitar Strings Amazon Exclusive 2 Pack 10-46 (P03621)
4.7 | 3,203 ratings
Price: 24.99
Last update: 08-15-2024
About this item
Ernie Ball's state-of-the-art wire drawing process combined with patented RPS (reinforced plain string) technology dramatically increases tensile strength
Plasma enhanced wrap wire provides improved corrosion resistance
Ernie Ball's patented Everlast nanotreatment repels sweat and build up
Amazon Exclusive: includes 2 clear-wrapped sets.
No flaking or difference in feel from traditional strings
Plasma enhanced wrap wire provides improved corrosion resistance
Ernie Ball's patented Everlast nanotreatment repels sweat and build up
Amazon Exclusive: includes 2 clear-wrapped sets.
No flaking or difference in feel from traditional strings
Product information
| Item Weight | 2.82 ounces |
|---|---|
| Package Dimensions | 4.65 x 4.65 x 1.54 inches |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| ASIN | B0CGJN4FGT |
| Item model number | P03621 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars
3,203 ratings
4.7 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #580 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #15 in Electric Guitar Strings |
| Date First Available | October 26, 2023 |
| Color Name | Regular (10-46) |
| String Gauge | 10-46 |
| String Material | Nickel-Plated |
| Size | 2-Pack |
Top reviews from the United States
Shawn
Just awesome. If you play hard and break strings, these may change your life.
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2019
Brian watson
Best strings I've used
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2024J war
Late as usual Amazon, great job DM3
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2024Rob
Killer Tone
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024Zachary Taylor
Not your standard Slinkys, but still great (if you like coated strings)
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2023Amber Vadala
Worship guitar player
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2024LWKeeping
Best. Strings. Period.
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2023
LWKeeping
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2023
Since then, I've experimented with various other string brands, all of which claimed to last longer but ultimately fell short in some way. I was hesitant to try the Paradigm strings, given my previous experiences. Now, I'm not typically sentimental, but just opening the package with the prominent "Ernie Ball" logo on it brought back memories of my older brother teaching me how to change my strings. It also reminded me of the sense of achievement I felt when I could do it on my own without his assistance.
I've purchased three sets of the Paradigm strings so far, and I plan to eventually buy several more for the rest of my arsenal. Even if they don't last as long as Elixir's (although I'm confident they will), my loyalty to Ernie Ball has been rekindled because the memories associated with them are priceless.
Images in this review
Dean L
Strings
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2024