(put on flame suit)
When I look at who tends to talk up a particular brand of 'designer PSG' string, it is often one whose name is associated with that brand -- like an owner, vendor or an endorser.
Another is one who has been (IMHO) indoctrinated (or sold a bill of goods) by someone who they respect (who may well be one of those owners vendors or endorsers)
I have no such prejudice. I have found no 'magic elixir' in any of the jag-cobra-diamond-coated -- whatever strings.
Three secrets:
1. Use a GOOD BRAND of FRESH string that is stored properly -- heat and humidity will degrade any string over time. What is a good brand? Any brand that sells well -- as Jack Stoner mentioned some of the larger mfgrs (like GHS) actually produce the strings in some of those 'designer packages'. For my money, GHS and SIT are as good as any, but I've used Rogue (subsidiary of Fender), Fender, Gibson, and many other brands. All are acceptable as long as the strings are FRESH. I like GHS and SIT because they are popular and don't sit around a store or warehouse for long.
LEARN TO THROW OLD STRINGS AWAY. Look at one you've had for several years -- run your finger down the length of it -- you are likely to find minute pits that will cause intonation problems and physical weakness and early breakage. It's not worth it to keep old strings. They aren't THAT expensive.
2. Change your strings at least once a month -- more often on the 3rd and 5th E9 strings -- and more often if you play a lot of gigs (more than a couple of nights / wk) or practice 3 or 4 hours / day. If a string sounds 'zingy' -- CHANGE IT. If you can't tune it properly or it doesn't fret accurately above the 12th fret -- CHANGE IT. Learn to HEAR what a string sounds like when it's about to break.
3. Keep your strings CLEAN. Wipe them off after playing. It's like brushing your teeth -- strings WILL ROT. I use a treated Blitz cloth, and have for years, but any clean cloth will work fine -- just get the gunk off before you tear down your guitar after a gig.
Now I'll jinx myself:
I haven't broken a string onstage in more than 5 years by ensuring that my strings are
* A GOOD, REPUTABLE BRAND
* NOT MORE THAN A MONTH OLD
I pay between $7-8 for a set of SIT Stainless 12- string universal strings. I alternate between my three guitars and usually play 3 or 4 gigs per week and rarely practice more than an hour a week.
THERE IS NO MAGIC STRING BRAND THAT WILL SOUND BETTER AND ELIMINATE STRING BREAKAGE FOR GOOD. If you raise and lower a .011 string enough times IT WILL BREAK -- regardless of the alloy or mfg technique. And, yes, FRESH Ernie Ball strings should work just fine. If you didn't know, Ernie Ball was a steel player.
This is just my opinion, but, more importantly, my EXPERIENCE of playing thousands of bar, theatre, concert, and recording gigs over almost 40 years. I used to just leave them on until they broke, then tried to get really good at changing strings onstage. Believe me, it's better to keep them clean and fresh. They sound better, tune up better, and break FAR LESS OFTEN.
