After using Elixir Optiweb 10-46 stings for many years, today, after breaking the B string on my Tom Anderson Angel, I decided that it was the right time to try two other strings brands : Infeld Superalloy (made in Austria), and Ernie Ball Slinky M-Steel, both in 10-46 sets. I used my AM4 for that, and sounds from my "The Mesas" presets pack (except the Bogner Shiva clean at the beginning, which is from my "Cleans" pack). After the strings test, as from 7:30, I'm checking a few of these presets.
This isn't a review, but just some recording I made while changing the strings, and after installing the full sets. First, after breaking the B string on the TA Angel, I installed the Infeld B string only, to compare it to the old Elixir Optiweb strings - these were way more than one year old ! I also recorded a short video after installing the Infeld sixth string too, before installing the remaining strings. Then I changed the strings on my Tom Anderson "The Classic" (custom HSS Superstrat guitar, that's the one on the thumbnail).
I won't write a review here, that's not what I do usually. But I'm quite sure that I'll keep on using Elixir strings. The Infeld sound more "scooped", I'm missing the fat low mids that I like. I also feel that they lack power, maybe because of the missing low mids again. The feel is great with those strings though ! They're just not for me.
The Ernie Ball aren't going to replace my Elixir either. Again, the feel is great but I still prefer the tone of my Elixir. Now, I'll see how both sets of strings keep their tone after a few weeks.
0:00 TA Angel, Infeld vs old Elixir
0:57 TA The Classic, old Elixir
1:17 TA The Classic, EB M-Steel, cleans
2:16 TA Angel, Infeld, cleans
2:56 TA The Classic, EB M-Steel, high gain
5:32 TA Angel, Infeld, high gain
7:30 AM4 "The Mesas" presets overview
