Over the years I've read countless articles and forum threads about recommendations, opinions and theories about the best strings to use.

The current issue of the Fretboard Journal (Issue #55) has an excellent cover story featuring Jim D'Addario and written by FJ publisher Jason Verlinde. Even though the description of the cover photo on page two is mislabeled, (yeah, I caught that), the story itself is impressive and told by a guy who has been immersed in string making for over 50 years. If this article doesn't add to your understanding and appreciation of the art of string making, probably nothing will. D'Addario was started in 1973, the year I graduated high school so a lot has changed in the last half century. By strange coincidence, I was using a D'Addario capo on my Forum VI yesterday that was also strung with EJ-16s before I read the article.

In closing and as a FJ subscriber, I read each issue cover to cover and #55 will be no exception. If you've never seen this magazine, give it a look. There is also a great interview in the current issue with Matt Eich, founder of Mule Resophonic Guitars. My son ordered a custom Mule for his 40th birthday five years ago and this guitar is truly a cannon that turns my Dreadnought into a rowboat.

FBJ is fantastic. Their interviews are such a great resource.

Though I currently only use Daddarios on a couple instruments, if I had to go with just one string maker for everything it would surely be them. They just do everything really competently. They are my go-to whenever I get a new instrument (like when I got into ukes this year) because I know they'll be solid.

D'Addario EJ16s are about all I've ever used for the past 20 years unless someone gives me another set.
And their capos are great.
FJ is the only music publication I subscribe to anymore.
Also check out the recent FJ podcast interview-

Podcast: Lutherie Legend Jim Olson
For episode 100 of our Luthier on Luthier podcast, Michael Bashkin shares a rare interview with legendary guitarmaker Jim Olson.

Jim should need little introduction to most of our readers. His guitars have been played and cherished by James Taylor (you can even spot the trademark headstock "O" during Taylor's appearance on the Simpsons!), Paul Simon, Phil Keaggy, Zac Brown and Patty Larkin.

Though he creates some of the most valuable flattop guitars around, his build process is all about efficiency and quality control. Jim talks about how his tooling and processes have changed over the years, how Bob Taylor talked him into his first CNC, early career challenges ("I couldn't give them away," he says about his first guitars), and about the subjective nature of a "better" guitar.

I listen to the FBJ podcast sometimes but don't subscribe to the magazine, though I'm familiar with it and am aware of the quality, etc.  Back in the day I used to love guitar magazines and would read them cover to cover, but I have to admit the smartphone ruined this for me.  I just can't seem to carve out the time or attention for reading a magazine anymore.  With a magazine you read all the articles and often learn about something new and unfamiliar, but with the phone it tends to only be tailor-made info that directly interests the reader.  I consider this a loss on my part. 

But also I'll admit that I don't know many current artists, and the older I get I'm less interested in learning about new music.  I even tried hard to fight against this tendency because it always bothered me when I was younger and I'd notice it in older people.  But apparently it can't be helped.  Most of the artists I hear featured on the FBJ podcast, or even featured in videos on their emails, I have no interest in.  They will bring on some guitar whiz playing vintage gear, or some 20-something acoustic duo, and I'm bored to tears and find that I can't relate to any of it.  The loss is probably mine, but at this point in (mid)life I'm just ok liking what I like, even if it's mostly older bands from back in the day.  I must've become that old guy that I once scoffed at. It happens.
 :wave

Regarding EJ16s... these were the strings I used on my Larrivee when I got it over 20 years ago (they were called J16s back then).  I started using lower tunings pretty early on and changed to mediums, and stayed with them till last week when I decided to try another set of EJ16s.  I was pleasantly surprised that they can handle the lower tuning, and they just feel great.  They are a great all-around set of guitar strings. 

Quote from: Silence Dogood on April 06, 2025, 08:01:49 AMI listen to the FBJ podcast sometimes but don't subscribe to the magazine, though I'm familiar with it and am aware of the quality, etc.  Back in the day I used to love guitar magazines and would read them cover to cover, but I have to admit the smartphone ruined this for me.  I just can't seem to carve out the time or attention for reading a magazine anymore.  With a magazine you read all the articles and often learn about something new and unfamiliar, but with the phone it tends to only be tailor-made info that directly interests the reader.  I consider this a loss on my part. 

But also I'll admit that I don't know many current artists, and the older I get I'm less interested in learning about new music.  I even tried hard to fight against this tendency because it always bothered me when I was younger and I'd notice it in older people.  But apparently it can't be helped.  Most of the artists I hear featured on the FBJ podcast, or even featured in videos on their emails, I have no interest in.  They will bring on some guitar whiz playing vintage gear, or some 20-something acoustic duo, and I'm bored to tears and find that I can't relate to any of it.  The loss is probably mine, but at this point in (mid)life I'm just ok liking what I like, even if it's mostly older bands from back in the day.  I must've become that old guy that I once scoffed at. It happens.
 :wave

Regarding EJ16s... these were the strings I used on my Larrivee when I got it over 20 years ago (they were called J16s back then).  I started using lower tunings pretty early on and changed to mediums, and stayed with them till last week when I decided to try another set of EJ16s.  I was pleasantly surprised that they can handle the lower tuning, and they just feel great.  They are a great all-around set of guitar strings. 

I totally agree with this post. I use D'Addario 12-53 SX strings exclusively, however. As someone who just plays the guitar, I can't say I am really impressed by most of the rising young stars. There are some exceptions in the classical guitar field where I find the standard of playing higher.