@ kurt_morello
re: olympia strings
1. HQE - nickel wound@195
2. other- NPS/nickel plated steel wound@145
from the net:
http://www.newstrings.co.uk/guitar_string_tips.htmlNICKEL PLATED versus NICKEL. Most electric guitar strings are nickel plated steel on a round steel core. Pure nickel wound strings went out of fashion about 35 years ago when nickel plated strings were introduced on a volume basis. Nickel plated give a brighter and warmer sound than pure nickel and they provide enhanced sustain. Nickel plated strings have outstanding magnetic properties.
since i have used both, and are installed on a mahogany+mapletop guitars, all elements to tone being equal except for the pups i guess, my ears are telling me "small difference" as to tone. it's more like the HQE is much smoother to the fretting fingers than the latter, but tone-wise is not bigga-deal IMHO. others may find it otherwise.
as to string life, both are not rusting yet, with the HQE installed 2 weeks apart from the other. if you have budget to buy the HQE then go for it, if not, then the nickel plated steel wound will do, obtw, the Ernie Ball Slinkys, D'Addario EXLs, GHS Boomers, Fender 3250 Super Bullets and Newstrings Sonic Power are all examples of NPS (nickel plated strings).
its a VIPER CUSTOM btw!
