Adamas 1717NU

I compared them to uncoated D'Addario 10/47's that I fitted on a guitar only a few days before, because they are de facto the standard. Both sets have the same freshness and scale length, so the comparo is fair. The Adamas set has a slightly more metallic tone, but not cold, and its harmonics at the 5th, 7th and 12th frets are somewhat less loud and a tiny bit less chimey, and that might be due to the coating.

Both sets have the same feel when fretting the notes, and when doing bends. I did four or five bends on each strings, and the tuning was just as stable with both brands. The loudness and feel of hammer-ons is the same.

Scratch noise is lesser with the 1717NU set, the competitor is a little rougher in that regard, but only by a very small amount.

So, overall, the D'Addario confirm their reputation for a warm sound, but they do lose some crispness in the long run. The Adamas should retain it for a longer time, I will post an edit in a few months or weeks when the two sets are worn a bit. First impression is very good, D'Addario is better by a small margin when brand-new, but Adamas should keep its perfomance over a more extended time. We'll see.

Edit: After a couple months, playing both sets several times each week, the Adamas retain a surprising level of clarity, aesthetic freshness, and authoritative sound. The D'Addario uncoated set went a little less loud by a very small margin, but kept its warmth of course. Despite the somewhat more metallic (albeit not cold) tone, the Adamas makes a stunning impression on me. They do keep a very comfortable amount of the quality of the brand-new shimmer. So, which is better? None. Uncoated D'Addario if you insist on warmth, and Adamas for the edge in durability.

At nearly the same time I did this comparo, I acquired a jumbo Harley Benton with coated Adamas 12-53 strings (that I tune down a half-step), and that set too, kept a surprising and delightful share of its brand-new tone.

Es ist eigentlich nicht möglich, einen klang bzw. eine klangvorstellung in worte zu fassen; gerade bei saiten spielen der persönliche geschmack, das jeweilige instrument, die individuelle spielweise, die musikalische richtung etc. etc. eine rolle. Jede bewertung ist und bleibt extrem persönlich. Soviel vorweg.

Nachdem Adamas vor etlichen jahren die produktion eines 11-gauge satzes eingestellt hatte, mit dem ich sehr gut zurecht gekommen war, stieg ich nach langem probieren auf etwa gleich starke saiten von Dr. Thomastik um.

Nun gehören diese nicht gerade zum unteren preisbereich, und als Adamas mit diesen neuen saiten bei Thomann auftauchte, dachte ich mir: probierste doch mal. Aber bei diesem einen mal werde ich es bewenden lassen: Die saiten klingen merkwürdig "drahtig", sind nicht gut in der ansprache, und trotz der relativ geringen stärke (wie gesagt: 11-er gauge) unangenehm hart.

Ich werde trotz des etwas höheren preises reumütig zu Dr. Thomastik zurückkehren.