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Your cart is empty.Kyle
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2025
I didn't have the best experience with these strings.First, they are not particularly bright, either in appearance or tone. Even the plain strings don't shine like any other new strings I've used. The wound strings play and sound like strings that need to be changed. The plain strings don't have the slick smoothness that you expect from a new set of strings.I could pardon those flaws, given their inexpensive nature; however, I had other problems. When I installed a set on a guitar with locking tuners, the wound strings came apart at the tuning post. The winding stayed clamped in the tuner, but the core of the string slipped out. I have changed hundreds of sets of strings on guitars with locking tuners and I have never ever had that happen before.Your experience may vary, and maybe the sets I received were from a bad lot, but based on my experience, I cannot recommend them.
Jay HQ
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2025
The SPOCK SE12 Electric Guitar Strings (009–042 gauge) are a decent budget option if you’re experimenting with lighter strings or need an affordable backup set. At around $10 for two packs with a 10% coupon, the price is reasonable. However, when compared to trusted/premium brands like DR, Ernie Ball, or D’Addario—which usually cost $6–8 per pack and consistently deliver a superior tone/more durability—these strings just don’t measure up.In terms of performance, these strings are fine for lighter styles like jazz, pop, or soft rock. I strung them on one of my Ibanez RGs, and while they were playable, they didn’t give me that crisp, punchy tone I expect from a fresh set of high-quality strings. There were also some minor intonation issues during bends, which may not bother beginners but could be a problem for players who expect more precision. Overall, they do the job, but they don’t bring anything special to the table.The packaging has its highs and lows. The skeleton graphic on the cover is cool and gives the set some personality. But let’s break it down: the “cover” is just a small folded piece of paper with the design printed on it, surrounded by a plastic sleeve. It looks fun but feels cheap. However, I’ll give credit where it’s due—the strings themselves are individually bagged and labeled, which makes restringing easier and adds some convenience. Honestly, that detail is what bumped my rating up to a generous four stars. Without it, this would have been a three-star review.Now, the back of the package is where things take a strange turn. Instead of highlighting the string materials, tone, or durability, there’s a guide on when to change your strings—and it’s pretty ridiculous. It suggests replacing strings every month if you play just one hour a week. Let’s be real: at that rate, a decent set of strings should last at least six months, if not longer. Seeing this makes me question the durability of these strings and whether they’re trying to compensate for potential weaknesses. Instead of giving questionable advice, they would’ve been better off focusing on what these strings actually bring to the table.All things considered, the SPOCK SE12 strings are functional and affordable. They’re fine for beginners, casual players, or anyone looking for a cheap backup set. The design is fun, and the individually bagged strings show some effort, but the overall quality isn’t on the same level as trusted brands like DR, Ernie Ball, or D’Addario.I’m giving these four stars—not because they’re amazing, but because they’re good enough for the price, and the individual packaging is a nice touch. If you’re on a budget or experimenting with lighter gauges, they’re worth a try. Just don’t expect them to replace your go-to strings or blow you away with performance.
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