Best Electric Guitar Strings

By: The Gear Dude |  Date: 23rd May 2020

Which guitar strings should I buy? Guitar strings like many of the best things in life do not last forever. In fact, to keep your instrument playing in tune and sounding the best they will need to be changed regularly. It's arguable but I’m not sure there is a better feeling than the first chord on a new set of strings. Tonally it is when the guitars you love sound the best. I am of the opinion that old and dead strings and even sub-par strings will hinder you as a player. As the strings you play are a tool of musical expression they should be at their best as much as possible.

Now here is the tricky question, which guitar strings are right for you? Guitar strings come not only in different sizes, but every manufacturer uses a different blend of metals to create their product. Some even come with a protective coating on them to extend their life. You will find that there is no right or wrong as to which strings you may end up preferring. In this article I will discuss what I believe are some of the best choices available to you today.

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky

Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
Odds are your favorite player at one time, or another has used Ernie Ball Super Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, as well as the person who taught them how to play, and all of their friends. These strings have a bright clarity and sturdy midrange and have a feel to them that’s not found anywhere else. Part of the feel of the slinky strings is that they are very low noise. Ernie Ball Slinky strings come in just about every gauge and configuration you could imagine, there’s something for everyone!

Pros
Great value
Widely available
Slinky feel and tone

Cons
Not long lasting
Feel not for everyone  


Image

Ernie Ball Paradigm Regular Slinky

Nickel Plated Steel Electric Guitar Strings
The aim Ernie Ball had in mind for the Paradigm Electric Guitar Strings was to create a product that truly can last. So much so that they have a 90-day guarantee against breakage or rust. Should this happen they will replace them free of charge. This is made possible by a high strength steel core, reinforced ball and plasma enhanced wrap wire. If you are an aggressive player and want strings that you can depend on look no further.

Pros
Ultra-Tough
90-day replacement
Harmonically rich

Cons
Std. Slinkys better value
Expensive


Image

Ernie Ball Cobalt Regular Slinky

Iron/Cobalt Alloy Electric Guitar Strings
Ernie Ball has reinvented their Slinky string by adding a new wrap material, enter the Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Cobalt Electric Guitar Strings. These retain the feel and style of the Regular slinky strings but by adding a new metal to the wrap they have created a string which has a stronger magnetic response to electric pickups giving a higher output, booster clarity and more harmonic response. In addition, they have a softer feel compared to traditional Slinkys.

Pros
Enhanced output
Bright
Soft Feel

Cons
Expensive
No more durable


Image

D’Addario EXL

Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
In the world of value strings, the D’Addario EXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings stands out as one of the best sets. So many others sound great when you put them on but after a few days will lose their clarity and brightness. These strings are very long lasting and land right back in tune even after the biggest blues bends. How great are these strings? Well, Eric Clapton switched from Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys to the D’Addario EXL so it has to be good. These nickel wound strings have become the industry standard for guitar strings, and you owe it yourself to try them at least once.

Pros
Great Feel
Stay in tune
Many Gauges available

Cons
NONE


Image

D’Addario EXL Balanced Tension

Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
How can the industry standard of guitar strings be improved? They’re already so good that nearly everyone plays them, right??? D’Addario has set out to reinvent themselves by trying new gauges of strings, enter balanced tension. By experimenting with different gauges they have been able to create the D’Addario EXLBT, Balanced Tension Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, which have mathematically equalized resistance giving you a similar feel as you move from string to string.

Pros
Consistent tension 
Green packaging
Long life

Cons
NONE


Image

D’Addario NYXL

Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
Nickel wrapped steel strings have been finally reinvented. Enter the D’Addario NYXL electric guitar strings. The manufacturer says that they will “bend farther, sing louder, and stay in tune better than any string you’ve played before” and let’s be honest, can you ask for anything more? They have a high carbon steel core which enhances the frequency response as well as giving the durability boost needed to give these the length and tuning stability they are known for.

Pros
Bright and responsive
Smooth feel
Great tuning stability

Cons
Expensive


Image

D’Addario XT

Nickel Plated Steel Electric Guitar Strings
Aiming to reinvent the market of coated strings, D’addario has introduced the XT Nickel Plated Steel guitar string series. Unlike traditional coated strings the D’addario XT uses a hydrophobic nano coating on both the wrap and the core wire before they are both made into the string. In addition, the strings core treatment is designed to repel moisture from the entire length of the string. Being that these are made in the same manner as a traditional string they retain all the traditional characteristics that you would expect. In addition, the steel they use to make these is the same featured on the popular NYXL series.

Pros
Enhanced durability
Extended string life
Very stable tuning

Cons
Expensive
Feel not for everyone


Image

Elixir Optiweb

Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
The era of coated guitar strings began in the 90’s when Elixir entered the market. They have refined and enhanced their product ever since which now brings us to the Elixir Optiweb Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings. The current version of the original coated guitar string has a very natural feel, some players say they don’t feel the coating at all. These nickel-plated strings have coating not only in the core but also on the wraps to ensure maximum defense from corrosion.

Pros
Ultra-thin coating
Great high-end

Cons
Expensive


Image

GHS Boomers

Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
One of the commonly seen sets of strings at a cheaper price are the GHS Boomers Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings. Don’t let the low price tag steer you away though, these have been a player favorite for decades. These are a traditional uncoated, round wound, nickel plated steel string with a round core that you can usually find at a great price. These strings are great for any kind of music and are absolutely worth trying on your instrument.

Pros
Great Value
Natural Feel

Cons
Short life
Feel not for everyone


Image

Fender Original Bullets

Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings
Fender has always been known for innovation in guitars and amplifiers, but they have a unique string design as well. Traditional strings have a ball end to attach to the bridge of most instruments where these are different. Fender has a string end with a bullet shape on these which snugly fits into the string ferrule giving a boosted sustain and increased tuning stability. The Fender Original Bullet is a nickel wrapped guitar string with a nickel core which sonically is rich and warm making this a great choice for blues, country and jazz players.

Pros
Great on a Fender
Low squeak
Vintage Feel

Cons
Not great for high gain


Image

Gibson Brite Wires

Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
Right from the factory every Gibson Les Paul comes with “Bench Tested and Builder-approved” Brite wires on it. These nickel wrapped nickel core strings were Les Paul’s preference as they have a silk wrapped end which was an effort to cut down on ambient noise. Gibson Brite Wires electric guitar strings have a warm nickel tone and a smooth low squeak feel and sound great, especially on a Gibson Les Paul.

Pros
Vintage style string
Stable tuning
Low noise

Cons
Not bright
Short life


Image

DR Strings Tite-Fit

Compression Wound Electric Guitar Strings
The DR Strings Tite Fit is a nickel-plated steel wrap on a round core string. This being a common style of string does not immediately stand out as unique. What sets these apart is how they make them DR uses the finest core and wrap wire to create a guitar string of the highest quality standard. These are available in a wide variety of different gauges and configurations. DR Strings will even make you custom sets of strings (you have to buy a whole case) if they don’t make what you want readily available.

Pros
Great Tone
Great Tuning Stability

Cons
Feel is not for everyone
Awkward packaging

 


Image

DR Strings VERITAS

Quantum Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
DR believes with the Veritas guitar strings they have created an innovative product. These feature their new quantum nickel wrap wire which is aimed at increasing the life of the strings and well as giving as greater magnetic response from your pickups. The ACT (Accurate Core Technology) core wire is another invention from DR designed to reinforce the core wire and fill in any imperfections along its length. This also boosts magnetic response as well as giving you better intonation and richer tone.

Pros
Great Tone
Long Life
Stable tuning

Cons
Pricey
Feel is not for everyone

 


Image
Image