Electric Guitar String Selection Guide

Finding the best electric guitar strings for your instrument is just as important as choosing the right guitar. Strings are your primary way of interacting with the guitar. So choosing the right set of strings can significantly affect the overall tone and playability of an instrument.

There are a number of different factors to consider when choosing strings. This article will help you choose the best electric guitar strings for your particular playing style or instrument. I will try to be brief and only mention the most important factors that most consumers care about.

Which string gauge is best for you?

When choosing strings, the thickness of the strings is one of the most important factors to consider. String thickness is often called "10's" or "10-46", this is a measure of the thickness of the string, from the thinnest to the thickest, the thinnest is 0.010. There are a variety of strings with different thicknesses to choose from depending on your preference or playing style.

Below are standard set gauges for electric guitars, but you can mix and match strings from different sets yourself, or buy hybrid strings if you want lighter strings for the higher strings and heavier strings for the lows. For example, you can absolutely take the first 3 wires from the “ultra light” package and the last 3 wires from the “medium” package

Here is a guide to measuring strings for electric guitars:

• “ultra light”:008 .010 .015 .021 .030 .038
• “light”: .009 .011 .016 .024 .032 .042
• “moderately light”: .010 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046 ("Most popular Sweet Spot")
• “average”: .011 ,015 ,018 ,026 ,036 ,050
• “heavy”: .012 .016 .020 .032 .042 .054

Wires are lighter in size

Lighter string sizes like 8 or 9 make playing the instrument significantly easier. Because the strings are thinner, it doesn't take much finger pressure to push down on the keys. This is probably the best option for beginners. Beginners often have difficulty trying to play barre chords, using lighter strings helps to avoid damage only after relaxation time. As the level gets better, players can experiment with different strings based on their style.
While lighter strings are easier to play, they also have disadvantages such as poor durability, less volume output and reduced timbre, plus, there is less tension on the strings that can lead to a humming sound.

Techniques such as alternate picking can be more difficult on lighter strings because of the distance traveled by the string's vibration. Players who frequently incorporate bends into their playing style may find that the force required to lift the strings is minimal due to the lighter strings.

The rope is heavier

Heavier gauge strings make playing harder Heavy gauge strings like 11-50s and above require more force to press and bend notes, which is why these strings are not for beginners. As you develop your finger strength and technique, you may want to consider switching to heavier strings to achieve a tone that can match your style.
Heavier strings produce more volume, sustain, and create more tension on the neck. Lower gauge guitar strings also tend to have less buzz than lighter strings. Typically, lower gauge strings are used in “djent” or metal music, producing thick, powerful tones and noticeably better sounding than lighter strings in lower tones like Drop. D and Drop C.

If in doubt, choose 10's

If you're wondering which wire to choose, the safe bet is to choose a standard 10-46 cord. They are a popular gauge wire, a nice midway point between light gauge and heavy gauge. They produce a solid sound and minimize the hum of the keys, and are quite easy to play.

What are electric guitar strings made of?

Guitar strings are made of many different materials that can affect the overall tone and feel of the guitar. Since the magnetic receiver on electric guitars uses magnets to pick up the signal from the strings, the type of metal used for the strings can significantly affect the output. In addition, some strings are coated with paint to prevent finger oil and prolong life.

Nickel Guitar Strings

The most common material used for strings is nickel. Stable nickel wire, good sound, affordable price. However, this type of wire did not last as long as newer technologies have been developed. So it needs to be changed after a month or two.

This type of rope is suitable for those who love the feeling of new and frequently changed strings. However, if you want a longer cord life, other materials like cobalt and stainless steel would be good choices, they have higher output, better tone and better corrosion resistance.

Newer technology

With newer technology and better materials, cobalt and stainless steel bands usually cost more than nickel wires. The material used for these strings is a good conductor of the guitar's magnetic receiver. They have a higher output and good tone, are more resistant to corrosion and last longer than nickel wire. So you need to decide if it's worth buying longer-lasting cords or simply buying a bulk of cheap cords to change out frequently.

Best electric guitar string brand

When you're trying to find the best electric guitar strings for you, the first question is usually which brand is the best. Popular brands such as Ernie Ball, Elixir and D' Addario are industry standards and widely used, trusted by even the best in the music industry.

Ernie Ball Guitar Strings

Ernie Ball is the leading brand when it comes to guitar strings. The Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (10-46) string set is a popular choice, known for its reliability, consistency, and reasonable price. They also offer higher end strings such as Ernie Ball Cobalt and M-steel strings with outstanding output volume, tone, feel and durability. If you are wondering which string to choose after reading this review, the Ernie Ball string is always a safe, reliable choice.

Guitar Strings Elixir

Elixir is another giant in the guitar string industry. They are known for producing premium lines for those who are looking for more quality strings. Elixir cords are often coated with Nanoweb/Polyweb technology which helps the cord last significantly longer than conventional wires.
While they may not sound as strong as Ernie Ball strings on day one, after a week of playing, Elixir strings should sound and feel the same as day one. The same cannot be said about regular strings from other brands. However, premium cords mean a high price tag.
A pair of regular Elixir strings usually costs 3 times more than regular wires of other brands. Ultimately, you have to make a decision if it's worth the investment. If you play a lot and don't like changing strings, then I recommend Elixirs. If you like the fresh sound and feel of new strings, then you shouldn't use Elixirs. Instead, choose to buy a large number of regular cords from another brand.

D' Addario Guitar Strings

The D'Addario string is a suitable alternative to the Ernie Ball string. With similar materials, quality, sound and feel. They all offer the most performance, the final choice depends on your personal preference. There is no general consensus in the guitar community as to which brand sounds better or lasts longer. Those who are loyal to either brand will share why they prefer theirs only.