Top 10 Electric Guitar Strings

This wiki has been updated 25 times since it was first published in October of 2017. Choosing a suitable set of strings is as important for an electric guitar player as selecting the right instrument in the first place, as it can mean the difference between a clear sound and a muddy mess. If your tone has left you wanting more lately, or if you're among the legions of new players looking for a brand to call your own, it'd be smart to see what the options here can do for you. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki. If you'd like to contribute your own research to Ezvid Wiki, please get started by reviewing this introductory video.

Editor's Notes

April 10, 2019:

Thanks in large part to their unparalleled tone and durability, the Elixir Nanoweb retained their spot at number one. Honestly, I've got a set of these on my go-to strat that I haven't changed in a shamefully long time, and they still sound great. Dropping out of our top three and plummeting all the way to number 8 were the Ernie Ball hybrid slinkies. This wasn't so much about their initial tone, which is punchy and aggressive enough to please just about anyone playing rock or one of its many subgenres. Rather, it was a question of that tone's durability that sent these strings packing. Some players might like to change their strings long before they'd come close to breaking, and the slinkies have a price point that might allow for it, but it's just more hassle than it's ultimately worth. Issues with a weak high E string brought the Reverend Willy set all the way down to our last spot, but climbing a good ways up the list were D'Addario Accordions, which hit a sweet spot for price, tone, and durability like few others.

Last updated on April 11, 2019 by Daniel Imperiale

Daniel Imperiale holds a bachelor’s degree in writing, and proudly fled his graduate program in poetry to pursue a quiet life at a remote Alaskan fishery. After returning to the contiguous states, he took up a position as an editor and photographer of the prestigious geek culture magazine “Unwinnable” before turning his attention to the field of health and wellness. In recent years, he has worked extensively in film and music production, making him something of a know-it-all when it comes to camera equipment, musical instruments, recording devices, and other audio-visual hardware. Daniel’s recent obsessions include horology (making him a pro when it comes to all things timekeeping) and Uranium mining and enrichment (which hasn’t proven useful just yet).

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The 10 Best Electric Guitar Strings

1. Elixir Nanoweb Coating

2. D'Addario EXL110

3. Gibson Brite Wires

4. Elixer Optiweb Light

5. Ernie Ball Cobalt

6. Thomastik-Infeld Swing Series JS112

7. D'Addario Nickel Wound

8. Ernie Ball Slinky

9. Fender Pure Nickel 150R

10. Reverend Willy Mexican Lottery

Editor's Notes

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