Do you want to know the secret to getting the best sounds from your electric guitar?
It’s probably not the shape of your instrument.
Or the way the handle is slung across your shoulder every time you get in the mood.
The simple answer is your guitar string and you need to make sure that you get the best electric guitar strings.
The simple truth is that most of us hate buying guitar strings and re-stringing our guitars because we are not sure which one is best.
Personally I hate stringing my guitar because it takes me away from what I love doing, which is playing my guitar.
But it’s something I need to do so I sack up and do it anyways.
Before you buy your next guitar string, there are a lot of things you need to consider to ensure that you get good quality strings.
In this article, we will be looking at the top 5 best electric guitar strings, where you can easily buy them and some points to consider before you purchase your next electric guitar strings.
Factors to consider when shopping for electric guitar strings
Before we look at some factors to consider before you buy your next electric guitar string, let’s check out some simple background information.
Most guitar strings are usually manufactured using a range of thickness or gauges which are designated in thousandths of an inch.
So you may have seen something 0.008 which is referred to as an eight or 0.56 which is often referred to as a fifty six
One thing you should be aware of is that the thickness or the string gauge has a big influence on the sound and how it’s played.
1. What is your playing style and music genre?
This is probably one of the most important factors to consider before you make a purchase.
Why?
Because the thickness of the string which determines whether it is light or heavy will determine how easy it is for you to comfortably play.
Lighter strings are much easier to play and get used to.
So if you are someone who likes to burn up the fretboard then a light string is better for you and if you are a metal player who uses detunes scales such as drop D tuning then heavier strings are best suited for you.
2. How often do you play?
Also you want to consider how often you play before buying a new string.
If you are a beginner and just starting to play then you want to go with light strings. This will enable your fingers get callused and get used to playing before you switch to using heavier strings.
3. What kind of sound character and tone do you want to achieve?
Finally the kind of sound that you want to achieve will also go a long way in determining the type of string to get.
Lighter strings are much suited to blues and slow rock players and sounds while heavy strings are for hard rock and metal sounds.
Our Top 5 Best Electric Guitar Strings
1. Ernie Ball Electric Guitar Strings
This is probably the most common and popular electric guitar string in the market today.
It comes in 3 individual sets enclosed in a single flow wrap package that makes it very easy to package and move about.
It is made by Ernie Ball who was a famous American musician that revolutionized the way guitar strings affect our sounds.
It has been used and given a stamp of approval by some of the best musicians in the industry including Slash, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Metallica.
It has a unique element shield packaging which helps to prolong the strings and keep it new and fresh.
2. Elixir Electric Guitar Strings
The Elixir Electric Guitar strings are made from nickel plated steel wrap wire which makes them very light and ideal for use among beginners.
If you are looking for that bright, dynamic and vibrant punch sound, then this is the guitar string for you.
It has this ultra thin Nanoweb coating which helps to protect it from rusting and makes it able to be used to for a very long time.
It comes in different thickness or gauges which makes it ideal for both professionals and beginners.
3. D’Addario Electric Guitar Strings
These electric guitar strings are made from high carbon steel alloy which gives it so much strength and ensures that it does not break or wear out easily.
It’s tuning ability has been greatly improved making it very easy to get in tune and also stay in tune.
It’s wound strings with enhanced mid range frequency response adds more presence and crunch to your mix.
It has a wide range of playability and electric tone which offers you a lot of options if you decide to buy this guitar string.
It is packaged in environment friendly and corrosion resistant packaging which keeps the strings new and fresh always.
4. DR Electric Guitar Strings
These are some of the cheapest electric guitar strings in the market today. But make no mistake about it because they deliver awesome sounds when used.
They are great for rock and metal players who want to have that gritty sound in their mix.
They are made from quality and durable materials that do not easily break.
They are housed in a corrosion proof package so you can be rest assured that the strings are going to be new and fresh.
They are bright and flexible and made from nickel which makes them very light and very good for beginners.
5. Fender Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings
The Fender Strings are some of the best choices for blues, jazz and country rock.
This is because they are made using high quality materials that are very light and durable.
They are carefully crafted by selecting the right gauge which gives it a rich output and tone every time.
They are made from pure nickel which ensures that they do not rust or break easily.
They have a unique “bullets” and “super bullets” named string which are bullet shaped bridges which increases the sustain and tuning ability of the strings.
If you are Jazz or country musician and looking for a great string for your electric guitar, then this is the best choice for you.
How to know when it’s time to change your strings
There are some signs that will let you know when you need new strings on your guitar.
- It takes some time to get in tune and stay there
- There are rust and discoloration marks on your strings
- Your tone always sounds dead and flat
- You honestly can’t remember the last time you changed your strings
- If you sweat often when playing
- If you play frequently, then you may need to change them often
Here are are some tips to help you take better care of your strings
- Always keep a clean cloth nearby to clean your strings after every session
- Wash your hand before playing to avoid excessive sweating
- Invest in a string winder to help you speed up your string changes
- Try buying your strings in bulk as this is much more convenient and stress free
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