Best
Overall Electric Guitar String for Metal
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Overall: Ball-end design with classic Fender colours
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Best Feature: Pure Nickel
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Budget Electric Guitar String for Metal
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Overall: Available in a variety of gauges, materials, and styles
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Best Feature: Made From High-Quality Materials
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TedScore™: 8/10
Best
Durability Electric Guitar String for Metal
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Overall: Resistant To Breakage And Stay In Tune Longer Than Other Strings
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Best Feature: Proprietary High-Carbon Steel Alloy
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TedScore™: 8/10
Metal guitarists **understand** that getting the best strings is key to **nailing** their music’s ideal tone and feel. Whether we’re talking classic heavy metal, thrash, death metal, or another subgenre, strings can make a **world of difference**.
But with so many different options, choosing the right ones for your playing style and preferences can be overwhelming.
Of course, everyone’s playing style and preferences are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when choosing the best electric guitar strings for metal.
But by considering factors like durability, tone, and gauge, you can narrow down your options and find the strings that are best suited to your style.
So if you’re ready to take your metal playing to the next level, it’s time to start exploring the world of electric guitar strings!
Understanding Electric Guitar Strings
Choosing the right metal guitar strings is crucial when playing metal on your electric guitar.
Electric guitar strings come in various materials, gauges, and coatings. This section will help you understand the different types of electric guitar strings and how to choose the best ones for metal.
String Gauge
The thicker the string, the higher the gauge number. The most common string gauge for metal guitars is .011-.056. However, some metal guitarists prefer even thicker strings for better sustain and tone.
Thicker strings also require more tension to tune, which can be challenging for beginners.
Coated vs Uncoated Strings
Coated strings are covered with a thin layer of polymer to protect them from dirt, sweat, and corrosion.
They tend to last longer and stay in tune better than uncoated strings. It can also affect the tone and feel of your guitar, making them less popular among metal guitarists.
Uncoated strings have no extra protective coating layer, giving them a more traditional sound and playability. While more susceptible to corrosion, it still gives you that classic sound that makes you crave.
Nickel-Plated vs Cobalt Strings
Nickel-plated strings are the most common type of electric guitar strings.
They offer a balanced tone with bright highs and warm lows. the iron and Cobalt alloy strings, on the other hand, have a wider dynamic range with increased low-end and crisp highs. They’re ideal for metal guitarists who want a more aggressive and powerful tone.
Flatwound vs Roundwound Strings
Flatwound strings have a flat surface and produce a smooth, mellow tone. They are ideal for jazz and blues guitarists but are less popular among metal guitarists who prefer a brighter and more aggressive tone.
Roundwound strings have a round surface, producing a brighter, more cutting tone.
They are the most popular type of electric guitar strings for metal.
How to Correctly String an Electric Guitar
It’s not just about the type of strings you use, and it’s also important to string your guitar correctly to ensure optimal sound and playability. Here are some steps to follow when stringing your electric guitar:
- Start by detuning and removing the old strings. Use wire cutters to snip the strings near the tuning pegs. Then, unwind the strings from the bridge and remove them from the guitar.
- Before you put on the new strings, take the opportunity to clean your guitar. Use a soft cloth to wipe down the fretboard and body of the guitar.
- Take the new strings and insert the ball end into the bridge. Pull the string through the bridge until the ball is secure. Then, thread the string through the appropriate tuning peg and pull it taut.
- Use your fingers to wind the string around the tuning peg, making sure to wind it in the direction that tightens it. Once the string is wound, use wire cutters to snip off the excess string.
- Once all the strings are on, it’s time to tune your guitar. Use a tuner to ensure each string is tuned to the correct pitch.
- Stretch each string away from the fretboard after tuning. This will help the strings settle into place and stay in tune longer.
How to Choose
the Best Set of Electric Guitar Strings for Metal
Best Electric Guitar Strings for Metal
Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Slinky
These nickel-wound strings have a bright, punchy tone that works well for heavy music. They also have a comfortable feel, making them easy to to play metal with for long periods.
The Regular Slinky set is a great choice for metal players, with gauges ranging from .010 to .046.
PERFECT FOR: Guitar and bass players of all genres
FEATURES: Made from high-quality materials
OTHER INFO: Including nickel-plated steel
Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Slinky
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Available in a variety of gauges, materials, and styles
- Bright, clear tone
- Excellent sustain
- Easy playability
- String breaks easily
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
D’Addario NYXL
It’s a line of guitar and bass strings produced by D’Addario, a New York-based company making strings since the 1930s. It’s also a premium line of string designed to offer improved tuning stability, increased durability, and enhanced playability.
PERFECT FOR: Guitar and bass players
FEATURES: Proprietary high-carbon steel alloy
OTHER INFO: Resistant to breakage and stay in tune longer than other strings
D’Addario NYXL
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Enhanced playability
- Improved tuning stability and durability
- Bright, clear tone
- Available in a wide range of gauges
- Expensive
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Heavy Core
Also known as Dunlop strings and designed for heavy music. These have thick, heavy gauge strings that can handle aggressive playing styles. The Heavy Core set has gauges ranging from .010 to .052.
These strings are also great for players who like to use drop tunings.
PERFECT FOR: Metal guitarists
FEATURES: With heavy metal and hard rock
OTHER INFO: Available in a variety of gauges and materials
Dunlop Heavy Core Strings
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- With nickel-plated steel wrap wire
- Easy playability
- Excellent sustain that helps notes ring out longer
- Good frequency response
- Limited availability compared to other string brands
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
GHS Boomers
GHS Boomers has been a popular line of guitar strings since 1975. They’re known for their bright tone, powerful attack, and long-lasting durability. The Boomers set has gauges ranging from .010 to .046.
PERFECT FOR: All levels of metal guitarists
FEATURES: With powerful attack
OTHER INFO: Can withstand heavy strings
GHS Boomers
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Include nickel-plated steel and pure nickel.
- Long-lasting durability
- Available in a variety of gauges and materials
- Cost-effective
- Not everyone may like the bright, clear tone of these strings
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Elixir OPTIWEB Coated
Elixir Optiweb strings are coated with a thin layer of polymer that helps to extend their lifespan. These strings have a bright and clear tone, with a smooth feel that makes them easy to play.
The Optiweb set has a gauge range from .010 to .046.
PERFECT FOR: Players with the metal genre
FEATURES: Proprietary coating technology
OTHER INFO: Resistant to corrosion and other forms of wear
Elixir OPTIWEB Coated
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- constructed with nickel-plated steel wrap wire
- Great high-end response
- Enhanced playability
- Produced balanced sound
- Expensive
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Fender Original Bullet
Available in .009, .010, and .011 gauges. Fender strings are proudly crafted in the United States of America. Attention to detail and the finest materials ensure you will get the best feeling and greatest sounding string, set after set.
PERFECT FOR: Any level of musicians
FEATURES: Pure nickel
OTHER INFO: Hex core construction
Fender Original 150 Electric Guitar Strings
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Ball-end design with classic Fender colours
- The rich and warm tone
- Reduced finger noise
- Creates more brightness along with a faster pick attack
- None
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DR Strings
It’s a hand-made string for you to produce sound original and good. It has super bright colour-coated strings bound to sound clear, powerful and musical.
Mix neon colours give a unique impression with the same remarkable sound and last longer like a typically coated string but with a greater sound quality.
PERFECT FOR: Players with all levels
FEATURES: Hi-def neon multi-coloured
OTHER INFO: Resistant to corrosion and other forms of wear
DR Strings NMCE-10 DR NEON Electric Strings
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- With six strings
- Delivering longevity
- 4 times long-lasting than uncoated electric guitar strings.
- Fewer unwanted overtones
- Enhanced clarity and articulation
- Expensive
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Tools for Stringing Your Electric Guitar
When changing the strings on your electric guitar, having the right tools can make the process much easier and more efficient. Here are the essential tools you’ll need to restring your guitar.
And if you need a complete list of these accessories, check out this article — 21 Essential Guitar Accessories.
Best Electric Guitar Strings For Metal
Summary
Finding the best electric guitar strings for metal balances durability, tone, and personal preference. Whether you’re a seasoned shredder or just starting out, it’s important to experiment with different gauges, materials, and brands to find the best strings.
Some of the top takeaways when choosing strings for metal include looking for strings with a high output and strong midrange, considering the gauge best suited to your playing style, and choosing strings that can stand up to the intense wear and tear of metal playing.
With these factors in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect strings for your metal adventures.
So plug in, turn up the volume, and let the metal flow!
Before you go…
Once you’ve found the perfect strings for your metal adventures, you’ll need an amp that can do justice to your sound.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the best beginner guitar amps – because even if you’re starting, you deserve an amp that can help you rock like a pro!
If only string changes were as easy as breaking them haha
Interesting article, Lewis Turner. I notice a heavy emphasis on string gauge for metal, which makes sense given the genre’s demands. However, I’m curious about tone. How significantly do you believe the string material and coating impact the tonal quality, especially in genres leaning more towards melodic metal? It seems there’s a balance to strike between durability and tonal clarity.
whats the strongest string that wont snap when i play really hard got tired of changing them every week
Just started exploring electric guitars and this guide on strings is super helpful! I had no idea there were so many options. Looking forward to trying out the Ernie Ball Slinky set. Thanks, Lewis Turner, for breaking it down so nicely!
ernie ball strings rock! good luck with your guitar journey
Glad you found it helpful! The Ernie Ball Slinky strings are a great choice, especially for metal. Happy playing!