Rock music is one of the most well-loved genres here in the Philippines. Without an electric guitar, its signature heavy rhythm is impossible to achieve. More than the guitar's wood type, build, and pickups, getting the best sound quality is made possible with the right electric guitar strings.
It allows you to create sophisticated tones with your playing technique and amplifier settings. To see which ones work best for your electric guitar and playing style, we have prepared a guide as well as a top 10 list to help you decide in case you need to replace your guitar strings.
Quick List - Top Electric Guitar Strings
Ernie Ball
Most-Trusted by World-Famous Guitar Players
Elixir
Long-Lasting Strings That Offer a Smooth Playing Feel
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
Going to music stores or browsing on the internet to shop for electric guitar strings can be confusing. One way to narrow down your choices is to get something that would fit your comfort and playing style above all else. After checking out our buying guide, you will understand which one to get next time you drop by your favorite music store.
This particular detail is something that most guitar players tend to miss out on, even experienced ones. However, this is one of the most important things to check. The string gauge that you put on your electric guitar should complement your playing style. You’ll be able to play better and make great songs when you feel comfortable on the fretboard.
In identifying the gauge, you don't need to memorize all of the measurements of your guitar's six strings. Just look at the High E or first-string measure. If the numbers read .008, it is Extra Super Light, which is the thinnest one available.
It also comes in .009 for Super Light and .010 for Light, also known as "medium". .008s and .009s are recommended for starters as it doesn’t strain fingers too much due to its thinness.
This type of string is mostly favored by guitarists who play blues since it only requires minimum effort to do string bends. Other heavy metal players who play fast melodies, also known as 'shredding,' also favor this gauge as it allows them to play their licks effortlessly.
Typically, .010s do the job really well that won't get your hands worked up— despite it being classified as "lighter." As you go deeper, your gauge goes thicker flashing in .011s and .012s being the thickest gauge available.
The reason why experienced guitar players choose a thicker string gauge over a thinner one is that the latter tends to go wobbly when detuned. This, in turn, will affect your tone when you opt for drop tuning your guitar, and that is something that doesn't sound good.
The string's material also defines your tone's character. Keep an eye on where your strings were derived—along with your playing style, genre, and string gauge. If all of these factors are to consider, you may identify your signature sound. But do keep in mind that experimenting is always a plus.
Nickel-plated strings cast balanced bright high treble and mids, heightened tone attack resonance, and superior sustain. Compared to pure nickel strings, they sound warmer and pronounce your guitar's low mids and bass.
They are also less likely to wear out the guitar's saddle and frets. For jazz and blues players, their go-to option is chrome strings because of their mellow, warm, and mid-range tone.
Corrosion-resistant strings last longer and fit players who have an acidic sweat. For instance, coated strings are covered with polymers which keep them in great condition even after prolonged use. However, they can affect your sound quality since the strings may slip from your fingers while playing.
If you prefer uncoated strings with the same anti-corrosion properties, stainless steel and titanium strings do the job well. The former presents a brighter tone than nickel-plated strings while the latter maintains full sound and balanced low ends.
For more string durability, cobalt strings have an increased magnetic response that enhances the sound profile output of your electric guitar. Plus, they're more flexible in that they can take bending without easily breaking.
These familiar ridges you can feel and see on your lower strings also affect how your guitar's low end might sound. It's a distinct string feature mostly present on low-pitched fourth, fifth, and sixth strings. String manufacturers do that for better intonation and tuning stability. Other than that, it also provides a distinct tone.
The common winding method and widely available are round-wounds that are generally bright, versatile, and fit for a wide variety of modern music. On the other hand, the half-rounds are a middle-ground mix for tones that are semi-bright and mellow.
Another option for a dark, mellow, and flat tone is attained by getting a flat-wound variant. Its feel is generally smooth to touch compared to both round-wound and half-rounds. Other than the tone, its lower resonance is sought after for an on-point Jazz tone.
When purchasing electric guitar strings, you must also consider how frequently you play the guitar. As the strings are subjected to persistent playing, their tone gets dull.
The combination of sweat and repetitive picking and fretting affects your string's longevity. Whether thick or thin, when your strings show signs of corrosion, it's best to get a new set to keep your tone and feel up to par.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ernie Ball 2222 Hybrid Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings | ![]() | Most-Trusted by World-Famous Guitar Players | |
2 | D' Addario EXL110 Regular Light Gauge | ![]() | All-Rounder Resonance You Can Rock Out to on Stage | |
3 | Elixir Nanoweb Coating Nickel Plated Steel Electric Guitar Strings | ![]() | Long-Lasting Strings That Offer a Smooth Playing Feel | |
4 | Fender USA Original Pure Nickel 150 Guitar Strings | ![]() | Only the Best Quality From a Well-Loved Brand | |
5 | DR Strings Dragon Skin Coated Electric Guitar Strings | ![]() | Hand-Made Perfection for Your Sound Clarity | |
6 | GHS Strings Round Wound Electric Guitar Strings | ![]() | Strong Strings That Can Withstand Searing Tones | |
7 | Dunlop Performance+ Electric Guitar Strings | ![]() | Slick and Reliable Strings That’ll Help You Achieve a Heavier Sound | |
8 | Rotosound Roto Yellows | ![]() | Superb Sound Like Your 60s and 80s Rockstars | |
9 | Aria Electric Guitar String Flat Wound|AGS-900XL | ![]() | Popular and Leading Choice for Jazz Tones | |
10 | Curt Mangan Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings | ![]() | Strong Cores That You Can Bend Without Easily Snapping |
Ernie Ball has been producing top-quality strings that made their way to the guitars of the greats. This custom gauge nickel wound pack from Ernie Ball offers the best of both worlds. It carries fatter bass and super-light treble strings with a bright-balanced tone in one pack.
This set works best for guitarists who prefer thick-sounding rhythms and seamless string bending. Without the extra fretting effort, you'll be more confident in playing your favorite tune, just like Paul McCartney, Slash, and Joe Perry!
Switching on a wide repertoire makes for an indispensable guitar player. Whether you like playing heavy rhythms or classic rock, this versatile regular gauge set opens the doors even for starting guitarists.
This impeccable bundle offers a specific bright, on-top intonation and fairly detailed thick tone that will sound right in any genre. This set is fit for both beginners and experienced players playing different genres. Never miss out on playing your favorite tunes with these D'Addario guitar strings!
Rusty strings are one of the reasons that make a guitar sound bad. Most guitarists would agree that fast string corrosion will mean tedious guitar restringing; however, this pack from Elixir begs to differ.
Its bright, clear, and compact sound output is topped with Elixir's micro-thin Nanoweb™ coating that makes for efficient corrosion resistance. This would suit guitarists who perform frequently and prefers having a heavy-duty string set that minimizes constant restringing needs.
Fender is one of the known guitar brands among guitarists around the world. Aside from their guitars, they created strings that would adapt to the hands of experienced and beginning guitarists.
This medium gauge pure nickel wound string lessens the fret and saddle wear and gives a significantly warmer sound compared to similar strings that are mostly bright sounding. Simple and easy, this compliments any type of electric guitar and player.
Most brands now make their strings via machinery. The DR Strings Company is one of the few string makers that still manufacture their products by hand. These medium gauge strings work great for guitarists who play with high-gain amplifier settings.
Despite being coated, these are soft to the touch and delivers a full tone chunk and precision without unwanted overtones. Getting that combo is something you don't want to miss out on!
Getting your hands on top-quality strings is easy, but having one that has the material strength to retain its aggressive tone despite heavy and long usage is hard to find.
Perfect for guitarists who wish to upscale tonality, GHS's medium gauge outstanding output is compounded with fat and full lows while at the same time, oozes with powerful mids and bright highs. Your next guitar solo will stand out through these strings.
Dunlop is one of the companies known to cater to guitarists' needs. The number of guitarists who use their products is a testament to the high-quality craftsmanship put in every product.
This marvelous medium gauge creation comes with excellent tone attack and clarity, punchy mids, and concentrated lows that have more synergy when used with overdrive. These strings suit guitarists who prefer a silky string feel and a heavier chug.
Achieving tone consistency and full-on solid sound is made easy by Rotosound. This set is best for guitarists who prefer fair grit and controlled twang - perfect to channel your inner 60s or 80s rockstar!
These unique combinations of nickel string wrapping and Rotosound's longer European ball-ends on this medium gauge strings provide greater tension hold and better sound sustain with a distinct and pronounced bright tone.
This pack also includes a free .010 string replacement in case the first set snaps. If you are a Jimi Hendrix fan, know that this is his go-to brand choice!
One of the best offerings from Aria are these custom light gauge strings that yield a full-mellow and warm tone. The stainless steel ribbon wound on the steel core creates a smooth feel that makes it more pleasant to the fingers.
While it is popular for Jazz players, this is also great for guitarists who wish to explore the staple tone in Jazz. Your techniques will surely stand-out through these high-quality strings.
A relatively new competitor in the string-making business, Curt Mangan has been providing very durable strings since 2004. With their reinforced core of strings, this set can withstand intense playing styles that fit guitarists who play hard.
This particular custom light gauge set is packed with well-defined treble and a balanced bass that's comfortable to play and also gives the player less finger strain and no extra pressure. If you're familiar with Rivermaya's former lead guitarist, Perf de Castro, he carries this brand with his own signature set.
Creating and making music nowadays has been made easier with various music tools. Here are some of our recommendations that will help you decide on getting only the best products for your music journey.
Author: Harvey M. Tolentino
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Ernie Ball|2222 Hybrid Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
No. 2: D' Addario|EXL110 Regular Light Gauge
No. 3: Elixir|Nanoweb Coating Nickel Plated Steel Electric Guitar Strings
No. 4: Fender USA|Original Pure Nickel 150 Guitar Strings
No. 5: DR Strings|Dragon Skin Coated Electric Guitar Strings
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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