Electric Guitar Strings
Best Discounted Guitar Strings for Electric Guitars
Browse the extensive selection of electric guitar strings from world-class manufacturers available at Strings and Beyond. We carry the best electric guitar string brands like D'Addario, Fender, Ernie Ball, Dean Markley, Elixir and Dunlop. Whether you're in the market for classics like Ernie Ball's Slinky strings or you're looking for the latest technological advancements like with Elixir's anti-rust Nanoweb coated strings, you'll find what you need at Strings and Beyond.
Electric Strings That Slam
A guitar string is more than just a part. Without them, your guitars will forever be playing the sounds of silence. That said, there are hundreds of electric guitar strings because there are hundreds — no, thousands — of ways to play them. Strings and Beyond can help you get the best electric guitar strings for metal, classic rock, rhythm and blues, jazz and any other music you love.
Our electric string collection includes D'Addario's XT and XS coated and nickel wound strings as well as their stainless steel flat wound strings. From GHS, you can find strings from their popular round-wound Boomers series and their big core nickel rockers. Elixir's POLYWEB® and NANOWEB® coated strings are available through Strings and Beyond, as are Fender's nickel-plated steel, stainless steel and pure nickel wound strings.
The legendary and wildly popular Ernie Ball Slinky series is also well-represented in our inventory with their regular six-string Baritone, Not Even, Beefy, Power, Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom, Hybrid, Super and Extra varieties in signature custom gauges. Ernie Ball Slinky strings are the industry leader in providing guitarists with the widest range of mixed gauge strings so you can strike a perfect note.
Often, the best guitar strings for electric guitar players are those tested by top musicians on the world stage. If you're looking for celebrity endorsements, we carry Dean Markley Yngwie Malmsteen electric guitar strings and Gibson's B.B. King Pure Nickel Signature Series. DR produces their Black Beauties which are hand-coated with a special black lacquer that resists corrosion.
Single Strings for Singular Sound
Although string packs are enough for most guitarists, a single guitar string is often in order. Perhaps you wear out a certain string faster than others and need to be sure you have spares. Or maybe you want the B.B. King string gauge setup with mediums on the top and heavies on the bottom. Shop all single strings to customize the way you play. You’ll get the exact string you need without a bunch of unneeded strings taking up space in your gig bag.
Why Buy Electric Guitar Strings at Strings and Beyond?
Whether you're a student just learning how to form chords or a seasoned performer used to shredding your axe, you'll find all the best electric guitar string brands for less at Strings and Beyond. We also provide free resources from fellow guitar lifers and an in-depth look at the different string gauges. on the Strings and Beyond blog, including how to restring an electric guitar. All qualifying orders ship free, so stock up and save today on nylon strings for electric guitars, 12-string electric guitar strings and more.
Electric Guitar String FAQs
How many strings does an electric guitar have?
The standard electric guitar has six strings. Some people use seven-string guitars, and you can also get eight-string baritone guitars and 12-string guitars.
What are the 6 electric guitar strings?
The six strings of a standard electric guitar, from thickest to thinnest, are E (low), A, D, G, B, and E (high). These strings are typically made from nickel, stainless steel, or coated materials to enhance tone and durability. Different tunings can be used depending on the genre and playing style.
What gauge strings should I use for electric guitar?
The most common electric guitar string gauge is .010-.046, often referred to as "regular" or "10-gauge" strings, as they offer a balanced mix of tone and playability. Lighter gauge strings, such as .009-.042, produce a brighter sound and are easier to bend, making them ideal for beginners and lead guitarists. Medium gauge strings, typically .010-.046, provide a versatile balance between ease of play and a fuller tone. Heavier gauge strings, such as .011-.056, offer a warmer tone and are well-suited for aggressive playing, drop tunings, and heavier music styles. The right string gauge ultimately depends on personal comfort, playing style, and tone preference. Consult our Electric Guitar String Gauges Guide for more information.
What strings are best for an electric guitar?
The best electric guitar strings depend on factors like playing style, tone preference, and durability. Popular brands include Ernie Ball Slinky, D'Addario XL, and Elixir Nanoweb, known for longevity and smooth feel. Lighter gauge strings (e.g., .009-.042) are great for beginners and lead players, while heavier gauges (.011-.056) offer fuller tone and better sustain for rock and metal.
Are electric and acoustic guitar strings the same?
Electric and acoustic strings have different coating materials. Electric guitar strings are usually coated with nickel or steel to increase volume via the pickup. Acoustic strings typically have brass or bronze coatings. To learn more, read our in-depth article discussing the differences between acoustic strings and electric strings.
Are electric guitar strings easier to play than acoustic?
Yes, electric guitar strings are generally easier to play because they have lower tension compared to acoustic strings. This makes it easier to press down on the fretboard, which is ideal for beginners and lead guitarists. However, extremely light gauge strings can make bending too easy, reducing control.
How to change electric guitar strings?
The basic process is to slowly loosen the low-E string and remove it, add the new string, tighten it to the proper note using a tuner, then repeat for each string. We don't recommend removing all the strings at once unless you need to clean the fretboard.
How often to change electric guitar strings?
The general rule is to change them every three months or 100 hours of playing. Guitarists who gig frequently or use lighter-gauge strings will need to change them more often. Heavier strings and coated strings will last longer.
Best Discounted Guitar Strings for Electric Guitars
Browse the extensive selection of electric guitar strings from world-class manufacturers available at Strings and Beyond. We carry the best electric guitar string brands like D'Addario, Fender, Ernie Ball, Dean Markley, Elixir and Dunlop. Whether you're in the market for classics like Ernie Ball's Slinky strings or you're looking for the latest technological advancements like with Elixir's anti-rust Nanoweb coated strings, you'll find what you need at Strings and Beyond.
Electric Strings That Slam
A guitar string is more than just a part. Without them, your guitars will forever be playing the sounds of silence. That said, there are hundreds of electric guitar strings because there are hundreds — no, thousands — of ways to play them. Strings and Beyond can help you get the best electric guitar strings for metal, classic rock, rhythm and blues, jazz and any other music you love.
Our electric string collection includes D'Addario's XT and XS coated and nickel wound strings as well as their stainless steel flat wound strings. From GHS, you can find strings from their popular round-wound Boomers series and their big core nickel rockers. Elixir's POLYWEB® and NANOWEB® coated strings are available through Strings and Beyond, as are Fender's nickel-plated steel, stainless steel and pure nickel wound strings.
The legendary and wildly popular Ernie Ball Slinky series is also well-represented in our inventory with their regular six-string Baritone, Not Even, Beefy, Power, Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom, Hybrid, Super and Extra varieties in signature custom gauges. Ernie Ball Slinky strings are the industry leader in providing guitarists with the widest range of mixed gauge strings so you can strike a perfect note.
Often, the best guitar strings for electric guitar players are those tested by top musicians on the world stage. If you're looking for celebrity endorsements, we carry Dean Markley Yngwie Malmsteen electric guitar strings and Gibson's B.B. King Pure Nickel Signature Series. DR produces their Black Beauties which are hand-coated with a special black lacquer that resists corrosion.
Single Strings for Singular Sound
Although string packs are enough for most guitarists, a single guitar string is often in order. Perhaps you wear out a certain string faster than others and need to be sure you have spares. Or maybe you want the B.B. King string gauge setup with mediums on the top and heavies on the bottom. Shop all single strings to customize the way you play. You’ll get the exact string you need without a bunch of unneeded strings taking up space in your gig bag.
Why Buy Electric Guitar Strings at Strings and Beyond?
Whether you're a student just learning how to form chords or a seasoned performer used to shredding your axe, you'll find all the best electric guitar string brands for less at Strings and Beyond. We also provide free resources from fellow guitar lifers and an in-depth look at the different string gauges. on the Strings and Beyond blog, including how to restring an electric guitar. All qualifying orders ship free, so stock up and save today on nylon strings for electric guitars, 12-string electric guitar strings and more.
Electric Guitar String FAQs
How many strings does an electric guitar have?
The standard electric guitar has six strings. Some people use seven-string guitars, and you can also get eight-string baritone guitars and 12-string guitars.
What are the 6 electric guitar strings?
The six strings of a standard electric guitar, from thickest to thinnest, are E (low), A, D, G, B, and E (high). These strings are typically made from nickel, stainless steel, or coated materials to enhance tone and durability. Different tunings can be used depending on the genre and playing style.
What gauge strings should I use for electric guitar?
The most common electric guitar string gauge is .010-.046, often referred to as "regular" or "10-gauge" strings, as they offer a balanced mix of tone and playability. Lighter gauge strings, such as .009-.042, produce a brighter sound and are easier to bend, making them ideal for beginners and lead guitarists. Medium gauge strings, typically .010-.046, provide a versatile balance between ease of play and a fuller tone. Heavier gauge strings, such as .011-.056, offer a warmer tone and are well-suited for aggressive playing, drop tunings, and heavier music styles. The right string gauge ultimately depends on personal comfort, playing style, and tone preference. Consult our Electric Guitar String Gauges Guide for more information.
What strings are best for an electric guitar?
The best electric guitar strings depend on factors like playing style, tone preference, and durability. Popular brands include Ernie Ball Slinky, D'Addario XL, and Elixir Nanoweb, known for longevity and smooth feel. Lighter gauge strings (e.g., .009-.042) are great for beginners and lead players, while heavier gauges (.011-.056) offer fuller tone and better sustain for rock and metal.
Are electric and acoustic guitar strings the same?
Electric and acoustic strings have different coating materials. Electric guitar strings are usually coated with nickel or steel to increase volume via the pickup. Acoustic strings typically have brass or bronze coatings. To learn more, read our in-depth article discussing the differences between acoustic strings and electric strings.
Are electric guitar strings easier to play than acoustic?
Yes, electric guitar strings are generally easier to play because they have lower tension compared to acoustic strings. This makes it easier to press down on the fretboard, which is ideal for beginners and lead guitarists. However, extremely light gauge strings can make bending too easy, reducing control.
How to change electric guitar strings?
The basic process is to slowly loosen the low-E string and remove it, add the new string, tighten it to the proper note using a tuner, then repeat for each string. We don't recommend removing all the strings at once unless you need to clean the fretboard.
How often to change electric guitar strings?
The general rule is to change them every three months or 100 hours of playing. Guitarists who gig frequently or use lighter-gauge strings will need to change them more often. Heavier strings and coated strings will last longer.