Best Electric Guitar Strings For Metal 2024 – Buying Guide

In the 1920s, the first metal guitar strings were invented and revealed to the world in the 1930s. We all know how vital the guitar is for the musician who is trying to dominate the rock world, but without the perfect set of strings to play along with it, no guitar player is complete. Perhaps one of the most popular instruments in the world of music is the electric guitar.

However, there are a few things you need to consider before you dive into this extreme genre– especially if you are a beginner.

Firstly, getting a good metal guitar is very important; one that will allow you perform to your potential and satisfaction; a guitar with hot pickups and one that can take a beating- Equally important for that quality metal tone is finding the right strings.

Here is a quick list of some of the best electric guitar strings for metal available in the market today.

5. D’Addario NYXL1156 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

Compared to regular nickel wound strings, the D’Addario NYXL1156 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings has improved tuning stability. It tunes faster and has an improved mid-range frequency response that lays between 1 kHz to 3.5 kHz ranges. They are designed for guitar players who like and prefer a heavier string setup or for tuning guitars a whole step down to D.

They are environmentally friendly and properly packaged making them corrosion resistant. These strings will remain in tune better than many other strings. They bend farther and sing louder as well.  Manufactured in the United States, the plain steel alloy and carbon steel core provides an entirely different level of power and confidence.

By using a reinvented wire drawing technique, the D’Addario NYXL1156 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings provide more strength and a much greater tuning stability. These strings have an improved mid-frequency response and a higher output that gives more presence.

This is because the string winding has huge magnetic properties. They are great strings, consistently made and unlike the regular 1046 D’Addario, they last several gigs.

They do last a long time and although a little expensive, you won’t have to change them anytime soon. When played hard on an acoustic, these strings maintain their tune. They have an amazing mid-range chunk and do not have the real high-end snap common with new strings. If you are particular about tone, then you should try the NYXL’s.

4. Fender Stainless Steel 350’s

Fender Stainless Steel 350's

For heavier styles of music, such as hard rock and heavy metal, Fender stainless 350’s is an excellent choice. These guitar strings have a pure stainless steel wrap with high resistance toil, sweat and acid for long life span and brilliant tone. They have a bright and aggressive tone that also complements guitars made of dark sounding tone-woods like poplar and mahogany.

Since 1946, fender has been the instrument of choice for many of the greatest musicians in the world. Its popularity through the generations is a result of its design and quality. Fender strings are designed in the United States of America. The use of the finest materials ensures that you will get the greatest sounding string and best feeling, set after set.

Thicker gauges provide more low-end frequency response, hotter output and a richer tone; therefore, String Gauge can play a very important role in the efficiency of your instruments.

The string tension on your guitar which can alter how difficult your guitar is to play can also be affected by the guitar strings. Very light tension can cause tuning stability issues and a very heavy tension can make it too difficult to bend notes. These guitar strings are quite affordable and will certainly deliver.

3. Ernie Ball Cobalt Not Even Slinky Set

Ernie Ball Cobalt Not Even Slinky Set

These strings are soft and silky to the touch, making string bending very easy. A stronger magnetic relationship between pickups and strings is provided by cobalt compared to any other alloy previously available. They are one of the latest innovations in string technology and provide bassists and guitarists with a new voice.

They also provide an incredible harmonic response, clear highs, crisp, increased low end and an extended dynamic range. They can be bent easily compared to traditional nickel-wound strings which help very much for learners, although they are not as smooth as regular nickel wound strings and that’s because the edges of the strings are a bit sharper beneath the fingers. The cobalt strings also seem to have a longer lifespan than regular Slinkys (probably 3 times longer) before they begin to sound distorted.

Overall the cobalt strings are good strings and they deliver awesome tone for playing metal. They are better than the regular Slinkys, very durable and stay in tune even after just putting them on. These strings would be a good call to test out.

2. Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Nickel Wound Set

Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Nickel Wound Set

Ernie Ball Slinky electric guitar strings have been the favorite of musicians across the world for over 50 years. The strings’ unique recipe consists of specific gauges and core to wrap ratios for well-balanced harmonics and that unique Slinky feel. The gauge combinations are industry standard, helping shape the sound of metal and rock.

For a uniform tone that will work for all types of guitar and playing technique, the strings are made of steel (nickel-plated) that are placed around a tin-plated, carbon steel core. They produce some very clean sounds and are easier to bend.

Not a defective product or a failing of any kind. There is less tension on the high end. The bottom three strings are the ones that suffer most from a very light gauge But overall, they are really great strings in the power format. These strings can take a pretty good beating without sounding harsh. They give a stronger rounder tone.

I would recommend these to a player who likes to play heavy rhythm and then plays the lead.

1. D’Addario EJ16-10P Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

D'Addario EJ16-10P Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

This string is known for its bright, warm and well balanced acoustic tone. It is crafted in the United States of America.  This phosphor Bronze precision wound strings are corrosion resistant and carefully drawn. They are hexagonally shaped with a high carbon steel core. This results in a long-lasting, clear sounding tone with great intonation.

They deliver the traditional textured feel most players are comfortable and familiar with, all thanks to the round wound construction. They also provide the ideal balance of projection, volume and comfortable play.

D’Addario Phosphor Bronze strings have a reputation for unrivaled consistency and quality. The packaging provides protection from corrosion and reduces waste. When properly struck, they produce an arm balanced sound. When you pluck or strum, it produces the most expressive and sensitive tone that brings out the very best in your guitars.

They also come in Medium gauge and Heavy gauge. The heavy gauge brings out more bass, although is a bit hard on the fret fingers. These strings sound better for solos, but not quite as warm for accompaniment/rhythm.

Overall, they are very decent for the price.

Bestseller No. 1
Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Slinky M-Steel Electric Guitar Strings, 10-52 Gauge (P02915)
  • Superior magnetic attraction providing the most expressive strings ever created
  • Dynamic frequency response with increased output and added strength
  • Super Cobalt alloy wrapped around a Managing steel hex core wire, producing a richer and fuller tone with powerful low end response
  • Element Shield Packaging prolongs string life and keeps strings as fresh as the day they were made
  • Made in California, USA with the finest and freshest materials
Bestseller No. 2
Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Slinky Cobalt Electric Guitar Strings - 10-52 Gauge
  • Cobalt produces a stronger magnetic relationship between pickups and strings than any other alloy previously available
  • Cobalt electric guitar strings provide an extended dynamic range, incredible harmonic response, strong low end, and crisp, clear highs
  • Wound strings consist of Ernie Ball’s Cobalt alloy wrapped around a tin-plated high-carbon steel core wire
  • Get the best of both worlds: a skinny top (strings E, B, G) for enhanced shredability and a heavy bottom (strings D, A, E) for thicker chords and...
  • Made in California, USA with the finest and freshest materials
Bestseller No. 3
D'Addario Guitar Strings - XL Nickel Electric Guitar Strings - EXL110-3D - Perfect Intonation,...
  • BESTSELLING SET – XL Nickel are our best-selling electric guitar strings, revered by players since 1974.
  • VERSATILE, BRIGHT TONE – Nickel-plated steel wrap wire provides a bright, versatile electric guitar tone, great for a variety of musical genres.
  • FOR THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE – Like all D’Addario electric guitar strings, XL Nickel are made with our proprietary Hex-Core, ensuring perfect...
  • EARN REWARD POINTS - XL Nickel sets have a code on the recyclable VCI bag, which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
  • MADE IN THE USA – XL Nickel electric guitar strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.
Bestseller No. 4
JIM DUNLOP DHCN1048 Heavy Core Guitar Strings, Heavy, .010–.048, 6 Strings/Set
  • Designed for dropped and lowered tunings
  • Quick attack
  • Defined low end
  • Item Package Dimension: 4.4099999955018L x 4.3299999955834W x 0.2799999997144H inches
  • Item Package Weight - 0.09038952742 Pounds
Bestseller No. 5
D'Addario NYXL1046 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, Regular Light, 10-46
  • PREMIUM GUITAR STRING - NYXLs are our premium uncoated electric strings, delivering unrivaled strength and tuning stability, plus enhanced mid-range.
  • CUT THROUGH THE MIX – The premium nickel-plated steel wrap wire used for NYXLs provides accentuated frequency response in the 1 - 3.5 kHz range, so...
  • STAYS IN TUNE, STRONGER STRING - Fusion Twist technology assures NYXL electric guitar strings stay in tune 131% better than standard strings, while...
  • EARN REWARD POINTS - NYXL strings come with a code which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
  • MADE IN THE USA – NYXL electric guitar strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.

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FAQ:

Q: What strings should I buy for my electric guitar?

A: Fender electric guitar strings are made of steel, so they properly transmit the string vibrations to the magnetic pickups. The low E, A and D strings are wound with various alloys, while the G, B and high E strings are tin-plated. Below are the common materials used for wound strings in Fender’s lineup: – Nickel-Plated Steel: A popular option …

Q: How to choose the best electric guitar strings for beginners?

A: Your playing style and music genre How often you play The sound character and tone you want to achieve

Q: What electric guitar should I buy as a beginner?

A: Solid-Bodied Electric Guitars. The Yamaha Pacifica series offers an excellent range of reasonably-priced guitars…and you’re not paying extra for the brand name. Semi-Hollow/Semi-Acoustic Electric Guitars. A semi-hollow electric guitar. … Hollow-Bodied Electric Guitars. …

Q: What are some good electric guitar strings?

A: – More nickel. Nickel-wound strings (using a high nickel-steel alloy for the winding) tend to sound warmer/darker than nickel-plated windings, stainless steel or bronze. – Bigger gauge. Thicker strings tend to reduce higher harmonics. – Flatwounds. … – Let them age. …