If you are a music enthusiast and want to excel with your guitar playing skills then the quality of your guitar has got a lot to do here. It is more so about the quality of the strings which would define the different genres of music that you could play with a guitar. The metal strings are highly desirable these days to play metal or heavy metal music.
The very first of the guitar strings of metal type was introduced in 1920 and it was somewhere in the 1930s when it got revealed to the world. This lead to the creation of the electric guitar which is considered to be the most critical and productive instrument in the field of music today.
If you are thinking on the same lines about the guitar strings for metal then there are several things to be considered here. If you do your homework then you could surely come with the best in this extreme genre of music. Let us find the details in depth.
Here is a quick preview of our top 10:
#1, D’Addario NIXL1156 Electric Guitar Nickel Plated Strings
#2, DR Strings DDT Guitar String for Metal
#3, Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Guitar Strings Set for Metal
#4, D’Addario EJ16-10P Guitar Strings
#5, GHS Strings Nickel Rockers Guitar String
#6, DR Strings Dimebag Darrell Signature Electric Guitar Strings
#7, Elixir 19052 Coated Nickel Guitar Strings
#8, Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Nickel Wound Guitar Strings Set
#9, DR Strings Tite Fit Electric Guitar Strings for Metal
#10, GHS Electric Guitar Boomer Strings Set
The enthusiasts must note here that it is important to first get a good quality electric guitar. It is possible only then to have the best strings for metal to work on it. The following is a very carefully devised list of the best strings for metal that you could install on your electric guitar.
See also:
#1, D’Addario NIXL1156 Electric Guitar Nickel Plated Strings
As compared with the regular type of nickel wound strings, this one comes with better tuning stability. You will find this set of strings to get tuned faster with an enhanced mid-range frequency response which is set between the ranges of 1 – 3.5 kHz.
They are ideally designed by the manufacturer for those guitarists who prefer going with a much heavier string setup. These strings are environmentally friendly as they come in the coated form. They promise to remain tuned better than the majority of the other top brand strings available. They tend to bend a lot more than the other standard types and they could sing louder as well.
Pros:
- These strings provide supplementary strength and excellent tuning stability.
- The mid-frequency response of these strings is excellent along with higher output as well.
- These strings are known to maintain their tone when they are played hard on the guitar.
- These strings tend to last for a long time.
#2, DR Strings DDT Guitar String for Metal
The DR Strings is an upcoming brand and the quality of its products, especially this string set has stunned even some of the pro guitarists. This string is made by the manufacturer for the metal guitarists which were warmly welcomed by the budding guitarists.
They are coiled very brilliantly and that employs something known as the “ACT”. This one is a hexagonal coil wire which helps a lot in making the strings much stable. This is a key requirement for the heavy music type that we need here. The users have the opportunity here to switch easily between the Drop D and C configurations as required.
Pros:
- These strings provide supplementary strength and excellent tuning stability.
- The mid-frequency response of these strings is excellent along with higher output as well.
- These strings are known to maintain their tone when they are played hard on the guitar.
- These strings tend to last for a long time.
Cons:
- Despite being coated, these strings tend to rust fairly quickly.
#3, Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Guitar Strings Set for Metal
This set of strings are quite soft on the touch which helps in making this string bend quite easily. Cobalt is meant to provide a very magnetic sort of a relationship between the pickups and the strings. The setup used here is one of the finest and the latest innovative technology available.
The guitarists and bassists will be provided with absolutely new output and voice. The guitarists get a superb harmonic response with this one along with crisp, clear highs, increased low end, and more dynamic range.
Pros:
- They could be bent easily as compared with nickel wound strings so it is good for beginners.
- The tonal quality provided is superb for metal users.
- The durability of these strings is quite good.
- The lifespan for these cobalt guitar strings is also quite long.
Cons:
- After a little use, you will find these strings to be rough like sandpaper.
#4, D’Addario EJ16-10P Guitar Strings
D’Addario for guitar strings is a very well know brand. It is particularly preferred by users for its warm, bright, and ideally balanced tone. The product is manufactured in the USA and it has quality stamped all over it. These strings are carefully drawn and corrosion-resistant.
The manufacturer designed them to be hexagonally shaped that comes with a high carbon steel core. All these features result in a much long-lasting and extremely clear-sounding tone that comes with excellent intonation as well.
Pros:
- The tonal quality for the strings remains consistent despite heavy use.
- Once you strum or pluck it, it will give the most expressive and extremely sensitive tone.
- This string set provides the best balance between volume, projection, and easy play.
- ou will have the option to choose from medium or heavy gauge strings as per your needs.
Cons:
- As compared to some of the top brands, the surface has some sort of roughness.
#5, GHS Strings Nickel Rockers Guitar String
GHS is in the strings-making business since 196 and they have loads of experience to come up with something unique and extraordinary. This specific one is Rollerwound Pure Nickel string of medium-range which will suffice the needs of heavy players as well.
It might not be the thickest available string in the market but they are sturdy and exactly what the beginning level heavy metal users might needs. They are expected to last for a good few months and you will not notice their quality getting deteriorated over that period until you make the replacement.
Pros:
- These strings can take any punishment and they will still perform as desired.
- The material of this string is quite good and soft to the touch.
- You can expect these strings to last for a long time without breaking or rusting.
- This set is highly recommended to beginning-level users of metal.
Cons:
- There might be some sliding noise, especially on the 4, 5, and 6 strings.
#6, DR Strings Dimebag Darrell Signature Electric Guitar Strings
This one is a high-voltage nickel-plated string for electric guitar. These strings mean serious business and you will find them suitable for medium to heavy use in the range of 10 – 52. The precise option you have within the range is 10, 13, 17, 30, 44, 52 which is quite diverse for beginners and even or some advanced players.
These signature strings have also been played by the great metal music icon Dime Bag, Darrell. It comes with a useful hexagonal core wire along with the nickel-plated steel wrap wire. It is treated with useful string life, which is a molecular tie liquid polymer. This is the thing that helps in protecting the stuff from the corrosive elements.
Pros:
- It comes with hi-voltage strings which are constructed with nickel-plated steel wrap.
- There is molecular liquid polymer ensured which helps in protecting strings from corrosion.
- You will find this string perfect for heavy harmonic screams like no other.
- This is suitable for medium to heavy music playing needs.
Cons:
- The high E string is found to be quite weak and it tends to break easily.
#7, Elixir 19052 Coated Nickel Guitar Strings
This one from Elixir is among the most desirable coated strings for an electric guitar for metal playing. These are nickel-plated steel-wrapped strings. You will have the option to choose from a range of available gauges. This particular set of strings offer considerably hard-wearing.
Elixir is not the type of brand to use varying coatings for prolonging the strings’ life. Rather, they employ patented Optiweb applications over the strings for the same purpose. You will get the best coating with no loss of the natural resonance of the strings.
Pros:
- The excellent coating is ensured over strings that don’t impact sound.
- You will find this string to be resonant and bright.
- The item is found to be extremely hard-wearing.
- They will last noticeably longer as compared to other strings of a similar type.
Cons:
- A lot of users find it pricier for its level of quality and features.
#8, Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Nickel Wound Guitar Strings Set
These Ernie Ball Slinky strings are apt for an electric guitar for playing heavy music. This brand has been a favorite for professional guitarists all around the world for more than five decades. The unique recipe of the strings used here is of its specific gauges and then the core to wrap ratios.
It provides the guitar with the well-balanced harmonics that come with that special Slinky feel as well. The gauge combinations employed here are the industry standards that help a lot in shaping the sound of the metal and also the rock.
Pros:
- The nickel-plated strings are good for offering clean sound.
- You will find these strings quite easy to bend which makes them suitable for heavy metal music.
- The users will experience a very string-rounded tone without it sounding harsh at all.
- It is ideal for those playing the heavier rhythm followed by the lead.
Cons:
- They are not long-lasting as they start to rust after a few weeks.
#9, DR Strings Tite Fit Electric Guitar Strings for Metal
This DR Tite Fit is the most desirable guitar string from the DR brand that people into heavy music playing would like to have. It is very much of a neutral product that could be used by skilled players of blues, rocks and jazz music, etc.
You will find this as the flex bar wires which will offer you excellent curvature. It comes with circular core construction which helps in producing loud sounds while it stays malleable and resulting in large and double bends.
Pros:
- The product uses the most advanced and best metal available in the USA which endorses quality.
- The tonal reliability of this string set is exceptionally higher.
- This is a multi-purpose string that could be used for metal, jazz, blues, and rock music.
- These strings are useful for both beginners and professional guitarists.
Cons:
- They are not long-lasting and might show wear and tear within a week of use.
#10, GHS Electric Guitar Boomer Strings Set
If you measure a product with its competition based on value for money and quality then this strings set from GS will be among the winners. This Boomer variant from GHS offers nickel-plated steel around a steel core. This then helps in providing a brighter and nicer tone.
The old strings with pure nickel are not suitable anymore. You must have this latest one with the perfect setting for a guitar string for metal. The range might not be that diverse in terms of the gauges but, still, it offers great value for what it is. This one is highly recommended for beginners who are into the metal genre of music or heavy playing.
Pros:
- This is the nickel-plated string set which is the most desirable one for metal.
- You will be offered a bright tone using this set of strings.
- It can accommodate heavy use with ease and with no fear of breaking the material.
- It will last for a reasonably long time expected for a set of strings.
Cons:
- The range of gauges for this one is not diverse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Guitar Strings for Metal
Which is the most common material used for electric guitar strings for metal?
The most common material used in the electric guitar strings for metal is steel and nickel. Usually, there will be a steel wire in an electric guitar which is plated in nickel.
Does the metal genre require to use of heavy strings in the guitar?
Yes. It is because the heavier or thicker string provides an excellent and fuller tone with more volume and sustained sound. For that to work properly, you need to ensure better finger strength along with supplementary tension in the strings.
How long do guitar strings for metal last?
Generally. You need to change your guitar strings after every three months or after 100 hours of usage. You may see a sign of wear and tear or deteriorating guitar performance when strings change is warranted.
What is the major benefit of buying a coated string?
The main benefit of a coating string is that it will be corrosion resistant and it will last much longer than a non-coated guitar string for metal.
Should Metal Guitar Strings Have Thicker Gauges?
Guitar strings should be thicker than.01″
What Materials Should Metal Guitar Strings Use?
Steel is the most commonly used stringing material for guitar strings. Nickel is an alternative that is less common. Nickel plating is an option that is less common than either of those.
Some of the best metal guitar string combos include a steel core with a cobalt-plated steel winding material. Other options include a pure steel core or an iron/nickel alloy. Experimenting with different combinations is recommended.
What are the Best Metal Strings for Beginners?
Metal strings are heavier than regular ones. They are made of harder materials and have bigger diameters. They also require more effort to play. But if you want to start off playing your guitar without any hassle, then these strings are perfect for you.
Are Hybrid Strings Good for Metal?
Hybrid guitar string is great for metal. Metal players use heavy bass strings along with light treble strings to get a thicker sound. Hybrid strings allow them to play easily.
What is the Best Tone for Metal Bright or Warm?
Warmth is a smooth, thick, easy-going tone. Brightness is a vibrant, sparkling, clean tone. Nickel strings are generally used for warm tones. Stainless steel strings are generally used for bright tones.
How to Choose Metal Guitar Strings for You Metal is a very popular genre of music. There are a lot of different types of metal instruments, but most of them use strings. You should try to figure out what type of string works best for you.
How We Chose the Best Guitar Strings for Metal?
Guitars with thicker gauge strings sound better than thinner ones. Strings with a low E string at 52 or higher should be considered. Also consider buying your own strings and trying them out yourself.
High-output strings provide sustain and work well with distortions. We want to target them because they’re really hard to play.
What are common electric guitar string features to watch for?
Guitar strings should be coated in nickel, not steel. Electric guitars should use bright EQ settings.
Low EQ: Strings will be more responsive to the bass end of an equalizer. We tested this by playing a song with a low bass line while using an EQ with a high cutoff frequency (low EQ). We found that the string was much louder than before.
What Should You Know Before You Buy?
Choosing guitar strings is hard because there are many different types available. You need to know how to choose the right type of string for your style of playing. There are some things to think about before you pick up your guitar.
Things to Consider when Buying Guitar Strings for Metal
The guitar strings for metal or any other type play a critical role in the playability of the instrument. The selection of strings for metal is pivotal and this will define the tone. A few other factors also come into play which we will be discussing at length in this section.
Type of Metal
It is the type and quality of metal that produces different types of tones and also tends to alter the durability of the strings. Therefore, it is important to have a deep look at the different types of metals available and how they could impact the tone of your guitar:
- Stainless Steel – These strings are known to be extremely resistant to corrosion. They are more inclined towards producing an extremely crisp or bright tone. You will also find them coming up with supplementary volume.
- Chrome – The chrome strings are found to have very little resonance and they are quite warm in tone at the same time. These are the type of strings which are popular among the Jazz guitarists but other guitarists may use it as well.
- Pure Nickel – These strings are the ones known for their very warm sounds. They are usually employed for the vintage style of music which is something close to what you understand about blues and rock.
- Nickel-Plated Steel – These are the strings that are known for having an extremely good balance between warmth and brightness. This is what you would expect to have from these two metals. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that such type of strings for metal is the most popular one among the guitarists.
- Cobalt – These strings are found to be extremely moisture and sweat-resistant. They offer quite a bright tone as well. You will feel them extremely nice and comfortable under your fingers.
- Titanium – The titanium strings are known to be bright with their tone and they are quite durable as well. They are not much common and are very rarely used in guitars for metal.
The Hybrid strings
When it comes to strings and especially for the metal genre, the hybrid strings are the most popular option. They offer a bit different option to the guitarists. These are the type of strings that comes with the heavy gauge of the bass strings.
However, the strings on the higher end are quite light.
This results in convenient soloing. The metal genre of music is close to the chunky riffs that are played at the lower side of the guitar and also for the solos. To have a guitar sound that is capable of doing both effectively then hybrid strings are the most optimal choice. If you know about the individual strings discussed in the above section then you will get a clear understanding to further progress with this need.
If you want to experiment in the metal genre with intricate solos or a lot of high tones then a hybrid gauge set with the thick lower and deep strings is desirable. For soloing, the brighter high strings could be your most desirable option.
If you are only looking for the deeper sound then hybrid strings are not the best type. A thick type of sound for the chords and rhythm could come as the best suitable option.
String Gauges
If you are a beginner then you must understand here that gauges are a very critical component of guitar and its strings. Their importance is even more in the case of metal music as for the genre, you will most probably be detuning. If you want to have the best string options available for the Drop C and D tunings then it is important to have heavy gauges.
The heavy or the thick gauges of strings would help in getting the lower and grizzly tone. On top of that, these types could also withstand the lower tunings if we down-tune the standard strings which would then become loose and quite hard to play. The thicker strings are also known to give a good tone for the metal as they bring about more volume along with much-sustained sound.
If you are looking to shred then they could cope with much rigorous playing. You must note here that the heavy strings for guitars are never easy to play. The hybrid strings might be best for metal beginners. Please note that the heavy strings could exert a lot of pressure on your neck so you need to be very careful with that.
Coatings on the string
The coating is a very crucial aspect associated with the construction of the strong. It is important for playability, durability, and aesthetics alike. Some of the top brands are good at giving micro-fine coating. These are good for protecting the strings from rust, dust, and moisture.
This extends the life of the strings which could be as long as five times what you expect otherwise with minimal care and protection. Metal playing is often desirable on a 7 string guitar but it could be tough for beginners. It is advised to progress gradually after settling down on the 6 strings guitar.
Changing requirements of guitar Strings
The veterans or the expert guitarists are quite accomplished with the changing requirements of the guitar strings for metal. However, beginners need to learn it and to get accustomed to the strings changing process. You must learn with the older or practicing strings before getting your hands around your real guitar strings for metal.
Conclusion
As you could see above that how much is associated with the strings of the guitar only. You need to take care of a lot of things for the strings for the guitar. Once you find the best match that suits your needs then it is advised to buy strings in bulk.
It is because you might struggle next time to find the right string for metal that will suit your needs. Sometimes, you really cannot make up your mind right away if a particular set of strings is good for you or not.
It is good to experiment with the different gauges of the metal string before settling down with one. What your ideal guitarist has been using could be a good idea but do not blindly trust that. Keep on experimenting every time and you will come up with better options for the guitar strings for metal.
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