Good strings for Rock/ Metal

S

SDK2

New member
Hi All,

i would like to hear your commends on good strings for Rock / Metal on a Ibanez RGA guitar. I'm not looking to drop tuning very often. From what i could gather around here are some of the most preferred once:

1) RD DDT 9-42 Nickel-Plated Steel
2) RD Veritas VTE-9/46 Quantum Nickel
3) DR DBG 9-46 nickel-plated
4) DR Silver Stars SIE-9/46 Silver-Plated Nickel-Plated Steel
5) D'Addario ESXL125 9-46 Nickel Wound
6) D'Addario EPS520 ProSteels, Super Light, 9-42
7) Ernie Ball M-Steel 9-46 Hybrid Slinky
8) Ernie Ball 9-46 Hybrid Slinky
9) Dunloop 9-46 Nickel Wound

I'm currently on 9-42 but was looking to go to 9-46's . Any comments are appreciated.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

Can't go wrong with simple EB Hybrid Slinky, no M Steel. This is also just good life advice.... if something has the word "Slinky" in it, you should either buy the product or participate in the activity.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

I use a few different string brand/models depending on what compliments the specific guitar/tuning best.
For my Ibanez w/basswood bodies I prefer the EB slinky,,,,,,,or in my case now it's the juststrings.com house-brand bulk singles,,,,,,,same thing.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

I use the EB Slinky set as well. I prefer .010G but most of my playing is on a Gibson scale.
I have .09G on my Strat and Tele and they are comfy enough on that scale. But .010 has just a little more oomph to my ears.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

If I find that a certain guitar needs a stronger and/or brighter midrange I go with boomers,,,,,,,which actually sound less "boomy" in the lows to my ears, compared to slinky or xl.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

For Rock? I'd suggest you go with 6 strings. For metal, I'd say 7 or 8 should be good. You might even be able to get away with only 5 strings for rock and people probably wouldn't notice.
 
Last edited:
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

I've just always used D'Addarios XLs..I don't spend the $ on fancy strings. I change them after every show.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

Dunlop Heavy Core strings for me. Very consistent, cheap and feel excellent.
A bit less elastic than regular Dunlops, so they hold tight under heavy picking.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

9-46 just sounds much better to me. 10-46 on my LP but on my Ibanezes it's a bitt too hard to get good bends with 10s.

Elixers are my choice.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

Chistopher said:
For Rock? I'd suggest you go with 6 strings. For metal, I'd say 7 or 8 should be good. You might even be able to get away with only 5 strings for rock and people probably wouldn't notice.
Click to expand...

Plus, didn’t the dude fro the Presidents of the United States...only play with 2 strings?
But, there’s an argument whether that’s “rock” as we define it. Lol
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

Nagisa said:
9-46 just sounds much better to me. 10-46 on my LP but on my Ibanezes it's a bitt too hard to get good bends with 10s.

Elixers are my choice.
Click to expand...

I have elixirs on my Taylor acoustic. They are great strings, a bit pricy though but they last a long time.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

Strings are so personal you’ve got to go on your own string journey. Try a variety of gauges and a variety of compositions, coated and uncoated. Even an expensive set of string is only $12 so just get a few to see what you like.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

5) D'Addario ESXL125 9-46 Nickel Wound

Quick response to your playing style, consistent quality, and great output. The treble strings on this string model has bite.
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

Diego said:
Dunlop Heavy Core strings for me. Very consistent, cheap and feel excellent.
A bit less elastic than regular Dunlops, so they hold tight under heavy picking.
Click to expand...
+1 This. I love digging into my strings and they last a good while too. The 10s have a good low end punch due to the 48 . I've been converted to Dunlop over the last two years. They make good strings.

Since you want 9s tho, I would recommend the Dunlop or D addario 9s. You're still going to have to buy multiple packs and venture to see what works best for you.


Sent from my LG-H931 using Tapatalk
 
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

Play 9-whatever if you have a really light pick hand or you don't play very often and your left hand isn't very strong.

Play 10 or 11-something heavier than what's in the 9 set if you want to be able to dig in and get aggressive with the right hand.

Last week, I put a 9-40 set on my Strat to make me lighten up my attack. It's fun being able to bend any string around the neck effortlessly with one finger, but they sound and feel like the guitar got castrated. Seriously, if 10s are too heavy to bend, play more. Or just use 9s :)
 
Last edited:
Re: Good strings for Rock/ Metal

First of all - we have NO IDEA what you mean by metal.

Sabbath?
Kiss?
Scorps/Maiden/Priest?
Poison/BonJovi/Ratt?
Met/Mega/Anthrax?
Slipnot?
Djent?
Pantera?

That said - I think you are wayyyyy over thinking it.
1. 9/10/11's based on your tuning. E = lighter, C# = heavier.
2. Hand strength - Strong = heavier, weaker = lighter
3. Standard or hybrid? Thick bass and thin treble or not?

But there is no such thing as a "String" for a style....nothing but your preference on feel, and tone for your guitar.


I play 10's in E or Eb, and 11's to tune to D for Motley Crue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top