Best Electric Guitar Strings in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 22, 2024
Electric guitar strings don't really age well. These things get fatigued and require frequent replacement. That's not necessarily the case with the strings on this list though. These are the best electric guitar strings on the market today. These strings will maintain their bright, balanced tone much longer than your average deal. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Best For
Materials
String Quantity
Diameter
Warranty
 
PROS

The Nanoweb™ coating works wonders preventing the usual contamination and corrosion issues that plague regular strings. The anti-rust plating resists the tone-deadening rust and corrosion effects. The strings are especially thin and lightweight. 

CONS

You'll have to carefully adjust the strings after threading them. 

OUR VERDICT

Elixir 12052 packs the best guitar strings on this list. Reducing the finger-squeaking effect, these strings are equally suitable for performance and recording purposes. It certainly doesn't hurt that these things are ridiculously durable too.

detailed parameters
Best For

Performance and recording

Materials

Nickel-plated steel with Nanoweb™ coating 

String Quantity

6

Diameter

E-0.010

B-0.013

G-0.017

D-0.026

A-0.036

E-0.046

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The break-resistant, high-carbon steel wire offers remarkable strength and pitch stability. The precision-drawn and micro-coated strings are able to maintain that familiar uncoated tone, all whilst considerably extending string life. The round wound makes sure that these strings hurt far less than regular strings and prevents the usual fraying issue. 

CONS

The strings are not individually packaged (twisted in pairs).

OUR VERDICT

The versatile sound that D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound strings deliver will prove suitable for all genres and playing styles. Precision-wound on the company's very own digitally-controlled machines, these strings offer ace intonation, clear fundamentals, and unmatched consistency.

detailed parameters
Best For

Performance

Materials

Nickel-plated steel

String Quantity

6

Diameter

E-0.010

B-0.013

G-0.017

D-0.026

A-0.036

E-0.046

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The strings feature specific gauges and core-to-wrap ratios for the most balanced, richest harmonics and the company's signature Slinky feel. The nickel-plated part makes sure that the balanced tone incorporates practically unrivalled intonation and superior consistency.

CONS

The high E string breaks too easily. 

OUR VERDICT

Ernie Ball 2223 Electric Guitar Strings Super Slinky are as versatile as they come. The strings will prove suitable for all electric guitars (except Headless Steinbergs). They are all about longevity, versatility, and tonality. The strings offer excellent output, equally excellent treble, solid midrange, and deep bass.

detailed parameters
Best For

Performance

Materials

Nickel-plated steel (tin-plated hex-shaped steel core)

String Quantity

6

Diameter

E-0.009

B-0.011

G-0.016

D-0.024w

A-0.032

E-0.042

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The slightly heavier top/bottom E gives the otherwise familiar sound a unique twist/touch. The 10.5-50 gauge delivers well-balanced tones and solid bass across the set. You should have no issues bending 2 tones on the G at the fifth fret. The added tone and clarity on the lower strings is really noticeable too.

CONS

The strings darken with time and lose their sharp appearance. 

OUR VERDICT

The GHS GB-DGF David Gilmour String Set won't give you the living legend's skills but the strings might be able to make your guitar sound close enough to the man himself. Plus, incorporating round-wound nickel-plated steel over a round core, the strings last much longer than your average prospect on the market today.

detailed parameters
Best For

Performance, live concerts

Materials

Nickel-plated steel

String Quantity

6

Diameter

E-0.010

B-0.012

G-0.016

D-0.028

A-0.038

E-0.048

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The extra-light 9-40 gauge gives these strings an excellent feel and an equally excellent tone. The ball-ended design allows for easy fitting and fast settle-in, giving the strings super-stable tuning. The high-gloss cardboard makes the set an ideal gift for aspiring electric guitar players.  

CONS

No corrosion resistance, so you'll always have to take proper care and clean them after a sweaty gig. 

OUR VERDICT

Adagio E9 strings' tone and resonance are up there with the most expensive prospects on the market right now. The nickel-plated steel makes them tough, durable, and reliable in the long run. Plus, the strings are equally suitable for aspiring musicians, small-time players, and big-time pros.

detailed parameters
Best For

Performance

Materials

Nickel-plated steel

String Quantity

6

Diameter

E-0.009

B-0.011

G-0.016

D-0.024w

A-0.032w

E-0.042w

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

X

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Elixir 12052

Nanoweb™ Сoating

Elixir 12052 feel like traditional guitar strings but these things are anything but. First and foremost, the rich and detailed tone that these things will be able to give you guitar will last 3-5 times longer compared to ordinary strings.

It is all about the nickel-plated steel that incorporates Nanoweb™ coating. The coating is really good at preventing the usual contamination and corrosion issues that plague regular strings. At the same time, the anti-rust plating resists the tone-deadening rust and corrosion effects.

The strings are especially thin and lightweight. The 6-string pack weighs just 45 grams (including the package). Nevertheless, these things are as tough and rugged as they come. You'll have to change them far less often compared to regular strings.

Of course, we're not saying that the product is flawless. We don't have any major issues with it but you will have to slowly and carefully adjust the strings after threading them. Otherwise, you won't be able to pull out the company' trademark crisp sound.

All things considered, Elixir 12052 packs the best guitar strings on this list. Reducing the finger-squeaking effect, these strings are equally suitable for performance and recording purposes. It certainly doesn't hurt that these things are ridiculously durable too.

Review of Elixir 12052 Ultra-Thin Nanoweb Coating

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0002E1O3G

 

D'Addario EXL110

Brilliant Intonation with Unmatched Consistency

D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound packs regular light-gauge strings (from E-0.010 to E-0.046).

Precision-wound on the company's very own digitally-controlled machines, these strings deliver ace intonation, clear fundamentals, and unmatched consistency. Wound with a nickel-plated steel wrap wire, these things incorporate the company's distinctive bright tone and the magnetic output that draws you in and doesn't let go. That's always the case with D'Addario's strings though.

This particular product, on the other hand, packs plain steel strings and hexagonal cores.

The break-resistant, high-carbon steel wire offers remarkable strength and pitch stability.

The precision-drawn and micro-coated strings are able to maintain that familiar uncoated tone, all whilst considerably extending string life.

The round wound makes sure that these strings hurt far less than regular strings and prevents the usual fraying issue.

For our taste, the product's only downside is that the strings are not individually packaged (twisted in pairs).

Setting this minor problem aside, D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound will be able to elevate your guitar's sound and make sure that you've no issues in the long run. The versatile sound that the strings deliver will prove suitable for all genres (from rock and metal to blues and jazz) and playing styles.

Review of D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound
Last updated price £5.94
Stock In stock
ASIN B0002F7K7Y

 

Ernie Ball P02223

Rich Harmonics and Excellent Treble

Ernie Ball 2223 Electric Guitar Strings Super Slinky are as versatile as they come. The strings will prove suitable for all electric guitars (except Headless Steinbergs).

The company's strings in general and these things, in particular, incorporate specific gauges and core-to-wrap ratios for the most balanced, richest harmonics and the Ernie Ball's signature Slinky feel.

The nickel-plated steel wrapped around a tin-plated high-carbon hex-shaped steel core is the biggest contributor towards that balanced tone that is able to compliment pretty much all guitar types and playing styles.

The aforementioned steel core wire is almost absurdly durable, making sure you won't have to replace the strings more often than necessary. The only exception to that rule is the high E string that breaks too easily compared to other strings.

The nickel-plated part makes sure that the balanced tone incorporates practically unrivalled intonation and superior consistency.

Last but not least, the ElementShield™ packaging will be able to protect the strings against rust and corrosion in humid environments.

Again, Ernie Ball 2223 Electric Guitar Strings Super Slinky are all about longevity, versatility, and tonality. The strings offer excellent output, equally excellent treble, solid midrange, and deep bass.

Review of Ernie Ball P02223 Super Slinky

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £6.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B0002M6CW6

 

GHS GB-DGF

Easy Bending

David Gilmour, Pink Floyd's lead guitarist (among other titles), is up there with the biggest musicians ever. The GHS GB-DGF David Gilmour String Set won't give you the living legend's skills but the strings might be able to make your guitar sound close enough to the man himself.

First and foremost, these things are really durable. Incorporating round-wound nickel-plated steel over a round core, the strings last much longer than your average prospect on the market today.

Sure, they darken with time and lose their sharp appearance. That doesn't affect the strings' sound/performance though. That bright tone will easily last and remain unchanged for several months.

The slightly heavier top/bottom E gives the otherwise familiar sound a unique twist/touch. At the same time, the added tone and clarity on the lower strings is really noticeable too, making these things versatile and much more suitable for live concerts than every other string set on this list.

The 10.5-50 gauge gives well-balanced tones and solid bass across the set. You should have no issues bending 2 tones on the G at the fifth fret.

Once more, no strings will make you sound like David Gilmour but the GHS GB-DGF David Gilmour String Set might just be able to take your live performance sound to the next level. There's practically nothing about these medium-weight strings to dislike.

Review of GHS GB-DGF David Gilmour String Set

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00135HFK4

 

Adagio E9

Best Electric Guitar Strings for Beginners

We can definitely get behind the Adagio E9 Professional Electric Guitar String Set.

As far as we're concerned, the only issue with these strings is that the nickel-plated steel isn't corrosion-resistant, so you'll always have to take proper care and clean them after sweaty gigs. Other than that, these things are great.

The strings' tone and resonance are up there with the most expensive prospects on the market right now. The nickel-plated steel makes them tough, durable, and reliable in the long run.

The extra-light 9-40 gauge gives these strings an excellent feel and an equally excellent tone. The ball-ended design allows for easy fitting and fast settle-in, giving the strings super-stable tuning.

The nickel-wound build, on the other hand, is the biggest contributor to the strings' crisp and clear tone.

Apart from that, we can definitely get behind the product's packaging. The high-gloss cardboard makes the set an ideal gift for professional and aspiring musicians. Each individual string is shrink-wrapped and air-sealed.

All in all, Adagio E9 Professional Electric Guitar String Set packs everything quality strings are supposed to be, supposed to stand for, and supposed to deliver. Plus, the strings are equally suitable for aspiring musicians, small-time players, and big-time pros.

Review of Adagio E9 Professional Electric Guitar String Set
Last updated price £5.49
Stock In stock
ASIN B000VKM0Q6

 

What Are Electric Guitar Strings?

It doesn't matter how good your electric guitar is. Alright, alright, it does. That being said, all guitars will sound awful when equipped with awful strings. The strings determine the sound almost as much as the instrument itself.

That's where these electric guitar strings come in. Using these strings, you'll be able to elevate your instrument's sound and take your performance to the next level.

The difference between quality strings and their subpar counterparts is very much noticeable. Good strings give you a rich and detailed tone. They reduce the so-called finger-squeaking effect. Above-average intonation, clear fundamentals, and good consistency are what separates quality strings from cheap products.

Inexperienced players will definitely appreciate the round-wound strings in these reviews since those work wonders preventing the usual fraying issue and hurt far less than regular strings.

Other than that, there's also the difference in harmonics, treble, bass, midrange, and overall output, so make sure to carefully read the reviews.

It won't hurt to check out our best electric guitars and guitar picks lists too.

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Publish Date: 2019-09-30 12:53:26