best guitar strings for metal

10 Best Guitar Strings For Metal For Superior Shredding Tone!

Updated on April 1, 2022 by Dan Harper

When you play metal guitar, one important thing you need is the right strings. You need the best guitar strings for metal music so you can rock out with the best. Finding the best guitar strings for metal guitar music is a little tricky, but hopefully this article will help point you in the right direction.

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What makes a guitar string good for metal music?

There are a few important qualities that you will want to find in a good string for metal guitar playing. Of all the qualities, there is one that stands out above everything else. That quality is tone. The tone of any given string plucked by itself will tell you if it is good or not. If the metal tone is weak and dull, then it probably won’t work out for you as a metal guitar string. You need the brightness of a good metal string.

You also need great playability. The strings will be under a lot of tension, and you don’t want them to cause any hand or finger pain. When you’re playing metal music, you’re gonna be playing it hard and fast, so the last thing you need is for your strings to make your fingers hurt all the time. That can really take away from the experience of playing music.

Another thing you want is a string that is not too wind-tortured. These strings can cause bends and buzzing problems. If you need to keep tuning up, then it’s a good idea to avoid these kinds of strings. Also, the wound strings tend to be the most expensive, so if you’re on a budget and have to save money then wind-wounds is probably not where you should go for your metal music guitar strings.

Finally, you want to get a name brand electric guitar string. They’re the most expensive, but if you’re on a tight budget and need the best metal strings then they will work out the best for you.

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Our Top Guitar Strings For Metal Reviews

Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Nickel Wound Set

Ernie Ball is one of the best-known guitar string names in the world. They’re famous for their rigorous quality control and consistency. The Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Nickel Wound Set offers that familiar slinkiness of Ernie Ball strings, but with a twist.  My top pick for best guitar strings for metal.

The slinky feel of the strings is there, but they are wound with nickel plated steel wire, combined with a satin-finish brass covering. This gives the Slinky Nickel Wound Set a clear, bright tone perfect for shredding guitar solos.

While the strings have the same core design as other Ernie Ball guitars equipped with slinky winding technology you will find that they have a unique sound that is appealing to many players. Their clarity will let you hear every note for every chord you play. This makes for a smooth sound that’s not piercing, and you won’t have to worry about bending too much or having any buzzing or dead strings.

A unique feature you’ll find on the Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Nickel Wound Set is that they have a thicker E string, which will help balance out your guitar if it has a tremolo unit installed. This helps ensure that the guitar stays in tune with no problem.

Pros:

  • A unique sound that is appealing to many players.
  • The clarity of the strings will let you hear every note for every chord you play.
  • A thicker E string, which helps ensure that the guitar stays in tune with no problem.

Cons:

  • The price is a bit more than other string sets.


Check The Latest Price On The Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Nickel Wound Set

Elixir Nanoweb Coated Heavy Strings

For the sharpest tone and longest life from your guitar strings, Elixir Coated Strings are your best choice. The coating of these strings is a proprietary process that gives you a balanced tone with reduced finger noise. Every string on the Elixir Coated Heavy Strings Set is coated.

The coating along with the Nanoweb String Technology allows the strings to last much longer than conventional strings. Plus, with the coating on every string, you don’t have to worry about changing just one string; the entire set can go bad at once.

The coating also reduces finger noise and increases playing comfort by making it easier on your fingertips. It is a benefit that’s especially noticeable to players who tend to play with a lot of distortion and overdrive.

One downside to the Elixir Coated Heavy Strings is that the coating helps dampen the tone, which can be a problem for many metal guitarists. If you like your strings bright and snappy, you may want to look for something else. The coating does dull the sound of your strings.

Pros:

  • A coated set that will last much longer than conventional strings.
  • The coating with Nanoweb allows the strings to last much longer than conventional strings.
  • Reduces finger noise and increases playing comfort by making it easier on your fingertips.

Cons:

  • A dulled tone can be a problem for many metal guitarists.


Check The Latest Price On The Elixir Nanoweb Coated Heavy Strings

D’Addario ProSteels Electric Guitar Strings Light EPS

Steely, full-bodied and built to last. D’Addario’s ProSteels Light Guitars Strings are comparable in size to traditional electric strings, with a brighter tone and balanced feel. If your playing style is also strum-heavy, you can’t go wrong with D’Addario ProSteels Light Electric Guitar Strings.

The ProSteels Electric Strings are wound with the same production process as D’Addario’s regular strings, so if you’re a string veteran who knows a thing or two about durability and quality then this is perfect for you. Each string is wound with a special steel-plated wrap wire and coated in nickel for maximum performance and tone.

The coating process gives each string a balanced tone with reduced finger noise, and provides the ultimate in longevity when compared to other strings. These strings will last longer, last brighter and give you a more balanced feel.

The coated wrapping wire acts as a reservoir for tone and sustain, blocking out the minor amounts of vibration that can occur from string to string during repetitive playing. This results in faster action but no loss of tone. The coating also reduces finger noise by absorbing slight vibrations along the wire.

The coating also limits string-to-string variations due to dirt, moisture and wear, making them easier to tune and less susceptible to breakage. To top it all off, the coating protects the strings against tarnishing, ensuring they will always look their best.

Pros:

  • A bright tone with a clear dynamic response.
  • Dulls finger noise while giving you a more balanced feel.
  • Has a better overall feel and plays easier in the hand.

Cons:

  • Coating does dull your tone.


Check The Latest Price On The D’Addario ProSteels Electric Guitar Strings Light EPS

D’Addario NYXL1254 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

String up with the groundbreaking NYXL1254 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings! Compared to regular guitar strings, these babies last three times as long and have a much brighter tone. They are made of super-charged wire with enhanced copper. This super-charged, bright string won’t lose its amazing tone when you sweat or your fingers hurt like ordinary strings do. And if that’s not enough, the NYXL1254 is now available with a high-tech, silver coating for ultra-smooth action without finger noise and for a classic Nickel Wound tone.

Pros:

  • Better resistance to breakage.
  • Bright tone with a thick and full sound.
  • Tones last longer than standard guitar strings.

Cons:

  • They’re more expensive than standard strings.
  • The coating doesn’t last as long as the string itself.

Tony Macalpine was using a pair of NYXL strings when he broke his arm while performing on stage in the early 1990s. He has used them ever since because they are so tough, and this recommendation is from someone who plays a lot of shows.


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Dunlop Heavy Core

Dunlop Heavy Core strings are designed for guitarists that enjoy aggressive playing styles. The heavy core provides more noticeable tone and a powerful attack as the string is played. The heavy core is also less sensitive to humidity than other Dunlop strings. This allows the heavy core to maintain clarity and definition in a range of climates and environments.

The high winding ratios give the string a smooth feel and provide resistance to chipping and wear, extending the life of the string.

The .68 gauge is made from a nickel plated steel wrap wire core wound with an alloy of 80/20 bronze and copper. You can choose between a ball end or loop end. The ball end strings are great for players that use tremolo systems, as they will stay in tune longer than other tuning pegs.

Pros:

  • Great for aggressive players.
  • Suitable for all string gauge guitars.
  • Heavy core provides more obvious tone and a stronger attack as the string is played.
  • Less sensitive to humidity than other strings.
  • High winding ratios give the string a smooth feel and resistance to chipping and wear, extending the life of the string.

Cons:

  • The coating can be a nuisance.


Check The Latest Price On The Dunlop Heavy Core

Rotosound’s Pure Nickel

A classic string made in the UK since 1964. The Rotosound Pure Nickel strings are known for their classic feel. Made with 100{0794a961920d97099aea99cac5a861228867c4461e5cf936a4873e99fb4a0da6} nickel plated steel cover wire, these strings are great for old amplifiers and vintage guitars that typically like a warm, woody tone.

The Pure Nickel strings are wound with a hexagonal external wrap giving each string a bright, smooth feel and sound. The Pure Nickel strings have the smoothest action of the Rotosound string line, making them easier to play.

These strings have a bright, warm sound. The strings are good for metal but also country, jazz, blues, rock and folk genres. The Pure Nickel strings are available in two different gauges and various sets. They also are available with ball ends and loop ends.

Pros:

  • Playability is excellent, making them easy to play even if you have arthritis or other hand conditions that may make it difficult to play normally wound strings.
  • They have a bright, warm tone.
  • Great for metal, country, jazz, blues, rock and folk genres.
  • The strings are available in two gauges.

Cons:

  • Although they’re wound with a hexagonal wrap, they’re not as bright as you might expect them to be. They have a more mellow tone than other strings.


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Ernie Ball 2220 Power Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

Leave anything behind with Ernie Ball 2220 Power Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings! Play harder with a set of strings that are nearly indestructible. The Slinky has the perfect balance of power and feel you’ve been looking for!

Each string is wound with an extra-strength wrap wire that is drawn from a special nickel plated steel. The nickel-plated steel wire gives you an enhanced sense of clarity and a quicker attack. And with Ernie Ball’s special anti-rust treatment, these strings will sound great for a long time.

Pros:

  • Great strings to take out on tour.
  • They have an amazing tone and feel.
  • They have a bright, warm tone.
  • They play easier than other brands of strings.

Cons:

  • You’ll need to change them a lot if you plan to take them out of the house.


Check The Latest Price On The Ernie Ball 2220 Power Slinky Nickel Wound

DR Strings MT-10 Tite-Fit Compression Wound Electric Guitar Strings

DR Strings MT-10 Tite-Fit Compression Wound Electric Guitar Strings are wound with a high-tensile steel with a nickel plating. They are often used by touring guitarists because they last longer than regular strings. The MT-10 Tite-Fit strings can withstand colder temperatures, which can play havoc with regular guitar strings.

The nickel plating on the DR Strings MT-10 Tite-Fit Compression Wound Electric Guitar Strings not only makes the strings last longer, it also protects against corrosion. The extra thickness of the wire used in these strings is also known to have a positive effect on tone and feel. The eye is another thing that was built into these strings to help prevent string breakage.

Pros:

  • The strings have a bright, warm tone.
  • The strings feel smooth and comfortable in the hand.

Cons:

  • They can rattle a bit.


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DR Strings Dimebag Darrel Signature Series

Introducing the DR Strings Dimebag Darrel Signature Series strings. Wound with a special nickel plating, these guitar strings will make you sound like Dimebag Darrell!

Each string is wound with an extra-strength wrapwire drawn from a high-tensile steel. The nickel plating helps make the strings last longer and is especially good for preventing corrosion.

The DR Strings Dimebag Darrell Signature Series strings are designed to withstand extremely high string tension. If your amp has a tremolo arm, you can use these strings for extremely heavy playing styles and will have no problems with tuning or string breakage.

Pros:

  • They have a bright, warm tone.
  • They feel smooth and comfortable in the hand.

Cons:

  • They are harder to find than other strings.


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D’Addario EXL117 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

D’Addario EXL117 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings are a set of strings designed for the professional musician. Made of high-grade, nickel plated steel wire and wound with a special wrap wire, these strings have an extra-bright tone.

They are available in three different gauges: light, medium or heavy. These strings are easy to play, making them great for the working musician that needs to perform regularly. They can also be used by guitarists that have arthritis or other similar conditions that put strain on the fingers and hands while playing.

The EXL117 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings have a brighter tone than other D’Addario strings, which may take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to using regular strings.

Pros:

  • They are easy to play and have a bright sound.
  • They are great for beginners and those with arthritis or who have other conditions that make it difficult to play normally.
  • The EXL117 is available in three different gauges, light, medium and heavy.

Cons:

  • The EXL117 has a brighter tone than other D’Addario strings, which may take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to using regular strings.


Check The Latest Price On The D’Addario EXL117 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

Our Top Electric Guitar Strings For Metal Conclusion

Read more – names of guitar strings

As you can see, there is a lot to know about choosing the best guitar strings for metal music, and if you’re new to the world of metal gear then it might seem like an intimidating task. Don’t worry, though; this guide has all the information that any metal guitarist needs to pick out the best strings possible.