All Electric Guitar Strings Explained | Guitar Tech Tips | Ep. 38 | Thomann

Which strings should I get? How does stainless steel and nickel plated steel compare?
Do pure nickels sound super warm, or can I use them for every style?
What are the pros and cons of coated strings?
Get all your answers from Kris in our latest Guitar Tech Tips video!
Enjoy!

Do you want to learn more about changing strings on your electric guitar?
Here are two useful videos for you:

Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Introduction
0:46 Nickel plated steel strings
1:25 Coated strings
2:05 Strengthened strings
3:12 Cobalt strings
3:49 Stainless steel strings
4:20 Pure nickel strings
4:48 Hex core VS round core strings
5:19 Flat wound strings
5:48 Gold strings
6:14 DIRECT STRING COMPARISON
7:02 String gauges
7:38 Which string gauge for low tunings?
8:12 Outtakes

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[mr.radioshow]

I love this man just because how many times he had to restring his guitar and just play the same riff a million times, the dedication is amazing.

[jawedib]

Thanks for the quick recap of all sounds together at 6:14. More YT channels need to apply such common sense.

[cockysonuvaB]

Thanks for the MOST USEFUL string demo / explanation EVER on YouTube!

[ringoheywood]

Old age and arthritis have made me start using 8 gauge strings. Cool thing is, I'm still playing! Great video! Really enjoyed it and learned a lot too.

[Dandelion-]

Fretwear is also effected by string choice. Stainless steel will eat through the frets faster than nickel coated strings.

[ThomasSteffien]

interesting - thank you for all the efforts behind this video - all the string changing and tuning ...

[niclastname]

Huh. I have a nickel allergy (used to be pretty bad when I was younger, and would cause an itchy rash), and I had no idea that there were gold strings for that!

[shreddedbylight]

@1:14 Nickel Wound
@1:55 Coated
@3:01 Strengthened
@3:40 Cobalt
@4:10 Stainless Steel
@4:37 Pure Nickel
@5:37 Flat Wound
@6:03 Gold

[charleshoward]

For heavy Rock and Metal in Drop C I've been using Ernie Ball Cobalt 11-54 for the past couple of years. I swapped out the F (.22) for a round wound string to get rid of a little bit of twang I kept getting on that string. They've been working pretty well so far.

[andrebueno]

Yes, sir, this one was (is) a necessary one. Thank you.

[Hades_]

Another factor in the gauge conversation - Scale length! A Strat and a Les Paul tuned to E standard with 10s feel different!

[thebrysmith]

Just put a custom set of Broadway Pure Nickel Strings from Stringjoy of PRS McCarty 594 SE and I do believe I might have just my tone. Outstanding.

[kayjay]

I use Cobalts for my wound strings, because I love the sound and single NYXLs for my plains, because I change plains less often, usually only when they break. The NYXLs come as singles in sealed package at no upcharge, are a lot more durable, stay in tune right away and are available in .5 gauges (like 9.5).

[joshuamirabal]

I love the DR Pure Blues. I use .10's on my SG and the .09's on my Yamaha. DR strings last a very long time and until I saw the explanation of round-core strings I couldn't understand why. My second favorite are the regular D'Addarios in the same gauges. They are cheap, last a while, and are easy to find anywhere. Another favorite of mine are Rotosounds and they offer nickel on steel, steel, and pure nickels (like the DR strings). However, Rotosound strings are harder to come by. My least favorite are Ernie Ball and GHS strings. They never last that long even if I clean them off after playing like I normally do. I had to buy EB acoustic strings recently as it was the only choice I had at the time. They are wound so terribly at the ball ends that my acoustic pins can't sit correctly in place. I'm amazed EB is so popular. They are the lowest quality strings I've used. DR being the best thus far.

[lumberlikwidator]

Ages ago I used Ernie Ball nickel plated 11-46. I’d buy Regular Slinkys and substitute an 11 for the stock 10 high E. Age, carpal tunnel and arthritis have me using the Ernie Ball Classic pure nickel wound Hybrids, gauged 9-46. I like the easy bending on the plain strings and the firm bottom end of the heavier wound strings. I also like the Ernie Ball M-steel strings, which are more expensive, but they have higher output and tend to last longer. On my archtop jazz guitar I use 11-50 D’Addario Chromes Flatwound strings. They’re great for softer solo guitar music and they seem to last forever because I don’t bend them a lot.

[awakenmirror]

I play mostly in Open-C on a 6-String and Bb on a 7-String.
Custom Set of 10, 13, 17, 30, 42, 60 for the Open-C (25.5 inch) and 11-64 on the 7-String (26.5 inch).
I switched to NYXLs when they came out and never looked back.

[gboperator]

I've been playing since 1968. Have 36 guitars. After learning on an acoustic and later going to an electric to play in bands, I started out as a bands rythem player and never could get used to a 3rd non-wound string. I started using D Addario EXL115W (W for 3rd wound) They stay in tune better then the non wound 3rd also and I can still bend the strings after I started playing lead guitar. I use D Addario EJ16 on my acoustics. They last pretty long and I can still tightly tune the strings when they start to wear out. Just what works for me and makes playing comfortable for me.

[joemaddock]

I’ve been using Ernie Ball 8-38. I’ve got the hand strength to play heavier strings… I just like the freedom, spank, exaggerated bends and vibrato I can get with 8’s. Big barre chords across the neck are effortless… etc.
I’ve had to adjust my grip and pick attack to maintain intonation… but I honestly feel like that’s made me a better player.

Curious about pure nickel after this video tho! Those sound smooth!

[melich_]

My favorite strings are Daddario Half rounds (gauge .011)
The have a slightly warmer tone and they dont make annoyingly loud sonds when sliding up or down your fretboard

[Oilid]

Very useful.
Thanks Kris!
Nice studio update btw! 😉