Your electric guitar sounds so out of tune when you play blues; you start to feel your playing days are over. Before you conclude, think about the sort of string your electric guitar is carrying. Even experts make mistakes sometimes when it comes to getting the right string for their guitar. As a guitarist, if you play blues, you must be careful about the sort of string you pick for your electric guitar.
In this article, we are going to walk you through five of the best electric guitar strings for blues you should buy. We will also consider some critical criteria that should influence your decision. Read and find out the best electric guitar strings for blues.
Criteria for Selecting Best Electric Guitar String for Blues
Here are some essential criteria that should influence your decision;
Gauges: if your electric guitar would bring the best sound out, you need to use the right gauge. Gauges refer to the thickness of your strings. For blues, you should opt for a light or medium gauge. Light gauges range from .009-.042, while medium-range from .010-.046.
String construction: only when the right materials are used for constructing the string can it produce better sound. What should you search for? Go for strings made with nickel or steel. Many often prefer pure nickel due to its warm and classic tone. You can also pick stainless steel strings as they offer brighter tones. Nickel-plated steel is another option that lies between these two extremes.
Winding Method: the winding method of your guitar is another thing to think about. You can choose a round wound or flat wound. A round wound is a better option, though, as it offers you bright tones and great sustain, something you need when playing blues.
Manufacturer: getting the best out of the string often boils down to the manufacturer. Buy products from established manufacturers that are known for delivering quality. Below are five products you can pick from.
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Best Electric Guitar Strings for Blues
1. Elixir Electric Guitar Strings (19052)
This electric guitar string is constructed with nickel-plated steel wrap wire. The amazing thing about this string is, it plays with the same crisp tone as an uncoated string. The string also features an OPTIWEB coating, which helps you enjoy the natural feel when using the string.
The technology used for building this string help protect it from corrosion and build-up of debris on the strings. This also helps improve the tone life, which makes it last longer than either coated or uncoated strings. The anti-rust feature of this string makes it perfect for your electric guitar for playing blues.
2. DR Strings Pure Blues Pure Nickel Wrap Round Core 10-46
This string is pure nickel-plated and constructed in such a way that playing blues becomes easy. The nickel wrap wire construction on a round core wire help in producing sounds that is distinctive and warm; this also makes delivery of balanced, rich overtones and vintage vibe possible.
If you play the classic American rock and blues, this is the perfect instrument for you. The string also features a remarkably responsive touch. This helps it retain unmatched sustain. The string comes in different gauges which include; .010, .013, .017, etc. The string is referred to as the Handmade String.
3. D’Addario XL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, Medium Blues Jazz Rock Gauge
This string feature a round wound with nickel-plated steel, which helps increase the longevity of the string and makes playing easier. The versatility of this string is another amazing thing about it; the string can be used for playing different styles of music and can be used with different types of guitars.
It comes with a high carbon steel core, which helps the string deliver bright tones, stellar magnetic output, exact intonation, and long life. Also, the string comes in different gauges, which also include; .011, .014, and .018 for Plain steel, and .028, .038, and .049 for nickel wound.
4. D’Addario EPN115 Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings, Blues/Jazz Rock, 11-48
This guitar string is the right one for every guitarist that plays blues. The string features a pure nickel wrap wire, which helps in delivering warm and vintage electric guitar tone. The string also features a corrosion-resistant packaging, which helps preserve the life of the string and makes playing enjoyable.
The good thing about the string is that it is made in the U.S.A and built with high-quality material, which helps improve the ability of the string. The string comes in different gauges, which include plain steel .011, .014, and .018. The nickel wound gauges include; .027, .027, .048.
5. Elixir Strings Electric Guitar Strings w NANOWEB Coating, Light (.010-.046)
This electric guitar string is constructed efficiently with nickel-plated steel wrap wire; this makes playing on this string enjoyable. The string delivers a vibrant, warm, and dynamic punch. It features a NANOWEB coating technology, which helps provide a traditionally textured uncoated feel.
The coating technology of this string help protect the string from corrosion, the build-up of debris and dust, and help extend the life and tone of the string. The feel is warm and robust, and it is slick and fast. This light string gauge include .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, and .046.
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FAQ
Which material is best for strings for blues?
To get the best sound for blues, you should choose a specific type of string. The best materials for blues strings are typically steel cores and pure nickel. They will produce smooth and mellow sounds that you are required to have when playing blues music.
What string gauge is best for blues?
The gauge represents the thickness of strings for your electric guitar. If you want to bring out the best possible sound to your blues tunes, you should go for light or medium gauge strings. The heavier the strings, the more difficulties you will encounter when playing.
What tuning is ideal for blues?
Although various blues musicians go for a different tuning and sound, generally, the best tuning that is recommended to go for is open D or drop D. Famous musicians like Bob Dylan have used this tuning to its best effect.
Are coated strings good for blues?
Typically coated strings are not a great option for blues guitarists. As you know, coated type has a thin layer of polymer. Even though they have corrosion resistance and other valuable properties, they are not ideal for blues. Vintage blues tone cannot be created with these types of strings, so it is best to avoid them.
Which electric guitar strings for blues should I purchase?
Consider picking durable, light, or mid-gauge strings. These are the best options that you can go for when picking the right blues strings. It is best to get a second opinion on these, so read the customer reviews before spending your money. In case you are uncertain about which strings to choose, we recommend you to go for Elixir Electric Guitar Strings. These nickel-plated strings will give you smooth and mellow blues sound and make your playtime enjoyable.
Conclusion
Every guitarist playing blues need to catch the right strings that will make playing easier for them. We have explored 5 of the best options in this review, believe me, they are all designed to make playing easier, and they will positively shape your playing experience.
The Elixir Electric Guitar Strings is the most expensive, and considering the quality it carries, one will scarcely argue that.
The DR Strings Pure Blues Pure Nickel Wrap Round Core is the cheapest of the pack, and another top option if you crave for quality. All are made and designed for the musician who wants to play more interesting music, yes, for players like you.