When it comes to finding the best tone for playing any type of metal music, you might only be thinking of what type of guitar, amp, or pedals you may need to get that overall metal tone. But, the type of strings you use on your guitar will also have a definite impact on the type of metal tone you are trying to bring forth.
When it comes to playing metal music, you’re going to want strings that can handle that type of playing without having them break all the time. Most metal songs are played with drop tuning. And with your strings constantly tuned differently, regular guitar strings usually won’t cut it when it comes to metal.
The perfect strings for playing metal music will be strings that have the ability to stay in tune throughout the constant adjusting and down tuning that will be taking place. Another thing to consider is that your strings are gonna need to handle all the “abuse” that comes along with playing metal such as string bending, sweep picking, vibrato, hammer-ons, and so forth.
In this buyer’s guide, we picked the top 7 guitar string sets that are absolutely awesome for playing any genre of metal music you can think of. They will definitely help you in obtaining that overall metal tone you’re looking for as long as you also have the right guitar, amp, and pedals to go along with that.
Table of Contents
Ernie Ball Power Slinky
One of the most famous metal musicians, James Hetfield from Metallica, loved these Ernie Ball Power Slinky strings after he kept having issues with the other strings that he used.
These strings are made from nickel plated steel that is wrapped around tin plated steel core wiring, which makes them extremely durable and perfect for getting a nice metal tone.
The Ernie Ball Power Slinkys are also a very good choice for playing blues and hard rock, so if you play in any of those genres too, then this set of strings will take care of you overall.
- Includes 3 individually wrapped sets
- Ernie Ball Slinkys are played by legends around the world including Slash, Jimmy Page, Metallica, Eric Clapton, and more
- Ernie Ball’s original 11-gauge Slinky set, Power Slinky offers players a thicker string than a standard 10-gauge set
- Element Shield Packaging prolongs string life and keeps strings as fresh as the day they were made
- Bright, balanced tone
Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
D'Addario NYXL Nickel Plated Strings
Started in 1974 in Italy, D’Addario has made a name for itself in the guitar string industry, as most people might already know. Not only does this company make awesome strings, but they make other guitar accessories too such as string winders, tuners, and guitar humidity packs.
These fine strings from D’Addario are made from high carbon steel which means they are very strong and they have the ability to stay in tune for longer periods. They also come to you in corrosion resistance packaging, which will allow you to stock up on these bad boys.
- PREMIUM GUITAR STRING - NYXLs are our premium uncoated electric strings, delivering unrivaled strength and tuning stability, plus enhanced mid-range.
- CUT THROUGH THE MIX – The premium nickel-plated steel wrap wire used for NYXLs provides accentuated frequency response in the 1 - 3.5 kHz range, so you get more presence and crunch to cut through the mix.
- STAYS IN TUNE, STRONGER STRING - Fusion Twist technology assures NYXL electric guitar strings stay in tune 131% better than standard strings, while the NY Steel core wire makes them up to 40% stronger—bent two whole steps higher, NYXL strings are still at less than 75% of their breaking point.
- EARN REWARD POINTS - NYXL strings come with a code which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
- MADE IN THE USA – NYXL electric guitar strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.
Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
DR Dimebag Darrell Signature Strings
When it comes to representing metal music, who better than the late, great Dimebag Darrell from Pantera. These awesome sounding High Voltage string set from DR strings is what Dimebag Darrell used for that crunchy metal Pantera sound.
These strings are also well known to stay in tune longer after constantly using your whammy bar, which makes them superb for playing any style of metal. They are made of hexagonal core wire and nickel plated steel that is actually treated by hand with a molecular bonding liquid. This is what protects them from corrosion.
- Gauge: Medium
- Nickel-plated on hexagonal core, treated with string life
- Great for everything, from string bends, to huge whammy bar dives, harmonic screams and heavy Chunky riffs
- Stay in tune
- Remain fresh and bright for a long time
Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dunlop Heavy Core Nickel Wound Strings
Another staple of the music industry, Dunlop, was started in 1965 by Jim Dunlop. Almost everything this company makes is of superior quality, and these Heavy Core nickel wound strings are no exception.
This set in particular features 7 strings and is the perfect set for a 7-string guitar, but you do not have to have a 7-string guitar to use these strings. They are also perfect for the times when you’re constantly drop-tuning your guitar, which is usually a lot of the time when it comes to metal.
- Product Type: Instrument Parts And Accessories
- Package Quantity: 1
- Country Of Origin: United States
- Package Dimensions: 1.4 cms (L) x 10.8 cms (W) x 11.2 cms (H)
Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Strings
Yet another great set of strings from the Ernie Ball company, these strings are great for string bending and vibrato techniques. These strings feature clear highs and increased low end.
The Ernie Ball Cobalt strings also provide an extended dynamic range and definitive harmonic response. In short, they just sound really awesome. Is there really anything more to say? I mean, they’re from the Ernie Ball company who happens to be the king of guitar strings.
- Cobalt produces a stronger magnetic relationship between pickups and strings than any other alloy previously available
- Cobalt electric guitar strings provide an extended dynamic range, incredible harmonic response, strong low end, and crisp, clear highs
- Wound strings consist of Ernie Ball’s Cobalt alloy wrapped around a tin-plated high-carbon steel core wire
- Beefy Slinky’s 11-54 gauge is optimal for detuning
- Made in California, USA with the finest and freshest materials
Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
DR Drop-Down Tuning Strings
The DR Drop-Down Tuning strings feature ACT technology which essentially means that they keep their intonation when your guitar is tuned super low.
This makes them the best solution for those of us who have a hard time keeping our strings in tune after tuning to drop-c or some other crazy low tuning.
- Featuring accurate core technology (act), a coated hexagonal core wire that locks the nickel-plated steel wrap wire in place to increase stability and maintains intonation at any tension
- Dots go right into tune and deliver clean and clear notes
- Change tunings and be surprised how dot's lock right in without constant adjustment
- Dot - drop down tuning electric Guitar strings: drop down super Heavy 13-65
- 13, 17, 22, 42, 56, 65
Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
GHS Guitar Boomers Strings
The GHS Guitar Boomers are extremely popular guitar strings and are highly durable. They were definitely built to last and many musicians swear by them.
These strings make for a great all around string set, since they not only work in metal, but almost every other genre as well. They are also very affordable, so if you’re on a budget but still need great tone for your metal guitar playing, then these will do the job for sure.
- Heavyweight Gauge: 010-013-017-036-052-060
- Round wound Nickel-Plated Steel on a Hex Core
- Great for drop and alternative tunings.
- Offers a brilliant tone and powerful attack, THE POWER STRING.
Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
