The strings you kit out your electric guitar with don't just influence the sound but the playing feel of your instrument. Here, you'll find a full range of electric guitar strings to choose from: different gauges; single strings; full packs; and multi-packs.
Finding Your Electric Guitar Strings
Since we have so many options to choose from, we try to make finding the right thing as easy as possible. If you know exactly what you want, then you can easily use the filters on the left of the page to specify the brand, gauge, number, and even the materials the strings you're looking for are made of. If you're not sure what you need, then you can find plenty of useful tips in our Electric Guitar Strings Buyer's Guide or contact us for some advice. If you're looking for strings for a different kind of guitar, then see our full overview of guitar strings.
Changing Electric Guitar Strings
Depending on how often you play, or how much you sweat all over them, it's recommended to change your strings regularly. How do you know when it's time? When they start to sound dead, start dropping out of tune, and don't feel that comfortable beneath your fingers any more - sure signs that it's time for a fresh set.
Electric Guitar String Gauges
The string gauge basically refers to the diameter of the strings. So if you're a lead guitarist and spit a lot of solos and wild bends, then a lower gauged (thinner) set of strings will probably work best for you. If you're a tight rhythm guitarist and want your chords to pack power, then a higher gauge (thicker) set of strings is likely to be more comfy. How tight the strings feel depends on the string gauge and the scale length of your guitar. String gauges .010 to .046 are the most popular choice for guitarists who use standard tunings, followed by the slightly thinner .009 to .042 gauge strings. Guitarists that use drop tunings tend to prefer a set of hybrid strings, where the lower pitched strings have a slightly higher gauge while the lower gauge strings are still pretty thin.
The Best Electric Guitar Strings
The best electric guitar strings will be the ones that give you everything you want as a guitarist. A long lifespan? Clarity? Playing comfort? Price? It basically depends on what's most important to you. All electric guitar strings have a steel core while the lower pitched strings are always wound with various materials like steel or nickel. As well as different materials, there are also different kinds of winding. Roundwound strings have a bright sound that fits pretty much any genre, while flatwound strings - which literally have a flat and smooth surface - are really comfortable, have reduced noise when shifting between frets, and have a warm Jazz-style sound. Many strings will also come finished with a thin coating to protect the metal from corrosion and extend the lifespan. These are all factors that can combine to have a big influence on the sound and playability of a set of strings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Guitar Strings
What strings do I need for my electric guitar?
Electric guitars always have steel strings. Have a look through our range of electric guitar strings to find single replacement strings or complete packs. If you're not exactly sure what you want then you can find some good tips in our Electric Guitar String Buyer's Guide.
Where can I get electric guitar strings?
Any shop that sells musical instruments should stock electric guitar strings. If you're shopping online, Bax Music has virtually every pack of strings under the sun, and if you need any help picking out the right ones, feel free to contact us for some advice.
What are the best electric guitar strings?
The best pack of electric guitar strings will depend on what you want in terms of sound, playing comfort, life-span, and price. Well-known brands include Elixir, D’Addario and Ernie Ball. If you're a beginner guitarist, don't worry too much. It can take a little time to notice the difference between strings and find the ones that give you everything you want, so it's worth trying something a little different every now and then.
How do you change electric guitar strings?
How you change the string of your electric guitar can depend on the kind of bridge and machine heads your model came fitted with. Generally, you just need to loosen all of the strings, cut them in half and remove them from the tuners and bridge before putting on your new ones. For full step-by-step instructions, see our blog: How to Change Electric Guitar Strings.
