String Gauges & Brands of Famous Guitarists 

Dear Friend,

Have you ever wondered what kind of strings your favorite guitarists use?

The right strings can significantly impact your sound and playing experience.

In this article, we’ll delve into the world of guitar strings and gauges, exploring the preferences of famous players across various genres.

You Can also use our custom-built strings finder tool to find what specific string set your favorite guitar player use within less than two seconds.

Before anything, let’s expand your knowledge of strings in relation to music genres a little bit,

The Impact of Genre on String Choice

Guitarists tailor their string selection to suit the sonic characteristics of their preferred genre:

  • Blues: Lighter gauge strings (e.g., 9-42) are popular among blues players. These strings bend more easily, allowing for expressive techniques like vibrato and string bending. Additionally, lighter gauges tend to produce a brighter tone, which cuts through the mix well in a band setting.

  • Rock & Metal: Rock and metal guitarists frequently opt for heavier gauge strings (e.g., 10-46 or 11-52). Heavier strings provide more sustain and a fuller tone, perfect for power chords and riffs that define these genres. They also contribute to a tighter playing feel, which is crucial for fast picking and complex rhythms.

  • Pop & Country: Pop and country guitarists often find a middle ground with medium gauge strings (e.g., 10-46). These strings offer a balance between the flexibility of lighter gauges and the stability of heavier ones, making them suitable for a variety of styles and techniques.

String Gauges and Playability

String gauge (In other words, string thickness; also check out our Guitar Strings Thickness Guide) significantly influences the feel and playability of the instrument:

  • Lighter Gauges: Easier to bend, resulting in a brighter and more responsive sound. However, they may feel looser and offer less sustain.

  • Heavier Gauges: Provide more tension, leading to a fuller tone with more sustain. However, they can be more challenging to bend and require a firmer picking attack.

In the end, the ideal string gauge depends on your individual playing style and musical goals. Experiment with different gauges to find the perfect balance between tone, feel, and playing comfort.
Ok, after this introduction, it’s time to check out what strings famous guitar players use within a specific musical genre:

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What gauge strings do Legendary blues players use

GuitaristString Gauge/GaugesBrand
Albert Collins 0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.30, 0.42, 0.52Ernie Ball Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom (0.10-0.52)
Albert King  0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.30, 0.42, 0.52Ernie Ball Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom (0.10-0.52)
Buddy Guy 0.11, 0.14, 0.18p, 0.28, o.38, 0.48Ernie Ball Power Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings (.011-.048)
Derek Trucks 0.11, 0.14, 0.18, 0.28, 0.38, o.50DR Strings Pure Blues Pure Nickel Wrap Round Core (.011-.050)
Eric Clapton 0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings (.010-.046)
Gary Clark Jr. 0.11, 0.14, 0.18, 0.28, 0.38, 0.49DAddario Blues/Jazz Rock Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings(.011-.049)
Gary Moore 0.10-0.52Dean Markley Blue Steel Electric Guitar Strings, Light Top/Heavy Bottom (.010-.052)
Jimi Hendrix 0.10, 0.13, 0.15, 0.26, 0.32, 0.38Fender Hendrix Voodoo Child Electric Guitar Strings, Vintage Nickel, Bullet End (.010-.038)
Joe Bonamassa  0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings (.010-.046)
Warren Haynes  0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46GHS Strings BNR-L Burnished Nickel Rockers, Polished Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings, Light (.010-.046)
Stevie Ray Vaughan o.13-0.56GHS Strings Electric Guitar Strings (TM1500) (.013-.050)
Jonny Lang 0.13, 0.17, 0.26w, 0.36, 0.46, 0.62DAddario – XL Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – EXL158 (.013 –.062)
Robert Cray 0.11, 0.14, 0.21w, 0.28, 0.38, 0.49DAddario Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings (.011-.049)
Walter Trout 0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.24w, 0.32w, 0.42wRotosound Roto Pinks Double Deckers Electric Guitar Strings (.009-.042)
Robben Ford 0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46DAddario EXL110 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings (.010-.046)
Eric Johnson  0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46GHS Strings R+RL Nickel Rockers, Rollerwound Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings, Light (.010-.046)
Jimmie Vaughan  0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46DAddario EXL110 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings (.010-.046)
Ronnie Earl  0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.24, 0.32, 0.42Ernie Ball Super Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings (.009-.042)
Joe Louis Walker  0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.24, 0.32, 0.42Dunlop DEN0942 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings (.009-.042)

What Strings And Gauge Renowned Rock, Hard Rock, and Heavy Metal Players Use?

GuitaristString Gauge/GaugesBrand
Angus Young 0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.24, 0.32, 0.42Ernie Ball Super Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings – 9-42 Gauge
Brian Setzer0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46D’Addario Regular Light Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings 10-46
Eddie Van Halen (not the exact match because the sixth is 0.40 0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.24, 0.32, 0.40EVH Premium Electric Guitar Strings, .009 – .042
Francis Rossi  
James Hetfield (Two sets)0.11, 0.14, 0.18p, 0.28, 0.38, 0.48Ernie Ball Power Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings – 11-48 Gauge
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Jeff Beck0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings – 9-46 Gauge
Jimmy Page (Two Sets) 0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.24, 0.32, 0.42Ernie Ball Super Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings – 9-42 Gauge
 0.08, 0.11, 0.14, 0.22, 0.30, 0.38Ernie Ball P02225 Extra Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, 8-38
Kirk Hammett (Two sets )0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46Ernie Ball Regular Slinky RPS Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings – 10-46 Gauge
 0.11, o.14, 0.18p, 0.28, 0.38, 0.48Ernie Ball Power Slinky RPS Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings – 11-48 Gauge
Nita Strauss0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46D’Addario NYXL Electric Guitar Strings Balanced Lite 10-46
Sophie Lloyd (Two sets)0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.28, 0.38, 0.48Ernie Ball Ultra Slinkys 10-48
 0.11, 0.14, 0.18p, 0.30, 0.42, 0.52Ernie Ball Burly Slinkys 11-52

Slash

0.10, 0.14, 0.18p, 0.28, 0.38, 0.48

Ernie Ball Power Slinky RPS Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings – 11-48 Gauge

Steve Stine uses these strings:

 0.95, 0.11.5, 0.16, 0.24, 0.34, 0.44

GHS boomers Extra light gauge: 0.9.5-0.44

Tony Iommi (Two Sets) 0.08, 0.08, 0.11, 0.18w, 0.24, 0.32La Bella TI832 Tony Iommi Signature Set D# Tuning 8-32
 0.09, 0.10, 0.12, 0.20w, 0.32, 0.42La Bella TI942 Tony Iommi Signature Electric Guitar Strings C# Tuning 9-42
The Edge (U2) (Three sets)0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26w, 0.36w, 0.46wRotosound Roto Yellows R10 Electric Guitar Strings (10-46)
 0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.26w, 0.36w, 0.46wRotosound Orange RH9 Nickel Hybrid Electric Guitar Strings (9 11 16 26 36 46)
 0.09, 0.11, 0.16, 0.24w, 0.32w, 0.42w

Rotosound Roto Pinks Double Deckers Electric Guitar Strings 2-Pack

Yngwie Malmsteen (Two Sets)0.08, 0.11, 0.14, 0.22, 0.32, 0.46Fender Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Electric Guitar Strings, Nickel Plated Steel, Bullet End .008-.046
 0.08, 0.11, 0.14, 0.24w, 0.32, 0.42Ernie Ball Hyper Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings – 8-42 Gauge
Vinnie Moore0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, 10-46 Gauge 

Strings And Gauge That Notable Pop Players Use

Strings And Gauge That Great Country Players Use

GuitaristString Gauge/Gauges

Brand

Guthrie Trapp0.10, 0.13, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.46

D’Addario NYXL1046 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, Regular Light, 10-46

What Gauge Strings do Famous Jazz Guitarists use/d

GuitaristString Gauge/Gauges

Brand

Joe Pass0.12-0.56D’Aquisto Strings Flatwound