Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Angus Young uses with AC/DC on his Gibson SG. Ernie Ball Super Slinky (.009–.042). With citations.
Artist rigs
What working guitarists actually play, cited from interviews, rig rundowns, and official press. Endorsed relationships and verified use are labeled on each artist's page.
Showing 23 guitarists tagged Blues rock.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Billy Gibbons uses with ZZ Top on his 1959 Les Paul 'Pearly Gates'. Dunlop Reverend Willy Extra Light (.007–.038). With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Brittany Howard, Alabama Shakes' singer and guitarist, plays a Gibson SG, an early '80s Custom in Inverness Green is her on-record favorite. Documented gauge: .010 to .046, per her own account in a 2019 Premier Guitar interview.
Buddy Guy
Solo
Documented string gauge and gear for Buddy Guy: Ernie Ball Power Slinky (.011-.048), Fender Stratocasters, custom Chicago Blues Box amps, and the Dunlop signature wah. With citations.
Documented string gauges and brands Carlos Santana uses on his PRS Santana signature guitars. GHS Santana Big Core, the half-gauge signature set his tech Rene Martinez designed, plus the long-running PRS signature relationship since 1980. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented strings David Gilmour uses with Pink Floyd and solo: GHS Boomers signature electric, Ernie Ball Earthwood acoustic. Includes the Black Strat's record 2026 auction sale. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges and gear Derek Trucks uses for slide guitar: DR Pure Blues custom hybrid gauge (.011–.046), Gibson Signature SG in open E, Dunlop medicine-bottle glass slide. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Eric Clapton uses on his Fender Stratocaster (Blackie / Brownie / current sigs) and acoustic Martin. With citations.
Documented gear Gary Clark Jr plays: D'Addario strings on his Epiphone Casino 'Red' and Gibson SG/ES-355 signatures, Fender Vibro-King amps, and his Dunlop signature wah. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Ian Gillan has fronted Deep Purple across three stints since 1969: Machine Head, a 1983 run with Black Sabbath, and 2026's SPLAT! The Jesus Christ Superstar story, sourced.
Documented string gauges for Jack White's 2024 Fender signature guitars: Super 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010–.046) on the Triplecaster, Dura-Tone Coated Phosphor Bronze (.011–.052) on the Triplesonic Acoustasonic, sourced from Fender's own spec sheets and Premier Guitar's 2024 rig rundown.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges and tunings Jeff Beck used on his Fender Jeff Beck Signature Stratocaster. Ernie Ball Slinky base in standard E, with thumb-and-fingers right-hand approach. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Jimi Hendrix used with The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys on his Fender Stratocasters. Fender Rock 'n' Roll .010-.038 + Eb standard tuning. With citations.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Jimmy Page used with Led Zeppelin on his Les Pauls and Telecasters. Ernie Ball Super Slinky (.009–.042). With citations.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Joe Bonamassa uses on his Les Pauls and vintage Strats. Ernie Ball Burly Slinky (.011–.052). With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
John Mayer
Solo
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings John Mayer uses on his PRS Silver Sky. Ernie Ball Silver Slinky signature (.0105–.047), between .010 and .011 by design. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, tunings, and the famous five-string open-G setup Keith Richards uses with The Rolling Stones. Ernie Ball Regular Slinky base, custom configurations on his Telecaster Micawber. With citations.
The unusually heavy Gibson string gauge Malcolm Young played on 'The Beast,' his 1963 Gretsch Jet Firebird, plus the Marshall amp and stripped-down signal chain behind AC/DC's rhythm tone. Ground Guitar, Guitar Player, and Guitar World sourced.
Documented string gauges and tunings Mark Knopfler uses on his Pensa-Suhr and Fender Stratocasters with Dire Straits and his solo catalog. Light Slinky-class gauges + thumb-and-fingers right-hand approach. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges and gear Ritchie Blackmore plays on his scalloped Fender Stratocaster across Deep Purple, Rainbow, and Blackmore's Night. Picato RB77 Artist Signature (.010–.048) and Fender USA Bullets (.009–.042). With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Ronnie Wood's documented rig: the 1955 Stratocaster, the Zemaitis 'Stay With Me' guitar, the black B-Bender Telecaster, and the Ernie Ball strings behind his Rolling Stones tone.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Saul 'Slash' Hudson uses with Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, and his solo band. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges and tunings Stevie Ray Vaughan used with Double Trouble. GHS Nickel Rockers in a custom heavy set (around .013–.058) on his 1962/63 Stratocaster Number One, tuned to Eb standard. With citations.
