Best strings for Classic rock
Ranked by the CYS expert team. Updated 2026-04-20.
#2
CYS Likes
Full review →D'Addario
EJ22 XL Nickel Round Wound Jazz Medium (.013–.056)
.013 – .056
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardJazz
#3
#4
#5
Ernie Ball
Power Slinky 2220 Nickel Wound (.011–.048)
.011 – .048
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
#6
#7
Ernie Ball
Power Slinky RPS 2242 Nickel Wound (.011–.048)
.011 – .048
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
#8
D'Addario
EPS160 XL ProSteels Bass Medium (.050-.105)
.050 – .105
Price tier: $$
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#9
#10
#11
D'Addario
EXL116 XL Nickel Wound, Medium Top/Heavy Bottom (.011–.052)
.11–.52
D'Addario
EXL116 XL Nickel Wound, Medium Top/Heavy Bottom (.011–.052)
.011 – .052
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardHard rock
#12
D'Addario
EXL140 XL Nickel Wound, Light Top/Heavy Bottom (.010–.052)
.10–.52
D'Addario
EXL140 XL Nickel Wound, Light Top/Heavy Bottom (.010–.052)
.010 – .052
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardHard rock
#13
D'Addario
EXL160 XL Nickel Wound Bass Medium (.050-.105)
.050 – .105
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#14
D'Addario
EXL170 XL Nickel Wound Bass Regular Light (.045-.100)
.045 – .100
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#15
#16
D'Addario
NYXL50105 Nickel Wound Bass Medium (.050–.105)
.050 – .105
Price tier: $$
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#17
#18
D'Addario
XT Nickel Coated XTE1046 (.010–.046)
.10–.46
#19
Dean Markley
Blue Steel 2558 Light Top/Heavy Bottom (.010–.052)
.10–.52
Dean Markley
Blue Steel 2558 Light Top/Heavy Bottom (.010–.052)
.010 – .052
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
#20
#21
#22
#23
Ernie Ball
Regular Slinky Bass (.050–.105)
.050 – .105
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#24
#25
Ernie Ball
Regular Slinky Cobalt Flatwound (.010–.046)
.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
#26
Ernie Ball
Regular Slinky RPS 2241 Nickel Wound (.010–.046)
.010 – .046
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
#28
#29
GHS
Boomers Medium GBM Nickel-Plated Steel (.011–.050)
.11–.50
GHS
Boomers Medium GBM Nickel-Plated Steel (.011–.050)
.011 – .050
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
#30
#31
DR Strings
Pure Blues PHR-10 Pure Nickel (.010–.046)
.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardBlues
#32
DR Strings
Pure Blues PHR-11 Pure Nickel (.011–.050)
.011 – .050
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardBlues
#33
Dunlop
Billy Gibbons Custom Rev Willy's Guitar Strings (.007–.038)
.007 – .038
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardBlues rock
#34
Ernie Ball
Earthwood 80/20 Bronze Light (.011–.052)
.011 – .052
Price tier: $
E StandardDrop DClassic rock
#35
#36
#37
#38
Ernie Ball
Power Slinky Bass (.055–.110)
.055 – .110
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#39
#40
#42
#43
#44
EVH
Premium Electric Guitar Strings (.009–.042)
.009 – .042
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardHard rock
#45
#46
#47
La Bella
TI832 Tony Iommi Signature (.008–.032)
.008 – .032
Price tier: $
Eb StandardD StandardHeavy metal
#48
Rotosound
Swing Bass 66 Billy Sheehan Custom (.043–.110)
.043 – .110
Price tier: $$
E StandardDrop DRock
#49
#50
#51
#52
#53
GHS
Boomers David Gilmour Signature Blue (GB-DGF, .010–.048)
.010 – .048
Price tier: $$
E StandardRockClassic rock
#54
#55
