ChangeYourStrings

Best strings for Indie

Ranked by the CYS expert team. Updated 2026-04-20.

#1
D'Addario EJ17 Phosphor Bronze Medium (.013–.056) .13–.56 strings
D'Addario

EJ17 Phosphor Bronze Medium (.013–.056)

.013 – .056
Price tier: $
E StandardDrop DFolk
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#2
Cleartone 9410 EMP Coated Nickel-Plated Steel (.010–.046) .10–.46 strings
Cleartone

9410 EMP Coated Nickel-Plated Steel (.010–.046)

.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#3
D'Addario EXL110 XL Nickel Wound (.010–.046) .10–.46 strings
D'Addario

EXL110 XL Nickel Wound (.010–.046)

.010 – .046
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#4
D'Addario XS Nickel Coated XSE1046 (.010–.046) .10–.46 strings
D'Addario

XS Nickel Coated XSE1046 (.010–.046)

.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#5
Elixir Nanoweb Light (.010–.046) .10–.46 strings
Elixir

Nanoweb Light (.010–.046)

.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#6
Elixir Polyweb 12050 Nickel Plated Steel (.010–.046) .10–.46 strings
Elixir

Polyweb 12050 Nickel Plated Steel (.010–.046)

.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardJazz
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#7
Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze 2566 Medium Light (.012–.054) .12–.54 strings
Ernie Ball

Aluminum Bronze 2566 Medium Light (.012–.054)

.012 – .054
Price tier: $
E StandardDrop DFolk
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#8
Ernie Ball Paradigm Regular Slinky (.010–.046) .10–.46 strings
Ernie Ball

Paradigm Regular Slinky (.010–.046)

.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardPunk rock
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#9
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky .10–.46 strings
Ernie Ball

Regular Slinky

.010 – .046
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#10
Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 Phosphor Bronze Medium (.013–.056) .13–.56 strings
Martin

Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 Phosphor Bronze Medium (.013–.056)

.013 – .056
Price tier: $
E StandardDrop DFolk
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#11
DR Strings Pure Blues PHR-10 Pure Nickel (.010–.046) .10–.46 strings
DR Strings

Pure Blues PHR-10 Pure Nickel (.010–.046)

.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardBlues
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#12
Ernie Ball Paradigm Primo Slinky (.0095–.044) .9.5–.44 strings
Ernie Ball

Paradigm Primo Slinky (.0095–.044)

.0095 – .044
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#13
Martin MA540 Authentic Acoustic SP 92/8 Phosphor Bronze Light (.012–.054) .12–.54 strings
Martin

MA540 Authentic Acoustic SP 92/8 Phosphor Bronze Light (.012–.054)

.012 – .054
Price tier: $
E StandardDrop DFolk
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#14
D'Addario EXL120 XL Nickel Wound (.009–.042) .9–.42 strings
D'Addario

EXL120 XL Nickel Wound (.009–.042)

.009 – .042
Price tier: $
E StandardRockPop
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#15
D'Addario NYXL0942 Nickel Wound (.009–.042) .9–.42 strings
D'Addario

NYXL0942 Nickel Wound (.009–.042)

.009 – .042
Price tier: $$
E StandardRockPop
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#16
La Bella 760FL Deep Talkin' Stainless Flatwound (.043–.104, light) .43–.104 strings
La Bella

760FL Deep Talkin' Stainless Flatwound (.043–.104, light)

.043 – .104
Price tier: $$$
E Standard (4-string)MotownR&B
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