ChangeYourStrings

Best strings for Progressive metal

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

#1
CYS Likes
Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Cobalt (.012–.056) .12–.56 strings
Ernie Ball

Not Even Slinky Cobalt (.012–.056)

.012 – .056
Price tier: $$
Drop CDrop BMetal
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#2
Ernie Ball 7-String Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Slinky Cobalt (.010–.062) .10–.62 strings
Ernie Ball

7-String Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Slinky Cobalt (.010–.062)

.010 – .062
Price tier: $$
Drop CDrop BDjent
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#3
Ernie Ball 7-String Slinky Cobalt Custom (.009–.062) .9–.62 strings
Ernie Ball

7-String Slinky Cobalt Custom (.009–.062)

.009 – .062
Price tier: $$
Drop CDrop BDjent
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#4
CYS Likes
Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky Cobalt (.011–.054) .11–.54 strings
Ernie Ball

Beefy Slinky Cobalt (.011–.054)

.011 – .054
Price tier: $$
Drop C#Drop CRock
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#5
Ernie Ball 7-String Regular Slinky Cobalt (.010–.056) .10–.56 strings
Ernie Ball

7-String Regular Slinky Cobalt (.010–.056)

.010 – .056
Price tier: $$
Drop DDrop CProgressive metal
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#6
D'Addario NYXL1046 Nickel Wound (.010–.046) .10–.46 strings
D'Addario

NYXL1046 Nickel Wound (.010–.046)

.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#7
D'Addario NYXL1156 Nickel Wound (.011–.056) .11–.56 strings
D'Addario

NYXL1156 Nickel Wound (.011–.056)

.011 – .056
Price tier: $$
Drop DDrop CMetal
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#8
Ernie Ball 7-String Power Slinky Cobalt (.011–.058) .11–.58 strings
Ernie Ball

7-String Power Slinky Cobalt (.011–.058)

.011 – .058
Price tier: $$
B StandardDrop ADjent
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#9
Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Cobalt (.009–.046) .9–.46 strings
Ernie Ball

Hybrid Slinky Cobalt (.009–.046)

.009 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#10
Ernie Ball Mammoth Slinky Cobalt (.012–.062) .12–.62 strings
Ernie Ball

Mammoth Slinky Cobalt (.012–.062)

.012 – .062
Price tier: $$
Drop BDrop A#Metal
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#11
Ernie Ball Paradigm Hybrid Slinky (.009–.046) .9–.46 strings
Ernie Ball

Paradigm Hybrid Slinky (.009–.046)

.009 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#12
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Cobalt (.010–.046) .10–.46 strings
Ernie Ball

Regular Slinky Cobalt (.010–.046)

.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#13
Ernie Ball 8-String Slinky Nickel Wound (.010–.074) .10–.74 strings
Ernie Ball

8-String Slinky Nickel Wound (.010–.074)

.010 – .074
Price tier: $$$
F# StandardDrop EMetal
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#14
Ernie Ball Paradigm Super Slinky (.009–.042) .9–.42 strings
Ernie Ball

Paradigm Super Slinky (.009–.042)

.009 – .042
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#15
Ernie Ball Super Slinky (.009–.042) .9–.42 strings
Ernie Ball

Super Slinky (.009–.042)

.009 – .042
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#16
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt (.009–.042) .9–.42 strings
Ernie Ball

Super Slinky Cobalt (.009–.042)

.009 – .042
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
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#17
Ernie Ball Tim Henson Signature (.0095–.046) .9.5–.46 strings
Ernie Ball

Tim Henson Signature (.0095–.046)

.0095 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardF StandardProgressive metal
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#18
Rotosound Swing Bass 66 Billy Sheehan Custom (.043–.110) .43–.110 strings
Rotosound

Swing Bass 66 Billy Sheehan Custom (.043–.110)

.043 – .110
Price tier: $$
E StandardDrop DRock
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#19
Ernie Ball Extra Slinky Cobalt (.008–.038) .8–.38 strings
Ernie Ball

Extra Slinky Cobalt (.008–.038)

.008 – .038
Price tier: $$
E StandardshredMetal
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#20
Rotosound Swing Bass 66 .45–.105 strings
Rotosound

Swing Bass 66

.045 – .105
Price tier: $$
E StandardRockClassic rock
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