DR Hi-Voltage Dimebag Darrell Signature DBG-9/46 (.009–.046): his standard-tuning gauge, reviewed

DR Hi-Voltage Dimebag Darrell Signature is a 6-string electric set built around DR's Hi-Voltage construction: nickel-plated steel wrap wire on a hexagonal steel core, treated with DR's StringLife protectant. DBG-9/46, this page, is the .009 to .046 gauge, Dimebag's own documented choice for his standard-tuned guitars.

It's a real, ongoing signature relationship, not a name licensed onto a generic set. DR's product page carries a direct Dimebag quote: "I've been playin' the strings of strength since 1995. I like the way DR Strings feel and react, you can really get a grip on them. They're great for everything, from big ol' string bends, to huge whammy bar dives, perfect for blood curdling harmonic screams and just straight out heavy chunky riffin'."

DR sells the Hi-Voltage Dimebag Darrell line in six gauges, but Dimebag himself was specific about which two he actually alternated between. Ground Guitar's account: he used a 9-46 gauge, this set, on all his standard-tuned guitars, and the heavier 9-50 set on his drop-D guitars. His own quote confirms the split: "I'm using two different custom-gauged sets of DR strings which will soon be released as signature sets. One set is .009-.046 and the other is .009-.050. I use the heavier strings on the lower tunings."

That makes DBG-9/46 the documented choice for standard tuning, not a generic "his strings" gauge. Pantera's catalog moved between E standard on the earliest records and D standard on later material, both squarely "standard tuning" as opposed to the Drop D and lower down-tunings that called for his heavier 9-50 set. The .009 top string keeps lead runs and pinch harmonics fast and easy, while the .046 low E gives standard-tuned rhythm parts normal body without the extra tension the drop-tuned gauge needed.

All six gauges DR currently sells under the Dimebag Darrell name, confirmed across current retailer listings.

DBG-9/46 and DBG-9/50 are the two gauges Dimebag himself named. The other four (DBG-9, DBG-10, DBG-10/52, DBG-11) round out DR's current retail line but aren't tied to a specific tuning in his own words, treat them as gauge options rather than documented Dimebag specs.

DBG-9/46 isn't a unique gauge, plenty of brands sell the identical .009-.011-.016-.026-.036-.046 spread. The difference is the metal.

DR doesn't publish a tension chart for the Hi-Voltage line, so there's no official number to put next to DBG-9/46 here. Since tension is driven mostly by gauge and core material, and DR's hex-steel core is the same basic construction as D'Addario's NY Steel hex core, expect DBG-9/46 to land in a similar tension range to NYXL0946 rather than meaningfully looser or tighter.

• Standard tuning rhythm and lead, his own documented gauge for exactly that, E standard or D standard
• Players who want a light .009 top for fast lead work without going all the way to a full drop-tuning heavy bottom
• Pantera and groove-metal tone chasers rebuilding the classic Dimebag rig on his standard-tuned material
• A like-for-like swap test against D'Addario NYXL0946 or Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Cobalt, since all three share the identical gauge

• Drop D and lower: the heavier DBG-9/50 gauge is Dimebag's own documented choice there instead
• Players who want a true coated set: StringLife is a corrosion protectant, not a full polymer coating, expect standard nickel-wound lifespan
• Players who want a published tension chart to plan a setup around: DR doesn't publish one for this line, unlike D'Addario's NYXL series

DBG-9/46 is Dimebag Darrell's own documented standard-tuning gauge, not a generic signature-name set. The .009 top keeps his lead vocabulary fast, and the .046 low E gives standard-tuned rhythm parts normal body without extra slack. If you're chasing the exact same gauge from a different brand, D'Addario's NYXL0946 and Ernie Ball's Hybrid Slinky Cobalt both sell the identical .009-.046 spread, just with different wrap wire and a different published tension.

Dimebag Darrell Approved

DR Strings

Hi-Voltage Dimebag Darrell Signature DBG-9/46 (.009–.046)

.009 – .046

Price tier: $

View on AmazonFull review →