Strings

Information About Strings For 7 and 8 String Guitars

What good is a guitar without strings? There’s no question that, much like seven and eight string guitars, there is minimal information available out there about 7 string guitar strings and 8 string guitar strings, where to get them, and which ones are the best. This page aims to change that by providing useful information so that you can make sure you have only the best for your guitar!

A Word of Caution When It Comes to Buying 7 String Guitar Strings and 8 String Guitar Strings

7-string-guitar-strings

As already discussed on this site, there are quite a few possible tunings to utilize with 7 and 8 string guitars. Most agree that the the low B tuning (BEADGBE) is the most common tuning for seven strings electric and acoustic guitars. However, other options include low C, low A, or even high A. Although it’s great to experiment with tunings and strings, there’s one major word of caution to consider so that you do not damage your beloved guitar: DO NOT string these guitars with electric bass strings. Even if a bass string fits into the tuning machine (which is unlikely), there’s a good chance you’ll break the nut of the guitar if the string gauge is too large.

7 String Guitar Strings

The chart below aims to provide useful information when deciding which 7 string guitar strings to use on your beloved seven string guitar. The chart easily allows you to compare ratings, user reviews, and technical specs. If you would like to find additional information, be sure to click on the images to be taken to Amazon.

StringsRatingUser ReviewsSpecs
StringsRatingUser ReviewsSpecs

Ernie Ball 2730 7-String Cobalt Electric Guitar, Skinny Top Heavy Bottom (10 - 62)
4.6/5"When I put them on, I noticed right away the increase in clarity and output especially on the low strings."

"Stretch them a little and you are good to go. They feel and sound great. I will use them on this guitar from now on."

"Ernie Ball guitar strings have got to be the best strings on the planet! "
Extended dynamic range, incredible harmonic response, increased low end, and crisp, clear highs. Gauges : .010, .013, .017, .030, .042, .052, .062

D'Addario EXL110-7 7-String Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, Regular Light, 10-59
4.6/5"If you own a 7-string, don't even mess with any other brand or gauge. These are the best, and .059 is the perfect gauge for the low B string - anything else will sound too flimsy and not do justice."

"They keep a tune pretty well, and even hold up to detuning."

"I have 16 electrics, and these go on absolutely every single one. I've used all brands, and these hold up the best for me."
Round wound with nickelplated steel for distinctive bright tone Corrosion resistant packaging for strings that are always fresh String Gauges: Plain Steel .010, .013, .017, Nickel Wound .026, .036, .046, .059

Ernie Ball 2620 7-String Power Slinky Nickel Wound Set (11 - 58)
4.9/5"This is my first attemp at trying 11s. I ordered two packages like I always do hoping I would like it. Luckily I did. It is definitely a step up from the 10s. You gain more sustain, stability and tone. As expected, it will make your weaker fingers suffer on those bends until you get used to it. But no pain no gain right :)"

"These strings are great for getting the crunchy lows and whaling highs out of your guitar. I've been using these strings for 14 years."
Wound strings are made from nickel plated steel wire wrapped around tin plated hex shaped steel core wire. Plain strings are made of specially tempered tin plated high carbon steel. Gauges .011, .014, .018, .028, .038, .048, .058

Ernie Ball 2621 7-String Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Set (10 -56)
4.5/5"Great strings...I've never been disappointed with Ernie Ball's electric strings. They sound bright for a long time and they're really cheap. I love these strings and I would highly recommend them."

"Not much to say except that the strings are awesome! Did not waste my money. These babies have a super rich tone and you can play Lower tunings. I'm satisfied! Great Deal!"
Wound strings are made from nickel plated steel wire wrapped around tin plated hex shaped steel core wire. Plain strings are made of specially tempered tin plated high carbon steel. Gauges .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046, .056

DUNLOP HEAVY CORE 7 STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR STRINGS 10/60 -
4.5/5"They have a really nice, warm sound once they have been broken in. They are also priced very well for the quality."

"You don't want elastic undefined sounds when playing this low, you need definition which is what you'll get from a .60 gauge if you're willing to train your fingers to play with a rather harsh string set"
Heavy Core guitar strings are uniquely designed with Dunlop's proprietary core-to-wrap ratios that are meticulously calculated so the 7-string guitar players can really "dig in" while retaining sound fundamentals. Heavy Core strings are manufactured with the highest-quality materials and are engineered for great tone, balance, and feel."Heavy 7" guitar string gauges: 10-13-17-28-38-48-60

Ernie Ball 2729 7-String Cobalt Electric Guitar, Power Slinky (11 - 58)
5/5"They sound excellent. If you like heavy strings that sound crisp and powerful, invest in these mofos."Slinky strings provide an extended dynamic range, incredible harmonic response, increased low end, and crisp, clear highs. Gauges : .011, .014, .018p, .028, .038, .048, .058

Ernie Ball 2623 7-String Super Slinky Nickel Wound Set (09 - 52)
4.5/5"I love Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings, so when I bought my Squier Stagemaster 7 I had to purchase these, they sound great and feel great and will last around 1-2 months if you play everyday like I do, these are great strings for a great price. Highly recommended."Wound strings are made from nickel plated steel wire wrapped around tin plated hex shaped steel core wire. Plain strings are made of specially tempered tin plated high carbon steel. Gauges .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042, .052

D'Addario EXL120-7 Nickel Wound 7-String Electric Guitar Strings, Super Light, 9-54
5/5"I've been a professional guitarist for more than 20 years, and in that time, the ONLY strings that I've used are D'Addario XL120's. Now that I'm exclusively using 7 string guitars (until I have the 8 string built), I continue with the 7 string version of the XL120's; the XL120-7 set. They're bright, yet warm and very punchy sounding when fresh. They're also very well balanced in terms of tone and actual feel beneath my fingers."Super light 7-string gauges for maximum flexibility and biting tone Round wound with nickelplated steel for distinctive bright tone Corrosion resistant packaging for strings that are always fresh String Gauges: Plain Steel .009, .011, .016, Nickel Wound .024, .032, .042 , .054

Elixir Nanoweb Anti-Rust Electric 7-String 10-56 12057
4.5/5"I love how long these strings last and they bend quite well."

"Best strings hands down. I've used them all and keep coming back to my Elixer's (7 string and 6 string). Just buy them."
0.010-.056 Seven-string Light Gauge Electric Guitar Strings NANOWEB® Coating.

Ernie Ball 2728 7-String Cobalt Electric Guitar, Regular Slinky (10 - 56)
5/5"I was very hesitant to try these strings at first, converting from Elixer, but I decided to give them a go and was instantly amazed at what it did to my guitar tone. Playing live shows, I have a tighter tone than I did in the past and it really makes each and every note I play resonate."

"Sound clearer, more pronounced, they last longer, and they do not wear on my fingers near as much."
Cobalt Electric Slinky strings provide an extended dynamic range, incredible harmonic response, increased low end, and crisp, clear highs. Gauges : .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046, .056

8 String Guitar Strings

As with the information above, the chart below aims to help you find the best 8 string guitar strings for your guitar. Again, this chart allows you to compare ratings, user reviews, and technical specs. Click the images to be taken to Amazon where you can see even more information.

StringsRatingUser ReviewsSpecs
StringsRatingUser ReviewsSpecs

D'Addario EXL140-8 8-String Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, Light Top/Heavy Bottom, 10-74
4.3/5"The string quality is top notch. The strings are bright with body and clarity."

"I'm elated that my favorite string maker offers these convenient 8-string sets for us extended range guitarists. I really have no complaints regarding the predictably impeccable quality of feel, tone, and consistency."
Optimized for 8-string electrics tuned F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, E Round wound with nickelplated steel for distinctive bright tone Corrosion resistant packaging for strings that are always fresh String Gauges: Plain Steel .010, .013 .017, Nickel Wound .030, .042, .054, .064, .074

D'Addario EXL120-8 8-String Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, Super Light, 9-65
4/5"This set works great, as it makes it a much easier and straightforward task to order and mount a new set."Optimized for 8-string electrics tuned F#, B, E, A, D, G, B, E Round wound with nickelplated steel for distinctive bright tone Corrosion resistant packaging for strings that are always fresh String Gauges: Plain Steel .009, .011 .016, Nickel Wound .024, .032, .042, .046, .065

Ernie Ball 2625 Slinky 8-String Electric Strings - .010-.074
4.4/5"You want to stay away from elastic and undefined sounds when you're playing so low. You need definition, which is what you get with a .74 gauge if you're willing to train your fingers to play with a rather stiff and harsh string set"

"I put these on my 7 string Schecter, and wow, they sound great! I can play acacia strain and meshuggah without my strings flopping around."
They're made from nickel-plated steel wire wrapped around a tin-plated hex-shaped steel cores. The bottom line is that these strings stay flexible throughout their heroic lifespans without corroding or loosing their tone. They're built for a balanced sound that's neither bright nor too dark.

DR Strings TF8-11 8 String Tite-Fit Nickel Plated Heavy Electric Guitar
NANAString Sets: 11 14 18 28 36 46 56 80 The core wire and wrap wire in DRs are the latest, most advanced and expensive metals available. For flexibility, for tone, for long life: for Rock, Blues, Heavy metal, Jazz.

DR Strings TF8-10 8 String Tite-Fit Nickel Plated Medium Electric Guitar Set
NANAString Sets: 10 13 17 26 36 46 56 75 The core wire and wrap wire in DRs are the latest, most advanced and expensive metals available. For flexibility, for tone, for long life: for Rock, Blues, Heavy metal, Jazz.

We hope you find this resource on 7 string guitar strings and 8 string guitar strings helpful! For even more information about these incredible guitars, be sure to read the recent posts on the site and also check out the resources section of GuitarCasa.com!