Best Strings For 7 String Guitar (2024 Update)

Fantastic set! Took my standard scale six-string to new lows! It’s a bit loose but useable in G but about perfect for G# on my SE archtop Rich Bich. And better than the 72 gauge EB string I had tried previously. Immediately fell into a reasonable tone and with a little EQ-ing! Been an Ernie Ball guy for years. Stringjoy has a new fan!Andrew M

I like the strings, but the over advertising on emails is really annoying. I’m not sure who is your marketing manager, but your time would be well spent at NAAM, Local guitar dealers, online advertising, etc. Maybe even getting a contract to put your strings on specialty guitars from the manufacturer, along with specs that only you meet. Such a great product, but it’s really not out there and non-stop emails are annoying to every person. Good luck as a company, hope the honest feed back helps.John L

I had been reading about these strings in forums etc and was intrigued. Decided to try a set or two and see what was up. I bought the 10-52 Signatures. Well, I have been using them for a month and a half and all I can say is, believe the hype. The feel great, nice on the fingers, and it seems like the difference in quality of the metal is noticeable. I mean, it feels that way. Maybe it's something else. I don't know but they feel good, hold tune very well and settle in easy right after they're strung up. In six weeks of home playing they have not diminished in tone or tuning stability at all. I am already subscribing for three sets every two months as well. Love my stringjoys.Brian H

These have been my chosen strong for electric guitar for a few years now. I put them on my epiphone les paul as well as my fender strat and they always serve really well. Sound and feel amazing!Harrison W.

Unfortunately, I do not have a 7-string axe but if I did, it would be strung out with these babies! I buy them for the 28, 38 & 58 strings for my SRV Strat to get that Texas tone. They play just as smooth & good as any of the other Ernie Ball strings I use. I love the heavy, warm-end tone & the strings do not disappoint AND they're easy on the fingers meaning they're smooth. If you bend strings up a whole step like I do, these strings will toughen you up real fast.. These strings last and never have I experienced any corrosion. Highly recommended if you want that Texas blues tone, jazz sound or you just wanna DJENT!John564Holloway

I was looking for a perfect set to stay super tight in Eb but also retain enough tension in lower tunings. I had been using the Not Even Slinky set and found the higher strings for be a little too thick and the lower a little too thin. So, I decided to give these a shot. I remove the .28 (Normally the 4th string) and that way, I have regular 11s at the top but super heavy strings at the bottom. When tuned to my signature Eb, they retain a lot of tension and are good for a nice chugging sound. When tuned any lower than Drop C, they start to lose a little tension, but still stay manageable. I'd say the lowest comfortable tuning is Drop A before they get too floppy. Overall great strings, EB is the best!Ryan

Ernie Ball Strings are great. They have a lovely "twang" to them when brand new. However, I DO like their Paradigm Strings the most, as they last for 6 months or more before I need to change them. Those Ernie Ball Paradigm Strings are the best, longest lasting strings that I have ever used. I wish Artist Guitars stocked the EB Paradigms (I'd have given a 5* Rating instead of 4* if they had Paradigm Strings). If/when they DO start to stock them and if their price is right, I'll purchase them for ALL my 7 or 8 guitars! ATM I usually purchase 3-pack deals via e-Bay. 😀 I only got these as I wanted a brand new set of 7-String Guitar Strings for my brand new and 1st ever 7 String guitar, the Artist Guitars' Spiritus 7 that I purchased recently. However, I am going to purchase Paradigm 7-String sets from now on. These non-paradigms are just temporary. I'll be purchasing another Acoustic Guitar or few in the future also, as I'd like a JB300NT V2 Steel String Acoustic as well as a new Nylon Classical Guitar. And I need a Bass or 2 also. LOL You can never have enough, let alone too many Guitars! Thank you Artist Guitars. You guys rock!Narayana

These strings seem to have more bite and attack. Clarity is key here with these things. Very clear on every string. I will buy again for my 7 string guitar. Being tuned low and having the clear voicing come through is pleasant. Thank youMatthew

I was talked into buying these strings about a month ago by a sales associate at the Guitar Center in Jackson, Ms. Said they were the best strings Earnie Ball had to offer. I can now say that I disagree. I love Earnie Ball strings, don't get me wrong, but these are by far the worst I have purchased. I had them on for two weeks and played on them five times. Put my bass in its case after every session. Within a week, I started noticing that they were gaining rust. Dispite the fact that I cleaned them. By the time the second week came, they looked like they had been left in the rain for months. I don't recommend these strings to anyone. The steel and nickel strings, yes, buy those. I love them. But these new cobalt strings are a waste of money. Thankfully my local Guitar Center took care of me and gave me a free pack of strings when I showed them the wear and tear they had gained over a course of two weeks. I'll say again, don't buy these strings. You will be disappointed.Van Lee

I play mostly in a blues band, and like a fat, thick tone with lots of bottom and some midrange punch. I was excited about these strings after hearing about their increased output. However, for my purposes I find that they have too much ring and higher frequency harmonics and overtones, and don't give me that down and dirty sound I'm looking for. Perhaps after using them while they will mellow out and give a more pleasing tone. But for now I would say these would be best for slap and pop, where you want a real strong response in the higher registers. For me right now they don't fit the bill for what I'm looking for.I play mostly in a blues band, and like a fat, thick tone with lots of bottom and some midrange punch. I was excited about these strings after hearing about their increased output. However, for my purposes I find that they have too much ring and higher frequency harmonics and overtones, and don't give me that down and dirty sound I'm looking for. Perhaps after using them while they will mellow out and give a more pleasing tone. But for now I would say these would be best for slap and pop, where you want a real strong response in the higher registers. For me right now they don't fit the bill for what I'm looking for. I play mostly in a blues band, and like a fat, thick tone with lots of bottom and some midrange punch. I was excited about these strings after hearing about their increased output. However, for my purposes I find that they have too much ring and higher frequency harmonics and overtones, and don't give me that down and dirty sound I'm looking for. Perhaps after using them while they will mellow out and give a more pleasing tone. But for now I would say these would be best for slap and pop, where you want a real strong response in the higher registers. For me right now they don't fit the bill for what I'm looking for. I play mostly in a blues band, and like a fat, thick tone with lots of bottom and some midrange punch. I was excited about these strings after hearing about their increased output. However, for my purposes I find that they have too much ring and higher frequency harmonics and overtones, and don't give me that down and dirty sound I'm looking for. Perhaps after using them while they will mellow out and give a more pleasing tone. But for now I would say these would be best for slap and pop, where you want a real strong response in the higher registers. For me right now they don't fit the bill for what I'm looking for.QadS-man the bassman

I tried heavier ones, they felt difficult and I had to down tune a lot. These one can be regular pitch or half down and even one whole step down in tuning and will stay fine. Drop to G for the bottom string will make that string just a bit sloppy however, but not bad. I like to play 10-46, and have done so for years just playing for myself creating new tones and tunes with 6 string ones. But 10-58 (7) sets become too heavy for me and bending hurts my finger joints. On my Ibanez RG7620, I have consistently used this set for 10 years I believe. Other brands have 9-52 7 string sets, but this is just a bit beefier 9-56. That is hard to find. They do not feel much less heavy in sound than 10-56 ones but are definitely easier to play. I got a 7 string that comes with 10-58 with 26.5" scale, I will change that one to 9-54 too. I have experimented and to try to reduce damage to my finger joints and tendons in the arm I may switch to 9's on 6 string guitars too. On 7-string guitars this is the only one that works for me. If you work out and have very strong forearm muscles, then heavier strings will be fine. I am sticking with the 9-54. I have not found another set with a 54 as the bottom string with 9 gauge for the rest. Life of strings: they last long, but not longer than Elixir or DR. They lose a bit of brightness and settle at a nice level and stay at this for months. I wish I could get this set in a coated version also. If you play the same 7 string every day 4 to 5 hours, I estimate with shred playing, change strings in two months (if you alway clean them after playing). I have had mine in for over 6 months now, i use a string cleaner. Every gauge has its own benfits and some cons, try several. They are ALL fun. I highly recommend these.7 string experimenter

I used to use ernie balls religiously, but decided to switch to d'addarios to try them out, and have never looked back. They last a long time, much longer than earnies and they aren't too much more expensive. They have a nice mellow tone which is never dull. Just live them.evilash465

I'm a bass player and use stainless steel strings on my bass. But trying strings on my nice guitar. So I'm not experienced with strings on guitar yet and there's not much choices out there for seven sting guitars out there either. So I'm trying these out and so for I'm happy with them…Stan The Bass Playen Man

I love these gauges for tuning my 7 string half a step down. The tension is just right. Like most normal strings these do get dull after a while but you can get a bit more life out of them by wiping down with a rag sprayed with WD40.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

I have Ernie Ball Music Man Artisan Majesty guitar and I first purchased the "2623 Super Slinky 7-String Electric Guitar Strings" first from here and they sounded horrible on this guitar(very twangy) and the B string was dead. I would assume these size strings don't belong on this guitar. I purchased these Paradigm strings and they sound great. Time will tell how long they last. The packaging was very nice. It was in sealed air tight package and in a box.Treagor

This product gets a 4 due to how quick they seemed to fade. I bought the Ibanez FRIX7 and purchased 3 packs of these to try them out. At first I thought they were amazing, then after about a week I was kind of hearing less tone and it sort of kept declining from there. FYI I have extremely acidic fingers so it’s no surprise that I had this issue. It definitely last 2-3 times longer than a D Adarios so the tech does work. That said, I ended up buying heavy Elixers and using the low string from the packs of EBalls. Sounds awesome and works the way I need. Hope this helps! SamPSamuelPlayzon

I use NYXL's on every guitar I own. They are my string of choice. Great feel, dependable, Strong, last a long time! You just can't go wrong with them!Cody IX

I used to be Ernie Ball only for years until I found the NYXL strings. These things feel amazing, last FOREVER and sound incredible.(I have no idea what this guy in the other review is talking about) By far the best strings on the market, only con is they're a little pricey. However, these last way longer than any other string I've played so I don't mind paying a little extra.Colorado

Great strings. Work perfectly for drop tuning on a 7 string. They're beefy but not in an unreasonable way and they hold their tune even when you're going a bit wild. Highly recommendCOLLIN

Consistent and reliable from pack to pack. Strong and slinky with comfortable tension and super crisp output. Great for heavy attack and downtuning!Malcolm

I use these strings on 2 different scale length guitars currently. One is a 26.5 and the other is a 27 inch scale 7 string. The package says they are balanced for a 25.5 inch scale but they work well with my current setup without unnecessary extra tension. They work great for the standard tuning setup of a 7 string but I currently am using drop A tuning as well as drop G# and the tension is still excellent. I have no tried these strings on a multi scale guitar yet so I am unsure of how they would perform but I would imagine the strings would be even more balanced ina multi scale configuration.JASON

My Mitchell MS450 (single cutaway LP style guitar) came with D'Add's, which sounded decent. When I switched them out, I went with the GHS 10's on a hunch based on things I've heard. Great move! Nice, brilliant tone, rings out for eternity if you let them! I have heard that the GHS 9's are really good on Strat style guitars, so GHS might be my go to on my Squier Strat Classic Vibe next string change.Joe

I used 11's from D'Addario for years and I would break a string consistently for every show that I played. I do not know why I kept with D'Addario for so long. I figured I needed to have a heavier string gauge for durability and better tone. Searched around and came across these strings in the heavy gauge, and I could not be happier with them. These strings have great sustain, are durable, do not corrode as quickly as other brands I have used in my professional career playing music, and, despite their heaviness, are easy to play in standard tuning. Along with playing well with a pick and fingers, these strings also sound terrific when playing slide. You can get the same great tones out of these strings that Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks have with their lighter gauges, as well as channeling the fat tones that you hear from Duane Allman from the Fillmore East show. Great Garcia tones can come from these strings as well. Basically what I am saying is that you can still get those classic guitar sounds on these heavy strings without feeling like your losing tone or playing opportunities utilized by the players that inspire you who may use lighter string gauges. These strings also (as far as I know) have a round core instead of a hex core. I think that might be a reason why these strings have so much sustain, especially when you have some distortion or overdrive keeping them warm while playing lead. If you are on the fence about getting these, I recommend you give them a try just see how they work for you. They are no that expensive and its worth it to figure out what works for you as a player. Feeling confidence in the gear you use is so essential to being comfortable on stage. Buy a pack and see what happens. You might find yourself just what you've been looking for.JFromJUNCO

I used to use Boomers for about 10 years, on all my electrics (9s). Until arthritis started creeping in. Switched to EB slinky 8s, and playing became much easier. Everything still had a huge sound, but previous order added a test set of the Boomer 8.5s for my Gibson Les Paul goldtop with P90s. Took a while to get used to the rougher feel compared with the EB 8s. But will probably order another set for the goldtop, and a set for my ES295.Joe S.

My Mitchell MS450 (single cutaway LP style guitar) came with D'Add's, which sounded decent. When I switched them out, I went with the GHS 10's on a hunch based on things I've heard. Great move! Nice, brilliant tone, rings out for eternity if you let them! I have heard that the GHS 9's are really good on Strat style guitars, so GHS might be my go to on my Squier Strat Classic Vibe next string change.Joe

I used 11's from D'Addario for years and I would break a string consistently for every show that I played. I do not know why I kept with D'Addario for so long. I figured I needed to have a heavier string gauge for durability and better tone. Searched around and came across these strings in the heavy gauge, and I could not be happier with them. These strings have great sustain, are durable, do not corrode as quickly as other brands I have used in my professional career playing music, and, despite their heaviness, are easy to play in standard tuning. Along with playing well with a pick and fingers, these strings also sound terrific when playing slide. You can get the same great tones out of these strings that Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks have with their lighter gauges, as well as channeling the fat tones that you hear from Duane Allman from the Fillmore East show. Great Garcia tones can come from these strings as well. Basically what I am saying is that you can still get those classic guitar sounds on these heavy strings without feeling like your losing tone or playing opportunities utilized by the players that inspire you who may use lighter string gauges. These strings also (as far as I know) have a round core instead of a hex core. I think that might be a reason why these strings have so much sustain, especially when you have some distortion or overdrive keeping them warm while playing lead. If you are on the fence about getting these, I recommend you give them a try just see how they work for you. They are no that expensive and its worth it to figure out what works for you as a player. Feeling confidence in the gear you use is so essential to being comfortable on stage. Buy a pack and see what happens. You might find yourself just what you've been looking for.JFromJUNCO

I used to use Boomers for about 10 years, on all my electrics (9s). Until arthritis started creeping in. Switched to EB slinky 8s, and playing became much easier. Everything still had a huge sound, but previous order added a test set of the Boomer 8.5s for my Gibson Les Paul goldtop with P90s. Took a while to get used to the rougher feel compared with the EB 8s. But will probably order another set for the goldtop, and a set for my ES295.Joe S.

I'm a fan of these DR coated strings. They have a definite feel and sound, which are both good. The eye-catching colors are worth the extra change. Mine have always lasted and held their sound. I use these on an Ibanez 7-string and I use the 6-string versions on a Gretsch Pro Jet and an Ibanez semi-hollowbody. All play and sound great.cg_2018

I really loved these strings. I actually only used the first 6 of the set for my xiphos guitar. They worked and held really well for the way my guitar was set-up (1/2 step down D# tuning). Harmonics hit well, strings felt nice, coating + strings lasted long as heck! I would recommend them to anybody looking for a light-like set of strings. Do not work well with anything down a step or more!Sky Clark

I bought these strings from a local guitar shop not too long ago. Before I got these, I was all about the Dean Markley Blue Steels. But I saw these and thought "They are color coated. Thats awesome!". I waited until my Blue Steels aged some and then threw these on. Immediately I was hooked. The black coating is awesome. The strings feel really good on your fingers when you play and they don't really loosen up that much when you first tighten them up. They also have a great tone. I may shop around and experiment, but these strings are totally worth the money.Phillip B

Strings that sound great, feel great and don't break? Are you kidding me? No, it's true and they are very real! All I know is the future is now. I just wish they were a little less expensive than they are.latenticons

No cons so far. The sound is bright, clear, and the sustain is great too. What can I say other than I bought them for both my guitars.thefavorab_51

Once I switched to seven strings I was looking for strings that would give me good tension for drop A, a tuning commonly used on seven strings. However, many stock strings only go up to about 56-ish and consider that a "ultra heavy gauge." Considering I used 10-52 on my six string in drop C#, this wouldn't be nearly enough. Thankfully I found these strings and got them. They have the perfect tension for tuning below standard on the low string(s) without being to heavy on the higher-pitched strings. Don't expect to be able to pull off drop F# without issues, but try these out if you want a good metal sound with fantastic tension.Brian Dice

I use this pack on a six string (drop the 10) when tuning a regular scale guitar to C. They drop in perfectly, and the tension is great tuned as such. I find that they stay "tighter" and don't flop around as much as every other brand of string I have used. The sound is full and rich, without being too muddy. I use them on an Explorer and a Flying V, with both passive and active pickups, and they kick ass OUT LOUD!Chris

These strings are a fantastic value! They sound wonderful, are easy on the fingers and your frets, and have some of the lowest tension out there. That means that your neck and truss rod will not suffer nearly as much as with other strings. Also, these strings look killer!nsalaza

Ive been playing Black Beauties for over ten years. Great tone. Long life. Hand wound in USA. Plus, they look cool. What more can you ask for?jgar96799

Initially received defective product (G string was dead). DR sent a replacement quickly. First impression was these strings were mid-heavy, not my style at all. With a few knob tweaks was able to make them sound really good. I love the look on people's face at the gig trying to figure out how something that looks this way sounds just like non coated strings! They look great, sound great, and they're a fantastic conversation starter on breaks!Will Hurtubad

Absolutely can't tell that these are coated strings at all. They are bright without being super honky that you have to break in, they are smooth to play, and only sound better the longer you have them. They last an insanely long time with heavy use while still sounding fresh as can be, I play every day and change mine once every 10 months to a year. I guess I'll have to give Elixirs a fair try because they are the only brand I haven't used on bass yet, but have no idea what the last review was about saying these strings aren't good. They are downright amazing. I don't do reviews but I stand by the products that stand by me. The price is absolutely worth every last penny. Try them and you'll never look back!Mike B

My personal favorite coated strings, they have a great balanced tone perfect for rock and roll. They last forever, and keep their tone for months even with heavy playing. They have a warm low end and snappy responsive highs. I typically don't like coated strings as I find they impede my playing, however these strings feel like there's nothing there! These are truly excellent strings. This is an Employee review by Cgray at Sam Ash store 57Moose

I really like the tone and flexable feel of these strings. They have a good sound that does sound to bright or feel to slick, unlike elixers. I will probably purchase again if i find a great deal on them but unfortanatly i didnt get my moneys worth because the g string broke in two weeks. The only other thing i didnt love is that the big e string has so much wrapping at the ball that i had to jam my pin in a little more than was comfortable to hold it in. All in all the positives outway the negatives, the biggest thing to improve on would be durability.tyrw21

These are great for drop A/ G# tuning on a 25 1/2" scale length. The heavy bottom strings are big enough to hold a note well under hard picking, but still have the attack and brightness I like in my metal tone. I would definitely recommend this set to any 7 string player.Tree Stone

I tried out the ghs boomers 7 string set on my Washburn x37 guitar. They have a nice clear , even tone about them. I like them better than the Ernie Ball 7 string set. I mostly play metal music and these strings sound great with high gain distortion. Not bad at all.H

I like this set for drop D down a half step (Db, Ab, Gb, C, F) on a 6 string double fat strat, ditching the 9. I like the sizes better than any of the 6 string drop D sets I've tried. These last a long time and still sound good.mike stellar-3LX.X

Great strings for the price! I put them recently, but they seem to be very good for corrosion. My house is very humid, so everything corrodes very soon. I need coated strings to last long, at least few months.sashbagdasaro-0

Ive gone through lots of strings over the years and these are by far the best, most durable strings i have ever played!! Strung these up on my prs se svn in G standard and man do they feel and play amazing!! Cryatal clear tone and mean asf!!!aletribuche-0

Guys, these strings are AMAZING! Let me tell you, if you put these strings in after having a different brand in, you will totally feel and hear the difference. It makes your guitar sound great. You can easily bend strings and make a beautiful vibrato with these! I watched a TV interview with Slash and even he says that he feels that they are top of the line and just give your guitar great feel and sound. I am totally with him. Please, if you have the chance…BUY THESE AND PUT THEM IN IMMEDIATELY.Luke H.

These strings sound great and retain their great sound for a pretty long time. They are extremely easy to play on as well. I would def recommend these strings to everyone from beginners to professionals.Chris