Musical Instruments

Next-gen Guitar Strings

Ernie Ball Cobalt guitar strings are made of a new alloy formulation that gives you higher output, better sound, and longer life. Cobalt strings' special iron/cobalt blend attracts the magnets in your pickups better than any other alloy. When you string up with Ernie Ball Cobalts, you'll immediately notice the incredible comfort these strings offer - silky and pliable under your fretting fingers; your pick will seem to glide over the strings, letting you execute fast passages effortlessly. And when you plug in, you'll get increased power, beefy yet defined lows, improved midrange focus, harmonics, and sustain, and crisp highs. Try a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt strings - you're gonna love 'em! Ernie Ball Cobalt Guitar Strings at a Glance:

• Beta tested by the creme de la creme
• Cobalt formula gives you higher output and better sound
• Cobalts last longer

Beta tested by the creme de la creme In the development of their Cobalt strings, Ernie Ball tapped select members of their star-studded artist roster - including Steve Morse, John Petrucci, Randy Jackson, Tony Levin, and Slash - to be beta testers for the new formulation. John Petrucci reported that the Cobalts sound "amazing," with "increased power, incredible clarity, and incredible sonic balance." He noted that the Cobalts seem "softer" under your fretting fingers (the term he used was "buttery"). Slash noted that - before being plugged in - the Cobalts "have an entirely different feel than normal strings." He goes on to characterize this sensation as "bouncy and pliable," and "a lot of fun for bending." When amplified, Slash commented that the Cobalts were just as bright as titanium strings, but more "guttural," with more "growl to them." Cobalt formula gives you higher output and better sound A half century ago, Ernie Ball practically invented "rock" guitar strings. And now, with Cobalt, they've re-invented them. After exhaustive testing of over 350 alloy combinations, the company ended up with an optimal formula that - as compared with conventional strings - gives you higher output, beefier lows with increased definition, improved midrange focus, shimmering harmonics and more robust sustain. You get a brighter sound without inducing harshness by turning up the treble on your amp. Cobalts last longer Ernie Ball Cobalt guitar strings last longer, retaining their brightness long after other strings have given up the ghost. Steve Morse reported having a set on one of his guitars "for several weeks," and with daily use - "sweaty hands" and all - the Cobalts "still sound bright... They just don't have that dead sound," he says. So, with higher output, better sound, and the monetary benefits of not having to change strings so often, Cobalts have it all over traditional alloy formulations. Check out a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt strings - you'll love 'em!

• Punchier, higher output strings
• Beefier lows, with increased definition and growl
• Increased midrange focus, harmonics, and sustain
• Longer-lasting than conventional strings
• .012, .016, .024, .032, .044, .056
• Made in USA

NYXL0942 sets are designed with super light gauges for maximum flexibility.

D’Addario NYXL guitar strings will bend farther, sing louder, and stay in tune better than any string you’ve played before. Envisioned, perfected, and manufactured by D’Addario in New York, this newly engineered, break-resistant, high-carbon steel core and plain steel alloy delivers a whole new level of freedom, confidence, and power. NYXL’s provide more strength and up to 131% greater tuning stability by utilizing a completely reinvented wire drawing process coupled with a revolutionary “fusion twist” process for the plain steels. The reformulated nickel plated string windings have greater magnetic properties resulting in higher output and enhanced mid-range frequency response for more presence and crunch.

• NYXL's feature D’Addario’s exclusive New York manufactured, high carbon steel alloy for unprecedented strength – play fearlessly
• Improved tuning stability compared to traditional nickel wound strings - get in tune faster, stay in tune better
• Wound strings with enhanced mid-range frequency response in the 1 - 3.5 kHz range – more presence and crunch to cut through the mix
• NYXL0942 are designed with super light gauges for maximum flexibility: Plain Steel .009, .011, .016, Nickel Wound .024, .032, .042
• Environmentally friendly, corrosion resistant packaging for strings that are always fresh

EHR310's combine the universal playability of D'Addario's most popular electric gauge (10-46) with the benefits of an exclusive "Half Round" manufacturing process. D'Addario Half Rounds Electric Guitar Strings are round wound with stainless steel and then precision ground leaving the outer surface smooth and "semi flat." The result is a string with the tone and tension characteristics of round wound strings, with a smoother feel, similar to flat wound strings.

• D'Addario's most popular string gauge with an exclusive semi-flat surface
• Centerless ground stainless steel delivers round wound tension with a flatwound feel
• Environmentally friendly, corrosion resistant packaging for strings that are always fresh
• Made in the U.S.A. for the highest quality and performance
• String Gauges: Plain Steel .010, .013, .017, Stainless Steel .026, .036, .046

D’Addario’s XT strings are among the longest lasting we’ve used here at Sweetwater thanks to their thin, durable coating. And we do mean thin — you won’t even know it’s there. These strings employ D’Addario’s proprietary high-carbon steel core and fusion twist technology, ensuring that they bend farther and stay in tune better — even under the duress of a live performance. XT strings boast nickel-plated windings with enhanced magnetic properties for increased output and juiced midrange. You’ll appreciate the presence and crunch that you get out of D’Addario’s XT electric guitar strings. Thin, durable coating protects every string XT strings feature D’Addario’s thinnest and most durable coating yet. This nearly imperceptible coating protects every string from corrosion — even the plain steel strings — while maintaining the natural feel and tone of their popular NYXL series. D’Addario is the only string company who draws wire, coats it, then winds it — other companies apply the coating after the strings are made. If you’re dissatisfied with most coated electric guitar strings, give D’Addario XT strings an audition. You’ll be impressed.

• .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042
• Thin, durable coating protects every string — even the plain steel strings
• Excellent presence and crunch that cut through a busy mix
• High-carbon steel core yields unrivaled strength and elasticity
• Improved tuning stability compared to traditional nickel-wound strings
• Wound strings with enhanced midrange frequency response in the 1–3.5kHz range
• XL strings are manufactured in D’Addario’s New York factory

D’Addario’s XT strings are among the longest lasting we’ve used here at Sweetwater thanks to their thin, durable coating. And we do mean thin — you won’t even know it’s there. These strings employ D’Addario’s proprietary high-carbon steel core and fusion twist technology, ensuring that they bend farther and stay in tune better — even under the duress of a live performance. XT strings boast nickel-plated windings with enhanced magnetic properties for increased output and juiced midrange. You’ll appreciate the presence and crunch that you get out of D’Addario’s XT electric guitar strings. Thin, durable coating protects every string XT strings feature D’Addario’s thinnest and most durable coating yet. This nearly imperceptible coating protects every string from corrosion — even the plain steel strings — while maintaining the natural feel and tone of their popular NYXL series. D’Addario is the only string company who draws wire, coats it, then winds it — other companies apply the coating after the strings are made. If you’re dissatisfied with most coated electric guitar strings, give D’Addario XT strings an audition. You’ll be impressed.

• .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
• Thin, durable coating protects every string — even the plain steel strings
• Excellent presence and crunch that cut through a busy mix
• High-carbon steel core yields unrivaled strength and elasticity
• Improved tuning stability compared to traditional nickel-wound strings
• Wound strings with enhanced midrange frequency response in the 1–3.5kHz range
• XT strings are manufactured in D’Addario’s New York factory

Classic Ernie Ball Tone!

Ernie Ball strings have been a top choice for players of all types since the early 1960s, when guitarists came into Ernie Ball's music store, customizing their string gauges to make their axes easier to play. After fruitless attempts to interest major guitar manufacturers in a lighter set of strings, Ernie Ball decided to start making his own. When you open a pack of his strings today, you know you're getting a quality set of strings designed to give you great tone, reliable performance, and long life. You can't go wrong when you string up with Ernie Ball strings! Ernie Ball's 8-string Slinky electric guitar strings are made from nickel-plated steel wire wrapped around a tin-plated, hex-shaped, steel-core wire. They offer a great balanced sound that's neither bright nor too dark.

• Type: Electric, 8-string
• .010, .013, .017, .030, .042, .054, .064, .074
• Balanced sound
• Tin-plated hex steel core
• Nickel-plated steel wrap