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What’s new at Zystrix? Read on… May 27, 2025 The Best Guitar Strings for the Metal Guitarist In the last issue we looked at the best bang-for-the-buck wireless guitar systems for the metal guitarist (click here for a refresher). This time we’re looking for the best guitar strings for the metal guitarist. And there’s an old secret included below for keeping your strings lively and fresh. We’ve also got a new piano tune to download in MP3 format and also in a video file. So sit back and relax. Welcome to Zystrix, the heartbeat of the universe. Where creativity and free- thinking have more value than conformity. Background Artwork The colorful artwork that surrounds the edges of this website is invisible to many cell phone users. It’s included here for your enjoyment. Multiple copies are tiled together for a cohesive and seamless background seen all around this page. Enjoy. Introduction to Guitar Strings Some people would say that the sound of a guitar begins at the strings, and in many cases that’s true. But I feel the sound really begins in your head and the strings help convey what you are thinking. Past that it’s the different gauges and materials that influence both your guitar’s sound, output, and playability. There are many different artist endorsed strings that may give a person an idea of what their string metal type and gauge might be, but in the end you are the judge and they should be only used as a guideline. Besides, are you trying to be a great copy or are you trying to be yourself? I look at strings like this – if they work, feel good, and sound good then that’s good enough. Although price is a factor, I would put more emphasis on where you are placing your fingers and less on the guitar strings you choose. I have tried a lot of different guitar strings (I should have because I owned a music store), and here are maybe a few helpful tips. String Gauge The gauge of a string is its thickness. The thicker the string is, the lower the note it is used to produce. That’s why strings get thicker from the high E (string #1 thinnest) to the low E (string #6 the thickest in standard tuning). And remember, the thicker the gauge the more finger fatigue you may experience depending on your playing style. Conversely, the heavier the gauge the more stability of tuning and the higher the output, but finger fatigue (and tendinitis) is also possible, so beware. Gauge is measured in thousandths of an inch. Common string gauges are… Extra Light – .008, .11, .14, .22, .30, and .38. Light Strings – .009, .11, .16, .24, .32, and .42. Medium or Regular Strings – .10, .13, .17, .26, .36, and .46. Heavy Stings – .11, .015, .022, .030, .042, and.054. Custom Gauge Strings are the sets that combine different or unorthodox thicknesses, and they are designed for guitarists who require specific strings to be thicker or thinner, to produce the sound that suits their style. Guitar string gauges for various tunings is another topic for another day, but there are many, and these could include drop tuning or slack key, bast tuning, rhythm/lead styles of tuning, Nashville, Byzantine, and many others. Metals and Materials Nickel is by far the most common metal used for electric guitar strings, and there are variations on this theme like nickel-plated, nickel-wound, and pure nickel. Steel is another metal used for guitar strings and it has a bright tone but tends to corrode over time, hence stainless steel is a nice choice. Cobalt is another metal that has a brighter tone. As metals go it’s more brittle, but it’s wear resistant which you may prefer. Cobalt is used in manufacturing high strength alloys. And in an effort to make strings last longer some manufacturers have taken to coating strings (mainly nickel or steel) with a polymer. The argument is that the strings stay fresher and retain their tone longer. You be the judge. Changing Strings If you play a rigorous 3-4 hour show every night then change your strings at least every other show or, if you can afford it, after every show. The longest I could play at that type of schedule was two nights because I could guarantee myself a broken string on the third night. And I hate bringing extra guitars. Otherwise it depends on your preferences. If you don’t mind a little wear and tear on your strings (and I certainly don’t) then change them when they break or they sound too dull. Over time you’ll recognize when new strings are needed. Washing your hands before you play also helps keep your strings sounding newer longer, but I found that’s not always convenient when you’ve arrived at the gig late and the boss is looking at his watch threatening to cut your show. And once you’ve found the string brand you want to stay with for a while, have your guitar intonation professionally set up using that brand so every time you change your strings the intonation is relatively the same. And there you have it, so here we go -- the best electric guitar strings… THE FINE PRINT: We never use affiliate links to monetize this website. Unlike most music websites, Zystrix never receives any commission on any gear or software you may purchase via a link on this website. Ever. This keeps our reviews dead honest, removes financial conflicts of interest, and also helps keep your price of gear lower. Best Guitar Strings for Metal Guitar Blue Steel by Dean Markley I’m not bragging them up because the company gave them to me years ago, but they really do last longer. They don’t have the brightness of some strings, but they certainly have the longevity. My favorite is the 9-42 size, but they make a number of different sizes and string configurations. Check them out. I’ve used them on every recording I did since their invention. Excellent. Click here to learn more or to purchase Blue Steel Strings. 10-pack $6.50+$5.99 shipping USA. Super Slinky by Ernie Ball These are great strings, and I used them for a long time -- years. They’re not too stiff so it’s easy to bend a note, they have a nice output for the gauge, and they stay in tune once they are broken in. They last on the guitar and on the shelf, that is, if you buy a box or two in advance. And the price is right for the quality. These strings kick ass. The pink package set is gauge 9- 42. Click here to learn more or to purchase Super Slinky Strings 10 sets $4.88 each + free shipping USA. Elixir Nanoweb is their name for the coating on the strings, and some say that guarantees longevity. Their price-to-value ratio is a little high which begs the question, “Does a person really get that much more string use for the money?” Well, Hoppes won’t be needed for these strings, so I suppose that saves a tiny amount. They sound bright, and they feel smooth. Groovy. Click here to learn more or to purchase some Elixir Strings -- 3 packs $39.99 and free shipping USA. Regular Slinky by Ernie Ball A nickel plated steel wrapped around a tin plated high carbon steel core. These are great strings, it’s a similar sound and look to the Super Slinky above, but they are more stiff because they are thicker. Once they are broken in they stay in tune, and they last a long time. And the price ain’t too bad either. This yellow package set gauge is 10-46. Click here to learn more or to purchase Regular Slinky Strings -- $29.98 for 6 sets, free shipping USA. Boomers by GHS These strings feel slightly stiff but they are durable and they last a long time. They offer a nice bold bright sound, and they break-in relatively quickly. I used them for a few years but changed brands again after that. Click here to learn more or to purchase GHS Boomers -- 10 sets $54.95 free shipping USA. D’Addario NYXL Their original electric strings were a little fragile and had a slightly thinner sound. They didn’t last as long as some brands but they felt OK. This NYXL strings of theirs, especially the 10-46, is a wonderful choice for slammin’ power chords. D’Addario NYXL is another brand of string that’s made with a nickel winding that surrounds a high carbon steel core. Click here to learn more or to purchase some D’Addario NYXL Strings $33.99 for three sets and free shipping USA. S.I.T. Strings S.I.T. or stay in tune strings. These strings are stiff but durable. I had a little bit of trouble bending them, but for a loud and solid rhythm guitar they are excellent. Click here to learn more or to purchase some S.I.T. Strings -- $36.65 for six sets and free shipping USA. Gibson Strings If you’re a fan of a vintage guitar string feel then these Gibson strings are worth considering. Their design is the same as the classic strings from the 1950s. They last a long time, but they are just too stiff for me – even the 9- 42. I would put these on a rhythm guitar that only gets played at parties and on the holidays for fun. These strings last so long they’d probably rust off before they broke. Just keep them clean (see Hoppes below) and I suspect you’ll be good for a very long time. Click here to learn more or to purchase some Gibson Strings -- $9.99 per set + $4.49 shipping with quantity discounts USA. Fred’s Guitar String Secret Hoppes Powder Solvent #9 is a very old but very popular inexpensive solution for taking grime off the metal barrel parts after shooting your favorite guns. However, it also has a secret use for guitarists looking to take all the finger grime off guitar strings. What we’re trying to do here is wring every last minute of life out of our expensive guitar strings. You will notice a big improvement in string tone and brightness right away. I usually cut a piece of cotton material (a 4-inch long and inch wide strip of old sock works great) and fold it in half. At the fold I put a drop or two of the solvent, fold it around the string with the center moist fold touching the string on both sides, and hold onto the dry part wiping the length of the string. You will probably notice a squeaking sound while wiping the strings. This is normal. You should also notice a lot of dirt and grime on the folded cloth area from the strings. It also helps if the string is loosened a little to make the application easier. Now re-tune your guitar and voila, your strings have a new bright tone (at least for a while). Buy the smallest bottle you can find because a little goes a long way. As an example, I’ve used the same bottle since the 1960s and I still have a little left. Make sure to wipe off the excess from your hands and guitar strings so your guitar doesn’t smell like a gun repair shop. Guitar Strings Conclusion For me anyway, finding the right guitar strings was a lot of experimentation with different brands and materials. Some brands I used once or maybe twice, and some I used for years. There were a lot of decisions of price vs value. Once I found what I liked I was in it for the long haul and bought them by the box (usually 10-12 sets at a time) because of the price break. And if you’re looking to help save yourself from tendinitis down-time then choosing the right strings is imperative. Do not over-work your hands or you’ll be sitting on the musical sideline bench for months waiting for your tendons to heal. But on the other hand, maybe you’ll get lucky and meet a nice nurse. I hope this listing gives you some ideas and insight. Dangerous Neighbors -- Followed by Shadows Dangerous Neighbors has a new solo piano tune called Followed by Shadows for your listening pleasure. This 5 and a half minute neo-classical solo piano tune is about apprehension and the feeling of constantly having to look over your shoulder. Click here to download Followed by Shadows in MP3 format. And, if you prefer, there’s also a video format that’s higher definition than the version you may have seen on “Farcebook”. Click here for the Followed by Shadows video. Enjoy. Don’t touch that dial… Stay tuned next time… Sorry, but the guitar strings discussion is officially over. From here on out you are on your own -- test strings and find your calling. Next time we’ll look at different guitar tunings (metal, country, rock, blues, folk) and try to narrow all of them down to just a few favorites that really rock. Wish me luck. Maybe I’ll see you then. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them. Knowledge, art, and music for all.

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ZYSTRIX POPULAR FREE DOWNLOADS The Best Free Synthesizers of 2024 It’s another epic issue, and there’s lots of FREE downloads here. And the Honorable Mention Synthesizer List might surprise you. This list is long, so prepare yourself. And if it seems like too much to take in, I warned you. Click here for the official list of The Best Free Synthesizers of 2024. The Best Free Mastering Plugins Your DAW (digital audio workstation) will be so happy. And so will you. Here are the best of the best for EQ, compression, limiting, tube and tape emulation, reverb, delay, and honorable mentions. This list is a must have with lots of downloads. Check out The Best FREE Plugins for Mastering 2024. Here’s a free download of almost one and a half hours of original neo-classical solo piano by Dangerous Neighbors. This full length album called Piano Top to Bottom consists of 18 original piano pieces with the final piece in two movements. There is a bonus track making 20 files total. 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Click here to download various music from the rock band Dangerous Neighbors. Download Free Synth Samples for Intros, Interludes, and Endings Listen to example #01 by clicking here (MP3 Sample) Download FREE professional quality stereo sample packs that slowly evolve over time. All samples are in 48K 24 bit WAV format and are about 20 seconds long or more. If you like suspense, psycho, outer space, or terror then this collection is for you. These range from paranoia to sci-fi, cinematic gore to strange industrial horror, and creepy creatures to insane laboratories. Click here to download all the synth Intros, Interludes, and Endings. DOWNLOAD FREE AUDIO BOOKS The Fluid, Embalmed for Life There are Free Audio Book codes for Audible downloads (must sign up). There are also free sample downloads of the book reading. There are free downloads of music samples. There is a free “Look Inside” download of the paperback. There is a free glossary of the largest list of mortuary slang in the world. The Free Dangerous Neighbors Album The Fluid, Embalmed for Life comes included as part of the audio book and parts are available here as a free download. The paperback book is available for sale at Amazon dot com. I have no control over these sales; because of the Amazon agreement I cannot offer complete paperback or complete audio books here. And for some reason most book sales go to Japan. Who would have thunk it? Click here for free audio books, book reading samples, music samples, etc. Take me back to the top of the page. Zystrix Privacy Policy THE FINE PRINT: Zystrix is a world leader in personal privacy and we take your privacy very seriously. We do not store, sell, give away, or barter with any of your personal or private information including your email, IP address, links clicked, location, habits, tastes, online activities and behaviors, or anything else considered personal or private information. 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