Customer Reviews

Ernie Ball Super Slinky String Set (9 - 42)

5 star:		(119)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Take this to heart. I have been playing for 16 years this Christmas. For the first seven years I experimented with different brands and gauges. These were the strings I settled on after all that experimentation and I have never looked back. Slinky 9's are ALL I have bought for the past nine years. There are two types of electric guitar strings: Expensive and cheap. NEVER buy cheap strings. They sound too bright and about one out of twenty will break when you wind them up. Expensive strings are a little more complicated. The durability factor is much better with expensive strings. About one out of eighty will break. The difference between the expensive brands is in the sound. Some are "tinny" or bright. Some sound like bass strings tuned way up. With that said, Ernie Ball Super Slinky 9's have what I call a "V" voicing. It's like they have a little equalizer built in set to a good rock setting. You know, boost the mids and highs and roll back the mids. THESE... are the only strings designed specifically for rock/metal/southern rock/progressive heavier jam bands/etc. Period.

Man... I sound like a commercial. It's because I am passionate about these strings.

I've been playing the guitar for 20 years, and I've tried a lot of different strings. Across all of the different options that are available, I'm convinced that there are really two variables that control 95% of the sound:

1) String gauge. Suck it up and buy the 11's. You will *not* get the tone that heavy strings deliver with pedals, rack effects, or other widgets. Yes, you fingers will hurt if you've been playing .009's. No, you will not regret it once you get used to it.

2) String age. Change your strings when they start to sound bad. It's a pain, but even good technique and heavy strings can't make up for crusty, stretched-out, worn-out strings. Changing before every show is excessive. Use your ears; when the sparkle and crispness of new strings is gone, and the sound bothers you, then change your strings.

That being said, I use Ernie Ball Slinkys pretty much exclusively these days. They're reasonably cheap, sound great, and are found in pretty much any guitar shop anywhere in the world. What else could you ask for? Five stars!

My experience with guitar started in the 70s with a beat up acoustic my dad handed down to me. I was enthralled with the sounds of the guitar, but hated that giant hunk of junk. In the early 80s I got myself a job, tossed that pile of warped wood, and bought myself a Gibson electric. A friend quickly turned me on to GHS Boomers, which I used exclusively for probably 7-8 years. I had tried several other brands, but for me, the Boomers were the best.

Well, the 90s came around, and my musical taste changed from alt-rock to a heavier sound. My preference transitioned from Gibson guitars through Orange and Mesa/Boogie amps to Jackson guitars through Marshall amps. Due to budgetary constraints, I switched to Carvin strings -- they used to be incredibly affordable -- but "discovered" the Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings when a guitar tech friend of mine restrung one of my super-strats for me, and that was that.

So what do 'Slinkies' do?

1. Bend forever.
2. Quack on a Strat with the best of 'em!
3. NOT break when setting up a Floyd Rose.
4. Last for as long as you can stand rubbing the oxidation off of the higher strings.

Okay, you get the picture. In a nutshell, these are high-quality strings at an affordable price, delivering the best tone out there. Novice or pro; you won't be disappointed.

Beginners and folks who don't play very often will like these strings because they are really easy on the fingers. The strings stay in tune good once the stretch is gone and sound good. Price is right. These Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings are very good.

i have been playing guitar for over a year now, and searched high and low for good quality strings but when i tried super slinkys on my SG, i haven't heard a better tone and sound from any other strings I've used on my guitar. Super Slinkys have had the longest life-span on my guitar without the need of replacement strings, or string cleaning cloths. i still use Super Slinky Stings today, and i have never been happier with the crisp and clean sound that comes from my guitar.

These are my favorite strings for electric guitar. I've been using them since I started playing about eighteen years ago. I've tried other strings, like Gibson and D'Addario, but I like the sound and feel of Ernie Balls the best -- they feel nice, full, thick, hefty. I play blues, jazz, and bluesy rock. I use these on a Gibson Les Paul Vintage Mahogany and a Yamaha neck-thru-body electric, and they are good for the music I play and for providing a full-bodied sound. There are a whole host of "big name" guitarists who use these strings, and for good reason. I buy them in 10 packs to save money -- can't seem to find that option here on Amazon.

Great strings, not much I can say besides the slinky (9-42) are great for younger kids, or beginners, or anybody! they're brighter than most, and even have quite a longer life. I usually go for Dunlop (10-46) Jim Dunlop DEN1046 Dun Elec Med 10-46 but take it form me when I say the Ernie ball strings are second to none, and if your looking for great slides, hammer on, and pull offs, Ernie ball has an awesome set of (11-48) Ernie Ball 2220 Power Slinky String Set (11 - 48) but I think the (9-42) work just perfect for anything.

You can never go wrong with a set of Ernie ball strings, they give great sound, and last longer than Twinkies, if you don't get a set of these your crazy!

As a guitar player for 50+ years and still rockin', I can say there are no other better strings out there.

I can't say enough about Ernie Ball strings. They're cheap, well made, and the get the job done. Whether you get the Super Slinky or Not So Slinky strings, you won't be disappointed.

These have always been my favorite strings, and I've just about tried them all. Everything from elixirs, fenders, gibson, dunlop, and everything in between; I always end up coming back to ernie ball one way or another. Whether it be regular slinky or my ambitious not even slinky *they are a set of 12s* Overall great strings, never had a break on me, last long, sound pretty good too.