Welcome to GuitarStringFinder.com
Where every guitarist can explore the string gauges, brands, and tunings used by their favorite legendary musicians. Dive into the details and enhance your sound with the gear that made history. Join our community of guitar enthusiasts and share your passion for all things stringed.
Jeff Beck
Known for expressive playing; uses heavier gauges for fuller tone.
String Gauge:
.011 - .048
String Brand:
SonoTone Vintage
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Chuck Berry
Preferred lighter strings for easier bending and playability.
String Gauge:
.008 - .046
String Brand:
Gibson Mona-Steel Strings
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Eric Clapton
String choice balances playability with a full tone.
String Gauge:
.010 - .046
String Brand:
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Al Di Meola
Uses standard gauges for balanced tone suitable for jazz fusion.
String Gauge:
.010 - .046
String Brand:
D'Addario EXL110
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
John Frusciante (RHCP)
Uses standard gauges for balanced tone in funk and rock styles.
String Gauge:
.010 - .046
String Brand:
D'Addario EXL110
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP)
Transitioned to lighter strings after advice from B.B. King, leading to his signature tone.
String Gauge:
.007 - .038
String Brand:
Dunlop Reverend Willy's Mexican Lottery Brand
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
David Gilmour (PINK FLOYD)
String choices contribute to his smooth, expressive playing style.
String Gauge:
.010 - .048
String Brand:
GHS Boomers
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Buddy Guy
Prefers standard gauges for traditional blues tones.
String Gauge:
.011 - .048
String Brand:
Ernie Ball Slinky 11s
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Kirk Hammett (METALLICA)
String choices support Metallica's heavy riffing and fast solos.
String Gauge:
10-48 (3 top strings from a 10 set, bottom 3 strings from a 48 set)
String Brand:
Ernie Ball RPS Slinky
Tuning:
Standard and varied down-tunings
Jimi Hendrix
String choices contributed to his distinctive bending and vibrato techniques.
String Gauge:
.010 - .038
String Brand:
Fender Rock 'n' Roll
Tuning:
Varied between standard and half-step down
James Hetfield (METALLICA)
Uses lighter strings for rhythm playing; occasionally switches to heavier gauges.
String Gauge:
.011 - .050
String Brand:
Papa Het's Hardwired Master Core Signature
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH)
Used extra-light strings due to a finger injury, contributing to his heavy sound.
String Gauge:
.008, .008, .011, .018w, .024, .032
String Brand:
Optima Gold Strings
Tuning:
Down-tuned to C#
B.B. King
Known for his smooth vibrato; used medium to heavy strings for rich tone.
String Gauge:
.010 - .046
String Brand:
Gibson SEG-BBS
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Mark Knopfler (DIRE STRAITS)
Prefers lighter strings for fingerstyle playing and subtle dynamics.
String Gauge:
.010 - .046
String Brand:
D'Addario EXL110
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Yngwie Malmsteen
Preferred light strings for his fast, neoclassical playing style.
String Gauge:
.008 - .046
String Brand:
Fender Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Strings
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Gary Moore (THIN LIZZY)
Used standard gauges for versatility across blues and rock genres.
String Gauge:
.010 - .052
String Brand:
Dean Markley
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Dave Murray (IRON MAIDEN)
Prefers lighter strings for smooth legato and fast picking.
String Gauge:
.009 - .042
String Brand:
Ernie Ball Super Slinky
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Jimmy Page (LED ZEPPELIN)
Lighter strings facilitated his intricate soloing and bending techniques.
String Gauge:
.009, .011, .016, .024w, .032, .042
String Brand:
Ernie Ball Super Slinky
Tuning:
Varied, including standard and open tunings
Joe Perry (AEROSMITH)
Prefers lighter strings for easier bending and fast solos.
String Gauge:
.010 .013 .017 .030 .042 .052
String Brand:
Ernie Ball 2915 M-Steel Skinny Top Heavy Bottom
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Randy Rhoads (OZZY OSBOURNE)
Preferred lighter strings for fast, articulate playing.
String Gauge:
.009 - .042
String Brand:
GHS Boomers
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Joe Satriani
Prefers lighter strings for expressive playing and wide bends.
String Gauge:
.009 - .042
String Brand:
D'Addario EXL120
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Brian Setzer
Balances playability with a bright tone suitable for rockabilly style.
String Gauge:
.010 - .046
String Brand:
D'Addario EXL110
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Slash (G'N'R)
Uses heavier strings for thicker tone; often tunes down half a step.
String Gauge:
.011 - .048
String Brand:
Ernie Ball Power Slinky
Tuning:
Half-step down (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb)
Dimebag Darrell
Uses lighter strings for fast solos and heavy riffs.
String Gauge:
.009 - .050
String Brand:
DR Strings
Tuning:
1/4-step down (E A D G B E)
Steve Vai
Uses lighter strings for flexibility in complex techniques.
String Gauge:
.009 - .042
String Brand:
Ernie Ball Super Slinky
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Eddie Van Halen (VAN HALEN)
String setup complemented his aggressive playing and frequent use of the whammy bar.
String Gauge:
.009 - .042
String Brand:
EVH Premium
Tuning:
Half-step down (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb)
Stevie-Ray Vaughan
Favored heavy strings for a robust tone but occasionally used lighter gauges.
String Gauge:
.013 - .056
String Brand:
GHS Nickel Rockers
Tuning:
Half-step down (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb)
Zakk Wylde
Uses heavy strings to maintain tension in lower tunings.
String Gauge:
.010 - .060
String Brand:
Dunlop Zakk Wylde Icon Series
Tuning:
Down-tuned to C#
Angus Young (AC/DC)
Uses lighter strings to complement high-energy playing style.
String Gauge:
.009 - .042
String Brand:
Ernie Ball Super Slinky
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)
Malcolm Young (AC/DC)
Preferred heavy strings for solid rhythm playing and robust tone.
String Gauge:
.012 - .056
String Brand:
Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky
Tuning:
Standard (E A D G B E)