Pricing and availability

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Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Elevate your guitar's sound with the Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings, a favorite among legendary musicians like Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Bonamassa. These strings are meticulously crafted to deliver a rich, full-bodied tone that resonates with the soul of classic rock. By incorporating nickel-plated steel wrapped over a hex core, they promise not only exceptional sustain but also an enhanced vibration that brings out the best in every note you play.

Designed for those who demand excellence, each set is packed in tarnish-resistant individual envelopes to ensure longevity. The environmentally friendly packaging reflects Dean Markley's commitment to sustainability, making these strings a wise choice for both your music and the planet. Whether you're hitting the stage or jamming at home, the Dean Markley Signature Series guarantees performance that you'll feel and hear.

Key Features:

  • Custom Light gauge (.009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046)
  • Roundwound for a balanced feel and sound
  • Nickel-plated steel wrapped over a hex core for enhanced vibration
  • Warm and full tone with a classic rock vibe
  • Tarnish-resistant individual envelopes for durability
  • Eco-friendly packaging

Product specs

Guitar Type Electric Guitar
Number of Strings 6
Coated No
Gauges .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046
Core Material Steel
Winding Material Nickel Plated Steel
Winding Type Round Wound

FAQs

What are the tonal characteristics of Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings?

These strings are known for providing a bright and articulate tone, thanks to their nickel-plated steel winding. They offer a balanced sound that is well-suited for a variety of music genres, including rock and blues.

Are Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings suitable for beginners?

Yes, these strings are suitable for beginners. The custom light gauge (.009-.046) provides a comfortable playing experience, making them easier on the fingers while still delivering excellent sound quality.

Do Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings work well for lead guitar playing?

Absolutely, the custom light gauge of these strings is ideal for lead guitarists who require flexibility and ease of bending, allowing for expressive solos and intricate playing techniques.

How do Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings compare to pure nickel strings?

These strings, made with nickel-plated steel, offer a brighter tone compared to pure nickel strings, which tend to have a warmer sound. The nickel plating helps resist corrosion while maintaining clarity and sustain.

Are Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings durable?

While they are not coated, the nickel-plated steel construction provides good durability and resistance to corrosion, making them a reliable choice for regular playing conditions.

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional tone, harmonics, and sustain

  • Enhances the "sound of the wood" in guitars

  • Long-lasting with superior pitch retention

  • Offers a resonant, "woody" sound

  • Versatile for different music styles, including Hard Rock

  • Reliable durability, even with metal picks

  • Balanced gauge range for fast leads and heavy tones

CONS

  • Unwound strings can be tightly wrapped, risking bending

  • Lack of individual color coding for string identification

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings.

Setup and maintenance

  • New strings may produce a metallic sound initially; breaking them in over a few days can resolve this issue.

    Source
  • If the string gauge differs from previous sets, adjusting the truss rod or bridge might be necessary to eliminate unwanted noise.

    Source
  • Allowing strings to settle for a week can prevent the need for unnecessary adjustments and setup corrections.

    Source

User experience

  • Fresh Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel strings provide a bright tone, typical of newly installed strings.

    Source
  • Dean Markley Blue Steels are noted to sound great across genres like Metallica and Zeppelin, and they reduce string squeak.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Dean Markley Blue Steels are preferred over Ernie Ball by some users due to longer-lasting tone and better feel.

    Source
  • Compared to Ernie Ball, Dean Markley strings reportedly break less often and maintain sound quality longer.

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Use cases and applications

  • Dean Markley Blue Steels are favored by players who switch frequently between rhythm and lead due to their versatility.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Wes Borland uses Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings

Wes Borland

Singer, Guitarist

Limp Bizkit

...
Verified via Photo

Wes Borland uses Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings, specifically in the 11-52 gauge with a wound G string, as seen in a user-uploaded photo.

See how John 5 uses Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings

John 5

Guitarist

Marilyn Manson

...
Verified via The Official John 5 Website

The 6th item down are these set of strings, they're acompanied with a picture and a small note which reads: "John 5 has recently signed with Dean Markley Strings. He will be using the Dean Markley’s Nickel Steel Signature Series strings. From Dean Markley’s website:The cornerstone of Dean Markley Strings. If you lined up every set of NickelSteel Electric™ strings ever sold end to end, you would have a really, really long line of guitar string sets. Dean Markley NickelSteel Electric™… on top of the best-seller’s list year after year. To find out more click to visit http://www.deanmarkley.com/products/by-subcategory/2-catalog/282-nickelsteel-electric"

See how Nuno Bettencourt uses Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings

Nuno Bettencourt

Guitarist, Singer

Supergroup A

...
Verified via MusicRadar

In a MusicRadar interview, Nuno Bettencourt discussed using his Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings, which were available in both 10-52 and 9-46 gauges.

See how Johnny Ramone uses Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings

Johnny Ramone

Guitarist

Ramones

...
Verified via Photo

Johnny favoured Dean Markley strings. Despite being a rhythm guitarist, Johnny played very light strings; .009-.042 and .008-.038!

See how Peter Buck uses Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings

Peter Buck

Guitarist

R.E.M.

...
Verified via Rickresource

The specifications of a custom string set "w[ere] posted to the alt.guitar.rickenbacker Newsgroup in April 1999", as reported and preserved by RickResource. "Nickel Steel Electric" is also listed on REM's official Dean Markley artist page from 2005, while a heavy gauge is noted by REM bandmate Mike Mills in a Bass Player interview published to Guitar World's website on November 11, 2023.

RickResource

There was a question awhile back about what type and gauge strings Peter Buck uses on his Rickenbacker 360 Jetglo. This response was posted to the alt.guitar.rickenbacker Newsgroup in April 1999. It's a rather heavy set consisting of:

1st - .013 Plain- Swedish Steel

2nd - .017 Plain- Swedish Steel

3rd - .026 Wound- Nickel Steel

4th - .036 Wound- Nickel Steel

5th - .046 Wound- Nickel Steel

6th - .056 Wound- Nickel Steel

These are Dean Markley individual strings. His guitar was at the factory so that he could have a new instrument set up exactly like his old one, using the string set listed above.

Dean Markley Artist Page

REM uses Nickel Steel Bass Med. Lt, Nickel Steel Electric, and Vintage Bronze Med. Lt.

Karl Coryat, "'Early on I discovered that the bass player decides the chord – not the guitar player': R.E.M.’s Mike Mills on finding the perfect bass part and becoming a 'one-bass guy'", Bass Player via Guitar World, November 21, 2023

When you play guitar do you think of Peter's style?

“I try not to, because that would defeat the purpose. For one thing, he uses very heavy guitar strings, which I can't really handle. I could never even begin to play like Peter, so there's no point in trying – although his guitar playing has influenced mine to an extent. It’s more subconscious than conscious.”

See how John Maurer uses Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings

John Maurer

Bassist

Social Distortion

...
Verified via Photo

In 1990, during Social Distortion's tour stop at The Pit in West Palm Beach, FL, I observed bassist John Maurer restringing his bass with Dean Markley Signature Series Nickel Steel Guitar Strings on a pool table. After the show, I retrieved the discarded strings from the trash.

Genre Usage

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Used With

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