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Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Ernie Ball Super Slinky Guitar Strings (9-42)". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Ernie Ball Super Slinky Guitar Strings (9-42), a classic choice for musicians seeking a balance between comfortable playability and versatile tonality. These strings are made of nickel-plated steel, offering a warm yet articulate voice that adapts to any genre or style, from rock and blues to jazz and country.
The Super Slinky gauges, ranging from .009 to .042, ensure a balanced tension that allows for effortless bending and solid low notes. The lighter top end provides smooth string bending, vibrato, and fretting, while the heavier bottom end delivers strong, resonant low notes. This unique combination ensures a slinky feel at the top and taut lows at the bottom, giving musicians the best of both worlds.
Furthermore, the nickel-plated steel composition of the Super Slinky strings delivers a tone that is both warm and articulate. The nickel plating adds richness and depth, while the steel core provides clarity and cut. This blend helps each note ring out with beautiful, harmonically complex overtones.
Key Features:
- Super Slinky gauges from .009 to .042 for balanced tension and versatile playability
- Nickel-plated steel construction for warm yet articulate voice
- Offers a balanced tone that's neither too bright nor too dark
- Tin-plated hex steel core for added durability
- Ideal for a variety of musical styles, from rock and blues to jazz and country
- Premium quality strings with reliable performance and long life expectancy
- Preferred by renowned musicians like Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Angus Young.
Product specs
| Guitar Type | Electric Guitar |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Coated | No |
| Gauges | .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042 |
| Core Material | Tin-plated Hexagonal Steel |
| Winding Material | Nickel Plated Steel |
| Winding Type | Round Wound |
FAQs
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What are the benefits of using Ernie Ball Super Slinky Guitar Strings (9-42)?
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Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings offer a light gauge that provides easy bending and flexibility, making them ideal for genres like rock, blues, and jazz. Their nickel-plated steel winding delivers a bright tone with excellent clarity.
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Are Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings suitable for beginners?
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Yes, Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings are great for beginners due to their lighter gauge, which makes them easier to press and bend, reducing finger fatigue during practice.
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How do Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings compare to Regular Slinky strings?
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The main difference is the gauge; Super Slinky strings are lighter (.009-.042) compared to Regular Slinky (.010-.046), offering easier playability and bending, while Regular Slinky provides a slightly fuller tone.
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What type of electric guitar is best suited for Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings?
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Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings are versatile and can be used on most electric guitars, particularly those used for playing styles that benefit from easy string bending and bright tones, such as rock and blues.
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How long do Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings typically last?
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The lifespan of Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings depends on playing frequency and style, but they are known for their durability and consistent performance. Regular cleaning and maintenance can extend their life.
Videos
GAK
What Guitar Strings Are Right For You? | Ernie Ball
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball Super Slinky Guitar Strings (9-42).
User experience
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Super Slinkys are favored on Fender-style guitars with longer scale lengths for their sound and durability during hard playing.
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Some players noted a significant difference in bend ease and fret pressure when switching from Power Slinkys to Super Slinkys.
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A user reported that while Ernie Ball Super Slinkys work well on a Floyd Rose, 1.5-step bends on the .009 string can result in breakage, suggesting caution with extreme bends.
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Comparisons
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Some users who switched from D'Addario to Super Slinkys noticed improved tuning stability on guitars with floating tremolos.
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Users who switched from DR and D'Addario often cite the ease of bending and tone of Super Slinkys as key reasons.
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Ernie Ball Super Slinkys are perceived to have less tension than D'Addario NYXLs, which could benefit those seeking easier playability.
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Setup and maintenance
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 44 Reviews and 249 Ratings
822
Good value for the money
These strings have a silky feeling when you play the guitar, so for the people that is not used to this softness probably have to spare some time before with the chords. Probably I'll try a thick gauge strings to have more control during riffs and solos. These strings also resist very good coast ambients, but I had some issues recently, like some strings breaking before getting rusty.
95
My go-to strings
I used to use whatever I could get my hands on. D'addario, Fender or whatever. I don't pay too much mind to strings but Ernie Ball are my zone when it comes to them. I use 9s primarily cuz it lets my fucked up bridge bend up and down.
9160
A classic
One time, When I was jamming with my uncle, I asked him what strings he would recommend and he said the Ernie Ball Super Slinkys but I got them for my schools guitar which its strings are totally crap. So I fixed it and it is now used for guitar lessons
102
Lasting slinkyness
These are great quality strings, definitely extremely slinky being very light gauge and surprisingly last a decent amount of time. Never had a problem with these sets with breakages etc. For me raising my stop bar/tailpiece on my guitar created even more slinkyness for me! So I can literally bend like crazy with these now, very easy playing strings. Love them overall.
288
Very good.
I have these on my Strat and they work as well as the green kind. I highly recommend them for strat players.
342
Great pack of strings.
I love this set of strings. It gives me the sufficient tone I need for my guitar playing.
2341
Only played a couple of times
I really didn't enjoy the lack of volume these strings have. Sure they have really sharp tones, but as someone who seeks the deeper tones in a guitar, having these paired with single coils is the way to go. The high E always broke for me too, which was pretty annoying some times.
Artist usage
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Jimmy Page is shown using Ernie Ball Super Slinky Guitar Strings in a user-uploaded photo on Ernie Ball’s website.
The preferred guitar strings used by Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong are the Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Slinky Electric Guitar Strings.
At 6:33 from his own String Theory by Ernie Ball, he talked about what kind of guitar strings still stay in tune and not broken when he use the whammy bar. Until he takes the 3rd pack, he's like: "What is that pack? An Ernie Ball Super Slinky! YES! The Ernie Ball Super Slinky!! That's what we need!!"
Paul McCartney uses Ernie Ball Super Slinky Guitar Strings (9-42), as noted in a Facebook post by Ernie Ball.
Angus Young used only Ernie Ball Super Slinky guitar strings (.009-.042) for his electric guitars.
On 4:00, Steve is talking about Ernie ball Strings
According to Ernie Balls video description: "String Theory is a web series from Ernie Ball that explores the sonic origins of some of music's most innovative players. In this episode, Ernie Ball artist Steve Vai discusses his influences, his history with playing guitar, and his Ernie Ball strings.
Steve Vai plays Ernie Ball Super Slinky electric guitar strings"
In his article for Guitar World, Billy Corgan mentions using 9-42 gauge strings. Given that The Smashing Pumpkins are known to use Ernie Ball strings, it's likely he uses Ernie Ball Super Slinky Guitar Strings.
Paul Gilbert relies on that Super Slinky electric guitar string gauge for his signature tone. #NAMM2020
In a video interview with the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, Neil Young states that he has used Ernie Ball Super Slinky Guitar Strings (9-42) for most of his career.
Pat Smear used Earnie Ball Super Slinky 9-42s on his electric guitars during his time with Nirvana.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ernie Ball Super Slinky Guitar Strings (9-42), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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