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Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky Guitar Strings (10-48)". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky Guitar Strings (10-48) are the perfect fusion of flexibility and robust tonal depth, designed for guitarists who demand both agility and rich sound. Combining elements from the legendary Regular Slinky and Power Slinky sets, these nickel-plated steel strings deliver a harmonious blend of light playability and a powerful low-end punch. Whether you’re a lead guitarist who thrives on bending notes or a rhythm player who needs consistent tension, the Ultra Slinky set is tailored to elevate your performance without compromise.
Crafted with precision, these strings feature a tin-plated high carbon steel core, ensuring durability and a reliable playing experience. The nickel wrap not only enhances the tonal clarity but also provides a smooth feel that's quintessentially Ernie Ball. From the moment you string up your guitar with Ultra Slinkys, you'll experience a balance in sound that’s neither overly bright nor too mellow, making them a versatile choice for any musical genre.
Ideal for guitarists who appreciate the iconic Ernie Ball tone and seek strings that can handle both delicate melodies and robust chords, the Ultra Slinky set stands out as a go-to option for musicians worldwide.
Key Features:
- Nickel-plated steel wrap for enhanced tone and smooth feel
- Tin-plated high carbon steel core for durability
- Light playability with a powerful low-end punch
- Gauges: .010, .013, .017, .028, .038, .048
- Balanced sound suitable for various musical styles
Product specs
| Guitar Type | Electric Guitar |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Coated | No |
| Gauges | .010, .013, .017, .028, .038, .048 |
| 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 Ultra Slinky Guitar Strings (10-48)?
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Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky strings offer a blend of lighter playability from Regular Slinkys and the heavier low-end tone of Power Slinkys, making them versatile for a range of playing styles and genres.
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Are Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky strings suitable for drop tuning?
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Yes, with gauges ranging from .010 to .048, Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky strings provide enough tension for drop tuning while maintaining good playability and tone.
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What materials are Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky Guitar Strings made from?
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These strings are made from nickel-plated steel wire wrapped around a tin-plated, hex-shaped steel core, offering a bright tone with excellent durability.
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How do Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky strings compare to Regular Slinky strings?
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Ultra Slinky strings combine the lighter playability of Regular Slinkys with a heavier low-end, providing a fuller sound while still being easy to play.
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Are Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky strings suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the blend of lighter playability and heavier low-end makes them a great choice for beginners who want to explore a variety of musical styles.
Videos
Karl Golden Music Teacher
The Ultimate SHRED & RHYTHM strings?! | Ultra Slinky
Reviews
PROS
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Ideal for varied tuning and genres, offering both flexibility and depth
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Perfect blend of Power Slinky and Regular Slinky gauges for versatile playability
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Exceptional value with durable, high-quality construction
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Maintains bright, clear tones over time without harshness
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Easy installation with labeled packaging for quick setup
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Provides a good balance between tension and playability
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Suitable for Les Paul and 25.5 scale guitars
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Durable under heavy playing and frequent tuning changes
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Offers a dynamic tone suitable for rock and blues
CONS
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Requires setup adjustments when switching from lighter gauges
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May not stay in tune as well as some other brands
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Strings can become dull and rusty quickly
5.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 13 Ratings
439
644
Standard strings
I love this string gauge. Perfect for tight metal rhytms while being more flexible and bendy on the leads than a standard 11-48 set. But they're nothing more than standard Ernies. Which means they don't last very long and go dull and rusty quickly. So, good strings, but nothing special.
186
Hard wearing strings
These are my go-to strings, I can't quite describe why but they're perfect for me
Artist usage
Add artist
Ground Guitar states that Kirk Hammett uses Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky Guitar Strings (10-48). Additionally, when I attended his Gibson book event and asked him directly, he confirmed that he uses these strings.
This website claims that since 1989, Beck has used Ernie Ball guitar strings in gauges 9-46, 10-48, and 11-48. Because Beck has been using the 10-48, gauge setup since 2011, and Ernie Ball released their Ultra Slinky 10-48 strings in 2019, it is reasonable to assume he uses Ultra Slinkys these days rather than mixing & matching different sets to get the right gauge combination, as he would have pre-2019.
"Jeff’s Guitar Setup"
"This is how Jeff likes his strats set up. The info in the table below info was taken from Dan Erlewine’s book “How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great”, Second edition, 2011."
"Some of Jeff’s Todd Krause master-built guitars were examined by Dan, one of which had the strings removed. This allowed Dan to take precise measurements."
Measurement: | Dimensions:
Neck Scale: 25 1/2 ” (648 mm)
Neck Radius: Compound radius: 9 12″ (241 mm) at nut to 12″ (305 mm) at end of fretboard
Bridge Saddle Radius: Between 12″ (305 mm) and 14′ (356 mm)
Fret Size: .098′ X .050″ (2.47 mm X 1.26 mm)
**Strings:
1989: Ernie Ball 9s (9, 11, 16, 26, 36, 46)2011: Ernie Ball 10s (10, 13, 17, 26, 38, 48)** sometimes increasing string guage to 11s
Neck Relief: 1989: Straight to .006″ relief
Nut: Wilkinson 1st generation nut (slanted on bass side)
Nut height: set up so that with the strings pressed at the 2nd fret there is just enough clearance over the 1st fret to see daylight (.11″ bass side & .006′ treble side).
Neck Action in 1989: At 12th fret – 1/16″ (1.6 mm) bass side 3/64″ (1.2 mm) treble side
Neck Action in 2000: At 15th fret – 1/16″ (1.6 mm) bass side 1/16″ (1.6 mm) treble side
Pole Piece Height: The pole piece heights for the neck, middle, and bridge pickups were all “touching*” (see below) on the bass side and 3/64″ (1.2 mm).
- With the strings off the guitar, Dan laid his straightedge on the frets and then measured the clearance between the straightedge and the polepieces. I don’t really see how this makes the pole piece measurements useful.
"So, you see, there is no real magic here. Jeff can play on any guitar you give him, and it will sound like him. Even when he plays a guitar without a whammy bar, like a Tele, you can recognize his playing almost immediately!"
"Check your guitar measurements against the info in this table to see if any adjustments might improve your playing. Don’t make adjustments to your guitar if you don’t know what you are doing. It’s better to bring it to a qualified guitar technician."
Albert Hammond Jr confirmed via Instagram that he uses Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky Guitar Strings (10-48) on his Stratocaster. This information was obtained through a direct message exchange.
In the YouTube video "Do .13 Gauge Strings Really Affect Guitar Tone?" by Music is Win, Tyler Larson is seen using Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky Guitar Strings (10-48) at the 5:53 mark. He selects a couple of strings from the pack to adjust his guitar setup, addressing issues with high action and an uneven bridge caused by DR DDT strings.
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 Ultra Slinky Guitar Strings (10-48), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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