Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (1)
$8.29
Guitar Center
4.5 (10)
$9.99
Amazon
4.6 (702)
$8.29
Reverb
$7.39 20 available New
Musician's Friend
5.0 (11)
$9.99
Thomann
4.7 (296)
$7.40

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48)". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48) are designed to maximize your guitar's performance while ensuring durability and longevity. These strings are an evolved version of the standard Slinky, featuring a patented winding of bronze wire tightly wrapped around the lock twist of the ball end.

The Ernie Ball RPS strings are meticulously crafted to withstand the rigors of regular use, making string slippage and breakage a thing of the past. They are created to suit both electric and acoustic guitars, providing a balanced rich harmonic and that signature Slinky feel.

The Ernie Ball brand has been synonymous with quality and consistency since its inception. Known for their pioneering work in rock and roll guitar strings, they've earned the trust of legendary musicians like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, and Slash. With the RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings, you are not just buying a set of strings but a piece of music history.

Key Features:

  • Comprises gauges .011, .014, .018p, .028, .038, .048
  • Patented Reinforced Plain String (RPS) technology
  • Nickel-plated steel wrap for enhanced durability
  • Tin-plated hex steel core for better tuning stability
  • Bronze wire wound at the ball end to reduce slippage and breakage
  • Ideal for both electric and acoustic guitars, excluding classical guitars
  • Precision manufactured to the highest standards for optimal performance and long life
  • Trusted by renowned musicians worldwide for their quality and consistency

Product specs

Guitar Type Electric Guitar
Number of Strings 6
Coated No
Gauges .011, .014, .018p, .028, .038, .048
Core Material Tin-plated Hexagonal Steel
Winding Material Nickel Plated Steel
Winding Type Round Wound

FAQs

What music genres are Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48) best suited for?

These strings are ideal for rock and blues, offering a thicker gauge for more robust tones. Their increased tension provides powerful sound projection, making them a favorite among guitarists who play heavier music styles.

How do Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings compare to Regular Slinky strings?

Power Slinky strings have a thicker gauge than Regular Slinky strings, providing more tension and a fuller tone. This makes them better suited for players looking for a heavier sound and more robust string feel.

Are Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings suitable for drop tuning?

Yes, the thicker gauge of these strings (.011-.048) provides the tension needed for stable drop tunings, offering consistent tone and playability for lower tunings.

What is the core material of Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings?

These strings feature a tin-plated hexagonal steel core, which contributes to their durability and bright tone, making them reliable for various playing styles.

What type of winding do Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings use?

The strings are round wound with nickel-plated steel, providing a balanced tone with bright highs and full lows, ideal for electric guitarists seeking a versatile sound.

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Paradigm: Stronger Than Slash

Video thumbnail for Ernie Ball Paradigm: Stronger Than Slash by Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Paradigm: Stronger Than Slash

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball

Video thumbnail for Ernie Ball Power Slinky 11-48 Reinforced Plain Guitar String Review by Doodles Plays Music

Ernie Ball Power Slinky 11-48 Reinforced Plain Guitar String Review

Doodles Plays Music

Doodles Plays Music

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48).

Comparisons

  • Ernie Ball strings reportedly break more easily than D'Addario, with some players preferring the longevity of D'Addario NYXLs.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users find Ernie Ball strings, particularly the Cobalts, to have a unique texture and brighter sound that requires adjustment.

    Source
  • Players report that Ernie Ball strings can lose their tone relatively quickly, leading to frequent changes for those preferring fresh-sounding strings.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Ernie Ball strings are noted to break when top-wrapped on some Gibson tailpieces, but work well on Fender Stratocasters.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Hybrid Slinky variants combine different gauge sets, offering versatility with mixed gauge top and bottom strings.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 18 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
skylinerr

Good set of strings

I love 11 gauge strings I used power slinky for years but I tried these out and converted to using thes on hard-tail guitars

Genres:
johnpickk_

These things can take some beating!

Great strings - sound good, hold up well, only thing is they get dirty quickly, opposed to other strings I've used, they also rust a lot... Still great though!

miggytrasmonteofficial

Good Strings

Love the sound and always change the strings everyday.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Slash uses Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48)

Slash

Guitarist

Guns N' Roses

...
Verified via YouTube

Slash mainly uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky RPS 11-48 strings. "Ernie Balls have been consistently great sounding," he says in this interview at (0:15). "They don't oxidize too fast, and they don't break. They're tremendously reliable.," he said.

See how James Hetfield uses Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48)

James Hetfield

Singer, Guitarist

Metallica

...
Verified via Metallica

Listed on the Official Metallica website.

See how Kirk Hammett uses Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48)

Kirk Hammett

Guitarist

Metallica

...
Verified via Metallica

According to Metallica's official website (archived by WayBack Machine on January 18th, 2013), Hammett uses Ernie Ball RPS 11-48 guitar strings.

In 2016, Hammett was featured in Ernie Ball's String Theory. Hammett explained the use of mixed set of 10s and 11s. Though RPS model is not explicitly mentioned, the RPS strings can be seen at 2:08 and 5:38.

See how Johnny Marr uses Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48)

Johnny Marr

Singer, Guitarist

Modest Mouse

...
Verified via Premierguitar

This interview with Marr for Premier Guitar magazine, regarding the recording of his 2018 album Call the Comet, includes a list of gear currently he used during the sessions. It indicates that Johnny prefers 2242 RPS 11 strings.

See how Buddy Guy uses Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48)

Buddy Guy

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:18, in this rig rundown video, the interviewer asks Buddy Guy's guitar tech about the strings he uses, and he says Buddy Guy uses Ernie Ball Slinky 11 strings.

See how Gilby Clarke uses Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48)

Gilby Clarke

Guitarist

Guns N' Roses

...
Verified via Photo

"I just recently switched to Ernie Ball RPS .011s…" - Gilby Clarke.

See how Nick Hexum uses Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48)

Nick Hexum

Singer, Guitarist

311

...
Verified via 311

Listed on the official 311 website, http://www.311.com/band/equipment

See how Clementine Creevy uses Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48)

Clementine Creevy

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Premierguitar

According to the Premier Guitar interview, Creevy uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky strings.

Album Usage

The Ernie Ball RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48) has been featured on the following albums:

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 RPS Power Slinky Guitar Strings (11-48), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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