Pricing and availability

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

Guitar Center
5.0 (11)
$10.99
Amazon
4.8 (2099)
$10.99
Reverb
5.0 (1)
$4.00 New
$3.60 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (8)
$10.99
Thomann
4.8 (505)
$8.40

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

For over half a century, Ernie Ball has been at the helm of guitar string innovation, and the Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings are a testament to this legacy. Renowned for their perfectly balanced tone across all seven strings, these strings are precision-made in the USA, adhering to Ernie Ball's strict quality standards. Whether your music style leans towards rock, metal, fusion, or progressive, these nickel-wound strings are your ideal companion, unlocking a wide spectrum of tonal possibilities.

The Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String strings are engineered with nickel-plated steel wound over a hex-shaped steel core, delivering a versatile sound profile that harmonizes crisp highs, tight lows, and a touch of warmth. The custom gauges—.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046, .056—ensure optimal tension and playability for 7-string guitars. No matter what your guitar technique of choice is, these strings can handle it all, delivering consistent tone at any volume level.

Longevity is a key feature of these strings. Designed for optimum performance and durability, the nickel plating is specially treated to prevent corrosion, while the steel cores and ball ends are tin-plated for smooth playability and rust prevention. With proper care, these strings outlast average strings, maintaining their tone and feel.

When you choose Ernie Ball strings, you join an illustrious league of iconic guitarists like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, and Slash. So, amplify your creativity and find your sound with the Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings.

Key Features:

  • Made of nickel-plated steel wound around a hex-shaped steel core for versatile, balanced tone
  • Custom gauges—.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046, .056—for optimal tension and playability
  • Precision manufactured in the USA for optimum performance and longevity
  • Specially treated nickel plating to prevent corrosion
  • Tin-plated steel cores and ball ends for smooth playability and rust prevention
  • Ideal for diverse music styles including rock, metal, fusion, and progressive
  • Used by iconic guitarists like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, and Slash.

Product specs

Guitar Type 7-string Electric Guitar
Number of Strings 7
Coated No
Gauges .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046, .056
Core Material Tin-plated Hexagonal Steel
Winding Material Nickel Plated Steel
Winding Type Round Wound

FAQs

Are Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56) suitable for drop tuning?

Yes, the Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String set with gauges from .010 to .056 provides the tension needed for stable drop tuning, allowing for clear intonation and tone.

What type of winding is used on Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings?

These strings feature a round wound design with nickel-plated steel, offering a balanced tone with bright highs and a solid low end.

Are Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings coated?

No, these strings are not coated, which provides a natural feel and traditional tone, although they may require more frequent changes compared to coated strings.

What is the core material of Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings?

The core material is tin-plated hexagonal steel, which enhances durability and maintains tuning stability.

Can Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings be used for metal music?

Yes, the gauge and construction of these strings make them well-suited for metal, offering clarity and punch across all seven strings, ideal for aggressive playing styles.

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Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent tone with standard 6-string tuning; heavy sound like drop C

  • Durable, lasting up to six months with frequent use

  • Consistent sound quality; crisp and clear across all genres

  • Strings stay fresh longer with Element Shield Packaging

  • Strong and sturdy, ideal for energetic performances

  • Great value for money at $8 per set

  • Resistant to corrosion, maintaining tone over time

  • Versatile for jazz, blues, and metal

  • Smooth feel under fingers, enhances playability

  • Reliable tuning stability, even with heavy playing styles

CONS

  • Top string too light for drop tuning to "A"

  • Harder to bend strings due to increased tension

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56).

User experience

  • Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 10-56 gauges are favored for their bright tone and balanced tension, though they may not last as long as some other strings.

    Source
  • Owners of 26.5" and 27" scales often find 10-62 or 9.5-64 sets more stable for drop tunings like G# or A, reducing floppiness on lower strings.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Ernie Ball 10-56 set is noted to have less balanced tension on the low strings compared to D'Addario, which uses thicker B strings for a more even tension.

    Source
  • The Ernie Ball 10-56 set is often compared to D'Addario's 10-59, with users highlighting the need for a thicker low B for drop tuning stability.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • These strings are considered suitable for metal and death metal, preventing muddiness without overwhelming bass when properly adjusted.

    Source
  • Musicians playing in standard tuning on 25.5" or 26.5" scales often find 10-56 or 10-62 sets sufficient, while drop tunings may require custom gauges.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • On a 25.5" scale, the 10-56 set offers standard tension, with users suggesting professional setup for optimal performance after prolonged non-use.

    Source
  • Users report that lighter strings like 9-52 or 9-54 improve low-end intonation on 25.5" scales compared to heavier gauges.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • While heavier strings can introduce muddiness, they also enable lower action without fret buzz, providing a smooth playing experience for certain styles.

    Source
  • Users appreciate hybrid sets like Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom for offering thicker bottom strings while maintaining lighter top strings for lead playability.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Many players prefer creating custom sets by combining 6-string packs with individual low B strings, such as a 62 or 64 gauge, for better tension balance.

    Source

Other

  • A recurring suggestion is for manufacturers to offer more customizable multi-gauge sets to cater to varied tuning preferences, especially for 7-string guitars.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 20 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Petrucci uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

John Petrucci

Guitarist, Composer

Dream Theater

...
Verified via YouTube

In this interview/setup walkthrough with Petrucci's guitar tech, he is asked at 5:05 "What kind of strings are you using?", he responded:

"... This is the Ernie Ball 7-String Regular Slinkys, so it's 56-10... Yeah everything with John is off of a set of 10s, so 10-46, for a 7-String you have a 56 for the low B, for Drop-D we'll use 10-36 and then I'll use a 48 for the Drop-D, and it'll still feel like a 46"

See how St. Vincent uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

St. Vincent

Singer, Guitarist

The Polyphonic Spree

...
Verified via Photo

Premier Guitar mentions that St. Vincent uses Ernie Ball .010 and .012 sets. Source.

See how Dave Navarro uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

Dave Navarro

Guitarist

Red Hot Chili Peppers

...
Verified via Photo

Taken from a A detailed gear diagram of Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction, you can see the Strings he uses.

See how Issac Hale uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

Issac Hale

Guitarist

KNocked Loose

...
Verified via Photo

Both Cole and Isaac use ernie ball 7 string regular slinkys

See how Jack Owen uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

Jack Owen

Guitarist

Cannibal Corpse

...
Verified via YouTube

At 7:18, Jack shows a backup set of strings, 10-56 seven string set.

See how Andrew Baena uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

Andrew Baena

Guitarist, Music Producer

Carcosa

...
Verified via Photo

In this July 19, 2019 Instagram post, Baena states:

"Incredibly happy to announce that I am now endorsed by @ernieball they delivered a nice care package yesterday to welcome me in 🤘maybe one day my name will be on the package of one of these sets of strings even! That would certainly be a dream come true. #guitar #djent #music #guitarporn"

A number of Ernie Ball String Packs are visable, amongst them two 7-String packs of Regular Slinkys.

See how Charles Caswell uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

Charles Caswell

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video titled "WHAT STRINGS, PICKS, TUNINGS, GUITARS, AND MICROPHONES I USE," Charles Caswell of Berried Alive demonstrates his use of Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56).

See how Steffen Kummerer uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

Steffen Kummerer

Guitarist

Obscura

...
Verified via YouTube

At 9:28, Steffen says he uses 10-56 Ernie Ball strings

See how Cole Crutchfield uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

Cole Crutchfield

Guitarist

KNocked Loose

...
Verified via Photo

Cole Crutchfield uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56), as shown in an Instagram post thanking Ernie Ball for their care package.

See how Sergey Mavrin uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

Sergey Mavrin

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

Sergey Mavrin uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56) for his music, opting not to use the sixth string as he plays in very low tunings. This is mentioned in his Instagram post, where he thanks strunki.ru for the strings.

See how Simone Dow uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

Simone Dow

Guitarist, Composer

Voyager

...
Verified via Photo

As seen in Simone's Instagram photo.

See how Konrad Schmidt uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56)

Konrad Schmidt

Guitarist

SUKI

...
Verified

Konrad Schmidt has confirmed that he uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56), as stated on his profile on Backstage PRO.

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 Regular Slinky 7-String Guitar Strings (10-56), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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