accessories · strings
2221 Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings (.010-.046)
| Maker | Ernie Ball |
|---|---|
| Type | accessories · strings |
| Introduced | 1962 |
| Price | USD 8 (2026-09) |
| Status | current |
The 10-46 Regular Slinky set — the nickel-wound electric strings most players have tried at some point, in a colour-coded pack.
Watch
Everything Guitar sets Regular Slinky against D'Addario NYXL, Hunnitap argues the case for Super Slinkys on cost, and guitarguitar's clip has John Mayer comparing the Silver Slinky with regular strings.
Why it matters
The Slinky family has been sold since 1962 and now covers 17-plus gauges. The build is a hex-shaped steel core with a nickel-plated steel wrap, which Sweetwater describes as balanced and easy to play, and Guitar World places it first among electric strings. A set is $8 (September 2026), and the Element Shield packaging is there to keep strings fresh in storage.
Note
The best-selling electric guitar string family in the world, with 17-plus gauges in the range. Sweetwater describes the hex-core, nickel-plated build as balanced and easy to play, and Guitar World ranks Slinky its number-one electric string.
Specifications
- nickel-plated steel wrap
- hex-shaped steel core
- 10-46
- color-coded ball ends
- Element Shield packaging
Before you buy
- 10-46 is the standard light gauge — the family covers 17-plus gauges if you want lighter or heavier
- nickel-plated steel wrap and uncoated, so they age like any plain string
- colour-coded ball ends make string changes quicker
Other opinions
One video is one opinion. These are the other videos for this entry, most-viewed first. The order is the view count, not a ranking of ours.
Everything Guitar · 2025-08 · 5,199 views
“How to change the strings on your guitar the easy and reliable way.”
Regular Slinky head-to-head with D'Addario NYXL
Hunnitap · 2024-09 · 4,476 views
“In this video I share my "Go To" all around favorite strings for electric guitars, the legendary Super Slinkys.”
Why Super Slinkys are the value pick