Ernie Ball Hybrid Electric Guitar Strings Review
Written by admin on December 1, 2011 – 3:41 pm -I recently switched out the Ernie Ball 10′s I had on my Gibson SG with a new
set of Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Electric strings, and after a few weeks of playing them, I don’t think I’ll ever put anything else on my electric guitars again.
I’ve always been an Ernie Ball player, and although I loved the thick sound the 10′s provided, I always struggled with nailing bends on the high end strings. I could hit them, but it never felt as effortless as it should have been.
For decades, players have remedied this problem by combining two sets of strings, using a set of 10 gauges for the low E, A and D strings, and using 9′s for the G,B and high E strings. In the 70′s Jimmy Page even went as far as putting on an .08 gauge banjo string in place of the high E.
Before these hybrid sets were available, players would have to buy two different sets of strings to achieve this. Ernie Ball has eliminated this problem by combining two separate sets of strings; a set of 10′s and 9′s.
Here are the gauge measurements for the strings that come in the set:
High E – .09
B – .11
G- .16
D – .26
A – .36
Low E – .46
Quality: In terms of quality, these are Ernie Balls, and the name really does speak for itself. They are nickel wound, feel great, look great and come in a sealed package to ensure freshness.
Playability: These strings feel great when playing them. I can’t tell that I’m playing two different gauges when playing chords or scales, but when I start to bend and play some fast licks the 9′s really do make it much easier/enjoyable. These strings stay in tune well too. If you put them on correctly, and stretch them out, you should only have to re-tune them after every few songs if you’re really getting on them.
Sound: The strings have a nice bottom end and bright highs. The high notes also have great sustain when holding a bend.
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