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All Ernie Ball strings are precision manufactured to the highest standards and the most exacting specs to assure consistency, optimum performance, and long life.
Ernie Ball is a pioneer of rock and roll guitar strings. Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, and Slash are among the long list of Slinky players.
Gauges 10-13-17-26-36-46.
Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings
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Regular Slinky Electric Strings are Ernie Ball's top-selling set and are favored by many musicians around the globe. Regular Slinky wound strings are...Click To Read More About This Product
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The string that's made for modern guitar.
Regular Slinky Electric Strings are Ernie Ball's top-selling set and are favored by many musicians around the globe. Regular Slinky wound strings are made from a nickel-plated, steel wire wrapped around a hex-shaped, steel core wire. The plain strings are made of specially tempered, tin-plated, high-carbon steel, producing a well-balanced tone for your guitar.
All Ernie Ball strings are precision manufactured to the highest standards and the most exacting specs to assure consistency, optimum performance, and long life.
Ernie Ball is a pioneer of rock and roll guitar strings. Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, and Slash are among the long list of Slinky players.
Gauges 10-13-17-26-36-46.
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviewsPros
- Good tone (72)
- Consistent (58)
- Long life (42)
- Well built / quality (42)
Cons
- Breaks easy (7)
- Not consistent (5)
Best Uses
- Practicing (46)
- Back-up (31)
- Concerts (29)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (54), Professional musician (17), Novice (12)
Most Liked Positive Review
SWISS ARMY STRING
I hear users complain about these strings sounding dull! That's what's so great about these strings. They sound like doo doo for the first day or so and then wwoooowwww... a dead...Read complete review
I hear users complain about these strings sounding dull! That's what's so great about these strings. They sound like doo doo for the first day or so and then wwoooowwww... a dead string! I like a flat sounding string that's broke in because that's apart of the sound. Great tube amp with juicy tube recipe, great playing-sounding guitar, and skill that you can't buy are your basic needs that are required for this great string that only the whose who use and need! If you want to be a Drug Store Cowboy trying to be a guitar king then here ya go.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Cheap & Interesting but quality could be better
Slinky are interesting strings, having in mind they are one of rare companies who have specially made strings for detuning. That was always attracting to me. I have bought many of their products,...Read complete review
Slinky are interesting strings, having in mind they are one of rare companies who have specially made strings for detuning. That was always attracting to me. I have bought many of their products, including those made for detuning and these regular. Strings are cheap and affordable. But If I compare them to, say, Blue Steel, I can definitely hear and feel the difference. After some time playing Slinky, strings loose their tone a bit, and coating falls off from thiner strings, which irritates me a lot, but doesn't change the sound. So in the end, they are not so good quality and they don't last long, but are interesting to me, and that is strange. I even bought 12 string set for my 12 electric guitar and those strings lasted even shorter, in sound and coating fell of pretty quickly. They would be really GREAT strings if they would combine with quality of blue steel, but I am afraid that is not in their interest, cause, hey, you have to buy new strings each week. The same thing told me in the shop. Well, you know, Blue Steel, you pay - you get---more than a week. Actually, as time passes, they sound more and more better. So there you go. I recommend Blue Steel.
Reviewed by 195 customers
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
Mere earthly words cannot describe the intense and everlasting love I have for these strings. It's almost as if these strings can fill the hole in my heart. The sound of these strings can warm even the darkest of hearts, and the resonance can bring a smile to any face. The playability of these dreamy objects is as if I am surfing on a sea of silky smooth whipped cream, while the slow jazz of my guitar plays in the background. To be blunt, I'd marry these strings if that kind of thing was legal in my state.
Pros
- Consistent
- Good Tone
- Great flex
- Great for pulling on
- Long Life
- Strong
Cons
- Wish I could have more
Best Uses
- Bike cable when in a bind
- Curtain rod
- Liter for pike fishing
- Snapping ignorant users
- Taking out slivers
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
I hear users complain about these strings sounding dull! That's what's so great about these strings. They sound like doo doo for the first day or so and then wwoooowwww... a dead string! I like a flat sounding string that's broke in because that's apart of the sound. Great tube amp with juicy tube recipe, great playing-sounding guitar, and skill that you can't buy are your basic needs that are required for this great string that only the whose who use and need! If you want to be a Drug Store Cowboy trying to be a guitar king then here ya go.
Pros
- Consistent
- Good Tone
- Long Life
Cons
Best Uses
- Concerts
- Practicing
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
I have used ernie ball regular slinky strings for over 40 years and they are my favorite
Pros
- Has An Amazing Tone
- Never Broken Any Srting
- Strong
Cons
- Gets Rusted In Few Days
- Not Consistent
Best Uses
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
Well, this string is my choice for a pretty long time. I like the tone that it gives to me and I also fint it easy to play on this strings. But these apply only when the strings are new (mostly 1 or 2 weeks). After some time passes, the tone gets lost and the strings get very rusty (if it is a problem for you). Actually this might be caused by the city I live which is very humid.
About strength, I have never seen any of this strings broken (I haven't seen also in 0.09 set) so it makes me feel free while bending wildly.
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
I have used many String sets and i always go back to these ERNIE BALLS,because for me they sound great and can be used for different styles.I play mostly Thrash Metal but my Leads are Bluesy cuz thats what i learned off my Dad.So, i need thick power chords and sweet,slightly gritty Lead Runs. These Strings work great.I really hate how"PICKY",(pun intended)people get about strings. Just because you dont like something or your a Die Hard brandfan doesnt mean you should give negative reviews/advice.These strings are prone to breaking,rusting and should be stretched but so is everyother String set out there!! By the way DR strings stretch,rust and break just the same. There is a great technique to stretch the strings by hand just look it up. And,it really helps to wipe your strings down with a cotton cloth or 100% cotton T-Shirt after each use.STOP BEING PICKY AND JUST PLAY!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE TO EVERYONE,IF YOU DONT LIKE'EM DONT USE'EM,JUST REMEMBER PLAYER ERROR USUALLY CAUSES MOST PROBLEMS
Pros
- these strings will rust in the package
Cons
- Poor Tone Quality
Best Uses
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
i own 12 guitars so i use a lot of strings. i bought a box of 12 sets and to my supprise when i went to use them i found rust on them. so no more of them for me.
Pros
Cons
- Breaks Easy
- Not Consistent
Best Uses
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
These literally broke has I tried restringing my guitar last night. I was in the middle of tuning it to Standard E and it snapped.
Pros
- Good Tone
Cons
- Breaks
- Breaks Easy
- Not Consistent
Best Uses
- Backup
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
I do not really recommend these at all. Yes these are cheap but don't even last 2 weeks. I have to constantly change the strings. I rather get elixir strings which last like 4 times this. hope this has helped. You get for the price you play, i would not recommend these.
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
They have great tone and a great feel on the fingers. But they just don't last for me. I want something that can last for at least a month.
These strings do have AMAZING tone! My guitar sounds ten times better with them on.
These strings just DON'T last. If I am lucky they will last for a month. They will sound great, but then completely lost their tone and will get all rusty. The last set I used lasted less than a week! Am I just asking for too much and they should only last that long? Is that what you get for such a cheap price?
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
On the surface these seems like great strings. They offer good tone and playability for a low price. Unfortunately, there isn't a gradual degradation. I have used these strings several times, and it's all the same. They go dead after two or three weeks all of a sudden. One day it's fine then you wake up and they have this kind of dull sound that wasn't really there before. It's a good sounding and feeling string when you first put them on and give them a day or two to break in. If you don't mind changing twice a month then feel free to use them. They sound nice when fresh. I for one, however, am on the lookout for strings that last a bit longer.
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
ive been useing dean marly bluesteel strings and i thought something was missing when i changed into the ernie ball strings i knew nothing was missing it had a defined sound it was more workable and easier to bend and also had a cleaner tone
Pros
- Consistent
- Good Tone
- Long Life
- Strong
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
- Concerts
- Practicing
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
Easy to install. Sounds great
Pros
- Good Tone
Cons
Best Uses
- Concerts
- Practicing
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
I play and write progressive rock and blues. Tired all brands and range of sizes on Strat. These, size 10 are by far most expressive. Amenable to bend and "3-D" tone for me. Best with popular green pick.
Pros
- Consistent
- Good Tone
- Long Life
- Strong
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
- Practicing
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
Great tone and easy on the fingers
Pros
- Good Tone
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
- Practicing
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
They're not the best strings on the market but they're a good go to when you don't have a lot to spend
Pros
- Consistent
- Good Tone
- Long Life
- Strong
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
- Concerts
- Practicing
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
I've been playing for 25 years and these became my preferred string a long time ago. They don't unravel, they keep their "new" sound longer than others, and their tone is beautiful.
Pros
- Consistent
- Long Life
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
- Practicing
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
I bought EB strings for my nephew. He specially stated, Get me EB or don't bother!
Pros
- Consistent
- Good Tone
- Long Life
- Strong
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Concerts
- Practicing
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
Good value
Pros
- Consistent
- Good Tone
- Long Life
- Strong
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
Dependable string good for stage or recording use. Have used Ernie Ball strings since the early 70's,
Pros
- Consistent
- Good Tone
- I was blown away by the tone
- Long Life
- Strong
Cons
Best Uses
- Backup
- Concerts
- Practicing
Comments about Ernie Ball 2221 Nickel Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings:
I have used 9's for 35 years after trying the 10's the tone was so much better, I will always use 10's for the rest of my life. Tone rules now!
Displaying reviews 1-20
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