30 Famous Guitarists String Gauges & Their Tone Secrets

Ask ten guitarists what string gauge they use, and you’ll probably get ten different answers, and each with passionate justification. In fact, when you look at famous guitarists’ string gauges, you’ll notice wildly different preferences that define their sound and feel.

From Tony Iommi’s slinky 8s to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s famously brutal 13s, string thickness plays a huge role in shaping tone, feel, and personality.

“Gauge” simply refers to the thickness of your guitar strings, measured in thousandths of an inch. A “set of 10s,” for example, means your high E string is .010 inches thick. That seemingly tiny number affects everything – how easily you bend notes, how fat your tone sounds, and even how your guitar reacts under your fingers.

In this guide, I’ll break down the string gauges famous guitarists use, why they chose them, and what it means for your own setup. By the end, you’ll know not only what your heroes play – but how to pick the perfect gauge for your style.

Famous Guitarists & The String Gauges They Use

What gauge strings do major guitarists use? Let’s take a look!

Jimi Hendrix (10-38)

Jimi Hendrix didn’t use the heaviest strings, despite his ferocious tone. His setups typically featured custom light sets around 10-38, tuned down to Eb – a half-step below standard.

This lower tension made bending and vibrato easier, letting Hendrix pull off his fluid blues licks and wild double-stops without fighting the strings. The lighter low strings gave him a loose, elastic feel and slightly “saggy” low end – perfect for his dynamic strumming and fuzz-driven sound.

Stevie Ray Vaughan (13-58)

Stevie Ray Vaughan often used 13-58 gauge strings, tuned down a half-step to Eb to relieve tension. These heavy strings gave him his massive tone, punch, and sustain, especially when paired with his aggressive picking-hand attack.

Combined with his trademark Stratocaster and tube amps, this setup produced a huge, piano-like clarity that became his signature Texas blues sound.

Eric Clapton (10-46)

Eric Clapton typically uses 10-46 gauge strings, striking a balance between comfort and tone. Known for his smooth bends and creamy overdrive, Clapton’s string choice allows him to maintain expressiveness without the hand fatigue that comes with heavier gauges.

It’s a middle ground that works for many players who want good tone with ease of playability.

John Mayer (10.5-47)

John Mayer has a signature set of 10.5-47 strings, which provide enough resistance for articulate phrasing while remaining flexible. His dynamic, touch-sensitive style benefits from the moderate tension of 10.5s, letting him move seamlessly between soft blues and expressive solos.

Mayer’s setup is a modern example of balance between tone and feel – suitable for both rhythm and lead work.

Slash (11-48)

Slash’s signature tone comes from a combination of Les Paul guitars, humbuckers, and 11-48 strings. Tuned down to Eb, his slightly heavier gauge provides warm sustain and stability for wide bends and fluid vibrato – essential for his soaring rock leads.

The heavier strings help fill out the midrange frequencies that define Slash’s legendary “Appetite for Destruction” tone.

Jimmy Page (8-38)

Jimmy Page’s early Led Zeppelin tones often came from extremely light 8-38 strings. He valued the ease of bending and expressive vibrato these provided, giving his solos that unmistakable, singing quality.

Light strings also allowed for more dynamic range – crucial for Page’s switch between delicate fingerpicking and explosive riffs.

Fun Fact! Before thinner strings were widely available, Jimmy would substitute his high string for a banjo string!

Tony Iommi (8-32)

Despite pioneering heavy metal, Tony Iommi uses very light 8-32 strings, tuned down to D# Standard. After losing the tips of two fingers in an accident, lighter gauges allowed him to continue playing comfortably while maintaining his thick, dark tone through low tunings and amp EQ adjustments.

When tuning to C# Standard, he uses a slightly heavier 9-42 set. It’s proof that “heavy tone” doesn’t always come from heavy strings.

James Hetfield (11-50)

Metallica’s James Hetfield uses his signature set of 11-50 strings, usually tuned to Eb or lower. The combination provides tight rhythm precision and the right tension for palm-muted riffs, delivering his trademark percussive, chugging metal sound.

Hetfield’s tone depends as much on his attack and consistency as his gauge choice – a great reminder that technique matters as much as gear.

David Gilmour (10-48)

David Gilmour uses a custom mix of 10-48 strings for balanced tone and dynamic control. His expressive bends, smooth vibrato, and long sustains rely on a gauge that offers both flexibility and stability.

This setup complements his nuanced touch – one of the reasons his notes seem to “sing” effortlessly.

Kurt Cobain (10-52)

Kurt Cobain’s use of 10-52 strings matched his aggressive playing and Eb tuning. The heavier bass strings kept his rhythm parts tight and punchy, while still allowing for gritty bends and controlled chaos in his solos.

The slightly heavier set helped him maintain tuning stability under hard strumming – essential for his punk-influenced attack.

Zakk Wylde (10-60)

Zakk Wylde is famous for his monstrous tone and ferocious attack, and his string choice reflects that. He uses a custom set of 10-60 strings, built to withstand his punishing picking hand and wide vibrato. The thick low end gives his signature pinch harmonics extra bite, while the added tension keeps his guitars rock-solid in drop tunings.

This heavy gauge setup demands strength but rewards it with crushing sustain and razor-sharp precision – perfectly suited to Wylde’s blend of metal muscle and blues swagger.

Billy Gibbons (7-38)

Billy Gibbons is proof that tone isn’t about muscle – it’s about finesse. The ZZ Top legend famously uses ultra-light 7-38 strings, allowing him to glide across the fretboard with effortless ease. This whisper-soft setup complements his smooth, bluesy phrasing and subtle vibrato, letting every note breathe and sing with character.

The lighter tension also enhances his signature “sizzling” tone – bright, snappy, and dripping with Texas swagger – while keeping his playing as relaxed and fluid as his trademark cool.

Additional String Gauges Famous Artists Use

Here are an extra handful of famous guitarists and the string gauges they most often use.

How String Gauge Affects Tone and Playability

Heavier strings produce warmer tones with more sustain and volume, but they require more strength to play.

Lighter strings sound brighter and snappier and make bending easier, but they can break more easily or feel too loose.

The best gauge balances tone, tuning stability, and comfort – it’s as personal as your playing style. You don’t need to use the exact guitar string gauges used by pros. Experiment! Your tone and feel improve dramatically once you find a gauge that complements your playing dynamics.

Conclusion: What We Learn from the Pros

From Billy Gibbons’ flexible 8s to Vaughan’s heavy 13s, the lesson is clear: there’s no single “best” string gauge.

Your strings should match your unique touch, tuning, and tone goals. Take inspiration from the legends, but find your own feel – that’s where your true sound begins.

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