Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Angus Young uses with AC/DC on his Gibson SG. Ernie Ball Super Slinky (.009–.042). With citations.
Artist rigs
What working guitarists actually play, cited from interviews, rig rundowns, and official press. Endorsed relationships and verified use are labeled on each artist's page.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Billie Joe Armstrong uses with Green Day on Blue (his '56 Fernandes Strat copy) and his Gibson Les Paul Juniors. Ernie Ball Regular Slinky / Paradigm (.010–.046). With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Billy Gibbons uses with ZZ Top on his 1959 Les Paul 'Pearly Gates'. Dunlop Reverend Willy Extra Light (.007–.038). With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Brian May uses with Queen on his hand-built Red Special guitar. Optima Gold .009–.042 + sixpence pick. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings David Gilmour uses with Pink Floyd and on his solo records. GHS Boomers David Gilmour Signature (.010–.048). With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Dustin Kensrue uses with Thrice. Featured in Ernie Ball's String Theory series. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Eric Clapton uses on his Fender Stratocaster (Blackie / Brownie / current sigs) and acoustic Martin. With citations.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Fredrik Thordendal uses with Meshuggah on Nevborn / Ibanez / Strandberg 8-strings. With citations.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings J Mascis uses with Dinosaur Jr. Featured in Ernie Ball's String Theory series. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings James Hetfield has used across Metallica's career. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Jason Richardson uses for solo work and his ex-tenure in All That Remains and Born of Osiris. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Javier Reyes uses with Animals as Leaders and Mestís on his Abasi Concepts Larada 8 signature. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Jeff Loomis uses with Arch Enemy and as a solo artist on his Schecter Jeff Loomis signature. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Jimmy Page used with Led Zeppelin on his Les Pauls and Telecasters. Ernie Ball Super Slinky (.009–.042). With citations.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Joe Bonamassa uses on his Les Pauls and vintage Strats. Ernie Ball Burly Slinky (.011–.052). With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
John Mayer
SoloDocumented string gauges, brands, and tunings John Mayer uses on his PRS Silver Sky. Ernie Ball Silver Slinky signature (.0105–.047), between .010 and .011 by design. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings John Petrucci uses with Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Keith Merrow uses for his solo material and Conquering Dystopia, including the Schecter KM-7 MKIII signature spec.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Mark Holcomb uses with Periphery and on his PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN signature. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Misha Mansoor uses with Periphery on his Jackson Juggernaut signature. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Saul 'Slash' Hudson uses with Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, and his solo band. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Stephen Carpenter uses with Deftones on his ESP LTD STEF signature series. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Steve Vai
SoloDocumented string gauges, brands, and tunings Steve Vai uses with his Ibanez JEM and PIA signature guitars. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, tunings, and the 2025 Ernie Ball signature set Tim Henson uses with Polyphia. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Tosin Abasi uses with Animals as Leaders on his Abasi Concepts Larada 8 signature. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Wes Hauch uses across 6-, 7-, and 8-string guitars for Alluvial, The Faceless, and Thy Art Is Murder. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented