Best guitar strings for Death metal in B Standard
Ranked by the CYS expert team. Updated 2026-04-20.
For Death metal in B Standard, the ranked pick is Ernie Ball 7-String Slinky Cobalt Custom (.009–.062) (.9–.62). It earns the top spot because tagged for death-metal and tagged for b-standard. Below: the full ranking, what real Death metal players in B Standard are using, and why.
Ranked picks
7-String Slinky Cobalt Custom (.009–.062)
Why this one: tagged for death-metal; tagged for b-standard
7-String Regular Slinky Cobalt (.010–.056)
Why this one: tagged for b-standard; gauges ideal for b-standard
7-String Slinky Cobalt (.010–.062)
Why this one: tagged for b-standard; gauges ideal for b-standard
Not Even Slinky Cobalt (.012–.056)
Why this one: gauges ideal for b-standard
Why these ranks the way they do
We weight four signals: (1) direct genre + tuning tagging on the string set, (2) gauge fit for the tuning's tension floor, (3) documented artist use in the same genre + tuning, and (4) producer recommendations. Evidence is shown on each card above.
Still exploring?
- Browse every tuning this genre lives in: /genres/death-metal
- Browse every genre that uses this tuning: /tunings/b-standard
Frequently asked questions
What gauge strings for Death metal in B Standard?
The top-ranked set for Death metal in B Standard is Ernie Ball 7-String Slinky Cobalt Custom (.009–.062), in the gauge range .9–.62.
Which artists play Death metal in B Standard?
We are still sourcing verified artist examples for this combination. Submissions with citations welcome.
Can I use standard-tuning strings in B Standard?
You can, but tension drops as you tune down. For B Standard, a heavier set keeps feel and intonation right. See the ranked picks above.
Do coated strings matter for Death metal?
For gigging and studio work, coated strings last 2–3x longer, which matters whether you play Death metal or anything else. For pure tone chasing, uncoated is traditional.
How often should I change strings playing Death metal?
Daily players: every 2–3 weeks. Weekly players: monthly. Tracking in a studio: fresh per session. This is genre-agnostic, Death metal doesn't change the answer.