Best guitar strings for Metal in D Standard
Ranked by the CYS expert team. Updated 2026-04-20.
For Metal in D Standard, the ranked pick is Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Cobalt (.012–.056) (.12–.56). It earns the top spot because tagged for metal and tagged for d-standard. Below: the full ranking, what real Metal players in D Standard are using, and why.
Ranked picks
Not Even Slinky Cobalt (.012–.056)
Why this one: tagged for metal; tagged for d-standard
Regular Slinky Cobalt (.010–.046)
Why this one: tagged for metal; used by John Petrucci
Swing Bass 66
Why this one: tagged for metal
SP Phosphor Bronze Light
Why this one: gauges ideal for d-standard
Metal players in D 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/metal
- Browse every genre that uses this tuning: /tunings/d-standard
Frequently asked questions
What gauge strings for Metal in D Standard?
The top-ranked set for Metal in D Standard is Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Cobalt (.012–.056), in the gauge range .12–.56.
Which artists play Metal in D Standard?
Documented Metal players in D Standard include John Petrucci.
Can I use standard-tuning strings in D Standard?
You can, but tension drops as you tune down. For D Standard, a heavier set keeps feel and intonation right. See the ranked picks above.
Do coated strings matter for Metal?
For gigging and studio work, coated strings last 2–3x longer, which matters whether you play Metal or anything else. For pure tone chasing, uncoated is traditional.
How often should I change strings playing Metal?
Daily players: every 2–3 weeks. Weekly players: monthly. Tracking in a studio: fresh per session. This is genre-agnostic, Metal doesn't change the answer.