[TL;DR] Best Strings For Les Paul-Style Guitars…
Based on my 20+ years playing Gibson Les Paul guitars, touring with them, and recording with them, here’s my top three picks for the best brand of strings for use on a Gibson Les Paul guitar.
- Elixir Nano-Web lasted the longest (6 weeks), great for backup or acoustic guitars, but lacked brightness
- D’Addario NYXL held tuning better and delivered a noticeable midrange punch, ideal for studio recording
- 🏆 Editor’s Choice Ernie Ball Paradigm topped the list with long life, stable tuning, and solid tone even after weeks of heavy play
How To Choose The Best Strings For Your Gibson Les Paul (Or Any Les Paul Style Guitar)
Choosing guitar strings can feel weirdly personal, right? What works great for one player might feel totally wrong to another. That’s especially true with a guitar like the Gibson Les Paul, where string gauge can totally change the feel and response of the instrument.
So how do you figure out which strings are right for you?
Well, string gauge is one of those never-ending debates in the guitar world. Everyone has an opinion, and they’ll defend it like their life depends on it. But instead of just arguing about it on forums, I thought we’d take a more practical look.
Today, I’ll walk you through three of the most popular string sets people use on Les Paul-style guitars.
These picks are based on my own personal experience (good ol’ trial and error, basically). And yeah—Option #1 is my personal go-to.
The other two? I’ll break them down as fairly as possible so you can decide what works best for you.
Scale Length
The biggest factor in determining what gauge strings you use, should be the scale length of your guitar. Different companies use a varying array of scale lengths:
- Fender: 25.5 Inches
- Paul Reed Smith: 25 Inches
- Gibson: 24.75 Inches
What is scale length, though?
Scale length is described as the distance the string travels between the nut and the bridge. This effects the tension of the strings, and the space between frets as well.
Everyone eventually either finds that they prefer a certain scale length, or conversely, they decide that they really don’t have a preference! I have never met a guitar that I didn’t like a little bit.
Gibson Les Paul’s ship with a brand new with a set of .009- .046 gauge strings. But that doesn’t mean that you have to use that set of strings with your Gibson Les Paul. In fact, that is not the most popular gauge.
My Picks For The Best Strings For A Gibson Les Paul Guitar
| Product | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (10-46) | My personal favorite. These feel great on a Les Paul thanks to the short scale and tighter tension. |
| D’Addario EXL110 (10-46) | Same gauge as the Ernie Balls, but some players (me included) switch to these purely out of habit or availability. Super reliable, with a slightly different feel. |
| Elixir Polyweb Coated (9-42) | The wildcard pick. Lighter gauge, longer life. These feel super slick thanks to the coating—no need for string cleaner. Great for people who want strings to last for weeks, not days. |
1 Ernie Ball 10-46
The Ernie Ball 10-46 gauge strings are my absolute favorite for a Les Paul guitar. They are one step up in tension from the strings that come on a Les Paul from the factory.
Because the Les Paul has a shorter scale length, these strings that have a higher tension feel better to play, in my opinion. They allow for easy note bending, while at the same time keeping the lower strings tight.
Why Ernie Ball? Like I mentioned earlier, this is just a personal favorite. I find that they are pretty consistent when it comes to quality and longevity. Plus they come in a cool neon pack!
2 D’Addario 10-46
D’Addarrio is a close second for not only me, but players everywhere! These are the same gauge as the Ernie Ball strings in the number 1 spot. They differ mainly because of preference.
You see, most strings are very much the same when it comes to composition and construction. Brands are usually something a guitarist decides on early in their playing career. Sometimes by chance!
I switched to D’Addario a few years ago because of availability. It had nothing to do with the brand or the strings themselves! The choice is up to you.
3 Elixir Polyweb 9-42
These are my wild card pick for the best strings for a Gibson Les Paul. Some people swear by Elixir strings and become life-long customers. Elixir offers a few more benefits than your regular strings.
Elixir is a coated string. This provides more longevity to each set of strings. While a regular set of strings may only last a couple of weeks, Elixir is known for lasting for a month or more!
The other difference Elixir offers is feel. Some people use string cleaner on their strings after playing. You do not need to do this with Elixir, since they are already coated with a proprietary blend.
This is also the only set on the list that is in the 9-42 range when it comes to gauge. That is because Elixir seems to have a different feel and tension when you use them on a Gibson Les Paul.
Bottom Line? It’s Kinda Up To You…
I always say that newer players should experiment, and see what they like. Some people play with a lighter touch (Billy Gibbons, for one) and can get away with a very skinny gauge. At the same time, you may prefer a heavier gauge.
The only way to tell is to get out there and play them! Whichever you choose, there is no wrong answer. Different players have different feel, touches, and preferences.
Playing guitar is 50% experimentation! Find out what works best for your Gibson Les Paul. Me? I love my Ernie Ball strings. Always have done. They’re cheap, they’re excellent quality, and they play brilliantly every time.
