Power Wound Nickel Guitar Strings

Nickel-plated steel over a hex core. Balanced, punchy tone with a smooth feel and dependable tuning stability.

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26 products

S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 8–38 (S838 Ultra Light)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 8–38 (S838 Ultra Light) Sale price$8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 8.5–40 (S8540 Custom Ultra Light)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 8.5–40 (S8540 Custom Ultra Light) Sale price$8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 9–42 (S942 Extra Light)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 9–42 (S942 Extra Light) Sale priceFrom $8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 9–46 (S946 Rock N Roll)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 9–46 (S946 Rock N Roll) Sale priceFrom $8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 9.5–44 (S9.544 Rock Light)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 9.5–44 (S9.544 Rock Light) Sale price$8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 10–38 (S1038 Light Bottom)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 10–38 (S1038 Light Bottom) Sale price$8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 10–42 (S1042 Light Hybrid)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 10–42 (S1042 Light Hybrid) Sale price$8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 10–46 (S1046 Light)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 10–46 (S1046 Light) Sale priceFrom $8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 10–48 (S1048 Light Plus)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 10–48 (S1048 Light Plus) Sale price$8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 10–52 (S1052 Heavy Bottom)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 10–52 (S1052 Heavy Bottom) Sale price$8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 11–49 (S1149 Custom Medium)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 11–49 (S1149 Custom Medium) Sale price$8.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 11–50 (S1150 Medium Light)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 11–50 (S1150 Medium Light) Sale price$8.99
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 11–56 (S1156 Heavier Bottom)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 11–56 (S1156 Heavier Bottom) Sale price$8.99
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 12–52 (S1252 Medium)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 12–52 (S1252 Medium) Sale price$8.99
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 12–54 (S1254 Med-Heavy)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 12–54 (S1254 Med-Heavy) Sale price$9.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 13–56 (S1356 Heavy)
Power Wound Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – 13–56 (S1356 Heavy) Sale price$9.99
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Baritone Guitar Strings – 13–58 (SB1358 Baritone)
Power Wound Nickel Baritone Guitar Strings – 13–58 (SB1358 Baritone) Sale price$10.99
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel Baritone Guitar Strings – 13–62 (S1362 Baritone Custom)
Power Wound Nickel Baritone Guitar Strings – 13–62 (S1362 Baritone Custom) Sale price$11.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel 7-String Electric Guitar Strings – 9–54 (S7954 Extra Light)
Power Wound Nickel 7-String Electric Guitar Strings – 9–54 (S7954 Extra Light) Sale price$10.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel 7-String Electric Guitar Strings – 10–58 (S71058 Light)
Power Wound Nickel 7-String Electric Guitar Strings – 10–58 (S71058 Light) Sale price$10.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel 7-String Electric Guitar Strings – 10–60 (S71060 Custom Light)
Power Wound Nickel 7-String Electric Guitar Strings – 10–60 (S71060 Custom Light) Sale price$10.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel 7-String Electric Guitar Strings – 9.5–64 (S79564 Extended Range)
Power Wound Nickel 7-String Electric Guitar Strings – 9.5–64 (S79564 Extended Range) Sale price$10.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel 8-String Electric Guitar Strings – 10–68 (S81068 Light)
Power Wound Nickel 8-String Electric Guitar Strings – 10–68 (S81068 Light) Sale price$13.49
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel 8-String Electric Guitar Strings – 9–84 (S8984 Extended Range)
Power Wound Nickel 8-String Electric Guitar Strings – 9–84 (S8984 Extended Range) Sale price$14.99
S.I.T. Power Wound Nickel 12-String Electric Guitar Strings – 9–46 (S12946 Light)
Power Wound Nickel 12-String Electric Guitar Strings – 9–46 (S12946 Light) Sale price$14.99
Power Wound Nickel 12-String Electric Guitar Strings – 10–46 (S121046 Light Plus)
Power Wound Nickel 12-String Electric Guitar Strings – 10–46 (S121046 Light Plus) Sale price$14.99

More About

About Power Wound Nickel Electric

Power Wound Nickel is our flagship electric string and the widest range we make. A nickel-plated steel wrap over a high carbon steel hex core gives clear highs, strong mids and a solid low end without the hard edge of stainless or the softness of pure nickel. It is the middle of our electric range and the set to start with if you don't already know what you want.

Twenty-six sets sounds like a lot until you narrow it down. Most players need one of two, and the rest of the line exists for the people who don't.

Choosing a gauge

.010–.046 (S1046 Light) is the most popular set we make and the safest first choice. .009–.042 (S942 Extra Light) is the other standard — easier bending, faster under the hand, and the one most lead players land on.

Lighter than that, .0095–.044 (S9.544 Rock Light) splits the difference between the two, .0085–.040 (S8540 Custom Ultra Light) drops further, and .008–.038 (S838 Ultra Light) is the lightest set in the line.

For a light top with a heavier bottom — easy bending up top, tight and punchy underneath, and the usual choice for drop tunings — there is .009–.046 (S946 Rock N Roll), .010–.048 (S1048 Light Plus), .010–.052 (S1052 Heavy Bottom) and .011–.056 (S1156 Heavier Bottom). S1048 and S1052 share the same .010 .013 .017 top three, so moving between them changes only what is under your picking hand; S1156 steps up to .011 .014 .019. Going the other way, .010–.038 (S1038 Light Bottom) and .010–.042 (S1042 Light Hybrid) keep standard tops with a looser low end.

Heavier all through, for a firmer feel, more volume and lower tunings: .011–.049 (S1149 Custom Medium), .011–.050 (S1150 Medium Light), .012–.052 (S1252 Medium), .012–.054 (S1254 Med-Heavy) and .013–.056 (S1356 Heavy).

One set solves an old argument. S1150 ships with both a wound .020 and a plain .018 third string, so you can set the guitar up either way without buying two sets. If you have ever wondered whether you prefer a wound third, that is the one to try.

Beyond six strings

Baritone guitars and long scale lengths take .013–.058 (SB1358 Baritone) or .013–.062 (S1362 Baritone Custom) for deeper tunings.

Seven-string players have four: .009–.054 (S7954 Extra Light) and .0095–.064 (S79564 Extended Range) for a light top over a heavy low B, and .010–.058 (S71058 Light) or .010–.060 (S71060 Custom Light) for a more even feel across the set.

Eight-string sets are .010–.068 (S81068 Light) and .009–.084 (S8984 Extended Range). The .084 on S8984 is tapered where it crosses the bridge, which keeps the lowest string intonating properly — the thing that usually goes wrong on an eight.

Twelve-string electrics take .009–.046 (S12946 Light) or .010–.046 (S121046 Light Plus).

Gauges

Set Gauges
.008–.038 — S838 Ultra Light .008 .011 .014 .022pw .030pw .038pw
.0085–.040 — S8540 Custom Ultra Light .0085 .011 .015 .022pw .030pw .040pw
.009–.042 — S942 Extra Light .009 .011 .016 .024pw .032pw .042pw
.009–.046 — S946 Rock N Roll .009 .011 .016 .026pw .036pw .046pw
.0095–.044 — S9.544 Rock Light .0095 .0115 .016 .024pw .034pw .044pw
.010–.038 — S1038 Light Bottom .010 .013 .015 .026pw .032pw .038pw
.010–.042 — S1042 Light Hybrid .010 .013 .017 .024pw .032pw .042pw
.010–.046 — S1046 Light .010 .013 .017 .026pw .036pw .046pw
.010–.048 — S1048 Light Plus .010 .013 .017 .028pw .038pw .048pw
.010–.052 — S1052 Heavy Bottom .010 .013 .017 .030pw .042pw .052pw
.011–.049 — S1149 Custom Medium .011 .015 .018p .028pw .038pw .049pw
.011–.050 — S1150 Medium Light .011 .015 .020pw or .018p .026pw .036pw .050pw
.011–.056 — S1156 Heavier Bottom .011 .014 .019p .032pw .044pw .056pw
.012–.052 — S1252 Medium .012 .016 .024pw .034pw .044pw .052pw
.012–.054 — S1254 Med-Heavy .012 .016 .022p .032pw .042pw .054pw
.013–.056 — S1356 Heavy .013 .017 .026pw .036pw .046pw .056pw
.013–.058 — SB1358 Baritone .013 .017 .026pw .036pw .046pw .058pw
.013–.062 — S1362 Baritone Custom .013 .017 .026pw .036pw .046pw .062pw
7-string .009–.054 — S7954 Extra Light .009 .011 .016 .024pw .032pw .042pw .054pw
7-string .0095–.064 — S79564 Extended Range .0095 .013 .016 .024pw .034pw .046pw .064pw
7-string .010–.058 — S71058 Light .010 .013 .017 .026pw .036pw .046pw .058pw
7-string .010–.060 — S71060 Custom Light .010 .013 .017 .026pw .036pw .046pw .060pw
8-string .009–.084 — S8984 Extended Range .009 .012 .015 .022pw .030pw .042pw .056pw .084tpw
8-string .010–.068 — S81068 Light .010 .014 .018 .028pw .038pw .048pw .058pw .068pw
12-string .009–.046 — S12946 Light .009 .009 .012 .012 .010 .020 .012 .026pw .020pw .036pw .026pw .046pw
12-string .010–.046 — S121046 Light Plus .010 .010 .013 .013 .017 .008 .026pw .012 .036pw .018 .046pw .026

pw marks a Power Wound string, p a plain one, tpw a tapered wound string. The 12-string sets list all twelve strings in string order, paired into six courses — unison on the top two, octaves on the bottom four.

How Power Wound Nickel compares to our other electric sets

Power Wound Nickel is the middle of our electric range and the usual starting point. Power Steel Stainless is brighter and more aggressive. Power Groove Pure Nickel is warmer and more vintage. CRT Coated Nickel is this same string with corrosion resistance added for a longer usable life. Semi-Flat Silencers cut finger noise, Power Flat flatwounds go furthest toward a smooth, mellow response, and our Universals are gauged for an even feel across the set. Signature sets are built to individual players' specifications.

Frequently asked questions

What gauge electric guitar strings should I use?

Most players use .010–.046 (S1046 Light), our most popular set. .009–.042 (S942 Extra Light) is easier to bend and a favorite for lead playing. Heavier sets feel firmer and suit lower tunings. See which electric gauge to use.

What strings should I use for drop D or lower tunings?

A light top with a heavier bottom keeps the low strings tight when you tune down. .010–.052 (S1052 Heavy Bottom) is the usual drop D set, and .011–.056 (S1156 Heavier Bottom) goes further for drop C. See strings for drop D and drop C.

Nickel vs stainless steel guitar strings?

Power Wound Nickel is balanced, with clear highs and a solid low end. Power Steel Stainless is brighter, with more attack. Read more on nickel vs stainless.

Do you make 7-string, 8-string and baritone guitar strings?

Yes. Power Wound Nickel comes in four 7-string sets, two 8-string sets and two baritone sets, plus two 12-string sets. See strings for 7- and 8-string guitars and baritone guitar strings.

Should I use a wound or plain third string?

A plain third bends more easily; a wound third sounds fuller and intonates more evenly. S1150 Medium Light includes both, so you can try each. See plain vs wound third.

Made in the USA.