SonoTone Premium Strings (Vintage, 10-46)

So here’s one thing with guitar strings: much like picks, it can be very easily argued that there’s not really that much of a difference between types, brands, materials – and on the surface, that may be true enough. So long as a string produces tone and, in the case of electrics, interacts with pickups in a manner that allows that tone to be amplified, then it’s doing its job.

Another thing about strings, though (again very much like plectrums), is that nearly all serious guitarists have “their” brand. Feel, packaging, playability, and personal idiosyncrasies are just a few of the many factors that can come into play when adopting a particular string type, but once that decision has been made, for many it’s pretty well a permanent choice.

I’ve been steadfastly loyal to one particular brand and gauge of electric guitar string for over 25 years, but SonoTone has me rethinking things.

The “Vintage” hand-wound SonoTone strings that I tried out have a hex core with a pure nickel wrap, resulting in a full, warm sound – noticeably more so than “my” brand, which honestly threw me for a loop. These are the same gauge I always play, but somehow it feels easier to bend notes and run up and down the fretboard. I didn’t bust out an oscilloscope or anything, but I’d swear I’m hearing a broader harmonic range than I’m used to. Simply put: wow.