Ernie Ball 2257 Ultra Slinky Classic Rock n Roll E-guitar strings

Ernie Ball 2257 Ultra Slinky Pure Nickel Strings — Vintage Tone for Electric Guitar

Ernie Ball 2257 Ultra Slinky Classic Rock n Roll Pure Nickel Wrap electric guitar strings are built for players chasing the warm, rounded tone of vintage-era guitars. Made from pure nickel wire wrapped around a tin-plated hex-shaped steel core wire, this set produces a smooth, slightly subdued top-end with punchy mid-range and rich lows — the sonic signature that defined classic rock, blues, and jazz recordings. Compared to modern nickel-plated steel strings, the pure nickel wrap interacts more warmly and less aggressively with single-coil and humbucker pickups, cleaning up beautifully when the volume knob is rolled back. The Ultra Slinky 10-48 gauge gives the high strings enough flex for expressive bends while keeping the low end full and defined for chunky rhythm playing.

Technical Specifications

• Gauge: .010" / 0.25 mm, .013" / 0.33 mm, .017" / 0.43 mm, .028" / 0.71 mm, .038" / 0.97 mm, .048" / 1.22 mm
• Material: pure nickel wrap wire
• Core: tin-plated hex-shaped steel core wire
• String Count: 6 strings (full electric guitar set)
• Ending: ball end
• Variant: Ultra Slinky (10-48)

Who It's For

This set is the right choice for guitarists who want vintage-flavored tone with modern playability. Classic rock players will appreciate the warm, slightly compressed top-end that sits beautifully under overdrive and fuzz, while blues players get the expressive dynamic response that rewards light touch and rolled-back volume. Jazz guitarists on a solid-body or semi-hollow will find the pure nickel wrap brings out woody, vocal qualities from neck-position pickups. The 10-48 gauge suits players who want easier bending than a heavier set but still need enough low-end thump for drop-D and standard tuning rhythm work — a versatile choice for gigging musicians, session players, and home recording enthusiasts.