Electric Guitar Strings in Guitar Strings

How is an electric guitar string's gauge measured?

A guitar string's gauge is a measurement of the diameter of the string in increments of one one-thousandth of an inch. A low E string measured as .046 gauge will be thinner than a low E string measuring as .054 gauge. Electric guitar string sets often label their packs by the high E or thinnest string gauge.

Do pure nickel electric guitar strings sound better than steel electric guitar strings?

That depends on the tone you want your guitar to produce. If you want a warm, rich guitar tone, nickel-wound or nickel-plated electric guitar strings are good choices. Steel electric guitar strings have a brighter, in-your-face tone that's perfect for snappy lead parts and punchy rhythm progressions.

What are the coatings used on electric guitar strings and their benefits?

Each instrument-string manufacturer has its own proprietary recipe for electric guitar string coating, but many of the recipes involve some sort of polymer. Coatings on electric guitar strings ensure the strings will last longer than the same type of uncoated strings since electric guitar string coatings protect the strings from moisture, acids, and general grime.