Gibson
SG Special
Electric· P-90 SG
P-90 single-coil pickups in SG body deliver raw midrange bark between Strat snap and humbucker warmth. Frank Zappa and Pete Townshend mainstays.
Best strings for Gibson SG Special
Character-matched pairings, ordered by fit
GHS
Nickel Rockers R+RM
10–46 · $7.49
Pressure-wound pure nickel — a favorite for P-90 vintage purists.
Brightness5
Warmth7
Sustain5
Durability5
Playability7
Value7
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D'Addario
XL Nickel Wound
10–46 · $5.99
XL's focused mids cut P-90 bite without honkiness.
Brightness6
Warmth6
Sustain5
Durability6
Playability6
Value9
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DR Strings
Pure Blues
10–46 · $8.49
Pure nickel tames P-90 raw midrange for vintage SG Special territory.
Brightness4
Warmth8
Sustain6
Durability5
Playability7
Value7
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D'Addario
EXL115 Blues/Jazz Rock
11–49 · $6.49
EXL115 on SG Special's P-90s — 11-49 for more body without 11-52 tension.
Brightness6
Warmth6
Sustain6
Durability6
Playability5
Value9
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Community Picks
Unusual but loved by real players — against-the-grain choices
More strings in this sonic family
Similar character, different brand or gauge