John Mayer has added to his growing list of signature gear with the release of a custom gauge Ernie Ball string set.
Called Silver Slinky as a nod to his best-selling Silver Sky PRS, the esteemed bluesman has revealed the set has been in development for several years, calling the final result “the ultimate set for my playing style”.
It offers an interesting take on the Ernie Ball's standard 10–46 string set by delivering an ultra-precise set of gauges: .0105, .0135, .0175p, .027w, .037, and .047.
The ultra-precision of those gauges may raise eyebrows to the causal observer, but as Mayer explains via an Instagram post, there is a method to his madness.
“The gauges are perfectly situated between .010 and .011 sets, and feature special core-to-wrap ratios,” he says. “The tension is exactly where I’ve always wanted it — big enough to get great tone, but nimble enough to finesse those vocal bends we as guitar players are always going for.
“I’ve been using them for the past couple of years, and now it’s time to put them in your hands."
The PRS signature artist is fresh from his Las Vegas Sphere residency with Dead & Company, where he's played Jeff Beck's custom Strat –— thanks to Joe Bonamassa — as well as an off-the-shelf Alligator Strat replica that “was too good to put down.” s it turns out, his custom Silver Slinky set was along for the ride every step of the way.
Ernie Ball Silver Slinky string sets are available now. Each set costs $29.99 and comes with a swish tin.
Head over to Ernie Ball to learn more.
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