---
product_id: 48768444
title: "Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - 12-56 Gauge"
brand: "ernie ball"
price: "VT5052"
currency: VUV
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Ernie Ball"
url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/48768444-ernie-ball-not-even-slinky-nickel-wound-electric-guitar-strings
store_origin: VU
region: Vanuatu
---

# Element Shield packaging for lasting freshness 12-56 gauge for optimal detuning Made in California, USA with premium materials Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - 12-56 Gauge

**Brand:** ernie ball
**Price:** VT5052
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎸 Strike the perfect chord with strings that legends swear by!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - 12-56 Gauge by ernie ball
- **How much does it cost?** VT5052 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/48768444-ernie-ball-not-even-slinky-nickel-wound-electric-guitar-strings)

## Best For

- ernie ball enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted ernie ball brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Freshness Sealed In:** Element Shield packaging locks in the factory-fresh feel and tone for weeks.
- • **Proudly Made in the USA:** Crafted with precision and premium materials in California, supporting quality and authenticity.
- • **Silky Smooth Playability:** Nickel-plated steel strings deliver effortless finger glide and long-lasting comfort.
- • **Legendary Tone, Every Time:** Trusted by icons like Slash and Clapton for that signature bright, balanced sound.
- • **Perfect Gauge for Detuning:** 12-56 gauge strings engineered to maintain tension and clarity even when tuned down.

## Overview

Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings (12-56 gauge) offer a bright, balanced tone ideal for detuning. Made in California with premium nickel-plated steel, these strings feature Element Shield packaging to preserve freshness and playability. Favored by guitar legends worldwide, they deliver smooth feel and lasting performance for serious musicians.

## Description

Buy Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - 12-56 Gauge. Free delivery and returns on eligible orders.

Review: 12-56 - Why not? - Magnificent on any Tele. Make sure you turn your truss rod clockwise 1/6 of a turn - 60 degrees - (looking from the headstock to the bridge) The sustain is hilarious - Changed my game to be honest. I picked up a Fender Performer with 9's today - it was like playing with elastic bands. You need these strings in your life - if even for one guitar. Its a eye opener.
Review: I don't know how SRV does it! - Most of these reviews are for other guages, so to be clear I'm writing about the 12 to 56 nickel wound set. Moving from 11s (still ernies) there is a noticeable difference in tone. There is much more bottom end. This could mean that for a Les Paul they might be too muddy sounding, but for my strat they sound very nice; powerful and warm. This will be in part due to the fact that I have tuned down half a step from standard to make bends easier. As for bends, unless you have very strong hands you will struggle. I bend a lot and am finding the transition difficult. This is obviously not the strings fault, to be clear, but my own for using such heavy strings. However, the gain in tone makes the change worth it, now to wait for my hands to strengthen. In short, these are great strings, though not for everyone. I suspect that some of the reviews claiming broken strings are not for this set (as they are so heavy) or faults of the guitars bridge or nut. Oh, also make sure you have to ability to cut new nut slots or get someone else to do it for you, as these strings are thicker than normal they won't fit in a nut cut for 10s.

## Features

- Ernie Ball Slinkys are played by legends around the world including Slash, Jimmy Page, Metallica, Eric Clapton, and more.
- Not Even Slinky’s 12-56 gauge is optimal for detuning.
- Element Shield packaging ensures your strings stay as fresh as they were the day they were made.
- Bright, balanced tone.
- Made in California, USA with the finest and freshest materials.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B0002E1J3Q |
| Best Sellers Rank | 1 in Musical Instruments & DJ ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments & DJ ) 1 in Guitar Strings |
| Body Material | Wood |
| Colour | Not Even (12-56) |
| Country Produced In | USA |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,252) |
| Date First Available | 4 May 2007 |
| Item Weight | 30 g |
| Item model number | P02626 |
| Material Type | Nickel-Plated |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Product Dimensions | 11.43 x 0.64 x 11.43 cm; 30 g |
| Scale Length | inches |
| Size | Single Pack |
| String Gauge | 12-56 |
| String Material | Steel and Nickel |
| Voltage | 240 Volts |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Ernie Ball
- **Colour:** Not Even (12-56)
- **Instrument:** Electric Guitar
- **String gauge:** 12-56
- **String material type:** Steel and Nickel

## Images

![Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - 12-56 Gauge - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81AuR4D27NL.jpg)
![Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - 12-56 Gauge - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81iwO1y82uL.jpg)
![Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - 12-56 Gauge - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/219Py9Fcr1L.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Color, Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Why are these ranked #1 in the category "Fishing" ?**
A: When a company puts a product in some obscure category, they can get the "best seller" icon when they inevitably get more sales than the other products in that category. That's how you end up searching for something like "guitar strings", and multiple products show up as the #1 seller. Why Amazon still allows this after all these years, I will never know.

**Q: Do all 6 strings come in the "1 pack"?**
A: If you note on the front of the package, it has a list of numbers (10, 13, 17, 26, 36, 46 on the "Regular Slinky" set, and similar on others). These are the string gauges included in the pack. If there were only one string in the pack, it would list a single number, because you'd have to know which string it was.

**Q: what is the difference between slinky and non slinky?**
A: Slinky is just a line of strings from Ernie Ball, the "Slinkier" they are the thinner they are, regular Slinky are 10 gauge strings, super slinky are 9s, and "Not Even Slinky" strings are 12s (the number represents the gauge of the lightest string in the set).

**Q: I'm looking for extra strings for my new Les Paul Special II. I'm buing guitar from amazon, it costs $149. Are this strings compatible?**
A: Short answer, yes they should be fine. Long answer, the comparability between strings and guitars doesnt matter, its the string slots that in the nut that matter. The les Paul's usually use bigger strings anyway.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 12-56 - Why not?
*by O***M on 8 March 2026*

Magnificent on any Tele. Make sure you turn your truss rod clockwise 1/6 of a turn - 60 degrees - (looking from the headstock to the bridge) The sustain is hilarious - Changed my game to be honest. I picked up a Fender Performer with 9's today - it was like playing with elastic bands. You need these strings in your life - if even for one guitar. Its a eye opener.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I don't know how SRV does it!
*by A***N on 3 October 2014*

Most of these reviews are for other guages, so to be clear I'm writing about the 12 to 56 nickel wound set. Moving from 11s (still ernies) there is a noticeable difference in tone. There is much more bottom end. This could mean that for a Les Paul they might be too muddy sounding, but for my strat they sound very nice; powerful and warm. This will be in part due to the fact that I have tuned down half a step from standard to make bends easier. As for bends, unless you have very strong hands you will struggle. I bend a lot and am finding the transition difficult. This is obviously not the strings fault, to be clear, but my own for using such heavy strings. However, the gain in tone makes the change worth it, now to wait for my hands to strengthen. In short, these are great strings, though not for everyone. I suspect that some of the reviews claiming broken strings are not for this set (as they are so heavy) or faults of the guitars bridge or nut. Oh, also make sure you have to ability to cut new nut slots or get someone else to do it for you, as these strings are thicker than normal they won't fit in a nut cut for 10s.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent’
*by K***R on 6 August 2024*

Bought these Ernie Ball’s to try a different string gauge and to down tune for playing Doom Metal. I’ve had EB strings in the past and always liked their durability, ease of use and general flexibility. These burly slinky’s are superb. Very impressed with them. They hold their tune and can take a bit of abuse with string bends etc. So far so good, very pleased with and happy with the great price. Nice one!

## Frequently Bought Together

- Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, 12-56 Gauge (P02626)
- D'Addario Accessories Pro-Winder Guitar String Winder, Cutter, Bridge Pin Puller - All in One Guitar Tool - Black

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*Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu*
*Store origin: VU*
*Last updated: 2026-03-16*