D'Addario EXL120-7 Super Lite 7-String Electric Guitar Strings

These strings aren't as crisp as the NYXL, but in my opinion that makes them better for more stuff. They seem to blend better with metal genres and even with jazzy stuff. They also keep their tone for a very very long time, unless I break a string, I only have to replace these bad boys every 1-2 months. Highly recommend, great quality and price

I tried heavier ones, they felt difficult and I had to down tune a lot. These one can be regular pitch or half down and even one whole step down in tuning and will stay fine. Drop to G for the bottom string will make that string just a bit sloppy however, but not bad. I like to play 10-46, and have done so for years just playing for myself creating new tones and tunes with 6 string ones. But 10-58 (7) sets become too heavy for me and bending hurts my finger joints. On my Ibanez RG7620, I have consistently used this set for 10 years I believe. Other brands have 9-52 7 string sets, but this is just a bit beefier 9-56. That is hard to find. They do not feel much less heavy in sound than 10-56 ones but are definitely easier to play. I got a 7 string that comes with 10-58 with 26.5" scale, I will change that one to 9-54 too. I have experimented and to try to reduce damage to my finger joints and tendons in the arm I may switch to 9's on 6 string guitars too. On 7-string guitars this is the only one that works for me. If you work out and have very strong forearm muscles, then heavier strings will be fine. I am sticking with the 9-54. I have not found another set with a 54 as the bottom string with 9 gauge for the rest. Life of strings: they last long, but not longer than Elixir or DR. They lose a bit of brightness and settle at a nice level and stay at this for months. I wish I could get this set in a coated version also. If you play the same 7 string every day 4 to 5 hours, I estimate with shred playing, change strings in two months (if you alway clean them after playing). I have had mine in for over 6 months now, i use a string cleaner. Every gauge has its own benfits and some cons, try several. They are ALL fun. I highly recommend these.

I got an Ibanez 7-string guitar with these on factory. It's good, but not for any tuning below Standard. If you use alternate tunings a lot, go for a heavier gauge.