8-String Slinky Nickel Wound .010 – .074 Grey pack – The Ernie Ball Company was the first to offer rock strings with the creation of Slinkys and further revolutionized the market by offering guitarists Custom-Gauge single strings. Slinkys are the string of choice for many professional artists such as Eric Clapton Jimmy Page Slash Angus Young John Mayer John Petrucci Steve Lukather and Steve Morse.