Curt Manganese Fusion Matched Strings 10.5-48 Nickel Wound Gauges: 10.5-14-18p-26w-38-48 Length of strings: 43 inches (109 cm) Nickel-plated steel wound strings were introduced in the late 1960s and are the most common material for electric guitars and bass. Nickel-plated steel provides a balanced sound.