Hello!

I've been playing guitar for 20 years now and have always used the same type of strings for my guitars. Having recently got myself a new CP Jazzmaster I'm beginning to explore the range of Fender strings but I'm finding it quite confusing. I've not been able to find a definitive answer anywhere!

I understand: 150=Pure Nickel
250=Nickel plated steel
350=Stainless Steel
Bullet=Bullet ends

My questions:

What does the 'super' mean in 'Super Bullets' and 'Super 250's Nickel-Plated Steel', does this refer to the 250's?

Does 'Original' mean 150's?

What's the sound difference between 150, 250 and 350?

How do I know what tention my strings are?!?!

880XL 80/20 COATED.....What are these?

What are the best strings for my Jazzmaster? (Bare in mind I don't really want Jazzy sound from the guitar, I find even with normal strings you get this with this guitar due to build and pickups)

Many thanks,

Karl.

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Cheers
Steve

150 = nickel windings - over steel core wires
250 = steel windings plated with nickel - over steel core wires
350 = stainless steel windings - over steel core wires

The G, B and E strings (solid) will sound the same in all of these sets. There is no difference. They are all steel wires.

The difference is in the tone of the wound strings.

150, original electric guitar string design and still the best tone by far, IMO.

250, heavier bottom end and earlier break up in the low end due to higher output given by the greater mass of steel vibrating over the pups. I truly dislike these strings. I bought 2 or 3 sets when they first came out. When was that? Gotta be getting close to 20 years, I think. Not sure exactly. No matter. They did nothing for me at all. Never bought them again since and never will either.

350, similar to 150 but with some interesting character that can be difficult to explain and not always liked by everyone, very spanky, a touch brighter, a little bit of an edginess to them. 350's are an aquired taste and IMO sound better on a Tele than they do on a Strat. I run 350's on my Tele and 150's on all my other guitars. If I can't find 150's in my guage (10-46) I'll buy Gibson Vintage Nickel as an alternative.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

Coated strings present a greater adavantage on acoustic guitars than on electric guitars. Coated strings are worth the extra money on your acoustic. They are not worth the extra money on your electric.

_________________

Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.