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Post subject: Vintage/AVRI Guitars and Strings
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:35 am
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I'm looking to replace strings on a stratocaster purchased recently. That got me thinking about both strings that shipped with the guitar as well as strings used back in 50's and 60's. What's the difference between bronze and nickel strings. Is one considered "authentic" for that era?

I replaced the strings on my 1954 AVRI last night with Original bullets. It doesn't sound right.

What's the best way to find out what strings (brand + gauge) shipped with a guitar if it is no longer current stock on Fender's website?


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Post subject: Re: Vintage/AVRI Guitars and Strings
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:06 am
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dpe94 wrote:
I replaced the strings on my 1954 AVRI last night with Original bullets. It doesn't sound right.


I have never liked the Bullets, and for that similar reason. I standardized on GHS Boomers for both my Fenders and Gibsons decades ago and never looked back.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Vintage/AVRI Guitars and Strings
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:36 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
I have never liked the Bullets, and for that similar reason. Arjay


I guess that's why I asked the question. I loved the sound of the guitar out of the box. So safest choice for me, as I get comfortable with a new guitar, is to put back on what's there now. But I have no idea how to confidently check/confirm what was there.

Which then makes me think what's a good replacement, and my question about string construction -- bronze vs. nickel and what's era appropriate.

In the end I understand it's all personal preference and choice.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage/AVRI Guitars and Strings
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:13 am
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Generally, the nickel-steel strings are considered to be sonically "brighter" and "shinier" than their bronze-wrapped counterpart.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Vintage/AVRI Guitars and Strings
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:14 am
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The current AV models are using Fender 250 NPS strings in the .010-.046 gauge; I don't remember if they did anything different on that AV '54 run.

I typically use .009 strings on Fender; the last 2 AVRI '62 Strats I had I thought sounded the best with pure nickel strings, and I liked the Fender 150 pure nickel set that ran .009-.040 best of all (I normally use EB, Fender or D'Addario .009-.042 sets on modern-style Fenders).


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Post subject: Re: Vintage/AVRI Guitars and Strings
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:35 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
I standardized on GHS Boomers for both my Fenders and Gibsons decades ago and never looked back. Arjay


Winner. Winner.

Changed the Bullets out for Boomers and my sound is back. Still not exactly the tones I got originally, but significantly better to my ear. Maybe some day I'll try the Pure Nickel or the 250's, but for now I'll standardize on the Boomers.

Thanks.

OBSERVATION : I'm amazed how much a change from .009's to .010's changed the height of both the floating tremolo and string height. I would never have expected .009's to .010's would create that much additional tension on tuned strings. I wouldn't have expected that much of an observable change unless I was going to .013's or some extra heavy strings.

There must be some interesting math on guitar necks.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage/AVRI Guitars and Strings
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:54 pm
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Glad to hear you're rawking again!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Vintage/AVRI Guitars and Strings
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:51 pm
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One of my strats is way too bright. When I use the bridge pickup alone, it sounds almost unbearably trebly.

Well, I fixed it by using bronze strings or some dull and blunt ones they make down here...

Strings make a huge difference in your tone.

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