I decided to go on a string quest for the past 3 days. After 3 days and about 10 different sets of strings and about 10 setups, I think I found the ultimate set of strings for my American Standard Stratocaster.

I tried flat wound 12's, regular 12's, 11's, 10's, 9's, back to 10's, back to 11's, and back to 12's. I tried Elixers, D'Addario, and Ernie Ball. I finally settled on Ernie Ball "Not Even Slinky" 12-16-24p-32-44-56. They sound amazing and I can strum this Strat like an acoustic. I play mostly rhythm, finger style, and a little flat picking. I know some very basic lead patterns, and can still bend as much as I need to for what I do.

I have always been an acoustic player until I got this Strat, so I am use to 12's and even 13's. I want to apply my acoustic style to electric guitar. I know that probably sounds weird, but you should hear this thing played through my Fishman SoloAmp (or right into a PA) with some chorus and delay. It sounds awesome.

Anyway, if you can handle heavy stings, and want GREAT tone, you should give these a try.

My left hand would end up in traction if I tried strings that heavy,I thinkI'll stick to my 8-38s.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

8's are good enough for Billy Gibbons and BB King. They both seem fairly convinced that heavy strings = superior sound is a myth.
Its at about 3:06 on this vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XcOT4hmPqw&feature=PlayList&p=6E3C45BA73769DF3&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=5

String selection should be based entirely on what your comfortable with.

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No no and no

I have been liking GHS precision Flatwound 9-42's

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

.008's!!!! I'd be punching myself in the chin all the time with the way I bend and attack my strings!!
Plus...I use a heavy 1.09mm Planet Waves Delrin pick!

When I go into GC or SA to try out new stuff...they always come from the factory with .009's and I usually break strings when doing this!!

I play waay too aggressivly to be messing with .008's!

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I refuse to have a battle of the wits with an unarmed man!

I have gone over to pure nickels on both my Strat and my ES. Bit more expensive but worth a try for a nice warm tone, great for blues. I get Rotosound 11s.

I'm with Nevin but using .009 - .042 super light gauge instead of 10's. They ring nicely!