Is it essential to have Fender bullet-type strings on a Strat? If so, do they make coated ones?

No. You can use whatever you like and that includes other brands.

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You dig?

Strings and picks are cheap. Try lots of different ones! It should be easy to find what you really like.

Just be sure to keep using the size string your guitar already has on it. If you want to change string sizes (diameter) then you'll need to do a fresh setup. Any shop with a good tech will help you if you need it. It doesn't hurt to ask other local players who they trust with their guitars.

Welcome to the forum!

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

Many years ago, some strings were made with an alloy called pure nickel. They weren't really "pure" but that's what we called it.

Try many different types, gauges, brands until you find something that you like.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

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I have posted this a few times but there are like 35 brands of strings that are made in the same factory so that tells you something right there. Any quality brand named string will do and I think most of us are just in the habit of asking for a certain brand. For years all I used were Fender strings till one day they were out and the guy said try D'adarrio and that is what I have been using ever since. But to be honest if you strung up 2 guitars with both brands of the same gauge I would have a 50-50 chance of telling you what strings I were playing.

As mentioned Fender Bullets are not necessary for the guitar. In my opinion they are a little easier to re-string with. I find that ball ended strings often times get stuck and bullet ends do not get stuck as often. I also like the tone Fender strings make.

I have not seen any coated Fender strings. If you are into the coated strings or like another brand, keep playing with your favorites.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Nickel is not an alloy. It is an element. That means it exists pure in nature without being a mixture of other elements. Brass is an alloy, for example.

And there are many guitar strings sold today that have significant nickel content.

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James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

I'm about to change the strings on my strat for the first time, I've heard that it's best to stay with the 9's but I've been using 10's on other brand guitars. Other than having to have it set up for the new diameter is there any other reason why I shouldn't make the change to 10's?

Fender are an incredible Company.

Fender make superb guitars.

Fender should get the hell out of the string making business (although I suspect they actually buy them in and rebrand), because the product is terrible.

Just my 2c worth as they say..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

The only issue I am aware of is that the "Bullets" can bind when used on G&L guits. That can be an expensive repair.


Craig

No. If you wants 10's... get 10's and a setup. Be happy!

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

VT BlackStrat...moving from .009 to .010 really require a setup? When I mioved up to .010s on my Les Paul, no adjustment and I checked the setup and everything was within factory specs when I setup with .009s. Is it because of the tremelo bridge that it would require a new setup moving up one size?

The most solid answer I can give you is... that depends.

You might be OK moving up to 10's and you might not. It's a crap shoot until you do it and see. You may need additional springs or minor adjustments to the screws but it should be close.

A setup should only run you about $35 if you have a tech do it. If you want to really learn your guitar, get a book or online information and do it yourself.

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

That's funny that you say that. I was told today that D'Addario is now making the strings for Fender; however, I am not sure if this is accurate. Would explain the the reason for the new packaging.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Don't know if D'Addario is making them, but I do know that the new packaging is a result of Fender's string production being brought back fully to the US. They were assembled in Mexico of US (the strings) and German (the bullets) parts.

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2012 American Standard Strat Charcoal Froast
2009 Standard Strat Sunburst Brown
Blues Junior Tweed NOS
2007 Line6 Spider Jam