What strings would be good for a mim strat. I play a lot of Red Hot Chili Peppers style music. what would changing the thickness of the string do. Does it affect the guitar? Will it give me fret buzz? Please help because I am not a string expert. Here are the strings i am looking at.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/D-Addario-EXL110-Nickel-Light-Electric-Guitar-Strings-Single-Pack-100076096-i1765262.gc
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-3250L-Nickel-Plated-Steel-Bullet-End-Electric-Guitar-Strings---Light-105810139-i1501397.gc

Please do not take this as a flip answer because it's not meant to be.

Strings are cheap and the only way you'll find out what works for your guitar, your style and the sound you want is to experiment. I'd say buy a set or two of several different types and gauges and see what works. At $5.00 - $7.00 it's the cheapest mod you can make to your guitar (well, outside of picks).

We agonize over pickusp, tuners, tonewood, and the like, but strings make as much of a difference as anything.

Of the two you listed above, I like DAddario.
I've also used GHS Boomers with good results.
One of my guitars likes DR Pure Blues strings. (one of my acoustics also likes DR Rares go figure). I like DR Strings but read the reviews, some hate them.
I have used Ernie Ball Slinky and Super Slinky (not a big fan but some love em)

Read reviews for any strings some say they're great and some say they sound like ice picks being stuck in your ears. Strings are a personal choice thing.

Jeff

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F ... te#Strings

i use D'Addario's never had a problem and they rarely snap

The choices you listed are different gauges. What is on your guitar right now and are you ready to go up or down in gauge?

I use only Elixir Nanowebs, a little more heavier on the pocket $, but its well worth it. I used to get DAddarios, but I have whats called hyperhidrosis, so a regular set wont last me for a week before it gets all rusty. Elixirs technology is upon me for years, a single set lasts me 4-6 months before getting rust. I use 10-46 gauge, if you´re moving from .09 youll strugle a bit until the tip of your fingers get a good grip, but after a week on a heavier gauge youll notice no efforts on bends and vibratos, and yes it does make a huge difference in tone.

I bought a box of 12 set of D'Addarios once because they were so inexpensive. I ended up giving the last 4 sets away. They have only one redeeming quality, low price, at least in my area they're low. They didn't sound quite right and they didn't last very long. I just did not like them at all.

I also tried Elixer Nanos a couple times. I use Elixers exclusively on my acoustic guitars for general use (except for recording) and I buy them by the box but I found no benefit on electric guitars to justify the extra cost. I found nothing wrong with them but they weren't any better than normal. Acoustic is a different story. Those are worth it.

I like Gibson Vintage Nickel, Fender 150s and I have occasionally tried Ernie Ball Classic Pure Nickel Regular Slinky and they're pretty good too.

_________________

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.

.009-.042 Does changing gage mean you have to change anything else on guitar. I have played thicker gage stringed guitars and it doesnt affect me. But deffinently dont want to go down to a thinner gage.

Going from 9 to 10 will most likely not need an adjustment of the truss rod but may require some fine tuning. Buy the 10s.

I'm using D'Addario EXP 120 on my gitars, and I like very much.

_________________
BOSS ST-2 POWER STACK
BOSS ML-2 METAL CORE
BOSS MT-2 METAL ZONE
BOSS MD-2 MEGA DISTORTION
BOSS DS-2 TURBO DISTORTION
BOSS DS-1 DISTORTION
BOSS OS-2 OVERDRIVE/DISTORTION
BOSS OD-3 OVERDRIVE
BOSS SD-1 SUPER OVERDRIVE
VOX TONELAB ST