It seems that when I used to play a Fender guitar in the store, I would always think: "I wish I could hear what this guitar would sound like with some decent strings on it."

But I've purchased 2 guitars this year(A Squier Classic Vibe 60's and an American Special HSS) and both of them sounded great with the fender strings on them.

When I popped my usual strings on them, I thought that neither of them sounded better. (I've liked DR Blues for the past 2 years.) In fact, after putting on the DR Blues on my Am Special, I popped them off and put on some Elixir Poly's, which used to be my fave. When they also didn't sound the way I wanted, I called Fender and they told me that the AM Special came with Fender 250L Nickel Plated Steel 9-42's on them. So I picked some up.

I love 'em.

They sustain really well and do not sound tinny on the high strings, even with the 9's. They also feel nice and loose, super easy to bend. I just popped these on my other strat, and I feel the same on both guitars.

Everyone used to say how much they hate the Fender bullets that come on the display guitars, but these strings are FAR superior to what Fender was putting on the guitars even a year or two ago.

Nah there's been no change. I've been using Fender strings pretty exclusively since 2005. They've been fantastic throughout. When I couldn't get em I'd use Diaddario then change em as soon as I could get Fenders.
Perhaps it's just your preferences changing.

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No no and no

Super Slinkys for me Mike. I like the bullet end on the Fender strings. They do tend to sit better, but even their 9-42s felt stiff to me.

Ha ha...Maybe my ear and preferences have changed. I'm probably slowly changing into an old man.

I am just loving these strings now though. Comfy with quality feel and sound.

I still don't like 'em. I prefer Power Slinky's. Fender's feel too rigid to me.

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I've been using Fender strings exclusively since around 1997 or so. They are good quality and consistent. I have never been able to say that about my experiences with the wildly popular D'Addario. I also like Gibson Vintage strings. If I can't find Fender I'll get Gibson. It's not usually a problem though because I buy them by the box and I go hunting for more before I run out.

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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.

I use Elixir strings on all of my guitars, I've never been impressed by Fender strings, then again I haven't purchased a set since 2002, If i'm not using Elixir's then it's Ernie Ball. I have an Am Special and I love the Elixir strings (.10's) on them. To each his own I guess

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Live Well Play Hard
2010 American Special Strat<~~My Baby
2001 Squire Strat
2001 DG11
2004 Pro Junior
Digitech RP255
Digitech Hot rod
Digitech Digiverb
Ibanez TS9

Agreed. Elixirs last longer, they feel nicer for a longer time, they don't sound dull for ages, they don't break as much.

I used to use Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottoms, but changed over to Elixirs and never looked back. PRS strings are also great. I despise D'Addarios... they go dull and crappy so quickly..!

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'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."

I used Fender strings almost exclusively in the '90s, but as my inventory diminished I started trying other brands. I've used a fair number of sets of D'Addario Super Lights, but lately I've been restringing with almost nothing but DR Tite-Fit and DR Pure Blues. I think preferences do change as you get older. I've been playing electric for about 47 years now and I'm still changing strings. I have a lot of guitars and I usually restring 5-6 at a time, though my hands don't sweat at all, so I don't have to deal with that corrosion.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

I use fender 250's. I think this question to ask how long do you leave strings on? I tend to change mine 2 to 3 weeks depending on how much i play out. Plus i use a lot of over drive and stuff. But when i play clean I'm pleased with the 250'. Mark

I heard from my guitar tech that Fender has released production of their strings to D'Addario about the same time the packaging changed. When I had Floyd Rose equipped guitars, I used Dean Markley Blue Steel strings. When I stopped playing Floyd Rose equipped guitars, I switched to D'Addario's. I have been playing D'Addario's for years. Then I started to buy Fender guitars exclusively, I switched Fender Bullets 10-46 pure nickel. I think they sound exactly the same as the D'Addario 10-46 nickels.

I recently purchased another 80's Squier HM series guitar (which I am loving). I do not use the bullet ends for that guitar, so I purchased my old Floyd Rose-favorite strings, Dean Markley Blue Steels...I didn't like them, so I switched them to the Fender 150R Original Pure Nickel Electric Strings - 10-46...love the sound.

I would have to say that Fender strings have improved since the 80's. When they got better, I do not know...I was using other string brands until 5 years ago.

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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

Back in the early 70s I used Fender 150 SL 8-38s exclusively but ran into a few sets in a row with dead strings and then switched to D'Addario 8-38s and have been using them ever since.I'm tempted to go back to the Fenders though because their 3rd string is 14 as opposed to D'Addario's 15.

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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.