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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 11:00 am
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Just a note: I recently bought an American Deluxe Strat and the stock strings were not Bullets?! After asking about, I found this not to be uncommon. Go figure.

I did switch to 10 gauge Bullets which are fine. These nickel strings appear kind to my fingers and upping the gauge seems to help my Strat stay tuned longer, and chording has improved. I will be checking the setup, so things may change.

I'm wondering why Fender chose not to use Bullets on their Strats at this level.


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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 4:19 pm
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Good to hear from the Fender Bullet lovers out there. :lol:

American Deluxe Strats made in 2012 shipped with Fender USA, Nickel Plated Steel, Gauges: (.009, .011, .016, .024w, .032, .042). Going with what's presently on the Fender website, it seems that Super Bullets are now back in vogue. Not all model specs provide information on string type, but here is what's listed for the following Strats.

    American Deluxe Stratocaster® Fender® USA Super Bullets® 3250L, NPS, (.009-.042 Gauges)

    American Standard Stratocaster® Fender® USA Super Bullets® 3250L, NPS, (.009-.042 Gauges)

    American Special Stratocaster® Fender® USA Super Bullets® 3250L, NPS, (.009-.042 Gauges)

    American Special Stratocaster® HSS Fender® USA Super 250L, NPS (.009-.042 Gauges)

    American Vintage '56/'65/'59 Stratocaster® Fender® USA 250R NPS, (.010-.046 Gauges)

    Fender Select Stratocaster® HSS Fender® USA, NPS, (.009-.042 Gauges)

    Standard Stratocaster® Fender® USA Super Bullets® 3250L, NPS, (.009-.042 Gauges)

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:10 pm
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I did say "As long as it doesn't get out of hand - $$$ - " and then I went overboard. As the saying goes, in for a penny in for a pound or, in this case, about $65 plus tax. :?

Here is a list of the strings I intend on trying. The first four sets I have on hand. The others have been ordered and are on their way.

  • 1. Ernie Ball Power Slinky Custom Gauge Nickel Wound Guitar Strings | Gauge: 11-48 | $5.99
  • 2. D'Addario XL Nickel Wound Blues/Jazzz Rock EXL 115 | Gauge 11-49 | $5.49
  • 3. Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt Electric Guitar Strings, 2720 | Gauge: 11-48 | $13.99
  • 4. Fender Pure Nickel Wound Original Bullets 3150M | Gauge: 11-49 | $5.99
  • 5. Dean Markley Vintage Reissue Nickel Plated Round Core Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: 1975 Medium 11-52 | $3.89
  • 6. GHS Burnished Nickel Roundwound Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: BNR-M 11-50 | $5.49
  • 7. GHS Eric Johnson Signature Electric Guitar Strings | Light Gauge: Custom Medium 11-52 EJM | $5.95
  • 8. DR Pure-Blues Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: 11-50 | $5.95
  • 9. D'Addario Half Round Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: EHR370 Medium 11-49 | $6.95
  • 10. GHS Boomers Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: Medium GBM 11-50 | $4.49

I tried the Ernie Ball Power Slinky and currently on set 2 of the list. Hopefully I'll be able to post back with some helpful information.

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:38 pm
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I have tried many brands, and prefer 11's on my Strat, and 13's on my LP, and Gretsch.
I just changed my strings yesterday, and put on " GHS Eric Johnson Nickel Rockers" they are pure nickel Rollerwound strings, and I love them! They are not cheap though, if you want my regular FAVORITE STRINGS, go to the website Dr. Ducks Ax Wax online, not only does he make a great guitar cleaner and wax, but he has his own string line, which are fantastic, and always identical... you can buy in bulk, which drives the price down to about 2-3 bucks a pack, He has all kinds of strings, all the way up to 14's!!!I don't usually blow my horn over such matters, but I think you will love these strings... my Strat loves them, and she lets me know..... I ran out and needed some strings quick, is the only reason for the Eric Johnson Signature's, but these were great too!!! Dr. Duck has been around for years, and I started buying from him years ago, when he was a small seller on Ebay, now he has his own site, and string manufacturer, with his own string design.... check it out, I highly recommend them.AND you will save money buying them.


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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 6:25 am
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Bluer Monkey wrote:
DetroitBlues wrote:
Awesome, looking forward to your assessment.
Sure thing. In fact if more people care to chime in with their suggestions I'd be happy to add to the list, do more experimenting and post back. As long as it doesn't get out of hand - $$$ - of course. :lol:

Cheers!
BM


I been using use 12s for ages for playing blues/jazz. My finger tips are fine. Needed a slight adjustment but not much b/c the 12s raised action automatically and made playing slide much easier as well.

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:15 am
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
Just a note: I recently bought an American Deluxe Strat and the stock strings were not Bullets?! After asking about, I found this not to be uncommon. Go figure.

I did switch to 10 gauge Bullets which are fine. These nickel strings appear kind to my fingers and upping the gauge seems to help my Strat stay tuned longer, and chording has improved. I will be checking the setup, so things may change.

I'm wondering why Fender chose not to use Bullets on their Strats at this level.



Unless you buy it directly from Fender and/or it's fresh out of the box, most likely the store set up the guitar and restrung it...

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:50 pm
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DetroitBlues wrote:
Fender Strat Brat wrote:
Just a note: I recently bought an American Deluxe Strat and the stock strings were not Bullets?! After asking about, I found this not to be uncommon. Go figure.

I did switch to 10 gauge Bullets which are fine. These nickel strings appear kind to my fingers and upping the gauge seems to help my Strat stay tuned longer, and chording has improved. I will be checking the setup, so things may change.

I'm wondering why Fender chose not to use Bullets on their Strats at this level.



Unless you buy it directly from Fender and/or it's fresh out of the box, most likely the store set up the guitar and restrung it...


I researched whether the ball end strings replaced the bullets here in Canada. I found that to be the case for my 2012 Amn Dlx here in Canada. If I recall correctly Aussie land had the same and that was the tip off. Incidentally, I actually got it right out of the box from a reputable dealer.


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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:35 am
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A couple of weeks and ten string changes ago I embarked on a quest to discover my favorite set of 11s for my Strat. Although I tried to be consistent by using the same guitar, the same amps, and giving each set a fair shake by playing a minimum of three hours before switching strings, my approach and method of testing is by no means scientific. I used a 2012 American Deluxe Stratocaster which has Fender Locking Tuners, N3 pups, a blocked trem, and higher than average action. Although I don't think it matters, others may so I'll mention that the body is alder and the fingerboard is maple. The amps used were a Hot Rod Deluxe and a Vibro Champ XD.

I think the most significant thing I discovered is that there are a lot of good guitar strings on the market. All the sets I tried "worked" as expected. They performed as they were designed to do and all were free from flaws or defects. The fact that I liked some more than others and some I didn't like at all is based solely on personal preference.

My basis for comparison - i.e. my bias - is the Fender Original Bullets. Even before my switch to 11s, I had tried various sets of 10s and always kept going back to the OBs. To me they sound bright, yet warm, and they feel great.

So for whatever it may be worth, here are my observations or my proverbial 2-cents which I'm hoping is worth at least 2 cents. :lol:

  • 1. Ernie Ball Power Slinky Custom Gauge Nickel Wound Guitar Strings | Gauge: 11-48 | $5.99
      This was my first set of 11s and I found them very stiff. I also found them to be not as clear or bright as the OBs

  • 2. D'Addario XL Nickel Wound Blues/Jazzz Rock EXL 115 | Gauge 11-49 | $5.49
      I liked these more than the EB Power Slinky but nothing extra ordinary.

  • 3. Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt Electric Guitar Strings, 2720 | Gauge: 11-48 | $13.99
      This is a set I definitely didn't like. The sound is fine - in fact clear, and sparkling - but the strings feel like galvanized bolts. I also cannot find anything to justify the cost.

  • 4. Fender Pure Nickel Wound Original Bullets 3150M | Gauge: 11-49 | $5.99
      Well, no need for comment here. These are the home town favorites.

  • 5. Dean Markley Vintage Reissue Nickel Plated Round Core Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: 1975 Medium 11-52 | $3.89
      This is a great set! The strings sound clear, bright, and feel great! Very close to my beloved OBs. Another thing that impressed me is that they took and maintained their pitch within one minute after the initial stretching. The other strings I tried also took to pitch and maintained it quickly but these seemed to do it faster. (Maybe I just did a better job stretching them?) The only thing I didn't like about this set is the wound G-string. Good news is that the set comes with two G-strings: wound and plain steel.

  • 6. GHS Burnished Nickel Roundwound Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: BNR-M 11-50 | $5.49
      Another set that sounded great and felt good.

  • 7. GHS Eric Johnson Signature Electric Guitar Strings | Light Gauge: Custom Medium 11-52 EJM | $5.95
      Here is where I went against my own test protocols and changed strings way before the end of the minimum 3-hour test period. I think they lasted about 15 minutes, at most. The sound is fine but the wound strings are extremely sticky. I don't know if there's a coating or if it's the winding, but if was very frustrating to play anything requiring speed on the low strings.

  • 8. DR Pure-Blues Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: 11-50 | $5.95
      Clear and bright like the OBs but not as silky.

  • 9. D'Addario Half Round Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: EHR370 Medium 11-49 | $6.95
      Very dull, and very sticky. Not as sticky as the GHS Eric Johnson Signature Electric Guitar Strings but not a set I would want to play.

  • 10. GHS Boomers Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: Medium GBM 11-50 | $4.49
      Good feel, good tone, but not very bright.

  • 11. Dean Markley Blue Steel Electric Guitar Strings | Gauge: Medium 11-52 | $4.99
      Here is another set of good strings. Good feel, good tone, and plenty bright but not quite as smooth as the OB. The set comes with a wound third string which could be a plus for those who like a wound G. As for being "cryogenic activated", it sounds impressive but I'm not sure what this is supposed to mean with regard to quality. With regard to packaging I don't think I've ever seen better. Each string is placed in a paper envelope - both Gs are placed in one - then all envelopes are sealed in a black plastic pouch, then the pouch is placed in a cardboard pack which in turn is shrink wrapped.

Cheers!
BM

Edit 1: To include guitar specs
Edit 2: To include review 11. Dean Markley Blue Steel

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Last edited by Bluer Monkey on Tue Mar 05, 2013 5:54 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 1:38 pm
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DetroitBlues wrote:
I found D'Addario to break more often and go flat much sooner than any other brand.


I guess I've been doing something really wrong. I've been using D'Addarios for the past 20+ years buying them in 10 packs. I can't remember the last time I broke a string. I do change my strings every 2-3 months, more often if I'm actually playing out. But I regularly rotate guitars too.

Maybe you should check your nut or your bridge saddles for burrs? :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:08 pm
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DetroitBlues wrote:
... I like pure nickel strings. ... I don't like the Cobalts ... my favorites on a Strat have been Dean Markley Vintage Electrics Reissue Strings, particularly the 1974 and 1975 (unwound 3rd). Just my preference, they just are a little pricey at times. ...
After posting the results of the strings trials I reread the thread and realized that you were spot on with the pure nickel. If I couldn't get a hold of the OB the Dean Markley Vintage would be my second choice.

Thanks & Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: UPDATE: Swtiched from 10s to 11s - REVIEW
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:16 pm
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Just to throw my hat in the ring. I have used Dean markley Blue Steel's since they came out. Before that I used Dean Markley Vintage Nickel. I've tried other brands here and there but come back to Dean Markley's everytime for every axe I own acoustic and electric.


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Post subject: Re: UPDATE: Swtiched from 10s to 11s - REVIEW
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:25 am
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IdahoRed wrote:
Just to throw my hat in the ring. I have used Dean markley Blue Steel's since they came out. Before that I used Dean Markley Vintage Nickel. I've tried other brands here and there but come back to Dean Markley's everytime for every axe I own acoustic and electric.
    "Just when I thought I was out, they drag me back in!" :lol:

    Oh, well. One more set can't hurt. Thanks for the hat, Idaho. I'll give Blue Steel a try.

    Cheers!
    BM

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Post subject: Re: Swtiched from 10s to 11s
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:53 pm
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xenophobe wrote:
DetroitBlues wrote:
I found D'Addario to break more often and go flat much sooner than any other brand.


I guess I've been doing something really wrong. I've been using D'Addarios for the past 20+ years buying them in 10 packs. I can't remember the last time I broke a string. I do change my strings every 2-3 months, more often if I'm actually playing out. But I regularly rotate guitars too.

Maybe you should check your nut or your bridge saddles for burrs? :lol:


+1, I wipe my D'Addario 10's after each session and find they last me a good while, while retaining their original sound (I change them about once a month, long before the sound ever goes sterile). I found Ernie Ball strings to lose their 'new' sound even after 2 weeks. I think it's to do with the packaging.. D'addarios are shipped in a nice, air tight piece of plastic while EB's come in individual paper sleeves. I don't think they have a chance to stay factory fresh as long.


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Post subject: Re: UPDATE: Swtiched from 10s to 11s - REVIEW
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 2:01 pm
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i changed from 9s to 10s....i like the heavy bottoms 50 52s i think and lite tops 10s...i find that the heavy bottoms give my amer strat a really meaty bottom end


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Post subject: Re: UPDATE: Swtiched from 10s to 11s - REVIEW
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 5:35 pm
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So what are you sticking with? That's a lot of strings to try out all at once.

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