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Post subject: String recommendations?
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:56 am
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Hey guys, please feel free to redirect me if I should be posting this elsewhere. Just curious, anyone have string recommendations for the strat. I actually like the bullets that came with it but not all the shops sell them so I'm curious as to a good alternative like Earnieball or something. Let me know what you guys are using. I like warm sound, not too bright or tin sounding :) Thanks guys


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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 11:17 am
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FYI, the term "bullets" simply refers to the ball ends. A different style of ball end.

Chances are good the strings that came supplied were Fender 250s. That seems to be the most common OEM string on Fender guitars these days.

The 250 designation refers to the fact the windings are made of nickel plated steel. There are also 150s (all nickel) and 350s (stainless steel) and all types come in regular ball ends or bullets. The 250s are hotter on the wound strings and are the hardest to play. The 150s have a softer feel and a vintage tone. 150s are the easiest Fender strings to play. The 350s have a unique tone that is difficult to describe. They play roughly similar to the 150s. Maybe just a touch harder.

I prefer the ease of play and the traditional tone of all nickel strings myself but string selection is subjective. You could get a dozen guys all suggesting their own fav string but in the end it's you who has to live with your choice. My choice is either Fender 150s or else Gibson Vintage Nickel.

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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 11:39 am
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To echo the previous post, string selection is subjective.
I've stuck with D'Addario EXL110s for years - they're consistent from set to set, and I've never had a bad set.

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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 1:11 pm
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Stratmangler2 wrote:
To echo the previous post, string selection is subjective.
I've stuck with D'Addario EXL110s for years - they're consistent from set to set, and I've never had a bad set.



I agree.


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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 1:50 pm
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Cool man. Thanks, yeah I realize they are bullet ends. I was just quoting from the pack, Fender USA Bullets - 3250L, NPS, (.009-.042 Gauges). I'll do what you guys suggest and just try a few different brands, see what sounds right. I was also curious to see if anyone uses the Fender strings. Thanks again.


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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 4:14 pm
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FWIW, I like Ernie Ball Super Slinky (9-42).

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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 5:33 pm
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I like Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky's 9-46


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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2014 6:51 am
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After several different types I have currently settled on the GHS David Gilmores.


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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2014 10:16 am
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shimmilou wrote:
FWIW, I like Ernie Ball Super Slinky (9-42).



+1 Been using these for more years than I can remember. They are consistent, long lasting, and nothing like a new set on a Strat!

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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2014 8:40 am
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Med Jumbo Frets I used the Ernie Ball Super Slinkys (9-42)
Jumbo Frets I used Ernie Ball Slinkys (10-46)

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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2014 12:33 pm
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i have gone through them all over the years and in my humble opinion i reccomend d'addario exl 120's 9's or 10's.


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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:24 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
FWIW, I like Ernie Ball Super Slinky (9-42).

+1


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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 1:38 am
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I've really come to like the Thomastik-Infeld "Heavy bottom" set during the latest year.

They come in two versions, I use the tens but have lately been tempted to try the elevens:
Medium Light: 10 13 18 28 42 50
Medium: 11 15 19 32 45 53

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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:47 pm
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Lately, I have been using Elixir polywebs, 9-42. They are slippery and seem easier to play. So far, so good.


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Post subject: Re: String recommendations?
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 9:58 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
I prefer the ease of play and the traditional tone of all nickel strings myself but string selection is subjective. You could get a dozen guys all suggesting their own fav string but in the end it's you who has to live with your choice. My choice is either Fender 150s or else Gibson Vintage Nickel.


All nickle strings are very nice!
I had a set of Dean Markely nickle steel strings, very inexpensive, and man they sound nice. Very bright and articulate.
Great string for low money.

For years I used DM's "blue steel" strings as they sound great on my Strat.
Lately I've been playing Ernie Ball slinky Cobalts. Very nice sound and feel.
But they are a bit expensive. Can't say they are 2.5 times better than the nickle steel as they cost about 2.5 times more than the nickle's and about 2 times more than the blue steel.
The cobalts do seem to last longer though.

DM "Helix" strings are unique as they have a different type of winding "helical", hence the name. They feel great and make bending easier as they have a bit less tension with same tuning. Interestingly Guitar Center stopped selling them claiming that they didn't sell well cause DM marketed them poorly. Still a great string though.
They were originally about $10 per set but GC cleared them at $5 per set so I bought 5 packs. :) They last a long time too as the helical winding puts the wrap wire surface much closer to itself as it helps keep hand oil and dirt out of the wrap spaces.
And they feel really smooth due to the very close winding.

I used to use 10's on all my guitars but lately I prefer 9's on the Strat in standard tuning and 10's on my Schecter tuned a whole step down.
On my ES335 it came with 10's but I put EB Cobalt 9's and they sound great!

I agree with the consensus that strings are an individual thing so you've got to try different strings and gauges to feel and hear how they work on your own guitar and gear set up.
A great place to start is with regular good 'ole nickle strings and go from there.


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