Strings for Strat

[mhoward]

My American Deluxe Strat came with Fender bullet .09 strings, so I've kept them on it. But the high strings sound kind of dead. I asked the setup guy in the shop about it, and he said Fender bullets aren't so good. He said the best and most consistent ones for a strat are either D'Addorio XL or Ernie Ball Slinky's. He said my setup isn't bad (maybe a little high).

 

.10's would probably sound better too... I'll probably get it re-setup for .10's next time.

 

Anyone have opinions/advice on strings for strats?

[lndianScout]

boomers 10 - 46 on my tele and strat

[naboutboul]

I am using ernie ball slinky .10 on my strat. Plays and feels really good! I would try those musicians friends strings that are 1.99, they are most likely a repackaged named brand. I really like the D'Addario XL and Ernie ball slinky. I find the D'Addario to last longer however.

[wagdog]

Back in the day, I used Ernie Ball strings.

 

For the past 10 years or so, I've been using D'Addario .009 - .042 on all my guitars, LP, Strat(s) and Tele(s). The seem to last longer, don't break and feel nice. I buy them 10packs at a time from MF or ZZounds. Great strings and very affordable (like $3.50 a pack).

[metallica_00]

Brand of strings? Totally subjective. There is no consensus - find what you like.

 

I personally think a fresh set of strings is very important to have on a guitar, but particularly Strats - it will emphasize the chime and quack that makes Strats sound so good.

 

For gauge, I would go as high as you are comfortable playing on. SRV could make those 13s sing but I couldn't bend them for the life of me. I use 10s.

[csm]

Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom 10-52s on all my Strats and Teles. Satisfied user since God was in short trousers.*

 

*NOT an Angus Young reference.

[tlbonehead]

My American Deluxe Strat came with Fender bullet .09 strings, so I've kept them on it. But the high strings sound kind of dead. I asked the setup guy in the shop about it, and he said Fender bullets aren't so good. He said the best and most consistent ones for a strat are either D'Addorio XL or Ernie Ball Slinky's. He said my setup isn't bad (maybe a little high). .10's would probably sound better too... I'll probably get it re-setup for .10's next time. Anyone have opinions/advice on strings for strats?

I'd go a little heavier on the top two strings to fatten up your higher notes on leads. Maybe something like 11-48 for standard.

[inkblot]

D'Addario 10-46 with a wound 3rd on my strat ATM, I like the wound 3rd as it gives more balanced output across the strings and just sounds better (unwound 3rds always have a kind of flat, undefined tone to me).

[book_of_lies777]

I use GHS Boomers 10-46s on all my guitars

[Doctor Morbius]

On the brands I've used D'Addario, Earnie Ball Slinkies, and GHS Fatties (the cheapest) and I like all of them.

On the gauge I've used 9, 10 & 11. I'm not ready for the 11s but the 9s and 10s work well on my Strats and Teles.

[The Birdman]

I have 6 Strats and I use D'Addario XL 10-46s on all of them. Some have wound third strings (.018"), some don't (unwound .017"). Depends on what I want at the time....the wound .018s seem to give a beefier blues tone, the unwound .017s seem to work better for rock.

Roger

[Blackbelt1]

I use D'addarrio or DR strings on all my Strats. Those Fender bullet strings are IMO the worst strings known to man. I have 3-4 sets lying around the house and they will never be installed on one of my guitars. Total garbage if you ask me.

~Blackbelt