WHAT SIZE STRINGS

[percypineapple]

Hi All,
what size strings are standard for a strat? I bought a set, but they are too thick to fit into the groove in the nut.( I don't want to be filing the nut slots) i think they were 11's. would 9's be the correct size, and what difference does it make to the sound? are some better than thers, should I buy genuine fender strings to keep the hank marvin sound, or will anything do. ( I am asking this again as I have bought another squier strat and it sounds different to my first one)
Thanks,
Percy.

[jomifl]

Had a look through my La Bella string catalogue and am a bit puzzled. I know nothing about electric guitar strings, so which string is it that doesn't fit.Ultra light go from .008 to .038 and Blues heavy go from .012 to .052.

[percypineapple]

Hi,
I bought GHS boomers, the top "E" string was 11, that was o.k but the "E" bass string and the A D G were too thick to slot into the nut. I must say i had a epiphone black beauty and fitted the boomers to that, they also would not slot into the nut, so sat on top a bit, but terrific sound, but not the correct way to string a guitar.

[jomifl]

If the strings have the sound you want then perhaps a little careful filing would be in order. I have tweaked a few acoustic instruments and on steel string instruments lowering the action near the nut can make them a lot easier to play. Just slacken the string lift it out of the slot and file a very small amount. Check the height fequently as you file it so that you don't overdo it and get buzzes.Mass produced guitars are often not set up properly as it costs too much and is left to the retailer, but if sold by a mail order dealer it often doesn't get done and results in novice buyers being unhappy with their new guitar and selling it on. Filing the nut is not a big deal and if you make a complete pig's ear of it you can always put some packing under the string to raise it and fitting a new nut is not difficult..

[WyeDyed]

It depends on the style that you want play. If playing lead guitar, the lighter the strings the faster you can play as the strings require less effort to press down.
I think D'addario did a .007 set but they were a bit delicate.
Most lead guitarists the I knew used 8's.
Also, the thinner the strings, the more amplification needed.

[MarkRae]

Also, depending on the machine heads, the thinner the strings the quicker they go out of tune...

[ludwig]

Try 10-46 or 9-42. Anything thicker or thinner is strange.

[jomifl]

Bear in mind that the string thickness also determines the tension required which affects the strain on the neck and also the fretting pressure as WyeDyed mentioned.