Californiaman 308 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 So I'm getting ready to replace the strings on both my Telecasters. I've got couple of sets of the Fender Bullets 10s I'm thinking about puting on. My question is... What manufacturer and guage strings are you guys using on your Teles? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
capmaster 71 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 IMHO every good guitar reflects the characteristics of the strings, and so I would suggest just using those you like to hear on your Telecasters. Since I like their specific wide-range and thus very brilliant sound, I use the rather uncommon and unusual Optima Chrome Roundwounds on all my guitars. The gauges are .010" - .046" on all vibrato guitars, .011" - .050" on all hardtail instruments including Fender Telecasters, and .012" - .054" on my only semi-solid. As for Telecasters with just three adjustable bridges like yours on the picture, changing brand and gauge might require new ones for filing them to achieve correct intonation. By the way, the small Optima factory which makes the strings formerly named Maxima, resides three kilometres from me as the crow flies in the small town Geretsried. They are most famous for their gold-plated Optima Gold Strings, formerly used by Frank Zappa and Earl Slick, and still played by Brian May. All of his signature guitars come stock with his signature set. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pauloon 4 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 Fender Bullets-10's...........tried others,always go back to these. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bender 4 Life 324 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 my MexiTele (w/the Orange Drop tone cap) gets Super Slinkys .009-.042 my homebuild (GFS Vintage Wound neck, Kent Armstrong hot twinblade bridge p'ups) runs Regular Slinkys .010-.046 sometime next yr. i'll be building a Muddy Waters Tele, that i'll string up w/ Guild ultralight flatwounds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ksdaddy 440 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 From '78 to '84 I mainly used Fender... I guess... I don't really recall. Super Bullets probably. In '84 I got a coupon for a free set of D'Addarios and I put a set of 10-46 on. That's been my 'go-to' string ever since. I tried other brands but I will state my thought on D'Addarios: They're cheap, they're available, and they work. I'm sure there's better strings out there but I'm sure there's better ketchup than Heinz too. Doesn't mean I'm going to go looking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zigzag 291 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 D'Addario EXP (Coated) 10s. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZenKen 155 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 I'll usually use D'Addario 10's but in a pinch I'll use Ernie Balls Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Californiaman 308 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 I just ordered some D'Addario EXP115W for my Gibson ES-175. They're 11-49 with a wound G. Wonder how those would sound on one on my Teles? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Bill 1,180 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kidblast 938 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 D'Addario XL 10s for just about everything cept the acoustics and hollow body Archtops. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guitar dog 74 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 Usually Super Slinkys 9 on my Strat and Tele, Slinky 10 on others. Just personal preference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdgm 548 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 DR Handmade Blues 0.11 to 0.50 (inc 0.18 plain G) - I use these on almost everything now, excellent strings indeed. The .18 is a tad heavy for a Tele G but it's ok - I put the same set on the Strat but used an EB 0.17 for G. Also have same DR set on the LP and will use on the 175 next change. Here is my Tele right after putting the DRs on: Regards, Happy Xmas and best wishes to all for New Year! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ksdaddy 440 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 Gotta tell ya boys....Leo got it right the first time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cookieman15061 447 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 EB 10s on my strats and teles and les pauls EB 11s on my gretches Tried D'addario numerous times but just dont care for 'em Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rct 1,184 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 Gotta tell ya boys....Leo got it right the first time. He really did. And the second time. Third. Fourth, fifth was spectacular also. rct Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badbluesplayer 522 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 I just ordered some D'Addario EXP115W for my Gibson ES-175. They're 11-49 with a wound G. Wonder how those would sound on one on my Teles? Nairw, nairw, chicka, chicka, nairw, nairw. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tman 277 Report post Posted December 23, 2013 Thomastik Infeld Power brights 10s all the way!! I have them on my tele and strat! (and LP and 335). Heavy bottom ones on my LP. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
capmaster 71 Report post Posted December 24, 2013 I just ordered some D'Addario EXP115W for my Gibson ES-175. They're 11-49 with a wound G. Wonder how those would sound on one on my Teles? Nairw, nairw, chicka, chicka, nairw, nairw. How would you describe the difference between the Tele and the ES-175 when playing the same lick, BBP? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Californiaman 308 Report post Posted December 24, 2013 Bill, like you needed an excuse to post a photo of that beautiful Tele. So what strings ya' playin' and what's the guage? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingarmadillo 56 Report post Posted December 24, 2013 I have a 2005 American Deluxe and I use Original Bullet 9's: I've tried Super Slinkys, DRs and D'Addario coateds but I like the Fender strings best. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riptide 31 Report post Posted December 24, 2013 Am I the only person that never uses D'Addarios because they always break? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charlie brown 771 Report post Posted December 24, 2013 Am I the only person that never uses D'Addarios because they always break? Hmmmmm, I've never had D'Addarios break any more often, than any other brand. In fact, they tend to not break (for me) as often as other strings. Have you checked your bridge, tailpiece, of nut for "burrs" or some such? And, to answere the OP's question: D'Addario's (9-46) on Fender guitars, and 10-46, on Gibson's, generally. CB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingarmadillo 56 Report post Posted December 24, 2013 Am I the only person that never uses D'Addarios because they always break? I use D'Addarios on all my acoustics and never have a breakage problem. I just don't like 'em for my electrics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Californiaman 308 Report post Posted December 24, 2013 Am I the only person that never uses D'Addarios because they always break? The only reson I'm changing strings on my ES-175 this week is because the No.1 string broke this Sunday. I was in Orange County for the weekend and told my friend that I needed to stop in at GC and get some strings for Black Betty. Well to make a long story short I didn't buy any. The very next day I was tuning back to standard tuning and POP!. The E string shot 10 feet across the room. Fortunately I had two sets in my guitar case. D'Addario EXL 115W strings seem to last a long time on my ES-175. But I don't change them as frequently as other guitarist do—probably twice a year. I got a pretty good deal on five sets off Ebay Monday. They were like $24.00 for five sets and the shipping was free. That's a lot better than my local shop's price of $7.00 plus the gass and the time to drive 30 miles. GC used to have a standing deal of buy one set pf strings get another set for free. I don't know if that's the company policy anymore. But it was a good one. Anyway, I might throw some of these 11-49 with the wound 3rd on one of my Teles just to see how much tonal difference I can conjure up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAC 29 Report post Posted December 24, 2013 I got a Squier Affinity Tele in 2002. I can't seem to be able to adjust the truss rod proper because of a bad inside of the nut. This is typical for many Chinese products I'm afraid. I also have a wonderful 2008-2009 midnight wine Highway One Telecaster. It sounds great. I took it all apart and, put it back together how it should go. I love the grease bucket technology in it. this is one cool sounding Tele. The action on it is very comfortable as well. I really like the Ping tuners on it also. They work great. I'm a Les Paul and Strat guy but, Telecasters are what electric guitars are all about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
