Fender Strings
Fender has been producing strings for electric guitars and basses since 1957. You can use any string gauge on your guitar, but if you move up a gauge, you may need to adjust the action to compensate for the higher string tension.
When your strings sound flat, don't feel right, or break, you'll know it's time to change them. New strings should sound bright, present, and crisp. As strings wear, they lose the capability to hold tension, making them feel brittle and less able to hit the fret. Humidity and oils from your hands will oxidize and corrode metal strings, affecting their vibration. One of the best and easiest ways to take care of your guitar is to keep it clean. Dirt, dust, sweat, skin oil, spilled beverages, smoke, and other wear can age strings quickly. Basic cleaning and care go a long way toward keeping your strings playing their best.
Most Fender electric guitars ship with Super 250L (.009-.042) ball-end light gauge strings. Light strings may be best for fast leads, while medium gauges are best for blues and heavy gauges for jazz. Fender electric guitar strings feature low E, A, and D strings wound with various alloys, while the G, B, and high E strings are plain steel.
Fender acoustic guitar strings come in wound with alloys such as 80/20 Bronze, Phosphor Bronze, and Dura-ToneĀ® Coated, all designed to provide a balanced and natural tone. Most Fender acoustic guitars ship with 80/20 Bronze light gauge (.012-.0.52) strings. The gauge of your strings influences the tension exerted on your acoustic guitar's neck, so the larger the body, the heavier the gauge it can handle. Some acoustic players also prefer phosphor bronze (either coated or non-coated) for a slightly warmer tone. The right strings may be the key to finding your acoustic tone. For a bright and ringing tone, try 80/20 bronze strings. On the other hand, phosphor strings are warm and rich with a crisp bite, while silk and steel strings are gentler and mellow.
Consider new bass strings after 3-4 months. Most Fender basses ship with 7250 medium gauge bass strings. These are perfect for rock, blues, and more. Use short-scale strings if you are playing a short-scale Mustang Bass. Beginner bassists may prefer easier to play lighter gauges. Vintage nickel strings are enjoyed by blues and jazz players for their warmth and subdued sound. Stainless steel brings a bright tone and excellent sustain for rock and metal. Nickel-plated steel is a great middle-ground for warmth, brightness, and fast attack.
Flatwound Bass strings have a steel core string wrapped with a flat wire for a smooth feel and warm, mellow jazz/Motown tone. "Flats" also don't chew up fingerboards as much as roundwound strings, making them ideal for fretless basses. Another choice is tape-wound bass strings, made with a layer of nylon wrapped around the metal string. These are easy on the fingers and produce a softer, darker sound, the closest thing to an upright bass tone and feel. If you see a bass with smooth black strings, those are undoubtedly tape-wound strings.