The Fender Stratocaster is a classic and iconic electric guitar. If you play one, you know how incredible they are, from their designs to their sounds. If you are on the market for some new strings for your Stratocaster, you have come to the right place. Read on for the complete guide to finding the best strings for your Strat.
How To Choose the Best Strings for Your Strat
Determining which guitar strings will work best for you and your Stratocaster relies on three things:
- Gauge
- Winding method
- Material
These three aspects of a string will make or break your guitar playing experience. They have to be strong, of the right material for your calloused or un-calloused fingers and must be right for your genre.
Typically, the best strings for a Stratocaster are made of nickel, have a round winding method, and have a light to medium gauge. But, this all depends on player style, tuning preferences, experience, and genre. The following sections will help you discern for yourself which gauge sizes, winding methods, and materials are right for you.
Gauge
The first thing you must consider is the gauge size. Gauge is the thickness of the string, measured in thousandths of an inch. Light gauges are typically .009-.042. Lighter gauges are good for beginners because they are easier to play and sound incredibly bright. However, lighter gauges tend to break easily and are not as loud.
Heavier gauges are louder and allow for more sustain. They are harder on your hands but last much longer than light gauges. They are also much more durable. Heavy gauges are typically used by metal and jazz players, and medium gauges are typically used by blues and rock players. Light gauges are best for speed runs and fast chords.
Winding Method
The way a string is wound (or if it lacks winding at all) determines much of your Stratocaster’s sound and playability. The two main types of winding typically found on guitar strings are round-wound and flat-wound. Round-wound is the most common.
Round-winding is the go-to winding method for strings. It has been used for centuries and creates a bright sound, and allows more sustain. Round-wound strings tend to have more bite and more attack than flat-wound strings. They are also a bit harsher on the hands than flat-wound strings.
Flat-wound strings, on the other hand, are smoother and have a darker sound. They typically are wound around hex cores. These strings are more popular among jazz and blues players because of their dark tones. They are also easier on the fingertips.
Material
The three most common materials that guitar strings are made from are:
- Nickel-plated steel
- Pure nickel
- Stainless steel
Most strings have a steel base, but are wound with different materials to produce different sounds and have different physical feels. Pure nickel has the warmest tone, followed by nickel-plated steel. Nickel-plated steel is the most common choice among electric guitarists because of its durability and versatility.
Stainless steel strings produce the brightest noise of the three, and allow for great sustain, making them the best choice for rock. Nickel strings are warm and are a good choice for jazz artists.
Strings will also come coated or uncoated. Coating on the strings allows for additional strength and protection, but players often complain that this coating takes away from the sound of their guitars, and also feels uncomfortable or even greasy to touch. Some brands have found a great balance between coating, comfort, and sound quality.
Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball guitar strings are very popular among guitar players. Ernie Ball produces strings in a variety of different materials and they come in many different gauge sizes. Most Ernie Ball packages come with three sets because they do tend to wear out easily. They are affordable and popular, making them an obvious top contender.
Ernie Ball strings are lightweight and the wire wrapping is hardly noticeable. These are good strings for beginners whose fingers are not as calloused. Ernie Ball does make some more durable strings, which are made with new technologies. This durability, however, can change the sound from being balanced to being more punchy.
Some of the most popular Ernie Ball strings for electric guitars are as follows:
- Super Slinky: These are made from nickel-plated steel wire. The steel core is hex shaped. They come with .009, .011, .016, .024w, .032, and .042 gauges.
- Regular Slinky Nickel Wound: These have a nickel-plated steel wrap as well, and have a hexagonal steel core. They come in gauge sizes .010, .013, .017p, .026, .036, and .046.
- Cobalt Super Slinky: These strings are punchier than the ones mentioned above, with an increased midrange focus. They also last longer. They are wound with an iron/cobalt alloy and come in gauges .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, and .042.
- Paradigm: Super slinky paradigms are the strongest and most durable strings on this list. They resist rust and resist breakage among even the most aggressive guitarists. They are wound with nickel-plated steel and come in .009-.042 gauges.
Fender
Your Stratocaster was created by Fender, so why not get your strings from Fender too? Fender is highly praised for its strings’ reliability, durability, and sound. Most Fender strings are made from nickel-plated steel, vintage nickel, or stainless steel, and are round wound with ball ends.
Fender strings are praised for their definition and sustained sound. They may not necessarily produce brighter sounds than competitors, but they are high in quality and have many different material and wrapping options for your needs. They are also relatively inexpensive for their quality.
Some of the most popular Fender strings for your Stratocaster are as follows:
- Super 250 Light: These are by far the most popular Fender strings for Strat guitars. These strings are praised highly for their sound and feel. They are round wound, nickel-plated, and have ball ends. They come in gauges .009-.042.
- Super 250R: Super 250 Regulars have the same structure and materials as the lights. They come in gauges .010-.046. Customers describe these as vintage sounding and warm.
- Original Bullet: These have a steel core and are wound with pure nickel, also giving them a vintage sound. Customers rave about their increased sustain and durability. They come in gauges .010-.046.
One of the only downsides to Fender strings is that they tend to wear out faster than other strings. Luckily, they come with three sets per pack, so you will have plenty of backups if one happens to break.
D’Addario
D’Addario strings have been produced for centuries. They are a reliable, iconic brand and heavily rival Ernie Ball. D’Addario’s XL strings are their most popular product for electric guitars, due to their versatility, brightness, and durability. D’Addario also has a line of super-durable strings called NYXL.
D’Addario strings, especially NYXL strings, are known for their tuning stability. They are a bit higher-gauged, so they will be rough on the hands of a novice. They allow for better sustain and make midrange frequencies stand out.
Some of the most popular D’Addario strings for your Stratocaster are:
- XT Nickel Plated Steel: These strings have been created with technologies that make them bendable, tunable, and still extremely durable. Their thin coating protects them while still giving a natural feel. They are made of steel with a nickel coating, have a round wind, and come in gauges .010-.046.
- NYXL1046: These strings are known for their elasticity and durability, so they are a bit more expensive. They have an excellent crunch and their magnetic properties create higher output. They are uncoated and are wound with nickel-plated steel. They have a round wind and come in gauges .010-.046.
- EXL110-3D XL Nickel Wound: These strings are not as durable as the NYXL’s, but are still long-lasting and strong. They have a hexagonal steel core and have a round wind made of nickel-plated steel. They sound bright and are versatile across genres. They have a light gauge of .010-.046.
GHS Strings
GHS strings are made for power and performance. They are typically wound with nickel and have a steel core. Some are made entirely from nickel. The most popular model of the GHS is the Boomer, also known as “The Power String.” These strings are inexpensive but are high in quality and extremely versatile among genres.
GHS’s nitro packs seal each individual string in a nitrogen sealed packet, to ensure that each string is in perfect condition and corrosion-free. This is necessary because GHS strings typically come uncoated. The nitrogen seal promotes the clearest and brightest sounds possible and protects them on the journey from the factory to your home.
Two of GHS’s most popular strings for the Stratocaster are:
- GB-DGF David Gilmour Signature Series: These strings are known for holding their tone much longer than competitors. They are relatively cheap, especially for their quality. These strings are uncoated and round-wound, with a steel core and nickel-plated steel winding. These strings come in unique gauges from .010-.048.
- TC-GBCL Thin Core Boomers: These strings are known for their precision and fast action. They have a smaller core than the David Gilmours, making them great for speed runs. They have hex cores and are round wound with nickel-plated steel. As they are light strings, they come in gauges .009-.046.
Elixir
Typically, adding a coating to a string takes away from its sound. That is not so with Elixir. Elixir prides itself on its strings’ durability due to its coating. Yet, these strings still have an uncoated feel. Elixir strings are typically a bit more expensive than competitors, but for good reason. They have premium quality and will last a long time.
The coating on Elixir strings does not affect their sound. Their sound is indistinguishable from regular, non-coated strings. Because they are coated, they are able to withstand buildup and corrosion. Different lines of Elixir strings will give you different sounds, from crunchy to mellow. They are typically made with nickel-plated steel.
Two of Elixir’s most popular strings for a Stratocaster are:
- Electric Optiweb Light-gauge Strings: These strings come with a super-thin optiweb coating that will significantly lengthen their lives. Despite having a coating, these strings still sound and feel very natural and crisp. They have a steel core and are round wound with nickel-plated steel. Gauge size is .010-.046.
- Nanoweb Light Strings: These strings also have a super-thin coating, similar to Optiweb. However, instead of sounding natural and crisp, their sound is described as more bright and smooth. They also have a steel core and are round wound with nickel-plated steel. Gauge size is .010-.046.
Pure Blues Pure Nickel Wrap Round Core
Pure Blues strings are crafted by the popular company, DR. These are the best strings for blues and jazz artists because DR uses classical crafting techniques that give a warm, vintage feel. Because of this, they may not be the best option for hard rock and metal players.
These strings have great sustain and an unexpected punch. Customers love their warm, bluesy tones, their ability to bend, and their ability to bring out mid and bass tones beautifully. Their nickel material is great for handling and does not produce a lot of extra finger noise while playing.
Because they have a medium gauge and are uncoated, they are easy on the hands. These are great for new guitarists whose hands have not grown calloused. They are also surprisingly durable and long-lasting. Pure Blues strings:
- Are round-wound
- Have a pure nickel winding
- Have a steel core
- Come in gauge sizes .010-.46.
Cleartone 9410 EMP Electric Guitar Strings
The ‘EMP’ in Cleartone EMP stands for enhanced molecular protection. This means that the strings are coated, but at an unnoticeable, molecular level. Guitarists typically complain that coated guitar strings sound or feel different. But Cleartone has created coated strings that have all the perks of protection without sacrificing sound quality.
Customers rave over the output and sound quality of these strings, and some even say that they offer better-coated options than their more popular rival, Elixir. The main complaint that customers had about these was that they do not actually last as long as they were advertised to last.
These strings are meant to have a full sound and not sacrifice brightness for durability. They have a steel core and are round-wound with nickel-plated steel. Their gauges have a standard range of .010-.046. Because of their high-tech coating, they will be a bit more expensive than their uncoated competitors.
Rotosound Ultramag Super Light
Ultramag strings give you strong mid to low outputs. These strings are less for bluesy/jazz players, and more for fast-paced music with complex chords, such as rock. Ultramag is unique in that it uses type 52 alloy in its strings so that they can withstand harsh environments and heavy tuning.
The type 52 alloy used in these strings also resists corrosion. It is extremely strong, making its life on a Strat significantly longer than that of its competitors. The alloy is also highly magnetic, so its output is strong and will produce bright and clear tones.
Ultramag Super Light strings are made with part nickel and part iron, creating the type 52 alloy. They are round-wound and gauge widths are between .009-.042. The Ultramag brand is known mostly for its bass guitar strings, but its super light strings are great for your Stratocaster. Due to the alloy component, these strings are priced higher.
Dunlop DHCN1048 Heavy Core Guitar Strings
These strings are designed specifically for drop and lowered tunings. Dunlop uses specific core wire and wrap ratios so that guitarists can attack while still keeping a tight low end and smooth midrange. These strings are great for a player who wants higher tension at standard tuning or regular tension at dropped tuning.
These heavy core strings add much more punch to your tone and allow for greater sustain. If you are into heavy metal and want to detune your Strat, these are the strings for you. They not only sound great acoustically, but they roar when plugged into an amp. Despite being thicker, these strings are not as harsh on your fingers as one would think.
These strings are durable and resist corrosion. Each set is packaged with moisture protection. They are also sealed in a vapor corrosion inhibitor bag. Because of this, they will arrive just as they were at the factory: untouched, clean, and ready for use.
These Heavy Core Strings:
- Have steel core
- Are round wound with nickel-plated steel
- Are uncoated, but strong
- Come in gauges .010-.048.
SIT Powerwound Nickel Electric Strings
SIT stands for “stay in tune,” and these strings are known for doing just that. Made with a hard-tempered hex core, these strings are made to withstand heavy use and stay in tune after many sessions of use. They come in multiple different gauge sizes, but the lighter strings are going to be the best choice for your Stratocaster.
These strings have a bright tone, mainly due to their sleek and dynamic wrapping. They are flexible and not too hard on the fingertips. These strings are very bendable and great for heavy metal artists. These strings also have an unlimited shelf life and airtight packaging to maintain their premium quality.
These strings are round-wound with nickel-plated steel and have a steel hex core. They are uncoated and their gauge sizes range from .011-.050. They are inexpensive, especially for their quality and longevity.
Optima 24K Gold Plated Electric Guitar Strings
These strings are unique in that they are made of 24K gold. As most guitar strings are made from nickel or steel, it may come as a surprise to you that these strings sound as good as they look. Hand-wound in Germany, these strings will not tarnish or wear, despite heavy playing.
These Optima strings have an incredible bite to them; their tones are very precise and clear. Customers appreciate their longevity and their resistance to losing tone after heavy use. These strings bend well and have a bright sound.
These strings are round-wound, with a hex core. Their winding is plated with 24K gold, and their gauge sizes range from .009 to .046. These strings will cost a bit more, but this is because they are plated with real gold. Many say that the price is indeed worth it because they outlast many of their competitors.
Gibson Vintage Reissue
These Gibson strings are created exactly as they were in the original Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan during the 1950s. They are wrapped very precisely with pure nickel, for utmost stability, just as they were during the Gibson golden era. These strings create a bright, vintage tone that will take you back in time.
The wrapping of these strings makes them durable and able to retain their tone despite heavy use. They bend well and do not require much effort to tune. They are also easy on the hands, as they have a medium gauge. These Gibson strings have incredible sound and are a must-have for anyone looking to emulate a vintage feel.
These Gibson strings:
- Are round-wound
- Have a steel core
- Have pure nickel winding material
- Are uncoated
- Come in gauges .009-.046
Curt Mangan Round Core Nickel Wound Guitar Strings
These round-core strings are not as popular as their competitors, but this is likely because they are lesser-known than other brands like Ernie Ball and Elixir. These strings have a loyal underground following that praises the strings’ tone and ability to stay in tune.
While these strings are great for blues, they work well with a variety of different genres. Customers love that these strings are cheap but premium-made, and outlast other similar brands. This brand does round-cores justice and reminds users why classic rock artists preferred round cores in the first place.
These strings are (obviously) round-wound with nickel-plated steel. They give a balance of vintage and modern tones and sound warm. They come in gauge sizes ranging from .009 to .046 and have competitively low pricing. Customers of these strings often mention in reviews that they will never go back to another string!
Dean Markley 2556 Blue Steel Electric Guitar Strings
Another lesser-known but excellent string brand is Dean Markley. These Dean Markley strings have been treated with cryogenic processing, which realigns the structure of the string at a molecular level. With this treatment, these strings are designed to not only last but produce clear and bright tones.
These strings have been used by big names such as Will Lee, Sarah McLachlan, Metallica, Korn, Fallout Boy, Toby Keith, and more. They are bendable and elastic, making them fun and comfortable to play with. Customers adore their tone and longevity and rave over their ability to stay in tune.
These Dean Markley strings are round-wound and with stainless steel, and have a steel core. Dean Markleys come in many different combinations of gauges and lengths. This particular set is uncoated and comes in gauges ranging from .010 to .046. These are also quite inexpensive, especially for the cryogenic treatment that they come with.
La Bella HRS-73 Nickel Electric Guitar Strings
La Bella strings are designed for aggressive rock. They are flexible and bend well. They also have great sustain and a bright tone. These strings are highly rated by world-famous guitarists such as Willie Nelson and Ron Carter, but you likely have not heard many people fawn over them. They are a lesser-known brand that packs quality.
Many customers love La Bella’s ability to stay in tune. After having been in use for many months, customers say that La Bella has withstood the test of time. They keep their tension and are tightly wound and strong, making them also quite durable. Their prices are competitive and affordable.
These La Bella Strings:
- Are round-wound
- Are wound with nickel-plated steel
- Have a steel core
- Are uncoated
- Come in gauge sizes ranging from .010 to .064
Thomastik-Infeld Power-Brights Heavy Bottom Electric Guitar Strings
These guitar strings have a heavy bottom, meaning that they produce more bassy tones. Their sound is described as full and hard-hitting. The bottoms produce fat and “juicy” tones. They work great with distortion and down tuning and pick up the smallest nuances of your fingertips. Thomastik is a lesser-known but high-quality brand.
Users gush over the feel of these guitar strings. They are incredibly smooth and have great bend. These strings have impressive craftsmanship and will last a long time. Users admit that with other brands, they were replacing their strings every couple of weeks. But with Thomastik, a replacement was required only every few months.
These strings are round-wound with a brass plated/Magnecore alloy. They have a steel core and are uncoated. These strings come in gauges varying from .009 to .046. Because of their Magnecore alloy, they are a bit more expensive. But users say that the price is worth it.
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