Which Strings?

Cool Rickenbacker vibe on that axe! Anyway, for blues most people suggest thick strings. I personally use whichever ones are on discount.

Thanks Arjen. I'm thinking 9's or 10' because I'm just starting out and therefore still building up strength in my fingers. I could move to something heavier once I've built up some muscle. Also I *think* that the current strings are 9's/10's and I don't want to have to play with the setup too much at the moment.....

GHS Boomer 10's are pretty good. So are the Eleixer Strings, but they cost a few extra dollars.

I'm using the Martin Darco strings because you can get a pack for about $2.50 US online at several places with some cheap shipping. Try this place
http://www.suncreekmusic.com/index.php/manufacturers_id/41

They are quick and pretty cheap on shipping. I just bought 4 packs of the D9600 light/heavy and with shipping it was about $13 with shipping. I've been using that brand for several months now and find them to be quite the bargain with a really good sound.

I'm a D'addario man myself - great price (can usually get them on-line for $3.00 per set). They last a long time, and stay in tune well. I use the XL-110's -- 10/46

get Ernie Ball Super Slinkys 10 -46 in nickel.

these strings are great. not expensive. nd the nickel is smooth on the fingers and adds great tone.

you cant get any sound out of nines. unless you area Malsteen

Thanks for the info so far guys.

I've ordered some 10's from a seller on eBay - they're Electro Harmonix. I've gone for these because they're fairly cheap and I think I'm going to play around with the gauges (starting with 10's, then try some 9's for a while) and see what the differences are in sound and feel.

Once I've sussed out the gauge that I want I think I'll try the D'adds and some Ernie's and maybe play with a few other brands as well (may even splash out on some Elixiers as well!).

Cheap works for me.

I have no brand preference, and usually buy bulk strings from: http://juststrings.com/

Try out as many brands and gauges as you can, since you're starting out - you won't know what's best for you until you've tried several options. I've stumbled onto the brand I use nowadays (Rotosound) by pure coincidence and I've stayed with it since.

Just remember that when you change the gage you might throw the intonation off :wink:

Yup, will do - I'm planning on having a go at dhecking the setup myself so I'll be playing with just about everything as part of that.

I'de throw in 9s first if your gonna try em out. Try those and if you get the sound you want and you like them, leave it at the 9s. If you go to 10s and decide you don't like them, you can groove out your nut too much, and when you put the 9s back in, they will possibly buzz.

I Like both D'addarios and DR strings, I play EJ22's on the D'addarios and whatever the 12s are called for the DR's...haven't tried the colored strings they make yet though...that may be my next purchase :D

Just my 2 cents :D

Fellow GNer telemarker runs a company called http://www.sonicstrings.net/ and has sampler pack available on his web site. 5 different brands in whatever guage you choose.

I expect other places may have a similar deal available. Sounds like a good way to try out a few different sets until you settle on something you like.

Me?
I don't have enough experience to tell much of a differnce yet. :?
I have used Ernie Ball, Darco, Dean Markley and "store brand" from a local music shop, and I haven't noticed major suckage from any of them.
None have jumped out and said "I'm the one" either.

I expect I'll just keep trying different brands until I find something that I can't live without. Or until I decide that the $4/pack strings don't sound much differnt than the $10 ones.