Looking For A "Light-Thin-Soft" Type Of Strings

[Jimmy25]

Hey Everyone, I'm looking for a "light-thin-soft-strings" that's easy for fingers and bending. meaning not the "heavy-thick-hard-strings" as I'm only an intermediate player and my fingers still need some practice to increase strength, and besides I don't really play heavy music. In this case, what would be a good brand you guys would suggest for "light-thin-soft-strings" ?
BTW. it's for my "Fender 57 Reissue Stratocaster Made In Japan Since 1993 maple neck"

Any Help Will Be Highly Appreciated. THANK YOU. =D

[Rockprocess]

I would highly recommend Ernie Ball Slinky 9's. They work great on my strat and allow super easy bends.

[ef_in_fla]

You might even like the Slinky 8's.

[Jimmy25]

thinking of 09-.42 gauge in these brand at the moment:
D'Addario ; ELIXIR ; Ernie Ball
just wondering, if it's the same 09-.42 gauge,
are these brands in any way different/better from each other?

[dazco]

Definately ernie balls. They 10 set fells almost like a 9 set. They aren't called "slinkies" for nothing ! Seriously, i was using d'addarios for years and have used some other at times too. Recently i tried EB's which i haven't used for decades and was surprised to find how they felt so much easier to fret and bend. A set of 9's would be too slinkie for me, but if you want REAL low tension that'll do it for you big time. I'd start with a 10 set tho, as they will not break near as easily and give a more solid sound and allow a lower action before buzzing. Then if you want even slinkier try 9's. But i'd recommend trying 10's first. They're plenty slinky.I also feel the tome of the EB's is better balanced than D'addarios.

[Jimmy25]

Did some google search and here's what I got:
Elixirs last longer, however they cost more so the actual benefit is probably minimal.
Ernie Ball soft but starts to sound dead in a short period of time and breaks easily.
D'Addario descent price. last for a good amount of time. sounds bright.

I've made my decision! D'Addario .09-.42 it is!! cheers guys : )

[dazco]

I haven't noticed any of that at all with EB's. They may break more in some hands, but so far i haven't found that at all, nor the dead sound issue. Not in the least. Maybe those with acidic body chemistry....i just dunno, but for me no issues at all. Weird ! (and I no longer gig so I don't change strings for months)

[s2y]

If you really want to go easy on the fingers, switching to a scale length shorter than 25.5" can help. A flatter fingerboard can also allow for lower action.

[brianr0131]

man up and grab some .13s

EB Slinky .09s should work well for you

[buddastrat]

Do you guys really find a difference in "slinkiness" with EB? I've used EB's, Daddarios and Fenders, Dean Markleys interchangeably and never notice one brand more/less taut feeling than the other when comparing same gauges. new strings of course will have slicker feel, since no corrosion has started. Is there a tension chart somewhere showing the difference? I've only seen Daddario list the tension on their strings though.

I do find much more diff of feel and tone between the type for ex. all nickel and nickel wrapped even between same brand.

[Jimmy25]

yeah.. I got this similar question in mind also...
Ernie Ball and D'Addario, both D'Addario .09-.42, same gauges.
In terms of bending and pressing chords generally easier for the fingers
is the difference literally HUGE or actually just minimal ???
and perhaps it doesn't really matter as long as they're .09-.45 gauges..?

[Tone_Terrific]

Originally Posted by buddastrat

Do you guys really find a difference in "slinkiness" with EB? I've used EB's, Daddarios and Fenders, Dean Markleys interchangeably and never notice one brand more/less taut feeling than the other when comparing same gauges. new strings of course will have slicker feel, since no corrosion has started. Is there a tension chart somewhere showing the difference? I've only seen Daddario list the tension on their strings though.

I do find much more diff of feel and tone between the type for ex. all nickel and nickel wrapped even between same brand.

I'd like to see that, too.
AFAIK, all plain strings are of similar metal and produce about the same tension (at the same gauge). Anybody have info?

[EADGBE]

GHS boomers 8-38.

[BigPapiFan]

The "softest" electric strings I have tried are Thomastic-Infeld Blues Slides; they are available in 9 - 43 gauge.

[Gevalt]

GHS Nickel Rockers are the softest strings I've ever touched, and I'm on my 4th set of 'em now, and not going back.
Rollerwound, and oh-so-smooth. I play a .052 E, and it feels sweet! The Ernie Ball 0.050 was way rougher.