You can get a 3 pack of D'addario XLs for $14. Get one of those each year and you can change your strings every four months.
I like 9s. I usually use Ernie Ball Super Slinkys or GHS Boomers. They are cheap and they work fine.
Ah, I lied! I did replace it with a 9. These are what I ordered - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002M6CW6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_34K4C5395AJGW4VXDYVR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
The 12/48 were for my Les paul. I searched my Amazon order history for recent guitar strings I purchased and grabbed the wrong ones haha.
>what are string gauges
The thickness of the strings. You can buy packs with thicknesses depending on personal preference.
>how do I know if the strings are light gauges?
You look at the numbers on the packaging. For strings that are as "really light" (meaning thinner than normal) as they're suggesting, you would want to get strings that range from 0.008-0.038 or 0.009-0.042
https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-Super-Slinky-Nickel/dp/B0002M6CW6
https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-Extra-Slinky-Nickel/dp/B000MFN8B6/ref=sr_1_1?
Strings are "typically" replaced every 3 months or so. Something like this is super common. If you're not sure on the string size, .009s, .010s... look up your guitar on Sweetwater.com or the manufacturer site and it'll have that info.
It really isn't that hard, there are plenty of well made videos on youtube and you really can't mess up your guitar in any way if you incorrectly change the strings. Just make sure you put the right thickness strings in the right order (on the string package), and get some decent strings. Try these maybe? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EEJ91I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_D18SB31K8XSN59EZ55P6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Edit: you only need wire cutters, and if you don't have any (which you probably should), they are >$10 at home depot
Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings. https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-Super-Slinky-Nickel/dp/B0002M6CW6
If you're trying to flip them around to play righty, just take the nut off and flip it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRnN6_uDnXc
Good luck.
If you get that guitar (or any other guitar) consider going to your local shop and getting the guitar 'set up.' which is like a tune up for a car to make sure the car is in working order.
Here's the youtube for the Squire you are looking at. You don't have to do this yourself but if you watch the video on 2x, you can see what you are playing for. Start with the strings as low as possible if you can.
Suggestions.... get very light strings (Super Slinky Linky) and your new guitar fingers will love you. You can always go heavier later. You can also get those at your local guitar shop.
I play with lots of different headphones just fine....as u/Guddler said, watch the volume, I always turn the guitar on, then play before I put the earphones on.
If your cable stops working for any reason........buy a new one. Don't buy a hub, don't try and troubleshoot. The cable is going to be broken (I'm 6 cables in from the start of Rocksmith, but I'm probably 20 hours into trying to troubleshoot a broken cable with computer mods, which was a waste of time.... just buy the new cable.)
That's the best part of this question - they are color-coded to use with Rocksmith.
The gauge is just how think the strings are, typically they go up in similar jumps so when you say 9,10, 11 etc thats the thinkness of the first string.
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - 9-42 Gauge https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002M6CW6/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_55Z2BQSERP43Z6N479V5
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Electric Guitar Strings - includes 6 free plectrums https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012GVRINM/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_BCKSFM4GV5303WSN1KNM
As you can see in these the gauges are
9,11,16,24,32,42
10,13,17,26,36,46
I find 9s are very very light and I have to super soft, they are good for beginners (not the only reason to use them). Its good to change it up and try different things, I have quite a few guitars and i have 1 set up with 9s in standard tuning.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CAV0TRQ/ref=twister_B09G5MZVVZ?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
That would work right? I can't find pics of the strings itself
10s refer to the smallest string being .010 and that usually means the largest is around .046. Often they are referred to as 10-46. This is an electric guitar size of strings, but should be plenty safe for your old classic.
D'Addario EXL110-3D Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, Regular Light, 10-46.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EEJ91I/
If you find those too light for your taste, move up to 12s - 12-53 perhaps like this:
D’Addario EJ16-3D Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings, Light Tension
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OR2RNM/
One hint, change one string at a time to keep the floating bridge in place. And lightly lube the machine tuners with light oil if it hasn’t been done in decades as I expect.
I use this https://www.amazon.it/Ernie-Ball-guitare-%C3%A9lectrique-calibre/dp/B00CAV0TRQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=ernie+ball+10+46&qid=1629047475&sr=8-2 on all of my 8 electric guitars. Properly clean fretboard first, keep your hands clean before playing, they'll be ok for more than you expect. My average is 8 months before they lose a bit of brilliance, cheap enough to change them, but for less demanding average user I guess they can last over a year. Much depends on personal use, sweat etc, this is my experience.
it came with 9s (per Sweetwater) and EBSS are pretty popular and inexpensive.
Ernie Ball 3 packs are usually like $13 on amazon. Best bang for your buck.
That's a bit heavy. Won't break your guitar, but you know you can get "Ernie Ball Skinny Top Beefy Bottoms" 10 on the high E but 54 on the low E.
You're gonna love it. I started playing today and played for 4 hours straight.
I bought the game for $40 on sale on Amazon last week. Do be careful and don't screw up where I did being careless. When you're calibrating the strings before it lets you play, it'll say "Strum harder/louder" - be careful- and ignore the bastard repeating it. You can keep strumming at a safe rate and it'll eventually climb. Make sure your volume controls and tone knobs are all the way up so it reads properly.
I mistakenly snapped my high e string and had to wait 4 days for a new set of strings. I listened without paying attention, then snap.
If you're not a guitarist and could use new strings, they're very easy to install. If you have a pair of wire cutters, it makes it very simple.
Follow this video tutorial here, and skip having to pay someone else to do it for you. Plus, its a handy skill to learn bro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CtqfHmssx8
On a sidenote, here are a [baller set of strings](www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002M6CW6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I picked up to replace my old ones after the snap. Took 3-4 days for shipping, so go ahead and get a pack or visit a music shop. Didn't have one close enough to me to visit, personally. - see the side Russo Music Center, they're $5.00 and free shipping.
Theres a code for %10 off if you order through their website I can share. Web10 is the code. =)
Just to add to the thoughts below: consider the strings to be your interface to the instrument's sound. If strings are caked with dirt/rusting/flaking, you are not going to interface very well with the guitar. At the price of a decent set of strings - a pack of three full sets of D'addario XL's will set you back $13 from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-EXL110-3D-Electric-Strings-Regular/dp/B000EEJ91I?th=1).
​
One other thing that you should note; strings come in different thicknesses. The ones I linked above should be the Regular-Light (10-46), which are the typical gauge I've seen on new guitars without a trem. Your own needs may vary though.
Check out the dunlop reverend willy strings, they are somehow associated with Billy Gibbons and they are like rubber bands. They are personally a little too light for my taste but I don't think you can snap them without a knife https://www.amazon.com/Dunlop-RWN0738-Reverend-Electric-Strings/dp/B003B1OTCK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Q27QBZBZ1Z48&dchild=1&keywords=billy+gibbons+guitar+strings&qid=1603571999&sprefix=billy+gibb%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1 edit. ling
Since you mentioned EB and I have heard of it before- I found these but it seems you can't pick different thicknesses on Amazon?
I have no basis though because I've never used any other strings
Should I try getting a couple different kinds of strings?
I found these but it seems you can't pick different thicknesses on Amazon?
IIRC, BB King was famous for playing 8 gauge strings. He once said to Billy Gibbons "Why you working so hard?" after playing his guitar with heavy strings on it.
And now.. You can get Billy Gibbons signature 7 gauge strings. https://www.amazon.com/Dunlop-RWN0738-Reverend-Electric-Strings/dp/B003B1OTCK
I'm using Ernie Ball's "not even slinky" https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-Slinky-Nickel-Wound/dp/B0002E1J3Q some of the heavier strings I've come across. I ended up filling all 5 spaces with springs and backing off the adjustment screws about 3/4 of an inch, everything is perfectly flat now and the floyd rose requires a little extra push to get goin, which I think is a good thing.
Going from E to C is going to be imperfect to say the least.
That's a real big jump and your action will be not "optimal". You'll have to set the action high enough on E Standard so when you drop it to C that it'll be high enough to not cause fret buzz.
Regardless, you can experiment and see if you can live with it. The D'addarios 11-56 are great strings for such extreme drop tuning (and you can live with 11 in E Standard). All it takes is a pack of strings and a truss rod adjustment and action adjustment. Take it to a Luthier (~$50) if you don't know how to do this yourself (search for one on Yelp.com).
....As someone also mentioned, the Digitech Drop would be another option.....
Best for downtuning (I use these for my LP):
You don't need to go to 12-57 for Drop C. That's a bit more than necessary.
Put on a set of Daddario 11/56 which are meant for Drop tuning in D Standard. They work great at those level and are not so stiff.
It's what I use on a Gibson 24.75" neck and the work great.
If you have a longer scale 25.5" neck, go a bit less like 10-54 or 11-54.
I use these for my E-standard tuned guitar: https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-2626-Slinky-Nickel/dp/B0002M6CW6?th=1
You can go even thinner with the Extra Slinkys if you want, but the Super Slinkys are already quite easy on the fingers.
Without knowing anything about the type of guitar, what songs are played, rhythm, lead, etc...
D'Addarios are a safe bet. Super Lights are better if you're a lead player, or a newbie with sensitive fingers. Extra Lights are a bit thicker/stronger and would be a great choice for rhythm or conditioned fingers.
Note: those are 3-pack prices. Always nice to have extra strings in case one breaks.
Well, I'm a bit late replying, but I suppose it's better late than never.
In the video Pete is using both a micro guitar and hilariously thing strings (7-38 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003B1OTCK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003B1OTCK&linkCode=as2&tag=petcotyoucha-20&linkId=KDHQWVM2G7IJSX7M) So realistically, unless you're gonna use both of them, I don't see it happening on a full size guitar sadly.