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.
I like 9s. I usually use Ernie Ball Super Slinkys or GHS Boomers. They are cheap and they work fine.
Try to do it yourself. It’s really not hard at all especially on a fixed bridge guitar. Just look it up on YouTube.
As for what strings to buy, you’re safe with 9-42 from Ernie Ball and D’Addario. This is the standard string gauge that ships on 25.5” scale guitars like yours and it’s perfect for E standard tuning.
https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-Super-Slinky-Nickel/dp/B0002M6CW6
https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-EXL120-Accordion-Accessory/dp/B0002H0A7E
Amazon also sells 3 packs of D’Addarios for $13.99 which comes out to $4.66/pack.
>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?
Usually guitars come with 9's. Fenders for sure.
I always go with some Ernie Ball Slinky strings
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.)
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.
it came with 9s (per Sweetwater) and EBSS are pretty popular and inexpensive.
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.
According to the question on amazon, it says it comes with 9s so you can get 9-42s. In terms of brand, you can go ernie ball or daddario since those are common recommended brand. If you want to use amazon, you can pick https://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-Super-Slinky-Nickel/dp/B0002M6CW6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ASR70Y8L54BS&dchild=1&keywords=ernie%2Bball%2Belectric%2Bguitar%2Bstrings&qid=1606353526&sprefix=ernie%2Bball%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1&th=1
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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. =)
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.
This is for my electric 6 string http://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-Super-Slinky-Nickel/dp/B0002M6CW6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1428243444&sr=8-2&keywords=ernie+ball+string
and these are for my 8 string http://www.amazon.com/2624-string-electric-skinny-strings/dp/B00LQ0AF3K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1428243476&sr=8-2&keywords=ernie+ball+8+string