string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

C

cheechi

New member
I got a Squier CV 50's tele recently. It has a pine body for really old school sound. For now I'm leaving it stock though at some point I will probably swap the pups for noiseless vintage.

I have always been partial to Roto strings on my bass, so that's where I will always look first for guitar strings too. This guitar comes with 9's and not really being a guitarist I can't really feel the difference. This particular guitar is going to get tuned open G for Keith Richards style (but keeping the six strings) or for a slide. I don't know if it will be permanently tuned that way. What string size recommendation would you give for either of those (or is there something that would work for both?) and if a change in the setup or action is needed.

Thanks.
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

Well, if you want a really vintage sound, try using a wound 3rd string. I don't like it, but there are many that do- that was all that was around back then.
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

For a vintage sound I like dr pure blues 11 gauge but the wound 3rd string would be more vintage correct. If you are doing an open g tuning. I might make up a custom set since a normal set will have weird tension. 12/14/18/28/40/54
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

If you're going for the Keith Richards sound, I recommend the DR Blues strings (10-52). I have a '52 AVRI which I've done the same with - open G tuning (without the 6th string).
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

Thanks guys I am going to try these out one by one. While I mentioned keef style, I do plan to keep 6 on there (although I break the high e every time I play it seems) I had considered the 4th wound string also and may look into making more of a hybrid/custom type set after some experimentation.
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

Pick a gauge you like and simply play. Strings are entirely personal, and threads on 'what strings are best' usually gets a few nods for every string brand in current production within short order.
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

You're right. My choice of strings are Roto 66 bass strings.

I am more looking for guidance as a non guitarist, rather than treating this as scripture. I am grateful for the suggestions even if they are only going to tell me what I don't like.
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

If the gauges all feel the same to you, go for heavier ones. Aside from being more vintage correct, they'll yield better tone & output and the high E will be less likely to snap on you every time.

As I remember, the Rotosound guitar strings are flexible and quite bright. Don't know whether they're still made with Swedish steel the way they used to be back in the 70s. But my recommendation would be pure nickel wound for vintage type tones. It's true that in the old days all sets had a wound G string, but most modern players aren't comfortable with that.
 
Last edited:
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

I'm thinking you should look into the NYXL's by Dadarrio. I find these strings to be the best all around strings I have ever strung a guitar with. I don't care what kind of music you want to play with them, they are not locked into one style of music. They are incredibly neutral and have a worn in sound right out of the package. That is a very attractive feature as they are not overly bright and then dull to a killer tone for a while then dull out like just about everything on the market. These damn things come out of the package with that perfect tone after you break in your tipical stings you love, hold on to that tone for longer then anything I have ever used over the last 35 years and then when they finally start to dull out , they do it gracefully. They fade away easy and allow you to decide when you want to replace them. They are simply amazing and just go get a pack and try them out.
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

I think I remember a local shop selling NY XL's for cheap. Don't know what gages but I might go pick some up. Those DR blues are on the list to order as well as some Roto 12's since their 12's have the wound G.

Generally Roto steels are very bright. Don't know how their nickels sound on guitar but I'm going to try that out too. I was out today and picked up some DR dragon skin 10's so we'll see how they feel.
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

Also, a change of action would be needed for a dedicated slide guitar. Medium high would work. Even just above what I'd consider low action would work for me, but I play with a really light touch.
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

yeah being used to bass I will inevitably be raising the action some, even if it was just 'by accident' during a string change. What feels right to me on guitar is probably what you'd call medium action.
 
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

Personally, I run either pure nickel or nickel plated S.I.T. 9-42s for me Tele. The whole point of the Tele to me is maximum TWANG, and I found that I lost a lot of it when using my standard 10-46 set, so for the first time in ~20 years, I went back to 9s. Gladly. :D I've also used some Rotosound Orange 9-42s on the Tele with success.

I like the Tele for emulating early Zepplin, the twangy roar of the MC5 live album Kick out the Jams, early Pink Floyd, and the general rhythm section feel of Rage Against the Machine (although I can't tolerate their politics....). Also like what Jeff Buckley did with the Tele.
 
Last edited:
Re: string recommendation for 'vintage' tele

guitar strings are cheap. Try a few gauges and go with what you prefer after playing a few different sets. Same goes for picks.
I use ernie ball 10s mainly because they are not expensive, you can buy them anywhere and i like the graphics on the packaging. You might prefer heavier if you are going to mainly play slide. If you are doing a lot of slide, it is good to have a higher action too. What is best is going to depend on some trial and error and adjustment on your part over time.
Action height and truss rod depend on how you play. If it buzzes too much, raise it. If it is too high and uncomfortable, lower it until you find a happy medium. For slide, a bit higher is usually necessary so the slide does not knock on the frets, but too high and it will be difficult to play regular style. Again, play it a lot, and adjust things over time.
Don't lose too much sleep over brands. They all need changing fairly regularly to sound their best.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top