Fender Jazz Strings (Mex/USA)

[watchitmike]

Here's my current string dilemma:

I played a Fender Standard Jazz bass for 7 years. According to the Fender website, the Mexican Jazz comes strung with Super Bass 7250ML, NPS, (.045-.100 Gauges). That has always been my gauge of choice but I prefer a stainless steel string to nickel so I've been using the D'Addario ProSteels Regular Light Gauge (45-65-80-100).

I recently switched to an American Standard Jazz bass and decided to get some use out of the stock strings, even though I figured they were nickel. Now I have some big shows coming up and I want to put a fresh steel set on. I checked on the Fender website and it lists the stock string as Super Bass 8250M, NPS, (.045, .065, .085, .110TW Gauges). I'm wondering if anyone can confirm this because:

1. I just assumed the USA came strung with the same gauge as the Mex and didn't notice any difference in feel.
2. This is a really odd combination of gauges. Almost every company makes a 45-105 and a 50-110 set.

Unfortunately the bass is in NY right now and I'm in Philly until Tuesday. Anybody have any knowledge on the subject?

Thank you!

[Catbuster]

Yup, the stock strings are a .110 E. They're the first set of Fender strings I enjoy

[watchitmike]

Originally Posted by Catbuster

Yup, the stock strings are a .110 E. They're the first set of Fender strings I enjoy

Thanks for confirming that! If anything, this makes me more unsure of what to put on next. I thought this gauge sounded good on the bass but I still want to go with a stainless.

[michael_t]

The Fender 7250 45-65-80-100 set probably would feel similar to the D'A Pro Steels in that they're both hex-core.

The Fender 8250 45-65-85-110TW set, on the other hand, are unique in that they are round-core (meaning not as stiff as hex-core) and the 110TW is specifically designed for the string-thru-body on the American Standard.

By the way, if you like the 8250 set (with round core) but prefer SS, you might also want to try the DR Hi Beams 45-65-85-105, which are also round-core but without the taperwound E.