Should I change strings on my electric guitar if they are acoustic strings?

Question:I just acquired a used guitar (a Fender Squire Strat), and I suspect there may be acoustic strings already on it:
1) How would I know if they're acoustic strings? Mine are bronze in color.
2) Does it affect playability to have acoustics instead of electric guitar strings? If so, how so?
3) Is it worth changing out the entire set?
4) And if so, which string set would be best for a beginner? (e.g. steel or nickel, diameter, etc...)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I just acquired a used guitar (a Fender Squire Strat), and I suspect there may be acoustic strings already on it:
1) How would I know if they're acoustic strings? Mine are bronze in color.
2) Does it affect playability to have acoustics instead of electric guitar strings? If so, how so?
3) Is it worth changing out the entire set?
4) And if so, which string set would be best for a beginner? (e.g. steel or nickel, diameter, etc...)

Bronze strings do not work as well with pickups. If your strings are bronze or phosphor bronze, you should shcnge them immediately. The thickness should not be an issue unless you are having trouble playing the strings, but the amount of conductivity will be a huge factor. IF you have any doubt, take the guitar in to the shop when you go to pick up the strings and ask the store owner to look at it. I think you will find a huge response difference with the pickups, but the shop owner is going to be able to tell you for sure since the store can plug it in for you before and after to let you hear and the store owner should be able to give you more accurate information based on the type of pickups you have and the type of strings that are on there anyway.

When you buy a new guitar it's generally a good idea to replace the strings anyway since you have no idea how long they've been on and you will generally have a string preference that does not necessarily match the previous owner's. If the strings are bronze wound, it may have been a factor in the sale of the guitar to begin with since the previous owner probably thought the pickups went dead!

Have the guitar inspected while you are at it to make sure the neck is stable and all the hardware is tight. It is usually only an hour or two and usually does not cost an arm and a leg and can save you a lot of grief (and missing small parts) in the long run.

I like the D'Addario half round light strings, but there are any number of good electric guitar strings out there. Some prefer Fender Bullets and some even prefer Ernie Balls. The store should have a few guitars strung up with strings for you to check out before you buy a set. Guitar strings usually only last three to six months anyway, so if you are less fond of the set you get now, it's like a haircut; you get a chance to try another set soon.

Keep a spare set of strings in the case though. The E and D strings are the most likely to wear out first, but you never know which string you are going to bend or pop in reality and it hurts to go a few days to a week with no playing time.

kay if they are acoustic strings only the thinnest two will be unwound steel, otherwise they're electric strings. You should definitely replace them, a pack of D'addario 9 gauge should be fine!

The acoustic guitar strings will probably be very thick compared to electric strings. . Replace them anyway. You should replace guitar strings at least every 6 months. Get a set of 9-42 D'Addarios....they do not cost much ; less than $10 per set..