I’m curious what strings y’all use? I noticed in a recent video Alex said he uses 10’s at least on the Telecaster. I started using Diadarrio 11’s a long time ago and have never really thought about it much until just recently. I play both with a pick and do a lot of fingerpicking. I found heavier strings I had to fight with and couldn’t get any really speed out of them. Luckily I am not a shredder so speed isn’t that important, but also I don’t want to feel bogged down. I found lighter strings just didn’t get as thick a tone as I like. I can be fairly brutal in my attack and the 11’s can take a bit of that without going out of tune or breaking. I also found lighter strings to really not feel good especially when I am fingerpicking. I started as a classical guitar player and prefer the strings to feel like a solid foundation. I generally play with only some slap back and or echo. Tremolo thrown in for fun.
I’m not unhappy with the way they play or sound but would be curious to know what strings other players use and what you like and dislike about them.
I also am in no way trying to say the choice I made is right for everyone, or every guitar. Do any of you use different gauges on different guitars? For different styles? If so what and why? Any other thoughts about brands etc would be great to learn about.
I did just buy a set of String Joy strings but have been too busy to try them out.
I generally use D’Addario NYXL. They seem to last significantly longer and I really don’t enjoy changing strings. They are more expensive but the longer life makes up for it.
Regarding gauge, I normally use 10-46, but I’ll switch to 9s or 11s if the mood strikes. My picking hand likes 11s, my fretting hand likes 9s, so the 10s are a compromise.
I actually really like the balanced volume output I get from “Jimi Hendrix” gauge sets (10-38) but NYXL doesn’t offer those. I think bumping that set up a gauge (11-40?) would be a fun experiment.
Generally I use D’Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound 10-46 in all of my guitars. I also play fingerstyle and with a pick, so it’s a happy compromise.
Recently I bought a set of D’Addario EXL115-3D Nickel Wound 11-49, but I haven’t tried them yet. I was curious how 11s will feel, but I’m extremely lazy when it comes to changing strings. 
I feel like different types of strings for different guitars is a must! every guitar has things it does well, and string choice is a big part of that. and you’re gonna play them differently. if you’re playing swing jazz on an archtop, you’re not gonna be bending strings much if at all, but you are gonna want a nice thick tone for the punchy rhythm, so you’re gonna want thicker strings, prob 13s
Interesting to see everyone’s thoughts on this!
So, for me I’m pretty well settled on the following;
- Telecaster - 10 gauge pure nickel, round-core (Pyramid nickel classics or DR Pure Blues being my favourites)
- es335 - D’addario NYXL 11 gauge
- es125 - 12 gauge D’addario EJ21 (pure nickel)
- es175 - 12 gauge Thomastik “Swing” flatwounds
- Martin HD28v - 12 gauge Thomastik “Spectrum” strings or John Pearse Phosphor Bronze
Gibson 335/345/SG - DR Pure Blues 10 Gauge, though my 345 is so slinky I should try the 11…
Tele/Strat - GHS burnished nickel 10 gauge.
I love both these strings and it’s only some strange OCD thing why I put DRs on Gibson and GHS on fender type guitars. I may have deviated once and something did not seem right though probably in my head
Those GHS burnished nickel strings are nice too!.. I used them happily for quite some time! Hard to go wrong with 10 gauge nickel strings on a tele no matter the brand. 