Best strings for an acoustic guitar

I am interested in most of the techniques associated with the acoustic guitar, like finger picking, flat picking and strumming. I have a vintage Martin guitar, and I was wondering what strings would work best (light, medium, etc.). Also I would like to know a little about nylon string guitars and how they work with those techniques.
Thank you,
Donna

As for techniques, this website will be able to help ya!

As for strings, I personally like:

http://www.amazon.com/Elixir-Nanoweb-Bronze-Acoustic-Strings/dp/B0002E1O2C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1281109725&sr=8-2

They are a tad more spendy than average but its definitely worth it. Assuming your a beginner you want to start with light strings, it makes things a little easier. I have been playing for years now, and I still struggle with a heavy gauge for acoustic honestly...

As for nylon strings, I dont know enough to point you in a certain direction. Others are going to have to chime in on that...

I've tried all sorts of strings ended up enjoying martin light strings but everyone has their preferences . anyways I heard darrio's are pretty good but I tried their medium strings and didn't like them overall .


And so when I wanted to get a pack of light strings I decided to buy martin's which are the only strings I buy pretty much now

Here's a link to the martin strings

http://www.amazon.com/Martin-Ac-Light-Strings-12-54/dp/B000Q82G4E/ref=sr_1_10?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1281110648&sr=1-10

I personally like Ernie Ball Earthwood Light Gauge Strings, 11-52. They sound good, and are around $5.00 a set. as for Nylon strings. You will need a classical guitar to use them properly, they will not go on a guitar made for steel strings.When you play a classical guitar, you will be fingerpicking to play it properly. Martin makes a string with a nylon core inside the steel, they are easier on the fingers.

Hey thank you J. Steele for the helpful information. I think I might be interested in learning how to play some classical guitar music. I have a vintage Martin right now, and your post has inspired me to look into a classical nylon string guitar. Thanks again.

I like to use Elixer strings. Expensive but clear and long lasting.

As far as what size string to get, that is a personal preference. If I was starting out, and had a vintage martin guitar, I would take it to the best guitar place you can find, and talk to them about it, because they can set up your guitar for a certain gauge, so there are no string buzzes, and so that you can have them check the neck for you and just do a general setup. They can help you decide what gauge string to use. The same goes for what kind. You will have to try them and decide for yourself what sounds, and feels best. But go to a good guitar place and have them help you, and setup your guitar. Its not very expensive to do.