Question about strings

I have been playing about 6-7 months now and I have two guitars--a Gibson Les Paul, and a Fender Stratocaster. I figure at some point I should probably look to replace the strings or at least get a backup set in case one breaks. I was just curious--when I replace the strings, are there any recommendations as to what I should use? Both still have the stock strings (which I believe on the Gibson are 10-46 and the Fender are 9-46...at least according to what I read on the internet).

I had a friend recommend me getting a hybrid set from either D'addario or GHS boomers that have smaller guage high strings and a larger guage low strings, but he told me they were sets of 9-58 which I can't find anywhere.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi Docash,

Strings are really up to the player. I like using really really light strings on my Fender Strat. I use 9-42.

I love elixir strings because they generally last a very long time, though, they are on the pricier side. Check them out here:http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/elixir-electric-guitar-strings-with-nanoweb-coating-super-light-.009-.042

I'm also a big fan of D'addario, they're always a solid choice.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/daddario-exl120-nickel-super-light-electric-guitar-strings-3-pack

I've been experimenting with different brand and gauge strings on my guitars for a while now and have settled on Rotosound blues which are light top heavy bottom gauge 10-52. This gauge seem to fit my playing style really well and I've found Rotosound to be a very consistent brand of strings.

I'd recommend you try out a few different manufacturers and gauges to find the one you like best.

You should check these. Both from GHS[br]https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GBCL[br]https://musicsquare.co.uk/157195_GHS-Infinity-Steel-electric-guitar-strings-942.html

The big problem seems to be that we can try out all different styles of guitars but when it comes to strings we really can't. It's not like the local guitar store has one of every style of common guitar with with every set of strings. We're stuck with buy a new set of strings, put them on our guitar and hope they sound good (if they don't, then we either wait and replace them with another new set or replace them right away). Strings aren't like amps or effects, videos really don't do them justice because of different play styles. We can only get a "feel" for them after we play them when they're broken in.