Which guitar strings are the best?

Question:I've only been playing since last summer, and I need new strings. I have a First Act acoustic (it has the dreadnot shape) and I play/practice about 2-3 times a week for about 30-90mins. Which brand of strings are the best (if it helps, I play with medium Fender picks)? Also, my aunt is getting me a starter electric guitar kit (we missed the Christmas stock). Which guitar is better to start with, a Fender Strat or Epiphone (it's shaped kind of like a strat... but I think it's called a SG or something)? I was going to go with another First Act, but I heard their electric guitars suck (although their acoustics suprisingly sound great!).

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've only been playing since last summer, and I need new strings. I have a First Act acoustic (it has the dreadnot shape) and I play/practice about 2-3 times a week for about 30-90mins. Which brand of strings are the best (if it helps, I play with medium Fender picks)? Also, my aunt is getting me a starter electric guitar kit (we missed the Christmas stock). Which guitar is better to start with, a Fender Strat or Epiphone (it's shaped kind of like a strat... but I think it's called a SG or something)? I was going to go with another First Act, but I heard their electric guitars suck (although their acoustics suprisingly sound great!).

Congratulations on catching the playing bug. You should be proud of yourself for showing this level of commitment. Believe me, your progress will be much quicker and enjoyable.

Strings - Gibson, Martin, D'addario, Elixir. Shops can do the install for a nominal fee. Also no one string maker is best for all instruments. Each of my instruments have their preference.

Picks - some independent guitar shops will let you purchase individual picks. Go buy a handful and see what feels best to you. I like using Fender mediums in the large and the tear drop shape. I've also used quarters, poker chips, broken glass.

Fender Squire or Epiphone SG - as one poster mentioned, always sit down and try them out.

You should be aware of:
1. Weight - can you handle it comfortably. People have complained about sore shoulders and necks from lugging electrics around.
2. Balance - I've played guitars that were so unbalanced that you spend much of your effort holding up the necks. This is an unnecessary distraction.
3. Playability - string action or height of the string to the fretboard is important. You ought to able to make chords and finger notes without cutting your hands. The good thing is all electrics can be setup to suit you, so don't forget to ask.

If you are a girl with smallish hands, I would recommend checking out www.daisytrock.com as they design and build smaller guitars for girls.

Good luck, AK

First Acts... bought at Wal-Mart... SUCK. I bought one at a yard sale, wondering if I could get a $100 guitar that I paid $5 for to sound like my $1100 Alvarez... I COULDN'T.

I have tried every string I could find on the Internet on that piece of junk and finally just gave up on it and put it on the wall.

The perfect guitar for you is whichever one FEELS right to you... because you should NEVER buy ANY guitar that you do not play first.

Either the Fender or the Epiphone would probably do for you... I wouldn't buy either one of them... but then I don't play $100 guitars.

Epiphone has a nice sound and it's not too bad for a cheap guitar.

Oh... on final thing... I use D'addario EXP 45's for strings because I like the sound and they wear like cast iron.

The type of acoustic guitar string that you should use should have greatly affects the overall sound of your guitar. Nobody knows that better than Gibson Strings.
a full line of acoustic guitar strings that utilize the highest quality alloys to satisfy the most demanding player.

The best are either D'addario Phosphor Bronze or Elixirs. They can be pricey though.

Fot the electric then the best advice is to go to the music store and hold and strum all the guitars you can in your price range. Buy the one that feels and sounds the best. Hopefully you can get someone who knows how to play to come with you.

Ask someone over at a guitar center.