I guess the question too here is. Do you notice any sound difference in difference gauges or is it just feel? Like I stick with “Light” strings. is there any reason I should not move to XL? will they break more? Will I get out of tune notes because I accidently bend the notes? Why not just go as light as possible? Did I just sign on to Light and I am stuck there forever? If I put mediums will it prevent visitors from touching my guitar 
?
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Yes, for sure. Lighter strings are much easier to play and therefore I play better and it just sounds better. I also make faster progress when learning something new.
I am in the lightest-strings-possible camp. If I could hear any difference in tone (which I’m not sure that I can), it would be negligible compared to the benefits of better playability.
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In Justin’s comparison of string gauge it didn’t make a lot of difference to tone if I remember correctly.
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Yup, me too.
All D’Addario. Electric (ES-335 & Strat): 10/46 NYXLs; Dreadnaught acoustic: 12/53 EJ16-3D; Classical (nylon): 28/43 Pro-Arte.
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Mainly 9 for electric and 10 for acoustic …but I do use 10s on my L P at the moment as it seem to work much better with an Ebow thingy - makes the string vibrate much better. However just got a Matt from Muse Manson MB2 so probably change it back to 9s. The Manson was fitted with 10s as standard … Justin has done a video on strings …and he has moved from 10s to 9s very interesting watch if you can find it.
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I think I’ve seen the full video, entertaining and fun.
Electric:
Started with 10’s - too hard on my fingers
Switched to 9’s - still too hard on my fingers
Switched to 8’s - much better, I could get enough practice time in before my fingers hurt
Switched to 9’s - I was starting to inadvertently bend and fret notes sharp with 8’s
Switched to 10’s - I was starting to inadvertently bend and fret notes sharp with 9’s
YMMV
I think you should change your username to “Poll Dancer”!!! 
Tod
9.5s on quite a few of my electric stable. Why are these not in your poll ??
I wrote the “standard” gauges. I mean, imagine if I have to write all combinations…
This is exactly why polls don’t work. They never have all the combinations
Recently purchased a guitar from a someone who makes money performing.
I commented on the increased stress of using the medium strings that came on the guitar compared to the light strings I’m used to.
He said the sound of mediums was superior.
Maybe that’s because of the environments he performs in: he needs to strum harder (or he needs to get an amp that goes to 11). I say the pain of the mediums is inferior
My newbie two bits: if it promotes more pleasure playing, go with whatever makes you, the player, happier.
It’s like choosing a shade a white for your walls:
it may matter to you which shade of white you choose (and you may enjoy the process of making a choice), but those who see the painted walls will not, in all likelihood, even notice the white at all [unless they have a fine sense of color/colour]
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Don’t overthink man, pick one that’s the closest 
Yes Rick @stitch , how simple can it be? If you play with 10.5, just check 10 and box 11…
Just kidding Renan … after almost to have choked on my tea laughing 
Greetings
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Let’s remember that musical instruments are just tools to make art, there’s no “better”, it’s all personal preference and/or the goal one wants to achieve.
I play acoustic guitar because I just prefer it (and also because I don’t have money to buy a decent electric guitar with a decent amp, I guess they are expensive (?). As a massive overthinker, all the buttons, levers and what not, that electric guitar have would drive me insane 
. Different types of controls, pickups, bridge, infinite pedals, clean or distorted sound, amps (with all those controls) etc. I like the “pure” sound of acoustic. And the build is awesome, mostly being a piece of wood with strings (which changes the tone, like different types of body shape and the strings, but that’s it, no need to deal with controls, buttons or cables, unless If its an acoustic-electric guitar like mine, which have some controls, but way less, I use the built-in tuner, pretty handy).
But I like to hear electric guitar, it has its place for sure.
Electric guitar is only as complicated as you make it
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D’Addario NYXL nickel 10-46 for me at the moment. They feel so nice compared to when my guitar tech put earnie ball on it. They seem to last ages as well and I play every day.
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What defines standard ? 9.5 have been available as a “between” gauge for a long time.
Where did you get the “standard” list from ? If its a poll you define all options. If not you create a poll to define your own perceptions of the answers you want to see. Bit like all political polls, choices are deliberately restricted for a narrow opinion and that does not work in the world of guitar where there are many choices and options.
I’ve got 10s on my Les Paul and 9.5s on my Strat. I can’t remember what’s on my acoustic.
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