Re: Guitar strings dilemma...
First, realize that this is a dilemma of your own making.
Over the years, I too chased non-standard string sets. And remember, back in the late '60s and early '70s, the guitar accessory biz was very limited. Individual gauged strings didn't exist...and no slinkys. :wrf:
But in the '70s everything took off. Nylon tape flatwounds, Nashville Straights, Phosphor Bronze, Peavey Stainless Steel, Bill Lawrence...I chased all of those and more. And custom gauges.
But the realities of touring really put things in perspective. Need a set of strings in a small town? You were lucky to find any strings. If you did, they'd be a major brand: Fender, Gibson, Martin, D'Addario, EB...if you were lucky. LaBella or Black Diamond if you weren't. The horror stories I could tell...
Some companies like Peavey, did "slinky" sets in non-standard gauges. Which was fine, until you couldn't find them, and then you'd have to use something else...and re-intonate. PITA!
You CAN buy individual strings. You CAN have a maker package a custom set for you. You CAN buy packaged sets and throw away the 3rd and the 5th to get the gauges you want.
But all of these options are expensive. If that's what you want to do, fine...but don't complain about the cost. And good luck with keeping track of your inventory, and finding strings on your tour.
I made a conscious decision 30 years ago to simplify things. If a pack of EB Slinkys was good enough for Eric Clapton, why wouldn't they be good enough for me? Eventually I settled on D'Addario XL strings for my electrics; mostly 9-42, but 10-46 for the Gibsons, except for three that use 9-46. I use Fender Super Bullets for my G&Ls with the DF Vibrato, because the Bullet end does help with tuning stability. I use Medium gauge D'Addario (and sometimes Martin) Phosphor Bronze on most of my acoustics, though a couple get Lights or Bluegrass gauge. With 61 guitars, I've got it about as streamlined as I can get it. And the eco-friendly, corrosion-resistant packaging of the D'Addario strings is a huge plus for me.
So my advice is simple, but you won't like it. I would get your guitars professionally set up to use a common, popular brand and gauged set of strings...9-42 or 10-46 are your safest bets. Be sure your luthier knows how to properly set the radius of your bridge saddles to match the fingerboard radius for best playability.
And then stick with them. It won't take long for them to feel like home. And spending $3.00 for strings means more money to spend on other things, like cool guitars and amps...or food and rent.
Take it from a pro..simplify.
Good luck.
Bill
