"...if you ask 100 people to recommend something, you're likely to get 100 105 different answers."

Fixed!

I use Elixers, Martin, John Pearse, D'Darrio, Red, SIT, whatever I find. I like most of 'em, and each has its own characteristic. I used to use Mapes, 'back in the day', 'cause they came with extra 1st & 2d strings, and were dirt cheap.

Trial and error, don't use too heavy (dreadnoughts do fine with lights OR mediums, archtops like mediums better, older guitars may need extra lights), some strings start out bright and go dull fast, others (John Pearse, for one) start out "broken in" and stay that way for months of playing, others will sound like crap from day one.

How about trying two different brands, or three, and then tell us what you think. If you start with Elixers, you may not report back for months!

Bob