re: Changing guitar strings

D'Addario (humbuckers and acoustics) and DR Strings' Pure Blues series (Fender-style single coils and P-90s) for me. Those are the only lines I carry in my shop.

Different players' metabolisms react differently with different alloys from different string manufacturers. Experiment and you may find (insert brand here)'s 80/20 bronze retain liveliness 2x as long as (insert different brand)'s 80/20. Same goes for nickels, steels, all brasses, nylons, etc.

And because there are not only gauge thickness differences but also slight variations in alloys, core wire shapes and thicknesses, etc., different strings are the smartest way to DIY experiment with your tone and feel. You will find certain strings brighter or darker, more tense or more springy, things like that. String experiments are cheap, unobtrusive and easily reversible without modifications. If you try a string type and it sucks for your tastes, you're only out a few bucks. Unlike the rabbit hole of different pickups, or different alloy tremolo blocks for example. Just DON'T jump up or down in gauges too drastically, or you're going to need someone like me to re-set-up your guitar for the increased/decreased string tension/nut slot widths and depths/string action/intonation.