Right now, the J-200 has phosphor bronze strings; they were recommended by a luthier I know. This is the third set I've had on the guitar in two years, and I have a set of spares.

The Strat has, I believe, Ernie Ball slinkies. What I did with that is go to Guitar Center, where all the hotshot punk guitarists hang out, and show the kid behind the accessories counter the Strat, and ask him if he had strings for it. "Yup." Could he put them on? "Yup." I'll probably do that again.

I wouldn't take the acoustic guitar there. I'm not sure there's anybody there who knows what one is. (I did hear rumors there was a guy who came in once a week for a couple hours, and they referred all acoustic guitar questions to him. There reportedly wasn't a lot of demand for his services...0

joe