Experience level doesn't decide your gauge. Comfort and the sound you want do. Lighter strings need less pressure to fret at the same pitch, which helps while your fingertips toughen up. The trade-off is a little less volume and low end.
How to choose:
- Fretting feels like hard work: .010–.048, or .009–.046 for the lightest feel.
- Want a bit more volume: .011–.050.
- Warm, balanced tone: phosphor bronze. Brighter: 80/20 bronze.
- Rarely change strings: a coated set.
High action makes any set harder to play. If the strings sit far above the frets, a setup may help more than a gauge change.
S.I.T. options:
- P1048 Extra Light, P1150 Pro Light and P946 Ultra Light in Phosphor Bronze
- CP1047 Extra Light in CRT Coated Phosphor Bronze
- GB1048 Extra Light in Golden Bronze 80/20