Alvarez 5028 strings?

steve68,

Welcome to the Cabin.
More than likely if you asked the question to ten guitar players, you would get ten different answers.

There are so many makes, gauges and types of materials.
It may be best to start with a common make, in Phosphor Bronze, 12g and 11g, and see what gauge you prefer, then at least you have a good starting point, on your quest for your favourite strings.
Good luck.

D'Addario EXP or Elixer strings in 11-52 gauge... 👍

steve68, personallly, I prefer the lighter gauge strings- I'm currently using 11-50's having graduated from 10-47's- I've only been at it, in earnest, for a little over a year-

Have fun and enjoy and drop in regular like-

steve68,  I'll just add to the light gauge strings suggestion.  Whatever brand of string you get won't really matter at first, that's more for us picky folks that have been around and tried a bunch over the years.  

But, the  gauge  will definitely matter at first because the easier it is to play, and the less sore your fingers get, the more playing and learning you'll get done. 

Best of luck to ya and enjoy the journey!

When U started in 1963 I can't recall any acoustic strings smaller than 12,s [ There were only 3 gauges to choose from. Been so long I can only remember Black Diamond and Gibson , I lived in a small town so maybe there were other brands I didn't know about. Most were from a few companies, I know D'Addario existed yet we settled for what the small shops stocked, PLus there was the cost and Black Diamond were the cheap ones. Most new acoustics came with their own brand and electrics didn't have plain G's strings.

Today there are tons of brands and gauges. I've always used 12's on acoustics don't know what the 2 Gibson's I had came with gauge wise.I can't remember that far back.

I would offer up that both compound on themselves to make a super easy-to-play guitar. 

Low action  and  light gauge?  Say goodbye to fretpan hands!