Originally I had flatwound nickel .012s on it which sounded great when played through an amp and decent enough acoustically. Now I'm playing it strictly as an acoustic so it's strung with 80/20 bronze .013-.056. It sounds fine, but I need to try other strings to see if it likes something better. Truth be told, since its design is a compromise to temper feedback, it's not nearly as loud or harmonically rich as my "budget" Kay K-11 (laminate body w/solid pressed top). It is also one of the most laser-focused archtops I've played. It projects straight out and if listener is off-axis, there is noticeable tonal loss - even more for the player so I tilt it back towards me. I'm not a fan of sound ports in the side of the body, but this guitar would be a candidate for one. Finally, to be fair, the Kay is strictly an acoustic archtop and is 40 years older than the Guild so there's that.