Always used Thomastik or Elixir strings...long lasting and good sounding. However... I discovered these Duesenbergs and i'm sold!...They sound as good as the other 2, have a nice, organic feeling and are quite a bit cheaper. They last long too...i have one pair on my Deusenberg guitar for quite some time now....put a set 0.10 on my Strat today....great sound!